2025 WORCA AGM + Director Nomination Details
Notice of WORCA Annual General Meeting
Date: Thursday 25th September 2025
Time: 7:30 P.M.
Location: Hilton Hotel, 4050 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1H9
Pre-registration is required to attend the WORCA AGM. We will also be running a Toonie Ride before the AGM. Click Here for registration details.
Everybody that registers and attends the AGM will receive a WORCA t-shirt thanks to a donation from Toad Hall Studios!
Board of Directors Election
We only received one application for each position, so all directors will be elected by acclamation at the AGM.
Existing directors being re-elected
Vice President: Omer Dagan
Secretary: Layla d’Emanuele
Trails: Ben Hryciw
Positions not up for election (directors in the middle of 2-year terms): President (Dale Mikkelsen), Treasurer (Marisa Harder).
Nomination details for new directors
Special Events Director: Rachel Chambers
The skills/experience that make you a strong candidate for the position:
I have worked in sports operations for Crankworx for the last five festivals in Whistler. As a sport operations my roles include setting up the course, acting as chief of course, marshalling the course, providing timing assistance and setup, organizing volunteers and eventually taking down the race tape. Races I have worked on or assisted with include Air DH, Garbanzo DH, 1199, Adaptive tech, Enduro, Kids Enduro and Pump track. I have additional event experience from working with Whistler Blackcomb events (in particular Phat Wednesdays and BC cup) and volunteering for the Canadian National Enduro Series. Chances are, if you or your friends have raced somewhere in or around Whistler, I’ve been a part of it. I also have experience with enduros from racing local women's enduros myself (including this year, what I refer to as the Sea to Sky triple crown - Witsend, Loam Hustler and Spud Crusher). I’ve lived in Whistler for ten years and I regularly ride the Whistler trails(albeit not the scary ones!). I’ve also worked as a kids coach for ZEP and set up a girls' mountain bike club at the school I worked at in Squamish.
Your capacity to commit to a volunteer role, and why you are interested in being on the WORCA Board:
I’d like to give back to the biking community that brings me a lot of joy. I think the biking community is really central to Whistler, and I’d love to be a part of helping to shape its future. I work as a teacher, so I can commit to the hours needed for the role during weekends and evenings. I’m passionate about racing, whether it’s organizing, watching or trying to keep it rubber side down myself. I think about the ways I can support WORCA, and I think, given my organizing skills and trackside experience, this is a great opportunity for me to give back.
Full names of two current WORCA members that support your nomination:
Justa Jeskova, Danny Martins
Advocacy Director: Sarah Hryciw
The skills/experience that make you a strong candidate for the position:
I’m excited to submit my nomination for the Director of Advocacy position on the WORCA Board. I’m passionate about helping WORCA grow its membership, foster greater inclusion, and ensure that all trail users feel welcome and represented.
I am an industrial engineer, with experience in process improvement and project management. I believe in thoughtful, strategic engagement to drive sustainable change and making systems work better for everyone. I think this mindset, along with my organizational skills, will be useful to help WORCA grow its outreach, support events, and collaborate with other board members.
I’ve volunteered at WORCA events for several years and will continue to make the time for this important work. I believe WORCA plays a vital role in our community, not just in maintaining and advocating for trails, but in bringing people together through shared outdoor experiences. That’s why I’m committed to engaging underrepresented groups who enjoy WORCA’s trail network, including seniors, trail runners, dog walkers, and riders who prefer green and blue flowy trails like me. I want everyone to feel that they belong in Whistler’s trail culture.
Your capacity to commit to a volunteer role, and why you are interested in being on the WORCA Board:
I am aware of the commitment to this role and understand the time involved. I would like to be on the WORCA Board as I want to contribute to its involvement in the cycling community and to give back some of my time for all the work that goes into building this amazing trail network.
Full names of two current WORCA members that support your nomination:
I meet all eligibility requirements for this role, and my nomination is supported by Kevin Ray and Barb Tyres, both current WORCA members who share my vision for inclusive trail advocacy.
Thank you for considering my nomination. I’d be honoured to serve on the WORCA Board and help shape a trail culture that’s welcoming, equitable, and forward-thinking.
Community Events Director: Olly Duquemin
The skills/experience that make you a strong candidate for the position:
Before joining WORCA, I was actively involved with the Guernsey Velo Club and QTMBC, participating in races, marshalling, and trail building. While living in New Zealand, I helped run a small trail centre where we organized cross-country races. These experiences have given me a strong foundation in community cycling and event coordination.
Your capacity to commit to a volunteer role, and why you are interested in being on the WORCA Board:
I’ve recently become a Canadian citizen and plan to be in Whistler for the foreseeable future. Having logged thousands of meters of vertical on Whistler’s trail system, I’m passionate about supporting the club and helping run events like the Toonie rides and other WORCA initiatives.
I’m fully committed to attending meetings and dedicating the time needed to support the board and its activities.
Full names of two current WORCA members that support your nomination:
James Paton and Edgar Dearden have kindly agreed to support my nomination.