January 2015 - TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Fwd: The Community Spoke! is looking for new leadership or to donate our resources
by The Community Spoke! 22 Jan '15

22 Jan '15

Hey Everyone, It's been over a year since our last event and it is with mixed emotions that we announce that the core group that makes up The Community Spoke! is moving on to new things. We're looking for a new group to take and reinvent the Spoke and provide a much needed service to the Boston area. We have a full workshop of tools, supplies and parts and a reserve of cash dedicated to the project that we would like to pass on. This is essentially a "bike co-op in a box." Ideally, we'll connect with a new group of volunteers that would continue to use the Spoke's name and legacy and function in a similar way to the old group. If this is not possible we'd like to find an existing group or groups to give our resources to. To remind you of our mission, we are an all volunteer bike shop that provides free bike repair. We've always tried to focus on cycling communities underserviced by the bike industry and are committed to being a safer space. Our safer space policy is integral to our operations and our most important policy. We are also looking for a new home for H.E.L.L. <https://thecommunityspoke.wordpress.com/h-e-l-l/>, a free helmet program. H.E.L.L. and The Community Spoke! have been partners for some time. Included are dozens of high quality helmets and funds earmarked for helmet distribution. If you or anyone you know is interested in operating a free bike repair organization or absorbing its resources to your current organization please let us know! Familiarize yourself with our mission and points of unity at www.thecommunityspoke.org and fill out our application. Help us continue to provide the Boston area with free resources and promote cycling. Please spread this message to anyone who may be interested. The application can be submitted at http://goo.gl/forms/haIWLCmPi4 Thanks, Dora, Dustin, and Alex - core volunteer group of The Community Spoke! ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by David Eyer Davis 22 Jan '15

