October 2013 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Re: [TheThinkTank] Questionable customers
by Vernon Huffman 16 Oct '13

16 Oct '13

I believe we're in agreement, Joanne. Bicycles are a great tool for recovery. They save money and provide exercise. ________________________________ From: Joanne Mule Cash will always be a scarce resource, if one can learn a skill such as building a bike, it makes better use of the non-cash resources. We all have it tough in a tough economy. Even a drug addict can learn to use that skill and make the best of it. Addiction is a difficult habit to break. But outright stealing shows that they have no skill whatsoever nor any desire to right the wrong. Everyone has it rough from time to time. It is what we do during those times that can make us stronger. ________________________________ From: vernon huffman First off, we need to recognize that none of us is perfect and each of us has the capacity to do something worthwhile, even if life has been especially rough so far. I'm not here to judge anybody. If you're nice to me and help build the organization, we can work together. Then again, I'm a volunteer. I don't owe you anything. If you want help getting your ride together, you'd better be respectful to everybody around here. We want everybody to learn to fix bikes and apply that knowledge toward putting more bikes onto the streets. If you want to join in that effort, there's always room, but if you've got a bigger problem to deal with, go do that first.

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fiscal sponsorship
by Emily Strong 16 Oct '13

16 Oct '13

Hi everyone! I was wondering, do any of your projects have experience with fiscal sponsorship, either being a sponsor or seeking out sponsorship? I'm involved with a social ride group as well as a nonprofit community bike shop, and am looking into pursuing an arrangement where the ride group is sponsored by the bike shop. I'm hoping to write a grant to fund a program coordinator position that could then be shared between the shop and the ride group. Has anyone navigated anything similar to this before? I really appreciate any help/guidance you could give me! Thanks! Emily

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One Street's simple shift lever: a game-changer for bike collectives?
by David Eyer Davis 15 Oct '13

15 Oct '13

Brilliant, simple. Any thoughts or limitations? I think we've talked about this before, but it's on kickstarter right now... http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/604592896/bike-shift-lever-for-anybody-… -- David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the 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 Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Questionable customers
by christopher＠holisticcycles.com 15 Oct '13

15 Oct '13

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Questionable customers
by Vernon Huffman 15 Oct '13

15 Oct '13

First off, we need to recognize that none of us is perfect and each of us has the capacity to do something worthwhile, even if life has been especially rough so far. I'm not here to judge anybody. If you're nice to me and help build the organization, we can work together. Then again, I'm a volunteer. I don't owe you anything. If you want help getting your ride together, you'd better be respectful to everybody around here. We want everybody to learn to fix bikes and apply that knowledge toward putting more bikes onto the streets. If you want to join in that effort, there's always room, but if you've got a bigger problem to deal with, go do that first.

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Questionable customers
by Mark Friis 14 Oct '13

14 Oct '13

Have an uncomfortable question to ask. How does a shop deal with some of the more questionable customer? By questionable I mean the type of people that are volunteering to earn a bike for the purpose of selling it or using it to get a "fix". The reason I ask, is we had one of volunteers bikes stolen from inside the shop with people there. Didn't care if was caught, yet somehow no one saw him. Lately we have been having a lot of addicts and such coming by looking to get a bike but have little money so we offer them up a cheap Walmart type bike. It was a great way to get rid of the garbage. But now we find that we might be catering to them too much at a cost to those that want to use the shop for what it was intended to be, a place to teach bike mechanics. Any thoughts? Thanks Mark Friis Executive Director, Inland Empire Biking Alliance PO Box 9266 Redlands, CA 92375 909-800-4322 *mfriis(a)iebikingalliance.org*<https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/mfriis@iebikingalliance.org> ** WWW.IEBIKE.ORG <https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/WWW.IEBIKE.ORG>

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How is your shop using online video?
by director 13 Oct '13

13 Oct '13

Hey All, We've been talking about making more videos of our work at Community Cycles this winter. We've done a couple of videos in the past but they've been piecemeal and disjointed. How is your shop using video? What are your goals with video? What service are you using to host your videos; Youtube? Vimeo? Something Else? Why did you choose the service you're using. Here is our Youtube channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z9zYl_yqTw Please share your videos. -- Ride On! 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> Subscribe to our monthly e-news <http://eepurl.com/i7SLv>

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Community Cycles is hiring for Earn-A-Bike
by director 11 Oct '13

