December 2008 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Surprise Minneapolis
by Daniel Kim 27 Dec '08

27 Dec '08

Hey this is Daniel from the Bike Kitchen, San Francisco. Currently traveling through the midwest and happened to find myself in Minneapolis this morning. So, I have a place to stay with some friends, but I would love to check out The Grease Pit, our happy hosts for '09 B!B! If any of you from the Grease Pit happen to get this, drop me a line. @ 404.403.6659 I'm going to try and adventure out into the city and find it myself, but it would be cool to connect with someone as well. Also, I'm trying to travel west to Fargo, ND so I can visit the Fargo/Moorhead Bicycle Community Workshop and my friends from B!B! that work there. So, if anybody has a connection for a rideshare that direction let me know. Ciao Daniel

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bikebike southeast tentative schedule
by rachael spiewak 23 Dec '08

23 Dec '08

Hi, friends! We've been working on scheduling workshops for Bike!Bike! Southeast, and here<http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pxiG5--r6mve435CdtKVrZg&hl=en#>is what we've got so far. It's not all confirmed, but it's mostly there. So if you're on the fence about coming, I hope you find this inspiring! -rachael -- Sopo Bicycle Cooperative 404-425-9989 www.sopobikes.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Hours of operation: Tues, Wed, & Thurs 7 pm - 10 pm Sat & Sun 2 pm - 6 pm

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UPDATED: IRS 501(c)(3) final determination
by Jonathan Morrison 22 Dec '08

22 Dec '08

If you have not yet received your IRS 501(c)(3) final determination and are still in the advance ruling period. ------------------------------------------ IRS Simplifies Advance Ruling Process for Public Charity Status of Section 501(c)(3) Nonprofits http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=184578,00.html Send to friendPrinter-friendly version On September 9, 2008, the IRS issued temporary Income Tax Regulations that simplify the process for nonprofits to secure tax-exempt status, by eliminating the advance ruling process for a section 501(c)(3) organization's status as a public charity and not a private foundation. What does this mean? Basically, this will not affect many nonprofits – but for those that it does affect, it is good news because it simplifies things. Under prior law, when an organization applied to the IRS for recognition as a tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3), the IRS would issue an "advance ruling," good for five years, that essentially granted the organization the equivalent of a "probationary status" to allow it to prove it could meet the public support test. Under the old system, at the end of the five years, the organization had to fill out yet another form pulling together certain information from past 990s to show it had enough public support. That step of an additional form is now eliminated. Effective immediately under the new regulations, the IRS will automatically classify a new 501(c)(3) organization as a public charity for its first five years if it can show in its application that it can reasonably be expected to be publicly supported. The nonprofit then files its 990 or 990-EZ each year as required. No extra forms are involved. How does this affect a nonprofit that has already received its final "definitive" tax-exempt determination letter? Not at all. If a nonprofit already has its final IRS determination letter, that determination letter controls. This change in the process does not affect the organization at all. As has been the practice, the IRS monitors the organization's public charity status using the public support information reported annually on the Schedule A of its Form 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. The public support test is based on a five year computation period that consists of the current year and the four years immediately preceding the current year. Special Note: Notwithstanding the change in the ruling process, an organization still could lose its public charity status if it cannot pass the public support test for two consecutive years. If the organization cannot meet the public support test for two consecutive years, it will be reclassified as a private foundation as of the start of the second consecutive year. To avoid unexpectedly losing the public charity classification, a nonprofit should keep careful track of its public support information throughout the year instead of waiting until the end of the tax year when it is preparing Schedule A. For more information about record-keeping, see Publication 4221-PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3)Public Charities. How does this affect a nonprofit that is still in the five year window under the old process? The new rules affect only organizations whose advance ruling periods have not yet expired or that expired on or after June 9, 2008 and before September 9. An organization "in process" will automatically be classified as a public charity for its first five years of existence regardless of the support actually received. It will no longer need to file Form 8734 with the IRS at the end of its advance ruling period. It must file annual returns, and beginning with its sixth taxable year and all succeeding years, it must meet the public support test as shown on the revised Schedule A of Form 990. The advance ruling determination letter that the organization received when it applied to the IRS for a tax exemption is now considered by the IRS to be the nonprofit's final determination letter. The organization and its donors may rely on that letter with respect to the organization's public charity classification unless the organization no longer meets the public support test and the IRS changes that status and sends a notice of the change. How does this affect a nonprofit in the process of seeking its tax exemption from the IRS? The new rules will apply to all organizations with applications pending before the IRS regardless of when the organization submitted the Form 1023 application. You do not need to submit a new application form. The IRS will automatically apply the new procedures to the pending application. For more information, visit the IRS website and their Frequently Asked Questions resource.