22 Jan '15

Hi Bayley, It's a good question. Long story short, don't put beginners in key decision making roles. Killing a bike is highly subjective: we kill most department store full suspension 24" bikes, for example, even if they're largely ridable but have 1-2 key needs, but would save even the grossest road bike from total destruction because they're so sought after. Try and have a core volunteer or staff member make the calls, then the beginner volunteer do the task at hand. Our mechanics use the first section of this checklist to determine whether or not to kill a bike: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mvJGn6drZsb5L_kXiEFJUpHHAbmWGwZQzJqo7Yk… On top of that, we get so many adult-sized department store bikes that if the bike has 2 of the following issues, it dies: seized cables/broken housing, broken shifters, unsalvagable rear wheel, play in rear swingarm, missing components. We train people up similarly to you: start 'em with killing bikes, move on to patching tubes/fixing flats, then tuning kids bikes (without gyros/gears) kids bikes with gears/gyros, 24" bikes, finally 26" huffys, then everything else. Cheers, Davey On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 4:29 PM, Bayley Vanderpoel < bayley.vanderpoel(a)velocitycoop.org> wrote: > Davey, > Do you have a method of sorting the bikes after they're triaged, such as > sorting them by particular issue? > > I ask because our organization gets a lot of beginners. We decided to > train them by triaging all the bikes we get, then having them focus on > particular components each time they come in. > > The first day a volunteer might replace 8 bad tires on bikes, the next > time they might true a dozen wheels, then the next time they adjust a dozen > brakes. > > I'm struggling to wrap my head around a method which allows volunteers to > quickly find bikes with the component that needs work. I'd like bikes to be > fixed in a sequence but can't figure out the best way to sort. Anyways I'm > interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks! > > Bayley > Velocity Bicycle Cooperative > Alexandria VA > > On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, David Eyer Davis < > davey(a)bicyclecollective.org> wrote: > >> Hi Johnny, All, >> Thanks Jonathan for the big picture perspective. It's helped a lot in >> Salt Lake, we delivered 2427 refurbished bikes to our community last year >> from that location alone, out of 2837 donated. >> >> Specifically, we've been using the Walking Bird inventory control tag >> <http://walkingbird.com/> to good effect, but haven't been attaching it >> to the bike upon donation. Our kids bikes and kill bikes (around 1200 bikes >> last year) duck that system, once a bike is donated it is triaged, sorted >> to be killed by volunteers, tuned by more skilled volunteers, or fixed by >> paid mechanics. Only the bikes fixed by paid mechanics get a walking bird >> tag. At this point you can integrate the system into your POS, since each >> walking bird tag has a unique number. We use the tags to track the bike's >> progress from mechanic to sales floor to client/customer, keeping the tag >> on file after the bike has left the shop. So if a huffy comes in, gets two >> hours spent on it, new tires and tubes and a brake cable, then is given >> away a week later, the director of operations sees that bike coming and >> going. We haven't integrated the system into our POS yet, rather we just >> keep the tags, the director of operations goes through them to reconcile >> consumables inventory and log mechanic efficiency, and keeps the paper on >> file in case there's an issue with the bike down the road. We will >> integrate with our POS as soon as we spend the time stepping it up to a >> functional computer based, rather than partial paper, inventory. I'll >> report back then. >> >> I believe they're available through QBP, possibly J&B. >> >> Thanks, >> Davey >> -- >> >> 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. >> >> On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 10:54 AM, Jonathan Morrison < >> jonathan.morrison(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> In my personal experience there is nothing new about what community bike >>> shops do. All those "ah-ha!" moments are usually when someone has >>> (un)intentionally applied an existing concept from another >>> application/industry to their community bike shop. So save yourself the >>> trouble and time of reinventing the wheel by actively trying to identify >>> those concepts in the first place. >>> >>> Our current Executive Director (Davey Davis) hit it on nose when he >>> claimed that *"this isn't a shop, it is a factory"* at least in terms >>> of operations management ( >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operations_management). >>> >>> While I spent years in that shop, I failed to see it. Davey is a >>> genius. But the fact is, broken bicycles are the raw material that we >>> refine (in mass quantity) into a consumable product that is >>> sold/re-donated. The more successful Community Bike Shops (that help the >>> most people) are the ones that make that refurbishing process as efficient >>> as possible. >>> >>> Efficiency happens when you increase the number of bicycles that go >>> through the shop, while decreasing waste and the time it takes to for the >>> average bike to go in and out the shop's door. *A sign that you have >>> an efficiency problem are excess storage. *Especially if they are >>> stored for more than one "busy season". Given that some shops are in >>> seasonal weather, obviously things might stack up in the winter. >>> Accordingly, each shop will have a different averages and goals. >>> >>> So, what the hell am I rambling on about? >>> >>> *If you don't track the bikes (dates, times and stages), it is hard to >>> know how to improve.* >>> >>> If you are looking for a quick / fun / easy / socratic / fictional tale >>> to get inspired on how operations management might help your shop achieve >>> its mission, consider reading the, "The Goal." >>> >>> >>> http://www.homeworkforyou.com/static/uploadedfiles/User_569117112014E_M_Gol… >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Sincerely, >>> >>> Jonathan Morrison >>> c: 801-688-0183 >>> >>> On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 7:45 AM, Nathan Wilkes <nwilkes2(a)gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I was thinking a simple numbered ID. >>>> >>>> Nathan >>>> >>>> On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Jonathan Morrison < >>>> jonathan.morrison(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> What kind of solution are you looking into? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Sincerely, >>>>> >>>>> Jonathan Morrison >>>>> c: 801-688-0183 >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 3:33 PM, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi Friends, >>>>>> >>>>>> Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who >>>>>> donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? >>>>>> We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate >>>>>> donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted >>>>>> for our youth programs. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks! >>>>>> Jonny >>>>>> >>>>>> John Barrett >>>>>> The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's >>>>>> Organic Berries >>>>>> www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / >>>>>> www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries >>>>>> jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca >>>>>> 403.619.2648 >>>>>> >>>>>> ____________________________________ >>>>>> >>>>>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>>>>> <a href=" >>>>>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe >>>>>> from this list</a> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >> >> >> >> >> -- 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. ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Paul Nagel 21 Jan '15

21 Jan '15

Jonny, Attached is the tag that we use. It was modified from the tag found in the appendices of Recycle-a-Bicycle's Tools for Life: https://www.transalt.org/sites/default/files/resources/toolsforlife/26netwo… I've also attached a tag we use for wheels and other items. We might seek to change the bike tag a bit so the tag slides inside a plastic sleeve, because even printing on more expensive cardstock, the tags can rip off the ties. - Paul The Bicycle Tree shop: (714) 760-4681811 N. Main St.Santa Ana, CA 92701info@thebicycletree.orghttp://thebicycletree.orgon facebook / on instagram / on tumblr / on twitter / on meetup Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:33:43 -0700 From: jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags Hi Friends, Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for our youth programs. Thanks! Jonny John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic Berries www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca 403.619.2648 ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List Unsubscribe from this list ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Jonathan Morrison 21 Jan '15

