TheThinkTank July 2008

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

46 participants
33 discussions

Re: [TheThinkTank] bike!bike! mailings
by dave bauer 14 Jul '08

14 Jul '08

Contact information for Recycle Bicycles is below. Thanks! -- dave bauer 7196 s. poplar st. centennial, co 80112 usa h/w: 303.788.0672 c: 303.748.3541 davebauer5(a)gmail.com recyclebicycles.net

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Recycle-a-bike ladies repair night video
by elizabeth press 12 Jul '08

12 Jul '08

I thought this video might interest some of you: Continuing with our NYC bike month <http://bikemonthnyc.org/index.php>coverage, last week I had the chance to shoot at Recycle-A-Bicycle<http://www.recycleabicycle.org/>in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Recycle-A-Bicycle takes donated bicycles, repairs them and reintroduces them to the community through earn-a-bike programs in schools and sales from their non-profit retail locations. Although their work mainly focuses on environmental education and job training programs for New York City youth, they also host repair classes for people of all ages. Every Tuesday evening after the shop closes, Susan Lindell teaches bike mechanics 101 to women. Check out this video on Ladies Repair Night. http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/rab-ladies-repair/ best, Elizabeth streetfilms.org

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Volunteer Coordination....is hard
by Rich Points 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

Wah That said we're trying to use our volunteers better at Community Cycles. Late last winter we put up a volunteer form on our website http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/volunteer.html Since then we've had 73 people fill it out, of those I'd say less than five of them have plugged in once or twice at the shop or anywhere else. I know things would go a lot smoother if we had a volunteer coordinator to help oversee this. We're still looking for this person so in the meantime the staff and a few volunteers do what they can to keep up. We've checked out this http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/volunteer.html which is great advice but making it happen is another thing. We're going to have a retreat soon to discuss volunteering at Community Cycles. I have some specific things I'd like to explore during this retreat but wanted to start here with the Think Tank first. * How do we improve the quality and experience of the EAB program? * How can we instill ownership/responsibility in our volunteers? * How do we engage new volunteers? * How do we plug people into specific time slots? * How can we use volunteers to relieve stress on staff? * How do we best develop and implement an effective volunteer handbook? I could go on but those are the kinds of things we're trying to figure out. So I ask the Think Tank what your experiences have been with volunteering and volunteers. Thanks Peace -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019

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New Space?
by Geoffrey B 11 Jul '08

11 Jul '08

Hello All Bike Pirates in Toronto has come across a problem. We are looking for a new space and was wondering if any organizations out there have any lists of things to look for in a new space for a volunteer cooperative DIY bike space. We have so many volunteers and no way to communicate out problem. We have always had storage issues. Our fine issue is with operating time, once we were restricted by our landlord to two days and now are free to open whenever. Every insight will help and thank you for all. Geoffrey Toronto, Canada www.bikepirates.com -- "Be the change you would like to see in the world." - Gandhi

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Come work with bikes in Kathmandu!
by Mario Bruzzone 10 Jul '08