11 Oct '13

Hey All, We're hiring an Earn-A-Bike instructor at Community Cycles. http://tinyurl.com/kq7ba2c -- Ride On! 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> Subscribe to our monthly e-news <http://eepurl.com/i7SLv>

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Hand Washing with Boraxo
by director 11 Oct '13

11 Oct '13

Hey All, We've used various hand soaps over the years like GoJo, Goop, Zep and others. Some of those have pumice in them which periodically clogged our drain. We started using Boraxo earlier this year and it's been a great solution. It's cheaper, lasts longer and seems to work better than anything we've tried before it. We bought a case of it and it looks like it'll last us a couple of years. You can pick up a case of it from Uline. http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-16028/Hand-Soaps/Boraxo-Original-Powd… -- Ride On! 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> Subscribe to our monthly e-news <http://eepurl.com/i7SLv>

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Job Announcement - Executive Director; Walk/Bike Nashville
by Adams Carroll 11 Oct '13

11 Oct '13

Hey all, hope one of you all is interested in moving to Nashville to lead our local advocacy organization! Details below: ----------------- Walk/Bike Nashville, a 501(c)3 with a mission to make the Nashville area more walkable, bikeable, and liveable, seeks a leader with strong organization-building skills and a background in management. As the figurehead and key spokesperson for the organization, the Executive Director is charged with developing and maintaining relationships with donors and stakeholders. She or he must be skilled in effective communications, consensus building, and community outreach. Together with the Program Manager, the Executive Director will coordinate activities supported by current grant funding and develop additional revenue sources to support expansion and programming. Reporting to and working with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will implement and update the long-term strategic plan for the organization. Responsibilities include the daily operations, financial health of the organization, staff management, advocacy, and image. The successful candidate will have the experience to lead the organization to meet and exceed its goals. Walk/Bike Nashville is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law. *Position Responsibilities:* - Collaborate with the Board of Directors to prepare and implement the organization’s long-term strategic plan and policy decisions. - Coordinate with the Program Manager to execute the activities supported by current grants. - Create and manage an annual budget and fundraising plan in accordance with strategic and operational plans. - Monitor and ensure a positive fiscal condition: - Create and retain revenue streams from grants, sponsorships and memberships. - Solicit donors and develop community, corporate, governmental and other sectors in support of fundraising goals. - Position the organization and its programs to maximize fund development opportunities. - Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with other groups whose missions align with Walk/Bike Nashville. - Establish, manage and assist in efforts to augment advocacy, including public policy. - Supervise Programs Manager; maintain a positive work environment by following sound human resources policies. - Provide recommendations to the Board of Directors and any committees and staff to enable timely and responsive decision-making. - Provide leadership and assistance in board recruitment and board development. - Serve as a spokesperson for the organization to the public; ensure that written and verbal communication about the organization reflects its mission and goals; represent the organization at public events, media events, conferences and workshops. *Requirements:* - Bachelor's degree in business or public administration or related field; Master’s degree preferred. Related equivalent experience will be taken into consideration. - Five years of demonstrated general management experience in non-profit position, with two years in the fields of bicycle/pedestrian advocacy, transportation issues, and/or community organizing. Some marketing background is desirable. - Demonstrated success in organizational planning, budgeting and financial management, with proven success in fundraising in the non-profit sector. - Experience supervising professional staff and volunteers. - Experience working directly with Board of Directors. - Proficiency in use of computer and basic software applications, including Quickbooks. *Personal Attributes:* - Visionary yet Analytical Thinker - Creative Problem Solver - Clear, Persuasive Communicator, both verbally and in writing - Works independently and collaboratively - Understands and Manages Priorities Timely - Anticipates, Identifies and Analyzes funding support and other growth opportunities. - Possesses Integrity, Dedication, Drive, Diplomacy AND an Overall Love of Walking and Bicycling, and communities that support these activities *To Apply:* Resumes and letters of intent will be accepted by the Executive Director Search Committee from qualified candidates through October 25. Please submit your letter of intent and supporting documents by clicking on this link. <https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=kvHJEkHpok> Questions related to this opportunity may be directed via e-mail to info(a)walkbikenashville.org. Please, no walk-ins or phone calls. All the best, Adams Carroll Program Manager Walk/Bike Nashville <http://www.walkbikenashville.org/> c: (615) 440-0281 *Since 1998, Walk/Bike Nashville has sought to make active transportation an option for Nashvillians, no matter where they live or where they're trying to go.**We want our sidewalks and bikeways to support active living, commuting options, and recreational opportunities.**Together, we're building a more walkable, bikeable, livable Nashville.*

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