21 Jan '15

In my personal experience there is nothing new about what community bike shops do. All those "ah-ha!" moments are usually when someone has (un)intentionally applied an existing concept from another application/industry to their community bike shop. So save yourself the trouble and time of reinventing the wheel by actively trying to identify those concepts in the first place. Our current Executive Director (Davey Davis) hit it on nose when he claimed that *"this isn't a shop, it is a factory"* at least in terms of operations management (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operations_management). While I spent years in that shop, I failed to see it. Davey is a genius. But the fact is, broken bicycles are the raw material that we refine (in mass quantity) into a consumable product that is sold/re-donated. The more successful Community Bike Shops (that help the most people) are the ones that make that refurbishing process as efficient as possible. Efficiency happens when you increase the number of bicycles that go through the shop, while decreasing waste and the time it takes to for the average bike to go in and out the shop's door. *A sign that you have an efficiency problem are excess storage. *Especially if they are stored for more than one "busy season". Given that some shops are in seasonal weather, obviously things might stack up in the winter. Accordingly, each shop will have a different averages and goals. So, what the hell am I rambling on about? *If you don't track the bikes (dates, times and stages), it is hard to know how to improve.* If you are looking for a quick / fun / easy / socratic / fictional tale to get inspired on how operations management might help your shop achieve its mission, consider reading the, "The Goal." http://www.homeworkforyou.com/static/uploadedfiles/User_569117112014E_M_Gol… Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison c: 801-688-0183 On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 7:45 AM, Nathan Wilkes <nwilkes2(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I was thinking a simple numbered ID. > > Nathan > > On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Jonathan Morrison < > jonathan.morrison(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> What kind of solution are you looking into? >> >> >> Sincerely, >> >> Jonathan Morrison >> c: 801-688-0183 >> >> On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 3:33 PM, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca> wrote: >> >>> Hi Friends, >>> >>> Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated >>> bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're >>> working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor >>> recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for >>> our youth programs. >>> >>> Thanks! >>> Jonny >>> >>> John Barrett >>> The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's >>> Organic Berries >>> www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / >>> www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries >>> jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca >>> 403.619.2648 >>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> <a href=" >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe >>> from this list</a> >>> >>> >>> >> > ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Justin Smith 20 Jan '15

20 Jan '15

We're interested as well. --- Justin Smith Bike Erie www.bikeerie.org [5] (814) 580-9108 Follow us on Facebook [6] & Twitter [7]! On 01/19/2015 3:33 pm, jonny b wrote: > Hi Friends, > > Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for our youth programs. > > Thanks! Jonny > > John Barrett > The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic Berries > www.goodlifebikes.ca [2] / www.twowheelview.org [3] / www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries [4] > jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca > 403.619.2648 > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… [1]">Unsubscribe from this list</a> Links: ------ [1] http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… [2] http://www.goodlifebikes.ca [3] http://www.twowheelview.org [4] http://www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries [5] http://www.bikeerie.org/ [6] http://box809.bluehost.com/facebook.com/BikeErie [7] http://box809.bluehost.com/twitter.com/BikeErie ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Karen Overton 20 Jan '15

20 Jan '15

HI Jonny, Here's the repair tag we use, by stapling to the handlebar. They are color coded, based on destination: reserved for shop sales or reserved for school programs/earn-a-bike. We keep an inventory in Google spreadsheet that lists the data on the tag. At the end of the year, it becomes easy to sort the column and count what bikes were sold, what bikes were sent to schools, or donated to other causes and # de-manufactured. Theoretically, you could keep the hard copies and count, but some always end up lost - so it's not a great system unless there are fewer people involved who are equally committed to the inventory system. We start the new year's inventory with all the bikes that had no destination in the prior year. In our two stores, we use Light Speed, which tracks and prints out the repairs done. Karen On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 5:33 PM, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca> wrote: > Hi Friends, > > Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated > bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're > working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor > recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for > our youth programs. > > Thanks! > Jonny > > John Barrett > The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic > Berries > www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / > www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries > jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca > 403.619.2648 > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > > ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Bayley Vanderpoel 20 Jan '15

