TheThinkTank September 2014

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

23 participants
16 discussions

[REQUEST] Bike!Bike! Organizer notes and resources
by Clint Watson 01 Oct '14

01 Oct '14

Hi all, During Darrin's session (about making decisions in groups/bike!bike! organizational structure discussion) I volunteered to compile all of the extant material that has been used by and resulted from previous iterations of bike!bike! So, I'm putting out a call. Have you aided in organizing a Bike!Bike! conference? Even if you aren't affiliated with the hosting organization, but helped from afar, I can use documentation of anything that helped you. Any and every document even slightly related is welcome, but specifically I'm sure most people would appreciate the following: successful AND unsuccessful procedures for finding housing (what DIDN'T work might be educational.) organizational methods for assigning housing records regarding loaner bike cataloging, storage, and acquisition web development timelines and records budgets printing costs templates for program/welcome zines food costs large scale food preparation info Overall program guidelines Anything else you think others would be interested to know. I'm also working with Josh Bisker to get the zinezine.bikebike.org site fully functional. I'll compile all this stuff and put it up on the website (and post here) as soon as I'm able--depending of course on when I receive it. Please send directly to me clint(a)boisebicycleproject.org Thanks everybody, -- Clint Watson Volunteer/Programs Coordinator Boise Bicycle Project 1027 Lusk St 208.429.6520

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Share your shop policies?
by anne dunckel 25 Sep '14

25 Sep '14

Community Bikes in Charlottesville, VA has been operating without any major written shop/board/manager/program policies since it's existence. With a large donation coming we are trying to get some of our ducks in a line and draft a good policy for a functioning shop. We were wondering if any other shops could share some of their policies so that we could see if we are missing any major language or ideas. I know each policy would be unique to each shop, but we need some rough guidance and help to make sure we do this right. Any help is appreciated, including references to think tank discussions that I do not know about. Thank you! -Annie D.

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Hiring AmeriCorps VISTA for the Reno Bike Project in Reno, NV
by Reno Bikes 24 Sep '14

24 Sep '14

Reno Bike Project is hiring an AmeriCorps VISTA as the coordinator for the Major Taylor Program. VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) is a year-long commitment to serve a community in capacity building and works to change the cycle of poverty. The goal of the Major Taylor Program is to teach participants the skills and knowledge that will lead them to become life-long cyclists. The classes are offered in groups of 10 to provide an in-depth introduction into cycling. Currently classes are offered as a high school PE credit, benefiting participants both physically and academically. Now in its third year the Major Taylor Program has seen consistent growth. Currently partnered with a local charter high school and youth shelter, we aim to expand to two or three more schools in the coming year. Member Duties: AmeriCorps VISTA members will expand the scope Major Taylor Program by: 1. Developing partnerships with staff, administrators, teachers, after school program leaders, at target High Schools to facilitate recruitment of program participants. 2. Further develop existing curriculum to fine tune lesson plans and materials for the program. 3. Recruit volunteers to escort group and training rides. 4. Through the experience of observing and interacting with program participants and under the direction of the staff member conducting the instructional time, improve the overall flow of the class sequence and fine tune materials curriculum. 5. After working knowledge of the program has been gained, engage in the search for funding and bicycle donation process for this program. Service Term: November 2014 – November 2015 Program Benefits: Training , Relocation Allowance , Health Coverage , Living Allowance , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend . Service Areas: Children/Youth , Health , Education , Community Outreach . Skills: Computers/Technology , Community Organization , General Skills , First Aid , Leadership , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Team Work , Education , Public Health , Teaching/Tutoring , Writing/Editing , Youth Development , Public Speaking . If you have any questions, please contact Noah Silverman, noah(a)renobikeproject.com -- Wed-Fri 11am-6pm Sat 10am-4pm 541 E. 4th Street. Reno, NV 89512 775.323.4488 donate via paypal: http://www.renobikeproject.com/index.php/donate/ Follow us on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/renobikeproject/ Please let us know if you would like to unsubscribe to our email list.

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Using Freehub?
by sylvia crum 17 Sep '14

17 Sep '14

Hi All, I just started trying to use Freehub to track our Shop's members. I thought that I had previously set up an account but wasn't allowed to log in. When I requested the email to reset my password, I received nothing. So, I set up an new account with my personal email address. As I was adding members' info, I got a message in a banner at the top of the screen saying: Your account is pending activation. We've sent an activation email to y***(a)hotmail.com. Check that email account and your spam filter for the activation email. I've checked and rechecked my hotmail account, but I also didn't receive that email. Any thoughts on what to do, and if there is a bug, any hope it will be fixed? I attempted to join GitHub, where it looked like I should report problems, but it is way too technical for me. If Freehub is not working, I'm also open to suggestions of other programs to use. Thanks! Sylvia CrumDirector Revolutions Bicycle CoOpMemphis, TN

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Fwd: West Town Bikes September 2014 e-Newsletter
by Garth Katner 04 Sep '14

