Race to Excellence Deadline Extended

We are announcing a one week extension for the 2009 Race to Excellence to November 9, 2009.

The Race to Excellence provides an exciting opportunity for you to receive national recognition for your leadership in providing and promoting commuter benefits at your workplace.

The Race to Excellence is a challenge that encourages, recognizes, and highlights dedicated professionals throughout the country who promote commuter benefits, transportation options and the Best Workplaces for Commuters (BWC) designation in their workplaces and throughout their local communities. It recognizes the hard work of two groups of professionals - BWC Employee Transportation Coordinators and BWC Champions, both of who are actively promoting superior commuter benefits and transportation options on a national basis.

Compete in the Race, and you will receive:

· National recognition via an exciting Virtual Awards Ceremony

· Gold, silver or bronze status and "Best of" recognition will go to three Employee Transportation Coordinators (ETC)

· Permanent recognition on BWC website

· Personalized letter to company or agency leadership

· Press release announcing award to local and national media

Anyone can attend the orientation but only current Best Workplaces for Commuters members in good standing can participate. If you haven't done so in 2009, please update your record to http://www.bestworkplaces.org/pdf/application.pdf

Enter by completing this Race to Excellence application. There is no cost for entering the Race to Excellence.

We look forward to your participation in the 2009 Race to Excellence.

Will e-bikes help Encourage Bicycle Commuting?

Electric bicycles or e-bikes have been around for awhile. They haven't caught on for commuting in the United States as fast as in other countries. Read this interesting CNN article published this month. It may be the right time for change.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/15/electric.bicycles/index.html

BWC and Climate Change: Making the Connection

Join the Champions Listserv and receive "BWC and Climate Change: Making the Connection," on CD. This CD will help BWC community coordinators and other supporters take advantage of new opportunities to position BWC as a near-term,cost-effective climate solution. Quantities are limited to the first 50 to sign up.

Join at this link:

http://www.bestworkplaces.org/suppor/index.htm

Welcome to our newest member - Symetra Financial

Best Workplaces for Commuters welcomes Symetra Financial to the growing list of Best Workplaces for Commuters. Symetra Financial has met the Standard of Excellence for providing high level commuter benefits.

View their website at http://www.symetra.com/careers/.

Top 10 Tips to Race to Excellence

Best Workplaces for Commuters' 2009 Race to Excellence is underway!

Here are Top 10 Tips for the Race to Excellence

1. Review the Instructions and online application form at
http://www.bestworkplaces.org

2. Find answers to frequently asked Race to Excellence questions at
http://tinyurl.com/racetoexcellence

3. Ask the BWC Help Desk questions and receive answers.
http://tinyurl.com/bwchelpdesk

4. Document your efforts with photos and use them when creating visual
PowerPoint slides for the Awards Ceremony.

5. Find your company name on the updated list of employers on the home
page at www.bestworkplaces.org. If your workplace is not on the list, it
is time to re-apply using this form:
http://www.bestworkplaces.org/pdf/application.pdf

6. Use the BWC Logo twice during the race period. Find the logo at
http://www.bestworkplaces.org/empkit/kit_section1.htm

7. Compete as a Champion, Employee Transportation Coordinator or both.
Join the Champion Listserv at
http://www.bestworkplaces.org/suppor/index.htm

8. Submit your application no later than November 2, 2009.

9. Mark your calendar for the December 2, 2009 Virtual Awards Ceremony.

10. Have fun!

The Race to Excellence is a challenge that encourages, recognizes, and
highlights dedicated professionals throughout the country who promote
commuter benefits, transportation options and the Best Workplaces for
Commuters (BWC) designation in their workplaces and throughout their
local communities. The Race to Excellence recognizes the hard work of
two groups of professionals - BWC Employee Transportation Coordinators
and BWC Network Members, both of who are actively promoting superior
commuter benefits and transportation options on a national basis.


Compete in the Race, and you will receive:


National recognition via an exciting Virtual Awards CeremonyGold, silver
or bronze status and "Best of" recognition will go to three Employee
Transportation Coordinators (ETC)Permanent recognition on BWC
websitePersonalized letter to company or agency leadershipPress release
announcing award to local and national media

We look forward to your participation in the 2009 Race to Excellence.

Thank you Best Workplaces for Commuters Champions!

The list is growing.

Champion Network, 2009

Debbie Anderson, Community Transit, WA

Julie Bond, CUTR, FL

Glama Carter, Collier County, FL

Diane Davidson, Oak Ridge Laboratories, TN

Wendy Duren, Arlington Transportation Partners, VA

Denis Eirikis, Clear Light Communications Inc., FL

Tammy Ford, RideShare Delaware, DE

John Galgano, CommuterLink, NY

Nevine Georggi, CUTR, FL

Lisa Horanyi, Thomas Jefferson PDC, VA

Jeff Horton, Commuter Services of North Florida, FL

Karen Kress, Tampa Downtown Partnership, FL

Lauren Peak, GVF Transportation, PA

Carol Perry, RTC, WA

Tami Herendeen Rice, Metropool, NY

Stephanie Loyka-Minker, Triangle Transit, NC

John Lyons, Metropool, NY

Heather McCarey, Lloyd TMA, Portland, OR

Peggy Schwartz, North Bethesda Transportation, MD

Kathy Smith, A.J. Dwoskin & Associates Inc.

Miriam Sorell, 511 Rideshare, CA

Florinda Teixerira, Metropool, NY

Phil Winters, CUTR, FL

Thank you for your support!

Become a Best Workplaces for Commuters Champion

The new list of Best Workplaces for Commuters Champions is growing. If you would like to become a supporter of BWC, join the listserv and your name will be added to the list of leaders across the country.

The Champion network is a forum for both individuals and organizations interested in collaborating with Best Workplaces for Commuters. A Champion works to support Best Workplaces for Commuters employers and participates in the Race to Excellence. Oftentimes, a Champion may be an employee of a Best Workplaces for Commuters designated employers.

http://www.bestworkplaces.org/suppor/index.htm