TheThinkTank December 2014

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

31 participants
19 discussions

What we do with 1500 kids bikes each year
by Geoff Heath 05 Dec '14

05 Dec '14

In short, we do this; https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0HJNUHA3wmIMnFLRjVWVk9hUFk/view So here in Winnipeg the community bike shops have had an agreement with the city landfill for the past 7 years where they put aside all the bicycles in the scrap metal area and we go out there once a month to sort/strip and harvest them. For 3 years we mostly scrapped the 1000s of 20" and under kids bikes that we didn't have the capacity to repair or store. Four years ago we came up with the idea for Cycle of Giving, a 24 hour kids bike building marathon. We invite volunteer mechanics from the city's 7 community bike shops, the for-profit shops, and anyone else who wants to come out to do a shift to spend between 6-24 hours building as many kids bikes (20" wheels or less) as they can. Last year we built 315 bikes in 24 hours and distributed them, free of charge, along with helmets and hand-made cards, to 14 different inner city youth service agencies. It's a fundraiser too, although we never seem to make much money (this year we got sponsors to make ends meet). But it's a damned good time with great bands (this year via the pedal powered sound system), amazing food, lots of glitter and eggnog and a whack of rad folks drinking too much coffee and slinging wrenches all night long. We always get great media too. The remaining kids bikes go to the bike repair vocational program for folks recovering from addictions in the local correctional facility. More details on that in some other email. Point is, annually we manage to turn those 1500 kids bikes in the landfill into 1000 working bikes for youth under 10 years of age. If anyone wants any other details on how we do this, shoot me a personal email, as I don't read my thinktank often enough. You can also see our website for some info; http://thewrench.ca/?page_id=1492 No sleep til Monday! -- 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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Looking for suggestions for Made in USA bike lights
by Mary-Catherine Graziano 05 Dec '14

05 Dec '14

Hi all, We have a federal grant to support our bike safety gear outreach, BUT, they only allow you to purchase items that are made in America (which is laudable, but also surprisingly difficult). Does anyone know of any manufacturers? Thanks!! Mary Catherine Graziano Outreach and Education Manager Local Motion 1 Steele St., Burlington, VT 05401 phone: 802-861-2700 ext. 106 fax: 802-861-3096 www.localmotion.org <http://www.facebook.com/localmotionvt> <http://www.twitter.com/localmotionvt> <http://www.instagram.com/localmotionvermont> On Mon, Dec 1, 2014 at 9:56 PM, Mira Luna <mira(a)shareable.net> wrote: > http://www.shareable.net/blog/how-to-start-a-bike-kitchen > > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > >

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Looking for waiver releasing organizations/individuals from liability of injury incurred during Bike Safety drills
by waymond smith 04 Dec '14

04 Dec '14

Hello everyone, I'm a Bike Safety instructor for a youth organization in Chicago and I'm looking for a waiver that students and guardians will sign absolving the instructor(s) and the organization from any liabilities/claims for incidents/injuries that may occur during traffic training drills. Thank you *Waymond Smith*

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Paid Staff - Where to Begin
by Sam Haraldson 04 Dec '14

04 Dec '14

> > 3. Re: Paid Staff - Where to Begin (samuelchristianjensen(a)gmail.com) > 4. Re: Paid Staff - Where to Begin (Jonathan Morrison) > 8. Re: Paid Staff - Where to Begin (sheldon mains) > Thanks for taking the time to respond to my inquiry on the ThinkTank List everyone. We have considered a paid staffer to be an eventuality for some time now and with our funding hurdle less of an issue and volunteer coordination/open-hours more of an issue this is our next priority. A paid position, if done well, is one way to alleviate this. Bullet points from all responses (on and off list): - Clear and reasonable job description - Quantifiable goals - Keeping in mind this is not an end-all-be-all solution - Outline the first employee and consider the evolution to next, and next employee to follow - A "benevolent dictator" would be well-suited - Entrepreneurial and self-supporting - Bike knowledge is less important than people and networking knowledge Our board's past discussions have bounced back and forth between defining the role as "shop manager" or "executive director". Finding someone who is good at either would more than likely suit us well but finding someone who is good at both would probably mean they're not performing 100% at either defined job. I have collated all your responses along with others received off-list am taking this for discussion at our board meeting next week. I greatly appreciate your thoughts up to now and may reach out again in a week or two for follow up. Thanks, Sam -- http://bozemanbikekitchen.org

