TheThinkTank October 2010

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

54 participants
31 discussions

Communication Tactics
by Godwin ! 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

Hey folks, since the recent breakdown at our shop the issue of how to communicate with volunteers and members has come up as major issue. I'm just wondering if any of you have found what you consider to be an efficient means of notifying members and sarting discussions with volunteers. In the past we used three email list serves, one for all members, one for volunteers, and another just for organizing members. We have found these lists difficult to keep up to date as we seem to have a constant flow of volunteers and members. We have also found that many people get annoyed when discussions happen over email and often stop reading what could be important notices. Recently some volunteers started more lists for sub-committees (such as mechanics only) and then started using facebook and the online forum on our website and this has resulted in a complete breakdown of communication, sometimes many people are not included, often many of us get several emails about the same thing. Using methods like forums and facebook are great becuase anyone can read and join in and people don't get annoyed with emails, but at the same time people are likely to stop checking and reading if they don't get reminders. One possible solution brought to the floor was to combine the use of email and forum discussions, such that notices are sent over email and if a discussion should happen, a notice is given over email and a link to the forum discussion. Do any of you have any more ideas that we might be able to use to get us back on track? Thanks!! .godwin

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Volunteer *training* manual request
by Jonathan Morrison 19 Oct '10

19 Oct '10

It is that time of year when it gets cold and a little slower, so we are assessing what we did this year that worked as well as what didn't, while not forgetting the things that we didn't get a chance to try. Luckily there is always next year. So... Have you quantified your volunteer incubation process in the form of documents or some coordinator position that wouldn't mind spending some time on the phone with me? It turns out the heat lamps we tried were unsuccessful, so we aren't doing that again. In Utah we want to solidify the way(s) in which we turn a first timer into a core volunteer, and hopefully do it more often. One thing we DID do, that was great, was steal and modify the Yellow Bike Project's volunteer tracking software (volunteer.slcbikecollective.org) which has resulted in automatic contact lists, community service letters with truly valid hours, the ability to keep track of Department of Workforce Services employee hours, increase enrollment in our email list, a slightly more formal way to keep track of people trading in volunteer hours, and the thing we always wanted -- valid statistics. So we will certainly be continuing that practice. Now that we are collecting info more efficiently, we need to work on how we use that info effectively as a way to engage volunteers at higher levels. 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 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.

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Insurance and Liability Waivers
by Sam Haraldson 18 Oct '10

18 Oct '10

Yesterday I had the chance to meet with a lawyer to go over our insurance policy and to discuss liability waivers. The Bozeman Bike Kitchen currently has a basic business coverage insurance which will cover the organization in the event of a lawsuit but does not cover us from injuries incurred on-site, does not cover the property itself, nor does it cover the board of directors. I am looking for recommendations regarding types of insurance tailored for an organization like ours. Particularly renters insurance (for our property) and Errors and Omissions insurance (for our board of directors). Secondly, our lawyer strongly recommended a series of liability waivers be added to our check-in and check-out process for both volunteers coming to work as well as for individuals receiving a bicycle. We have begun work on a volunteer waiver but have nothing for a bicycle release waiver. I am requesting to receive templates of these documents from other organizations. Please contact me off-list with recommendations and attachments. Please reply on-list with general statements that will benefit the entire group. Sincerely, Sam Haraldson -- Director of Operations Bozeman Bike Kitchen

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Native / First Nations community bicycle shops?
by Daniel S 17 Oct '10

17 Oct '10

Hello. I am in Canada, and am helping First Nations ('Native') communities to become aware of the benefits of community bicycle shops, especially regarding skills development among kids. Does anyone on this list have experience with such communities? I'd like to share ideas and experience. Cheers. Daniel.