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Article: Bush to help open national parks to mountain bikes.
by Jonathan Morrison 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/14/mtnbiking/ Washington D.C. — (AP) - The Bush administration plans to make it easier for mountain bikers to gain access to national parks and other public lands before the president - an avid cyclist himself - leaves office. The National Park Service confirmed Tuesday that it is preparing a rule that will allow decisions about some mountain bike trails to be made by park managers instead of federal regulators in Washington, a process that can take years. A park service spokesman said the rule would be proposed no later than Nov. 15 so it could be final before Bush leaves office. If adopted, the proposal would likely result in more mountain biking opportunities on public lands. Currently, the Park Service has to adopt a special regulation to open up trails to mountain bikes, which requires the public to be formally notified. The same process is required for all-terrain vehicles and other motorized recreation on park lands. "We are trying to give superintendents a little bit of latitude especially for non-controversial proposals for bicycling in parks," said Jeffrey Olson, a spokesman for the service. "We are responding to public demand." Environmental advocate Jeff Ruch called the rule a lame-duck gift for the mountain biking lobby from the "Mountain-Biker-in-Chief," referring to Bush. Ruch, executive director of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, said the proposal would open up backcountry trails to mountain bikers. Mountain bikers are blamed for erosion of trails and trampling native plants. They also disturb other park users, such as hikers, birders and horseback riders. During his tenure as president, Bush has embraced mountain biking as a low-impact alternative to running, which is hard on his knees. The president - who has a blue and white Trek bicycle dubbed Mountain Bike One - often rides on his ranch in Crawford, Tex. and in the Washington, D.C. area. He also has received several mountain bikes from companies like Cannondale and Trek. The International Mountain Biking Association, which is supported by some of the same companies that gave Bush bikes, said Tuesday it didn't believe the timing of the rule had anything to do with the president's penchant for pedaling. "It is extraneous to this (rule) that the president has interest in mountain biking. I don't think that has been an influencer in this case," said Mark Eller, communications director for the group, which has been lobbying to change the rules since the early 1990s. About 30 properties managed by the National Park Service include trails approved for mountain bikes now, he said. A calendar for Lyle Laverty, the Interior Department's Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks also shows that the mountain bike rule is one the administration's remaining priorities. In April 2006, after a 65-minute ride through Napa County wine country on Earth Day, the president told an AP reporter: "We're able to enjoy the beauty without really disrupting pristine nature of the place. It's a classic way for mankind to enjoy God's gift."

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Fwd: Early Bird Registration Opens for the National Bike Summit, March 10-12
by Jonathan Morrison 18 Dec '08

