January 2013 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Insurance for youth welding programs through bikes
by Bronwyn Potthoff 21 Jan '13

21 Jan '13

Hello, We've been unsuccessfully trying to secure insurance to initiate a welding/fabrication program through the Community Bicycle Center. Ideally, we're helping youth develop technical job skills through creating low-rider and chopper bicycles --- but the point of the program is not about bikes, it's about learning the welding and fabrication skills necessary to create a tricked-out ride. The major obstacle we hear from insurance companies is that we're creating a high-risk "Frankenstein" product (or "functional art") that is extremely hard to insure. As soon as we chop a bike, the manufacturer's warranty is null and void (for good reason!) The actual welding with kids is not a huge issue - it's what happens if a weld breaks or a kid injures him/herself going off jump with a bike that is not build to handle such stressors. Waivers and disclaimers will only go so far and are not bullet-proof. Because we're a commercial entity, it's obviously not covered under any homeowner's insurance policy (which would be what covers you if you're helping your nine year-old neighbor weld a sick mutant bike). Also, vocational school insurance functions differently - I checked that too. I may end up having to change the program so that our "product" is not a bike, but something less risky such as a static sculpture. Regardless, does anybody have any experience with securing insurance for commercial (aka nonprofit) welding work with kids during which a "product" gets fabricated? [Keep in mind, all programs are free AND the product created is also free --- no bill of sale is involved] I've touched base with other programs around the country that do similar work, but have not heard back. Thanks!! If it makes more sense to talk through this via phone, my number is 207 282 9700. Bronwyn Potthoff, Resource Development/Community Relations Director Community Bicycle Center (mailing) P.O. Box 783 (shop) 284 Hill Street Biddeford, Maine 04005 t: 207.282.9700 www.communitybike.net <http://www.facebook.com/CommunityBicycleCenter> Facebook Round Providing Opportunities for Youth to Grow

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Laminate flooring in your showroom?
by Rich Points 21 Jan '13

21 Jan '13

Hey All, We're going to be receiving a nice chunk of change for shop renovations this year. This will allow us to build a loft, upgrade the HVAC, install some windows and other cool projects. I'm considering using laminate flooring in the showroom. I've lived in houses with laminate flooring for many years and have found it to be quite durable. However I'm not sure how it would hold up in high traffic situations like the showroom. Do any of you have experience with this? How about alternative floor coverings? Thx -- -- Rich Points http://communitycycles.org Executive Director (c)303-589-0597 (w)720-565-6019 Community Cycles is Boulder's only bike shop dedicated to bike commuting. Find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/CommunityCycles

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Opportunity for the mechanically inclined & community interested
by kelsey snelgrove 20 Jan '13

20 Jan '13

Interesting & enriching opportunity - bikes, community, farming! We are looking for a motivated, resourceful bicycle mechanic to run our shop this summer. We are offering a unique opportunity; live with us on our 30+ acre farm comprised of 5 adults + one child, a fluctuating number of farm interns and visitors, cows, goats, pigs, ducks & chickens. With the right person, we are happy to share our space, resources and home grown food. The bike shop is located right on the farm, in the Shushwap area of BC, near a small town (pop. 2000). There are no other bike repair services for 60 km in any direction. An influx of tourists in the summer as well as a diverse local population means all kinds of repairs, refurbishing projects, and sales. Our shop is fully tooled (including welder) and we have an extensive stock of bikes and parts. We are also interested in creating bicycle powered machines to make our farm more efficient. Our dream mechanic can: - work independently and creatively - determine a bike’s worth, has a good understanding of manufactures and eras - keep good records, run a til and deal with customers. - organize and run workshops for the general public - able to fix and build up bikes resourcefully - live and work with a varied group of people We are open to discussing the arrangement, possibly offering a small stipend or different possibilities for earning money while here. We’re very flexible, if intrigued please contact us to learn more about our farm and this opportunity. goldenearsfarm(a)gmail.com http://www.facebook.com/groups/38812009317/?fref=ts www.goldenearsfarm.com (in progress!) > From: thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Subject: Thethinktank Digest, Vol 77, Issue 30 > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:12:50 -0800 > > Send Thethinktank mailing list submissions to > thethinktank(a)lists.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)lists.bikecollectives.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > thethinktank-owner(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Thethinktank digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. jobs & more jobs (Geoff Heath) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2013 19:30:01 -0600 > From: Geoff Heath <mech(a)thewrench.ca> > To: thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > Subject: [TheThinkTank] jobs & more jobs > Message-ID: > <CANeqvpCNJKXKrXEsK4U0AWOo2X33jak4cMQ3VF+8sa2uR97W6w(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > hey folks > The WRENCH community bike shop here in Winnipeg, MB is hiring for a > volunteer coordinator. Position is 28 hr/week @ $17/hr with benefits. > There's much more to the position than just coordinating (teaching in the > shop, admin, etc) so please check out the posting on our website here; > http://thewrench.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WRENCH-Volunteer-C… > Closes Feb .11. > We'll gladly do interviews by skype if you're from outta town and can > likely help you find housing if you get the job. > yup. > > Also, Hub City Cycles Community Co-op in Nanaimo, BC is hiring for the > spring. > Contact them for details. > -- > Geoff Heath, Mechanical Director > The Winnipeg Repair Education N' Cycling Hub > 1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 > www.TheWrench.ca >

