If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them

by Mark T. Cockson

My grandfather used to say: “If you can’t beat them, join them”. I have embraced this folk wisdom with the purchase of a bicycle. Thank goodness, no members live in my neighborhood to watch my struggle with a machine which I have not ridden on for 40 plus years! I have started out with short distances—-biking to work and the grocery store.

Recently I began the routes in Forest Park, usually in the early mornings when not many other riders are about. Because I am a daily swimmer, Board members tease me that because I started riding a bike, we should be able to do a biathlon as a fundraiser.

Which brings me to the financial health of our organization. Before I became executive director, the organization had spent more than $60,000.00 in reserves and was $20,000.00 in debt to the National organization (mainly for insurance). If I had known how precarious the finances were when I was hired, I probably would have run the other way. About six months after I was hired, we had the national tragedy of 09/11. The terrorist hijackings and subsequent crashes into the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, and the fields of Pennsylvania changed the course of the economy and of the world.

Finances were tough, the national economy was dismal and in recession, and we were struggling to re-define ourselves as an organization in a changed and changing world. Hostelling International/AYH went through a name change to HI-USA, not to divorce itself from youth, but to brand U.S. Hostels as destination points. In fact, HI maintained its youth corps and expanded its reach to all ages including seniors and baby-boomers. With a new emphasis on education and Opening Doors, Opening Minds and a huge rise in insurance costs, the National organization shifted its focus from recreational activities to hostels and hostelling programs like International Travel Day, Cultural Kitchen, Travel Scholars, and Community Walls. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, we continued hiking, biking, and canoeing programs, which had been our core strength for 30 years. 

As Executive Director I have never been in favor of “throwing out the baby with the bath water” (another of my grandfather’s folk sayings). Revenues have shrunk from declining National memberships and recreational programs have faltered from threats like “Disease of the Week Bike Rides” and hikes, a renewed Sierra Club (now an advocacy organization), Trailnet, and an aging volunteer corps within our own organization. The rise of the Internet and e-commerce and declining membership also affected the Travel Center and its revenues. My response was to look for new sources of revenue and to push the organization forward as a not-for-profit into the fund raising arena. 

Gateway Newsletter printing and mailing costs were scrutinized, accountability by trip leaders for reporting and budgets for larger rides was started, a more professional and responsive website was re-launched, new board members were recruited, more professional staff was hired, and gradually finances began to improve with a small surplus in March 31, 2004 and the re-institution of the Hostel Development Fund (currently at $1,100.00). New fund raising efforts were Trivia Night, Casino Nights, and Moonlight Masquerade. Board members and volunteers reinvented Moonlight Ramble®, our signature fund raising event, and made it more profitable with secure starting line, wristband tickets, new push for sponsors, an increase in ticket prices but “value added” with the inclusion of tee-shirts, preferred starting, and an after-party at City Museum. We are now a lean and nimble organization, more able to adapt to changing conditions. What will the future bring?

While maintaining the bedrock events of our organization like daily rides, Tour-de-Stooges, CAM, Moonlight Ramble® and many others, we look forward to adding new events that fulfill our mission: “To help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling”. We also embrace the vision that our Board of Directors has to build a quality hostel by 2007. (The Huck Finn Hostel in Soulard, the last HI-affiliated hostel in our region, closed on 12/31/04.) 

In becoming a bicyclist, I am re-affirming a credo of travel, which is environmentally sound. In continuing core events, I am re-affirming what works for our membership. In working with our National organization, I am re-shaping our illustrious history as a Council and pointing us toward the future as an inter-global group. As executive director, my ears and eyes are open to your thoughts as members. Whether you “paddle, pedal, or walk”, whether you plan to travel in the U.S. or abroad and stay at hostels, whether you are a new member or seasoned veteran, we will present our mission and vision to connect with you. Please call, e-mail, or stop by the new office location at 7012 Clayton Rd (near the intersections of Big Bend Blvd and Clayton Rd).