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Question
by Tara 10 Oct '10

10 Oct '10

Hi, I work at a National Governing Body, USA Triathlon, and I am working on youth programming. As of right now the program is an awareness program. The thought is to bring a coach into schools to introduce triathlon to the kids. A next step, down the road, would be to bring a multisport curriculum into the Physical Education programs. One major hurdle to this would be equipment. Now my question to the listserv- would bike co-ops be interested in being involved in such a program by way of donating bicycles and hosting a cycling safety educational component? I'd appreciate any thoughts on the subject. Thanks! Tara McCarthy

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 50, Issue 6
by Corey Grazul 08 Oct '10

08 Oct '10

I see this fitting well with 'earn-a-bike' or 'build-a-bike' programs that many community shops are already doing. Speaking for our shop (Armory Bike Union in Jackson, MI), we incorporate a safety component to our course, along with education about bike functionality and maintenance. We would be super interested in working with schools and phys. ed. programs in any capacity (leading programs, supplying equipment, etc.) Corey On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 11:30 AM, <thethinktank-request(a)bikecollectives.org>wrote: > 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. Question (Tara) > 2. Re: Question (Jonathan Morrison) > 3. Re: Question (Austin Amos) > 4. Re: Question (Tara) > 5. Re: Question (Jamie Cowen) > 6. Re: Question (veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 19:47:20 -0600 > From: Tara <windshifts(a)gmail.com> > To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Question > Message-ID: > <AANLkTi=xCOVq7Eq1OaNNH9e2eK5mar3QfNh6y0btf_61(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi, > > I work at a National Governing Body, USA Triathlon, and I am working on > youth programming. As of right now the program is an awareness program. > The thought is to bring a coach into schools to introduce triathlon to the > kids. > > A next step, down the road, would be to bring a multisport curriculum into > the Physical Education programs. One major hurdle to this would be > equipment. > > Now my question to the listserv- would bike co-ops be interested in being > involved in such a program by way of donating bicycles and hosting a > cycling > safety educational component? > > I'd appreciate any thoughts on the subject. > > Thanks! > > Tara McCarthy >

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save all bikes please!- some pictures
by Bob Giordano 07 Oct '10

07 Oct '10

we just posted some pictures of the 2 seat 3 wheel bike made from kid's frames, some tubing, etc. Also is the bike powered haywagon that is the seed for the pedal bus we are working on. and a nifty recycle can made from old bike rims. http://strans.org/ptech2010.html > From: Bob Giordano <mist(a)strans.org> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] save all bikes please! > To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Date: Thursday, September 30, 2010, 9:59 AM > > > we have new designs for 3-wheel 2-seaters using kids' huffys. several styles of trailers, long johns, and also a pedal bus- greatly utilizing old bike frames. Free Cycles is keeping our 2,000 ft community shop, and > expanding with a 6,000 sq ft fabrication warehouse 3 doors down. > > please do not recycle any frames. we will take them. broken or bent. just not rust. or you keep them, save them, and re-use! > > if you cannot re-use, we can figure a way to get them here- hot air balloon, steam ship, e-train, somehow. > > -bob g, free cycles missoula

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Bike Pirates Cookbook - Callout!
by Ainsley Naylor 07 Oct '10

07 Oct '10

Hello all, We here in the Bike Pirates kitchen have been putting together plans for a *Bike Pirates Cook Book*, and we want your submissions! For anyone who doesn't know, Bike Pirates has always had food in it's space, and for the past 2 years has included free meals as a regular part of their programming. Bike politics and food politics overlap in a variety of ways, and free, healthy food helps to keep our volunteers and participants happy and able to focus. Serving a meal also encourages people to sit and chat, share company and creates community among those using the space. The kitchen is a vegetarian space, where we cook a lot of vegan meals (and desserts) and use produce from local gardens and organic farms whenever possible. What we need are your favourite recipes that are easy to make for large groups of people - we usually cook for about 20. * What We are Looking For* recipes that use local/native produce! recipes that don't involve measuring! vegan recipes! Easy, yummy baking recipes (including breads, cakes, pies, cookies etc) that are either vegan or gluten-free Directions for fun bike-related craft projects Suggestions for a great title! (Working title: The Bike Pirates Anarchist Cooking Book) Art for the cover or to decorate the pages inside *Please ensure that any recipe you submit is indeed your own, and hasn't been taken directly out of your favourite cookbook. The book will be prepared as a zine and each recipe will be on a separate page. We will use the cook book in the kitchen at the shop and it will also be for sale at the front You can either send along your recipes to lunch(a)bikepirates.com or bring in a prepared, unique photo-copy friendly page for the zine to Bike Pirates during any open hours. Deadline for submissions will be Saturday October 16th, so we have time to prepare the zine before winter craft season. Please consider submitting something, and send this request along to friends. Thanks, Ainsley.