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Looking for a volunteer server admin
by Godwin ! 04 Dec '14

04 Dec '14

Hey folks, I'm looking for someone to help configure and maintain the bikebike.org server. I've been doing this so far but I could definitely use a hand, especially if anyone out there is more experienced than I am with Nginx and SSL. If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact me off list, and feel free to share my email address with any interested parties. It's volunteer of course but I can offer to be a good reference for anyone trying to get into an IT position. Cheers!godwin

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Paid Staff - Where to Begin
by Sam Haraldson 03 Dec '14

03 Dec '14

I am soliciting the advice of fellow cooperatives who currently employ paid staffers. Our organization has grown enough in it's 10 year history that we are prepared to bring on a part time paid staffer for the summer and fall months of next year. If there is anyone who would feel comfortable chatting with me either via a series of emailed questions or over the phone I would greatly appreciate it. Our goals with a paid staffer are primarily to alleviate the task of some of the less enticing jobs from our volunteers, to set the stage for being open more hours, and to dedicate a resource to further develop fund-generating streams like eBay and Craigslist. Feel free to reply with general commentary to the list or contact me privately to speak directly. I am open to any and all advice or criticism as our organization explores this next big step. Thanks, Sam Bozeman Bike Kitchen (Montana, USA) -- http://bozemanbikekitchen.org

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Liability Insurance for Group Rides
by Phoenix Bikes 03 Dec '14

03 Dec '14

Hi all, We are looking to add more safety and structure to our Saturday youth bike rides and wanted to know what others are doing in terms of liability insurance to cover your rides off premises and any volunteer ride leaders. Thanks in advance for your input and suggestions, Meg Phoenix Bikes Arlington, VA

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Article on How to Start a Bike Kitchen
by Mira Luna 01 Dec '14

01 Dec '14

http://www.shareable.net/blog/how-to-start-a-bike-kitchen

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Job Posting: General Manager at the Bike Kitchen in Vancouver, BC
by AMS Bike Co-op 01 Dec '14

01 Dec '14

Hi everyone, We here at the Bike Co-op/Bike Kitchen are hiring a new General Manager. Feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions, and please share the posting with anyone you think might be a good fit! Thanks, andrea ____ The Bike Kitchen is a non-profit, full service, community bike shop located on the UBC campus. Together with the AMS Bike Coop, our mission is to support and expand the cycling mode share in the UBC area. We fill many different roles in the campus community and act as the hub of cycling activity in the area. During the day we offer repair services as well as repair instruction, and in the evenings we offer a range of educational programming on mechanics and riding skills. We specialize in refurbishing and selling used bicycles, and offer new and used parts/accessories for sale. More information about the organization can be found on our website http://bikecoop.ca/about/ The Bike Kitchen is seeking to fill the position of General Manager. The role of the Bike Kitchen Manager is an all-encompassing position and is the most senior role in the shop. The Manager is in charge of managing daily operations, as well as providing business direction. The Manager is also expected to be a proficient mechanic and repair bikes daily. The Manager reports to the Bike Co-op Board of Directors, who provide only broad direction. The Manager must keep the organization's mission in mind and oversee that the Bike Kitchen continues to act as an inclusive, positive space. The Manager must act as mechanic, staff manager, and business director. Duties and Responsibilities - Manage daily shop operations including sales and mechanics - Manage staff including hiring, training, scheduling, etc - Implement and expand on the business plan - Manage finances including cashout, weekly deposits, and payroll - Repair bikes for customers and do service writing - Act as primary contact for shop communications Qualifications - Must have experience or training in business management - 3+ years experience in the bike industry - Must have proficient bike mechanic skills - Must have experience managing staff - Must have an understanding of anti-oppressive values - Excellent organizational skills - Strong, professional communication and interpersonal skills Assets - Teaching experience - Knowledge of community bike shops - Knowledge of inventory and ordering - Knowledge of UBC departments and campus Salary: $38,000 - $42,000, plus benefits, commensurate on experience. Please email your resume and cover letter to info(a)thebikekitchen.com. We'll be doing interviews on a rolling basis starting in mid-December. All applications must be submitted by 6pm PST on January 4, 2015. The selected candidate will start work in mid-January 2015. -- *AMS Bike Co-op* University of British Columbia 6138 Student Union Blvd | Vancouver, BC | V6T 1Z1 604-822-2453 | bikecoop.ca | @ubcbike

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TheThinkTank December 2014