10 Jul '08

Hello from Kathmandu! This email goes out to a wide variety of community bike programs and other community organizations working with marginalized and disempowered youth. Now firmly off the ground, Wrench Nepal is looking for new volunteers! Wrench Nepal <http://www.wrenchnepal.org> (www.wrenchnepal.org) teaches bike repair to some of the most disadvantaged kids in the Kathmandu Valley, by partnering with local, Nepali-run NGOs. Of our current partners, one NGO rehabilitates former child laborers, mostly from the carpet industry, and girls who are the victims of trafficking; the other provides schooling and opportunity for the children of the incarcerated, who (in true Dickensian fashion) would otherwise be in prison with their parents, despite committing no crime. For a variety of reasons, these kids are caught in a trap of poverty that we are trying to free them from. And you can be part, however large you choose to make it, of that change. You'll be arriving at a really exciting time for the program--a time when we embark on extending and expanding on the basic bike repair skills that the kids have learned in the trainings we've taught so far. This can be in the old, retail repair shop, might be making bike-machines a la Mayapedal, or something else--anything else--that you're excited about. Or even all three! We're hoping to get at least one person out here as soon as possible, and at least two within the next two months. In addition, anyone who comes before September can stay at my apartment until then for free--bed and all. Yeah, it's a bribe, but we're not above that. You should have: - Working knowledge of basic bike mechanics - Good communication and organizing skills - Willingness to live in a foreign environment and work with people from a very different culture Wrench Nepal continues as an all-volunteer program, but the cost of living is very low here, with rent in a comfortable place at times as little as $50 per month--my own rent is about $68, about $74 with utilities, and I didn't look very hard. Volunteers can also pursue part-time paid work to support themselves while here. We have an application available online at www.wrenchnepal.org/wrench_test2. If you prefer, you can also send a brief resume to me at mario(a)wrenchnepal.org. (No penalisation for either, of course!) Make sure to highlight your experience working with bicycles and working in community organizing positions. Thanks, and I hope to hear from you very soon! I encourage you to forward or re-post this message anywhere you feel is appropriate. Mario Bruzzone Wrench Nepal mario(a)wrenchnepal.org

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Cell phone use in the shop
by Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE 09 Jul '08

09 Jul '08

Does anyone have a firm policy or best practice regarding cell phone use in your shop space? To be honest, most of the time it is not a big deal, but it kinda sucks when a volunteer's time is being wasted waiting for someone to finsish a conversation or there are people waiting to use a stand. That and it adds to general confusion in the shop when you have a "cell phone wanderer" just meandering about. Wondering how you all handle it/don't handle it, Thanks, Brian -- Urban Bike Project of Wilmington -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19801 Hours: Thursday 6:30-9:00 Saturday 1:00-4:00 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Non-collective Members opening the shop.
by Andrew Bushaw 09 Jul '08

09 Jul '08

Thanks for all the input! I certainly didn't mean to sound derogatory towards hipsters nor fixed gear bikes as I probably could qualify as either depending on what bike I choose to ride on any given day! I should put this question into context a little more. We are not currently open on saturdays and these folks have mentioned that is generally when they have time to wrench on their bikes. They aren't really interested in having the shop open because generally when we are open to the public, we are so swamped with EAB and folks stopping by for one-off repairs we there just aren't enough shop resources for them to get into completely overhauling their bikes at a leisurely pace. Basically they want to "rent" the shop on saturday's for their own use. I suppose that rent could be paid with volunteer hours during other open shifts or cash donations to the shop. Ideally some of these folks would come in and help out on other days and become collective members, wanting more responsibility. The other option I'm hearing from folks off list would be to make it an official open shift minus EAB or earning volunteer credit (Since those require a bit of admin/assistance) and just open for folks who are confident enough to work on their own bikes. -Andrew FM Community Bicycle Workshop

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 23, Issue 5
by Wanda Pelegrina 09 Jul '08