04 Sep '14

Hey Folks! I just wanted to share our new e-Newsletter with you. It's the product of much hard work by a number of our youth who are training in organizational development and office management right here at West Town Bikes. Enjoy! gk Garth Katner, Manager Resource Development *West Town Bikes NFP* 2459 W. Division Street Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 772-6523 Office (773) 485-4089 Cell *West Town Bikes* Welcome to our first e-Newsletter! If you're receiving this you must be interested and aware of the work of West Town Bikes. We are a multi-faceted organization that uses bicycles as a tool to help build community; not one that is simply about bicycles. I love bicycles, but I love people even more! I believe that this city can be a better place if everyone used a bike to get around. And I understand that most people have greater concerns than riding a bike. So I ask myself, "How can bikes address people's larger concerns?" How can they help communities with issues about safety, crime, employment, education, housing, and healthcare, just to name a few. Isn't bicycling in comparison a concern for those who can afford it? I believe that bicycles can be part of a simple solution for these complex issues. Using them as a tool to work with Chicago communities, we address many of these concerns. This has put more people on bikes to get around and make the city a better place to live. The work is far from done and we look forward to the continued use of bikes as our tool. We also look forward to keeping you updated, informed and engaged with this our newest tool, the West Town Bikes e-Newsletter! -Alex Wilson, Founder & Executive Director, West Town Bikes <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…> Our first-ever Annual Report Card <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…> for 2013! Youth Programs The Summer 2014 Bicycle Safety and Repair program yielded the greatest number of participants in West Town Bikes history. With 14 Apprentices and 15 Interns the program saw fresh faces and experienced ones. The youth hosted information tents at community farmers markets as well as managed our Bicycles Valet Parking Service at local events. They also hosted mechanic stations, helping other youth learn to fix there own bicycles. We had several participants that really stood out. Jose is an excellent example of the many leaders our organization produces. He has been participating in our programing for the last three years, taking everything that he learns and putting it into immediate use. As a leader among his peers, he guides them in their own bicycle build, showing them what they can do. He has also taken his bicycle mechanic skills to the next level as an Apprentice at Ciclo Urbano, the West Town Bikes retail shop. Jose has taken all of our programs and utilized them to the fullest, embodying what we want for all our youth. -Lebster Pabon Cyclocross Racing Program Our program kicks off on September 3rd with a meeting and open discussion <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…> about who is interested in racing this year. Cyclcoross is a hybrid between mountain bike and road racing. Chicago has a great local series, the Chicago Cross Cup <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…>, and our first race is in Caldwell Woods <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…> on September 28th. This program will provide sponsorship, mentorship and coaching to juniors and young adults that would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in cyclocross events. Racing cyclocross requires fitness and teaches commitment and perseverance. The skills, knowledge and friendships gained through participation can help form a socially intelligent and responsible, physically fit, person. The sport of cyclocross benefits from our attendance as it creates diversity and new interest that will help it grow. A few photos from our previous season can be found here <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…> . I guarantee we will be having a lot of fun! If you have any questions about the program or sport, contact Michael Young at michael(a)westtownbikes.org or 312-656-1953. -Michael Young Bike Shop We celebrated our 5th year in business back in May! We're are proud to claim that over half our full-time staff are graduates of WTB youth programs. Here's what one of our customers, Jose N., said about us recently on Yelp: "Unfortunately, on my first ride this summer, I got stranded with a non-working bike in the middle of a forest with mosquitoes voraciously attacking me ... Luckily, I came across Ciclo Urbano. As soon as I explained my problem, Jean Carlos and Felix knew what was causing it. Jean Carlos replaced the part within 30 minutes ... He let me watch while he worked and answered all of my questions. You could tell he loves what he's doing. He also replaced my rear shifter cable, my chain and adjusted my brakes for much less than my previous estimates. You could sense the camaraderie amongst the young mechanics. I love the fact that West Town Bikes and its store Ciclo Urbano support the youth of the community by teaching them bicycle repairs. I will definitely return to Ciclo Urbano for any future repairs and purchases." Thanks to for the nice review! -Michael Bush Forward this email <http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1114567510435&ea=globalguy%40gm…> STAY CONNECTED [image: Like us on Facebook] <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…> [image: Follow us on Twitter] <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_40zdnJQiIWWctr4XTwm-ysw5kGQqGWxUvQ2qavICjPG…> Forward this email <http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=dncnwaoab&m=1114567510435&ea=…> <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001v5bhpGnuzUedgVnkQ7zM0w%3D%3…> This email was sent to globalguy(a)gmail.com by info(a)westtownbikes.org | Update Profile/Email Address <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001v5bhpGnuzUedgVnkQ7zM0w%3D%3…> | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001v5bhpGnuzUedgVnkQ7zM0w%3D%3…>™ | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp>. <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=PT_MN> West Town Bikes | 2459 W Division St | Chicago | IL | 60622

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bike!bike! group photo?
by breathingplanet . 02 Sep '14

02 Sep '14

is it online anywhere!? want to include it in a newsletter. thanks... and thanks everyone on this list who was there, for a great time and great people. Third Hand rules! andrew troy bike rescue -- ------__o ----_`\<,_ ---(_)/ (_) andrew lynn 518-573-7947

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TheThinkTank September 2014