20 Jan '15

Hey Jonny, This bicycle repair checklist doesn’t contain info about who donated but it’s the checklist that we use to determine the bikes state. First we triage the bike to determine what’s the matter with it. We circle every box which needs work. We’ll put the checklist in a clear plastic sheet, remove the pedals and zip tie them to the bikes handlebars (which we’ll turn to the side) to save space. When a volunteer is learning bicycle mechanics, we encourage them to focus on one component at a time, i.e. properly adjust 8 brakes one day, rather than trying to true a wheel, then brakes, adjust the derailleurs, and bearings. We believe they become proficient faster that way. They can look at the checklists to determine specific components which need work. Bayley Velocity Bicycle Cooperative Alexandria, VA *From:* Bayley Vanderpoel [mailto:bayley.vanderpoel@velocitycoop.org <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','bayley.vanderpoel(a)velocitycoop.org');>] *Sent:* Tuesday, January 20, 2015 4:39 PM *To:* Vanderpoel, Bayley *Subject:* Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags On Monday, January 19, 2015, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca');>> wrote: Hi Friends, Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for our youth programs. Thanks! Jonny John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic Berries www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca 403.619.2648 ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Conflict Resolution - Accountability in an all volunteer run organization
by Jesse Cooper 17 Jan '15

17 Jan '15

Hey Momoko! At Our Community Bikes we have a volunteer orientation evening twice a month, in which we engage prospective volunteers with concepts and practices of non oppressive language. Most people aren't familiar with oppressive language and we try and education them on many different fronts that are basics in communication. However we can't cover every single nuance or facet that is hurtful or detrimental to some others. It's not always great, but we are always recommending that people acknowledge and be aware that this is an inclusive space. Code of Conduct is pretty important and should be made clear before interacting with the space. I think that an accountability agreement sounds like a great idea. A letter / waiver that they would have to read and sign off. It's no guarantee against poor behaviour but it certainly would be a way of insuring that they take responsibilities for agreements on interactions. We have a conflict resolution process for staff and volunteers, and members / customers / general public. We had a middle aged white male volunteer who was golden for example, lots of great tech skills and super productive and helpful, but a young woman asks for instruction and he grabs the tool from her hand (?? gah!) (NO !) and does the work barely explain his process to her ( Aw come on! that's not instructing !) and when he did, it was in condescending tone (way to uphold the patriarchy bro... ). Regardless, an incident report is filed and staff act by assigning a "buddy" or "go to" person to be the mediator. That man is approached on gentle and respectful terms, without negative language but that he need be aware we would like to discuss a situation. When he consents to this and has confirmed an appropriate time to be spoken with, we then sit privately and discuss the situation. He wouldn't be allowed to volunteer until the discussion comes from it. Results can vary greatly. Each situation is as unique as a snowflake and prescribed recipes and procedures for con res only is used as a foundation or basic steps. If resolution cannot be found, we let go of the volunteer. so anyhow, it's not as simple as I may be describing, it never is and is usually difficult, and drawn out. We intend to mitigate that and never let anything go on for long periods without some sort of closure. Even with the most frustrating and difficult situation, closure is really important. Bad rep with long term, selfless, generous volunteers isn't anything any of us want to carry. However, the person may be completely unreasonable and unable to dialogue. We would have to cross that bridge when we get to it. Some times we just have to ask them to leave and drop it. It's the worst possible break up. But it happens. Warm thoughts of you ! and all my confidence that we are doing great work and being great people ! (unabashed hopefulness and optimism!) This is from our STAFF manual. It isn't complete in a lot of ways *Conflict Resolution * *Rational Sources Of Conflict * Generally stems from people operating with: -Different facts -Different experiences -Different values -Different assumptions -Different constraints When it becomes apparent to you that a conflict is emerging, these areas are a good place to start in figuring out how to resolve the difference. Check with the differing individuals to see if: Facts need to be clarified, Experiences need to be compared and sorted out, Values need to be aligned, Assumptions need to be aligned, Constraints need to be understood, words used need defining/clarification. Conflict deriving from these sources can generally be resolved with little difficulty, particularly if it is addressed as soon as it appears. In this source lie differences of mechanical technique/knowledge. We have agreed in the past that such differences can easily be resolved by referring to the Blue Book. Another rational source of conflict lies in differences of facts/assumptions regarding policy. This can be resolved by referring to the policy/procedure manual. Difference of values is a bit trickier but referring to the organizational mission statement may be useful. *Emotional Sources Of Conflict * *Dinosaur Brains * *...