09 Jul '08

As already mentioned, it's a perfect opportunity to make "them" part of "us". If they become members of your collective and at least one of them gets "training" needed, to open/run/close shop, then it's def a win/win. Your shop gains members, support, etc and your hipsters gets their fixies and a chance to be part of something great. Let them know what your requirements are and if they're really into it, there should be no problem. If it's not gonna cause huge uproar in the shop, create more work or costs for the collective/ members/organizers, then never turn down any "them" (aka, potential "us") that wanna play in the shop...esp. if you have the capacity. 1da Wanda Pelegrina Caldas Wanda(a)CommunityCycles.org CommunityCycles.org > From: thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org > Subject: Thethinktank Digest, Vol 23, Issue 5 > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > Date: Wed, 9 Jul 2008 09:34:15 -0700 > > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Non-collective Members opening the shop. (plan_9(a)riseup.net) > 2. Re: Non-collective Members opening the shop. (Rich Points) > 3. Re: Non-collective Members opening the shop. (Rich Points) > 4. Re: Non-collective Members opening the shop. (Wilbur Ince) > 5. Re: Non-collective Members opening the shop. (yellow bike) > 6. Re: Non-collective Members opening the shop. (Matt) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:51:27 -0700 > From: plan_9(a)riseup.net > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Non-collective Members opening the shop. > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Message-ID: <20080709085127.ota77a09440wg08c(a)swift.riseup.net> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; DelSp="Yes"; > format="flowed" > > We have recently been approached by, for no better descriptor, > hipsters, asking if they could have a "fixed gear/SS" day on a day > when we are not open. They are interested in doing tune-ups and > modifications on their own bikes and are somewhat competent and > autonomous mechanics. We don't really have any collective members that > are willing or able to staff another shift beyond what we are already > open. We know some of these folks pretty well on a personal, outside > of the shop level, but not too many have been active volunteers. > Basically we trust some of them and would like to make the shop > available to them but am not sure as to how to do it equitably. We > have opened the shop to special groups before (at-risk youth groups, > etc) but always staffed by a willing and able collective member. Do > any shops make exceptions for folks like this? How do you make sure > that things are getting paid for, tools being used properly, random > folks stopping by being respected, etc. without having a collective > member in the place? Any problems from shops that have done this? > Thanks, > Andrew > FM Community Bicycle Workshop > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:59:33 -0600 > From: Rich Points <rich(a)richpoints.com> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Non-collective Members opening the shop. > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Cc: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Message-ID: <4874E065.1080300(a)richpoints.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Make them members, expand your capacity. > > R > > plan_9(a)riseup.net wrote: > > We have recently been approached by, for no better descriptor, > > hipsters, asking if they could have a "fixed gear/SS" day on a day > > when we are not open. They are interested in doing tune-ups and > > modifications on their own bikes and are somewhat competent and > > autonomous mechanics. We don't really have any collective members that > > are willing or able to staff another shift beyond what we are already > > open. We know some of these folks pretty well on a personal, outside > > of the shop level, but not too many have been active volunteers. > > Basically we trust some of them and would like to make the shop > > available to them but am not sure as to how to do it equitably. We > > have opened the shop to special groups before (at-risk youth groups, > > etc) but always staffed by a willing and able collective member. Do > > any shops make exceptions for folks like this? How do you make sure > > that things are getting paid for, tools being used properly, random > > folks stopping by being respected, etc. without having a collective > > member in the place? Any problems from shops that have done this? > > Thanks, > > Andrew > > FM Community Bicycle Workshop > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > -- > Rich Points > Community Cycles Director > http://CommunityCycles.org > Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org > 720-565-6019 > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:59:33 -0600 > From: Rich Points <rich(a)richpoints.com> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Non-collective Members opening the shop. > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Cc: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Message-ID: <4874E065.1080300(a)richpoints.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Make them members, expand your capacity. > > R > > plan_9(a)riseup.net wrote: > > We have recently been approached by, for no better descriptor, > > hipsters, asking if they could have a "fixed gear/SS" day on a day > > when we are not open. They are interested in doing tune-ups and > > modifications on their own bikes and are somewhat competent and > > autonomous mechanics. We don't really have any collective members that > > are willing or able to staff another shift beyond what we are already > > open. We know some of these folks pretty well on a personal, outside > > of the shop level, but not too many have been active volunteers. > > Basically we trust some of them and would like to make the shop > > available to them but am not sure as to how to do it equitably. We > > have opened the shop to special groups before (at-risk youth groups, > > etc) but always staffed by a willing and able collective member. Do > > any shops make exceptions for folks like this? How do you make sure > > that things are getting paid for, tools being used properly, random > > folks stopping by being respected, etc. without having a collective > > member in the place? Any problems from shops that have done this? > > Thanks, > > Andrew > > FM Community Bicycle Workshop > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > > > -- > Rich Points > Community Cycles Director > http://CommunityCycles.org > Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org > 720-565-6019 > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:08:45 -0500 > From: Wilbur Ince <Wilbur(a)Wilbur.us> > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Non-collective Members opening the shop. > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: <4874E28D.9060401(a)Wilbur.us> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; Format="flowed" > > There's something there for you and something there for them, so find > the middle ground. As Rich said, you have a chance at new collective > members. If you have nights available, by all means, give them a > night. They are interested in the shop time, so I bet you can get them > to meet your conditions - like keeping shop clean - greeting people who > stop by - opening their sessions to drop-ins, etc. Could be a great > win-win. > > Wilbur Ince > Sibley Bike Depot > Saint Paul, MN > > > > plan_9(a)riseup.net wrote: > > We have recently been approached by, for no better descriptor, > > hipsters, asking if they could have a "fixed gear/SS" day on a day > > when we are not open. They are interested in doing tune-ups and > > modifications on their own bikes and are somewhat competent and > > autonomous mechanics. We don't really have any collective members that > > are willing or able to staff another shift beyond what we are already > > open. We know some of these folks pretty well on a personal, outside > > of the shop level, but not too many have been active volunteers. > > Basically we trust some of them and would like to make the shop > > available to them but am not sure as to how to do it equitably. We > > have opened the shop to special groups before (at-risk youth groups, > > etc) but always staffed by a willing and able collective member. Do > > any shops make exceptions for folks like this? How do you make sure > > that things are getting paid for, tools being used properly, random > > folks stopping by being respected, etc. without having a collective > > member in the place? Any problems from shops that have done this? > > Thanks, > > Andrew > > FM Community Bicycle Workshop > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Thethinktank mailing list > > Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… > > > > >