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jobs & more jobs
by Geoff Heath 18 Jan '13

18 Jan '13

hey folks The WRENCH community bike shop here in Winnipeg, MB is hiring for a volunteer coordinator. Position is 28 hr/week @ $17/hr with benefits. There's much more to the position than just coordinating (teaching in the shop, admin, etc) so please check out the posting on our website here; http://thewrench.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WRENCH-Volunteer-C… Closes Feb .11. We'll gladly do interviews by skype if you're from outta town and can likely help you find housing if you get the job. yup. Also, Hub City Cycles Community Co-op in Nanaimo, BC is hiring for the spring. Contact them for details. -- Geoff Heath, Mechanical Director The Winnipeg Repair Education N' Cycling Hub 1057 Logan Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3E 3N8 www.TheWrench.ca

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Hiring a FT Experienced Mechanic in Minneapolis!
by Crystal Brinkman 17 Jan '13

17 Jan '13

Hello Everyone! We are excited to be a part of the Think Tank Community! Full Cycle is hiring a FT, experienced bike mechanic to help us out. Our programs and business keep growing! Please see the below links to the job description (applicants must apply online but are encouraged to stop by!) and to our website to learn more about Full Cycle: fullcyclebikeshop.org https://careers-macc.icims.com/jobs/1691/full-cycle-bicycle-mechanic/job Thanks! Crystal Brinkman Shop Manager/Instructor

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Food in classroom
by Patrick VDT 16 Jan '13

16 Jan '13

Do you feed your students during, before or after programs? Are you linking to any type of nutritional programing? If so how long is it per session? Is it a standard course or is it something you have come up with to fit your needs? Thanks Patrick

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Metrics
by Patrick VDT 16 Jan '13

16 Jan '13

Hello everyone, Below is a list of metrics we are tracking or starting to track. I would love any input everyone might have on what im missing. Im also looking for examples of groups who have worked with schools to track attendance and grades etc etc of graduates of programs we/you offer. How long do you track students? What level of support do you get from the schools in managing all this data? Thanks so much, Patrick Financial Percent of funds spent on non-program activities Total program expense Total administrative expense Total fundraising expense Fundraising efficiency Program cost per participant Social Enterprise/Environmental % of revenue coming from shop(s) Quantity of bikes donated to other programs Quantity of computers donated to other programs Quantity of bikes sold in year Pounds of materials recycled/upcycled Customer - Clients/Family/Community/Donors Quantity of program graduates Quantity of program alumni Program attrition rate Quantity of program participants related to program alumni Quantity of parents involved in programs Quantity of youth who participated in multiple programs Quantity of youth who later volunteer with us or another organization Quantity of functional desktop and laptop computers in the home prior to completion of EAC program Quantity of students who have never had their own bike prior to EAB Youth participation by census tract Distribution of participants by gender Distribution of participants by age Impact on attendance or engagement in classwork (For school based programs) Short term impact: perception of improvement in responsibility, teamwork, respect, leadership, positive outlook/attitude, etc.; interest in improving grades; increase in activity (or career interest) related to our subject areas Longer term impact: same, but add number of high school graduates, GPA, college pursuit/completion, career pursuit related to our subject areas, participant perception of the value of programs. Program registrations People - Staff/Volunteer/Board Total quantity of hours volunteered Percent of program instruction by volunteers Percent of total hours by volunteers Quantity of core volunteers Total hours of program instruction delivered

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bike swap
by Dave Ellis 16 Jan '13

16 Jan '13

I've recently taken on turning our local bike swap into a fundraiser here in Helena, MT. Previously it's been a low turnout, low publicity affair. I'm new to really any kind of organizing, but I like my ideas and hope to glean some info from some experienced voices here. Here goes: Commission/consignment: what percentage of a sale have folks found to be a number that doesn't turn people away? Also, a handling fee for those that don't sell their items, thinking about a per person charge, vs a per item charge i. e. bike, clothing, parts, etc. Mostly interested in bringing people in since this first year is intended more for exposure. Pickup time for unsold items: Has anyone experienced difficulties with people not meeting a stated pickup time for items, then demanding their items back. Is this an appropriate situation for a signed waiver or legal document of some kind since some of these items have some value? Thanks much, dave

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Successful youth bike programs + video
by Christine Bourgeois 14 Jan '13

14 Jan '13

Hi all, Just want to share an article about how our successful youth bike programs have positive impact on the community in Santa Barbara county. *http://tinyurl.com/bbxv9f6* Don't miss our NEW short video http://vimeo.com/55427786 Other exciting news: our community bike shop Bici Centro moved to a new location. http://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_barbara_nonprofits-bici_centro/ All the best, -- Christine Bourgeois 805 699 6301 Education Director Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition (SBBC) * * *New location for SBBC/Bici Centro* 506 E. Haley St (next to Muddy Waters Coffee Shop) www.bicicentro.org

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AmeriCorps opportunity at the Iowa City Bike Library
by Brian Loring 11 Jan '13

11 Jan '13

Greetings, The Bike Library in Iowa City <http://www.bikelibrary.org/> has an opening for an AmeriCorps. The position is part shop director and part community organizer. This is an extraordinary opportunity to work with some fun people in a progressive university community. Thanks! Brian Loring [image: Inline image 3] <http://www.bikelibrary.org/>

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