[I]nside each human brain lurks the brain of a dinosaur -- irrational, emotional, easily enraged -- waiting to take control. . . . [H]umans don't always act like humans. One minute they're normal, rational people; the next, they're little better than reptiles. Trouble comes when they use the Reptile Response -- their primitive thinking patterns -- instead of the rational part of their brain. * Instinctual response • Get it now! *(Impulsive) * • Fight, flee, or freeze *(Threatened) * • Be dominant *(Competitive or controlling) * • Defend the territory *(Defensive) * • Get the mate! *(Sexually competitive) * • If it hurts, hiss! *(Complaining) * • Like me, good; not like me, bad! *(Intolerant) * Sometimes--especially in stressful situations--a short-circuit occurs and people have difficulty re-channeling their response from their dinosaur brains to their reasonable brains, and to shift from instinctual, emotional behavior to thoughtful, rational behavior. It is important for us to understand and accept that everyone reacts from his or her dinosaur brains sometimes. Although it is easy for one dinosaur brain to bring forth other dinosaur brains (for one person's emotional reactions to stimulate others' emotional reactions), we must avoid the temptation to respond to impulsive, threatened, defensive, or other emotionally-based behavior in like emotional ways and to respond instead in rational ways. 29 *Approaching a conflict: * *Appropriate behavior * -communicate that conflict is/has been present. -try talking when the conflict begins. -Use “I” statements both in talking to the person you are disagreeing with and your coworkers. *Inappropriate behavior * -ignoring that there has been a dispute (which is not the same as consciously trying to calm down and deal with the problem later) -verbal or physical violence -gossip or talking shit about the person you are in conflict with to staff or customers -trying to get people on “your side” -exaggerating *Ground Rules * *What to try to do (if you're involved): * -listen and be open to suggestions (even the ones that imply you have been wrong or have fucked up) -be solution centered -be concise and practice assertive communication -use I statements to define your needs -give reasons behind your thinking -remember it's ok to differ and all ideas should be treated with respect. Disagreement does not mean rejection. -restate what you are saying using different words/language when you feel that you're not being heard -take responsibility -be aware of non-verbal communication -think about your needs but do not ignore the needs of the collective. *What Not To DO: * -blame people (this leads to guilt, defensiveness, and alienation) -avoid addressing conflict (this impedes resolution) -resort to verbal or physical violence -Gossip (and if you do find yourself gossiping, ask yourself “why?”) -get people onto your “side” of the conflict -perpetuate or fall victim to groupthink which is a mode of group behavior in which ideas, even ideas which are not well thought through, may prevail despite the individual group members' ability to know the ideas are not useful, or worse, actually harmful to the group's goals. *What to try to do (if you're not involved): * -gently ask those involved to work out their differences -talk about it or let it go -express how the conflict is affecting you/your work environment/the group -ask the individuals involved to meet with you or another person who will act as a mediator -ask yourself or your coworkers how you can help the process *What Not To Do (if you are not involved): * Subcommittee 30 *When are they necessary? * -Either when those involved feel that a subcommittee would be beneficial or when coworkers feel it to be necessary. *Made up of: * - at least 2 people (each person involved has a say as to who 1 of the people in the subcommittee is), others can volunteer. *Goals: * -must meet no more than 1 week after the issue is raised (what step!???) -to simplify and expedite the conflict resolution process -to support those involved in the process *Roles may be: * -Mediating meetings between the parties involved. -to identify or clarify problems -to figure out effective ways of communication between parties -to provide an objective perspective (as much as that is possible) on the situation -to communicate to the parties involved what the needs/desires of the collective are -to provide feedback on the conflict resolution process -Enforce repercussions, timelines and the like. When staff are asked for feedback a time line must be set, and must be quite short so that the process isn't put on hold. Repercussions for tardy responses must be established. On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 12:28 PM, momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> wrote: > Hello! > > Accountability is a struggle for Bike Farm. As an all volunteer run > organization, it's difficult to chastise undesirable behaviour. Not > only is it hard to tell someone who is volunteering their time that > they did not do something right, but the negative feedback is not the > kind of environment we're trying to create. > > Still, what happens when someone messes up. To say nothing is nearly > as detrimental. It erodes the quality of the service we provide, and > can lead to an unsafe working environment. > > What do other collectives do? Do you have a accountability agreement? > Something along the lines of, "by volunteering here, I want to be held > accountable to the group in these ways..." or a grievance procedure? > > How do you communicate about your issues? > any feed back would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers, > -Momoko > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > >