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Non-collective Members opening the shop.
by plan_9＠riseup.net 09 Jul '08

09 Jul '08

We have recently been approached by, for no better descriptor, hipsters, asking if they could have a "fixed gear/SS" day on a day when we are not open. They are interested in doing tune-ups and modifications on their own bikes and are somewhat competent and autonomous mechanics. We don't really have any collective members that are willing or able to staff another shift beyond what we are already open. We know some of these folks pretty well on a personal, outside of the shop level, but not too many have been active volunteers. Basically we trust some of them and would like to make the shop available to them but am not sure as to how to do it equitably. We have opened the shop to special groups before (at-risk youth groups, etc) but always staffed by a willing and able collective member. Do any shops make exceptions for folks like this? How do you make sure that things are getting paid for, tools being used properly, random folks stopping by being respected, etc. without having a collective member in the place? Any problems from shops that have done this? Thanks, Andrew FM Community Bicycle Workshop

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bike thieves in the shop?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 07 Jul '08

07 Jul '08

I'd like to throw something out to the group for your opinions. Do any of you have a specific policy about what to do when a known bike thief comes in the shop? Do you turn him/her away? Last year, we had an incident with a youth EAB'er, who was caught taking bikes. He's since been implicated but not charged or confirmed as being involved in another bike theft, altho that one is not related to our shop, other than we're friends with the victim, and used some of our resources with a local low-income neighborhood to track down the location of this latest theft, leading to the recovery of said stolen bikes. Since this last incident, the individual was spotted in our shop by a staff member who was around during last year's debacle. Someone swiftly took him aside, and told him that he needs to leave, that he's not welcome in our shop. I'm not sure how i personally feel about this. I mean, bike thieves are pretty low, and as such I don't want to encourage them...teaching them wrenching skills that they will potentially use on stolen bikes makes my stomach turn... Being the community shop that we are, i'm wondering if we can't use our position to turn some of these kids around. By bringing him in and welcoming him, do we not stand a chance of befriending him and breaking down the barrier between us, so that he comes to value our bikes (shop's and staff's, and by extension, the general public) by being exposed to what bikes mean to the people in our shop. in theory, come to see the shop as a resource for knowledge, skills, and cheap parts that takes some investment on his part, instead of just a pool of resources for him to pilfer on a whim. I'm interested in the groups thoughts, policies, experiences. I also know that bike theft is something that hits close to home for a lot (or all) of us on this list, and would ask that we keep this discussion on the topic of "to welcome or not in the shop", and not get too distracted with how painfully bike thieves should be tortured. Thanks.

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TheThinkTank July 2008