18 Dec '08

I can't recommend going to this enough... Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison Executive Director Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective 2312 S. West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115 w: 801-328-2453 c: 801-688-0183 f: 801-466-3856 www.slcbikecollective.org Get Addicted to Crank! http://www.slcbikecollective.org/crank/ The mission of the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Bicycle Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: IMBA <info(a)imba.com> Date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 9:01 AM Subject: Early Bird Registration Opens for the National Bike Summit, March 10-12 To: jonathan(a)slcbikecollective.org <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=vCb4u7c4nSdj0rFXe61c2w..> [image: News] <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=v9e09yM5eClrEDe3Qn8JMw..> * Early Bird Registration Opens for the National Bike Summit, March 10-12* For Immediate Release 12-18-08 Contact: Drew Vankat, Policy Analyst 303-545-9011 drew(a)imba.com Join IMBA and an expected 600 bicycle advocates at the 2009 National Bike Summit <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=8-1TI199nwH2blP9OM-mfw..>, March 10-12, in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the League of American Bicyclists, the Summit provides a unique opportunity for mountain bikers to interact with cyclists of all stripes, attend diverse informational sessions and lobby the halls of Congress. IMBA supporters who attend receive discounted registration, a private banquet dinner and tons of great swag. *An Extremely Important Year for the National Bike Summit* The sweeping administrative and congressional changes in D.C. make 2009 an extremely important year. "With so many new members of congress, it's more important than ever to show them the human face of mountain biking and introduce yourself to their staff and your issues," says IMBA Government Affairs Director Jenn Dice. "Mountain bikers have a golden opportunity to protect more land, influence public lands bills, increase funding for trails and lay the foundation for productive working relationships." Attendees will be treated to presentations and panel discussions on many important topics. IMBA is currently finalizing an exceptional line-up of speakers and sessions to cover the following topics: urban trails and jump parks, integrating trails and neighborhoods, small-group land protection training, funding for the National Park Service and integrating singletrack into the Bicycle Friendly Community program. Sign up online <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=geEeYJ9biZ_J3VzVBk9xnQ..> to attend the National Bike Summit. Early bird registration is now open and available through Feb. 5. *Bolster Your Trails by Attending the National Bike Summit* The Summit is the perfect way to build a relationship with your member of congress. U.S. representatives and senators can be very powerful allies when the time comes to develop singletrack destinations. Just ask the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (MORC), who garnered $800,000 for new singletrack north of Minneapolis. "Your congressional office can help you find the right way to go after money for trails. The funding opportunities are there, but you have to go out and get it," says MORC's Tim Wegner. Mike Dulin, of the Kentucky Mountain Biking Association, says, "Last year's Summit was amazing. The combined knowledge of so many fellow cycling advocates is truly inspiring and the meetings on Capitol Hill are a fantastic way to get the ball rolling on new trails projects." Advocates looking to influence public lands protection also benefit from coming to D.C. "We've sent Virginians to the National Bike Summit the past few years and it's undoubtedly helped us become better advocates for mountain biking and protected landscapes in the Jefferson and George Washington national forests," says IMBA Trail Solutions Director Rich Edwards. *Resources to Get the Most Out of the National Bike Summit* IMBA pulls out the stops to make sure mountain bikers make the most of this event. Attendees are encouraged to register early so they can join pre-Summit conference calls and take advantage of IMBA's online resources<http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=PBpee0ekcw8v_DKs-nNZbw..>for comprehensive guidance on a variety of topics, including how to raise money to attend and finding lodging options. Limited scholarship money is available to help offset costs. If you're serious about taking your local singletrack to the next level, make sure the National Bike Summit<http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=K4jM8conqSweyIP8jEUX8w..>is on your schedule. Donate Now <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=kE7NGkjOxCoCll46goo9jQ..> | Shop IMBA Gear <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=ejDlKX01_PHsC1OBBmBHgw..> | Membership <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=4JYrThbgGS6ngQJwhpeN2Q..> More News <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=-62stqeviGfHNYmoRsiZPw..> | Update my IMBA Profile <http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=SoLXuw8P37pFigUrjM19ng..> | Unsubscribe<http://go.imba.com/site/CO?i=3xu_eRlg8NySWHGIcl2ZeZvQ2HrDhkPh&cid=1004>

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funding questions
by Liza Mattana 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

Hi, I wanted to redirect Beth's questions that got lost in the bike curriculum thread...thanks in advance. Our nonprofit, Pedals2People, just got its 501c3. As we are trying to develop projects and determine our focus under our new status we thought it would be great to get some insight from all of you that have more experience (been around for a while). Anyone that would like to, please feel free to answer any of the following questions: 1.) What is your main source of funding? 2.) If you have a space, how are you covering your costs? 3.) Do you have paid staff? 4.) Are you financially self-sustaining or grant funded? Thanks for your help! If you have any other suggestions or ideas or questions i forgot that you would like to answer, please do! -- Liza Mattana president www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA

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Boulder Goes Bike Platinum
by Rich Points 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

Collectives, As you may know the League of American Bicyclists recently awarded Boulder the platinum level for bicycle friendliness. This prompted Clarence Eckerson Jr from Street Films to come out and document our wonderful bike system. http://communitycycles.org/media/24-2008-media/139-december-5-2008-boulder-… And take note that even though we've achieved the platinum level we know we still have a long way to go. In solidarity -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 Donate your old car to Community Cycles

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Bicycle Gift Guide
by R Points 16 Dec '08

16 Dec '08

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/12/bicycle_gift_guide.html

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Check out my Facebook profile
by Cycles Apc 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi thethinktank, I set up a Facebook profile where I can post my pictures, videos and events and I want to add you as a friend so you can see it. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile. Thanks, Cycles To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1594973725&k=Z6F3Z454PZ2CUC1DR16XUUX&r

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Check out my Facebook profile
by Cycles Apc 11 Dec '08

11 Dec '08

Hi thethinktank, I set up a Facebook profile where I can post my pictures, videos and events and I want to add you as a friend so you can see it. First, you need to join Facebook! Once you join, you can also create your own profile. Thanks, Cycles To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1594973725&k=53126XS53Y3M5F1CSB2XP4&r

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