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Announcing the 2015 Youth Bike Summit Program
by Pasqualina Azzarello 17 Jan '15

17 Jan '15

Hi Everyone! We're excited to announce this year's program <http://youthbikesummit.org/program-2015/>. Please take a look and feel free to share! <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/ag5hmb> *Announcing the 2015 Youth Bike Summit Program!* We are thrilled to announce this year's *outstanding line-up* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/q85hmb> of speakers, panels, workshops, and activities at the 5th Annual Youth Bike Summit! Whether you're a teenager, college student, educator, parent, advocate, urban planner, civil servant, cycling enthusiast, or community leader of any age, we hope you'll join us to share your vision and ideas for how to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive biking movement. The 2015 Youth Bike Summit is hosted by Bike Works <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/606hmb>, February 13-15, 2015 in Seattle, WA. **The deadline for *early-bird tickets <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/mt7hmb>* has been extended to February 1.* Register today! *More information can be found at youthbikesummit.org <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/2l8hmb>. Thank you for sharing this information w/ youth and adult bike leaders in your community!* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/ie9hmb> *Support Youth Leaders to Attend the Youth Bike Summit!* Several youth cycling groups and school bike programs from across the US are working hard to raise funds to travel to Seattle to attend the Youth Bike Summit. If you've ever attended a YBS, you know what an inspiring experience it can be. Please consider making a contribution to one of these groups - any amount is a tremendous help! International High School at Union Square (NYC) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/y69hmb>, El Puente Academy of Peace & Justice (NYC) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/ezaimb>, Bikes Not Bombs (Boston) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/urbimb>, BICAS (Tucson) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/akcimb>. <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/qcdimb> *Learn More About Youth Cycling Advocate Brook Negussie!* Introducing Brook Negussie, one of this year's youth presenters during the keynote address! Brook states: "What inspires me is having all these amazing people traveling from around the country to learn more about how they can improve their communities through the use of bicycles." Learn more about Brook's experience from our generous sponsor, Cascade Bicycle Club <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/64dimb>. <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/mxeimb> *Apply for an Adventure Cycling Youth Travel Scholarship!* Adventure Cycling is seeking candidates for their 2015 Young Adult Bike Travel Scholarship Program <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/2pfimb>. Adventure Cycling will choose two winners who will participate in either the Leadership Training Course or the Introduction to Road Touring course. Eligible candidates will be ages 18-25 and have an interest in bicycle travel and touring. *The application deadline is February 1, 2015. Learn more about Adventure Cycling during their presentation at the Youth Bike Summit!* Youth Bike | Director www.youthbikesummit.org | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Bike-Summit/230384430374509> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/youthbikesummit> *Youth Bike Summit | **February 13 - 15, 2015 | Bike Works | Seattle, WA* *Youth Bike transforms our local communities and strengthens our national movement by empowering bicycle leaders.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Conflict Resolution - Accountability in an all volunteer run organization
by Josh Bisker 16 Jan '15

16 Jan '15

No specific answer here, only a reflection that this is a place where process becomes really important: when there's no structure in place to even begin looking at bad behavior (or sub-optimal behavior) then it falls to individuals to intervene, which makes conflict hard to avoid. Even having guidelines on paper and a rotation for who enforces them or brings up grievances can be helpful. My experience in some groups has been that a) creating a process helps establish a space where people can participate without it becoming personal, b) starting anywhere and iterating upon what you've got is better than having nothing love love love, Josh On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 3:28 PM, momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> wrote: > Hello! > > Accountability is a struggle for Bike Farm. As an all volunteer run > organization, it's difficult to chastise undesirable behaviour. Not > only is it hard to tell someone who is volunteering their time that > they did not do something right, but the negative feedback is not the > kind of environment we're trying to create. > > Still, what happens when someone messes up. To say nothing is nearly > as detrimental. It erodes the quality of the service we provide, and > can lead to an unsafe working environment. > > What do other collectives do? Do you have a accountability agreement? > Something along the lines of, "by volunteering here, I want to be held > accountable to the group in these ways..." or a grievance procedure? > > How do you communicate about your issues? > any feed back would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers, > -Momoko > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > >

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