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save all bikes please!
by Bob Giordano 05 Oct '10

05 Oct '10

we have new designs for 3-wheel 2-seaters using kids' huffys. several styles of trailers, long johns, and also a pedal bus- greatly utilizing old bike frames. Free Cycles is keeping our 2,000 ft community shop, and expanding with a 6,000 sq ft fabrication warehouse 3 doors down. please do not recycle any frames. we will take them. broken or bent. just not rust. or you keep them, save them, and re-use! if you cannot re-use, we can figure a way to get them here- hot air balloon, steam ship, e-train, somehow. -bob g, free cycles missoula

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JOB: Bke Works Youth Outreach Coordinator, Seattle, WA
by Lexi Keeler 01 Oct '10

01 Oct '10

Role Overview: The Bike Works Youth Outreach Coordinator assists Bike Works in its development of a comprehensive outreach plan for all youth programs including data collection, recruitment strategies and the promotion of programs to achieve the agency's annual and long-range programming goals. The Youth Outreach Coordinator also supports running youth programs. This position reports directly to the Program Director. This is an excellent opportunity for a strong multi-tasker with excellent attention to detail, a strong ability to organize, computer skills, capacity to engage and interact with youth ages 9-17, and enthusiasm for working as part of a team. Organizational Overview: Bike Works, based in Seattle, builds sustainable communities by educating youth and promoting bicycling. Bike Works has been working for kids, bikes, and community in Seattle since 1996. Our programs and services invest in young people and encourage bicycling as a clean and healthy transportation alternative. Our programs include Earn-a-Bike and weekly riding programs for youth, summer bike camps, a community bike shop, our annual Kids Bike Swap, adult classes and volunteer opportunities, and more. Our Bike Shop serves Seattle residents from all walks of life with used bike sales and affordable repairs. Each year approximately 300 youth, ages 9 to 17, participate in our programs and gain the skills and resources they need to translate lessons about confidence and leadership into their own lives, helping them make healthier decisions about their futures. We also redistribute over 2,000 used bicycles annually to families in Seattle and internationally. We value and seek diverse team members who are passionate, innovative, collaborative, professional, fun, responsible and solution-oriented. Essential Job Functions: * Institute outreach efforts within the community to promote programs. * Develop and implement a recruitment strategy that will increase participation by local and target youth. * Conduct outreach and recruitment with local schools and organizations. * Work in partnership with the program staff in teaching youth programs as needed, including Earn-a-Bike, partnership programs and summer camps. * Coordinate data collection to promote programs. * Prepare and schedule quarterly mailings and all registration and packet materials for summer programming. * Track all youth participation into database and create quarterly reports on all program elements for granting agencies. * Support admissions and logistics for yearlong programming efforts. * Keep record of potential and registered students and of all incoming paperwork and money. * Make follow-up calls to potential and registered students. * Provide logistical support for all programs and courses. * Work in partnership with Program Director, Executive Director, Board of Directors, other staff, and Key Stakeholders to contribute to the organization's vision, participate in organization-wide programs, and help create a sustainable organizational culture. Qualifications & Experience: Required: * Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. * 2 years nonprofit experience and direct youth work experience desirable. * Excellent verbal communication skills and strong capabilities working with youth. * Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities and deadlines. * Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills. * Skills with Microsoft Office and the Windows environment. * Ability to work well independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team; work well with diverse styles, personalities, and populations. * Strong commitment to promoting bicycling, supporting youth and to advancing social change. Preferred: * Prior outreach experience. * Knowledge of Seattle schools and neighborhoods. * Experience with youth programming. * Some experience with biking and bike repair. * Passion for bikes. Compensation: $25,000-28,000 (starting salary DOE), plus benefits, including medical, vacation, sick leave, and flexible work schedule/environment. How to Apply: Please visit our website at www.bikeworks.org for more information about Bike Works. Email your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references to programs(a)bikeworks.org. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Position open until filled; applications received by November 1st will receive priority consideration. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Bike Works is an Equal Opportunity and queer-friendly employer.

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TheThinkTank October 2010