TheThinkTank February 2017

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

41 participants
20 discussions

Reusable Repair Checklist Tag
by director 02 May '23

02 May '23

Hey All, We just spent some time and redid the tag we use to track repairs on a bike. I'm sure your shops are similar to ours in that many mechanics of varying skill levels will work on a single bike before it's distributed back to the world for use. This make it challenging to ensure a standard of quality on any given bike leaving the shop. As we fleshed out the tag we realized that it could function loosely as a curriculum. For most mechanics, especially students we suggest starting at the top and working down the list. I've come to realize that no two mechanics will do things in the exact same way, everyone has their own style. We've been suggesting that folks do the first two items in order and then address the rest of the repairs at their discretion. Of course we couldn't put everything on a half page so we had to make compromises. You'll notice as you get closer to the bottom of the tag the categories are a little more broad and don't get into the finer details. We're working on a final check list that will include finer details like checking bearing play, tire wear, fine tune derailleurs and brakes... The final checklist won't hang on the bike but it'll be around the shop and part of our training. Stay tuned for this. We print these double sided, cut them in half and laminate them. We hang them on the handlebars and fill them out with a Sharpie. When the bike is done and gone we clean the Sharpie off with 90% rubbing alcohol and a rag. This allows us to use one tag over and over and over. We've been using these tags for about 2 weeks now and it's been awesome. Communication between mechanics is much clearer and bikes are getting done faster. It's really helped orient Earn-A-Bike students to what needs to be done next on their bike. Anyway if you think it's a good idea feel free to adapt it to your shops needs. -- 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

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no boys allowed zine from bikebike?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 27 Sep '18

27 Sep '18

hey all, i'm looking to get in touch with the person who wrote/published the "no boys allowed" zine which was passed out at bikebike in san francisco. it was part of one of the oppression and gender identity issues workshops. we're looking to start a women's night here at community cycles, and i'd like to scan my copy as a pdf and email it to potential volunteers, as well as make some copies to have in the shop... if you're on the list, or if you know the person who wrote it (her name escapes me), please get in touch with me off list... thanks! josh. community cycles boulder

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Alternatives to Paypal
by Zachariah Wahid 24 Mar '17

24 Mar '17

Hi all, Has anyone used an alternative to Paypal that lets you accept donations through your website and send money? Thanks!

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Fwd: [bike farm] Fwd: SAB school of apropriate bicycle technology
by Angel York 27 Feb '17

27 Feb '17

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bike Farm <bikefarm(a)bikefarm.org> Date: Sun, Feb 26, 2017 at 1:04 PM Subject: [bike farm] Fwd: SAB school of apropriate bicycle technology To: bike-farm <bike-farm(a)googlegroups.com> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Geovany Moreno <geovany(a)bicitec.org> Date: Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 9:02 AM Subject: SAB school of apropriate bicycle technology To: Interested to learn how to design and construct pedal-powered machines? Want to learn how to apply appropriate technology in the Global South? Motivated to take classroom knowledge and apply it to the real world? We are excited to announce the next sessions of the School of Appropriate Bici-Technology! The sessions are Beginners and intermediate course in the context, application, and manufacturing of bicimáquinas (pedal-powered machines) in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala. Students from all over the world will study side-by-side while Carlos Marroquín, a world leader in pedal-powered technology, leads this hands-on course in designing and manufacturing pedal-powered machines. We are now accepting applications through March 17st for the Summer Sessions. Scholarships are available for students from lower and middle-income countries to study in this exciting program. The beginner summer session of this course runs from June 5th to July 14th. The intermediate summer session of this course runs from July 24th to August 18th. In this hands on course students will learn about the context of appropriate technology in the Global South, and the fundamentals of pedal-powered machine mechanics, design, and construction. Interested to find out more? More information and the application are on our website, and you can email info(a)bicitec.org with any questions. http://bicitec.org/eba-solicitud/ http://bicitec.org/eba-preguntas-frecuentes/ Follow us on Facebook, and check out our videos to learn more! Best, The Bici-Tec Team -- Special Orders Listserv: specialorders(a)googlegroups.com Shift Schedule: https://db.tt/YZLIhoF8 Please communicate in a polite and respectful manner at all times. The Bike Farm listserv is a collaborative, professional forum for discussion. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bike Farm" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bike-farm+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to bike-farm(a)googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/bike-farm. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Thethinktank Digest, Vol 125, Issue 15
by Zachariah Wahid 22 Feb '17

22 Feb '17

Greetings from Detroit, We consistently refurbish bikes for donation to kids during regular volunteer nights and *we keep a waitlist* of who needs bikes, what sizes they need and how many. Then, *when their "order is filled" (i.e. when their bikes are built) we call them up*. We ask that they bring the kid with them in case we got the wrong size or need to make some adjustments and* a lot of times people do bring in old kids bikes* but *we do not require them *to trade us a bike, which is *an organization wide policy meant to discourage bicycle theft.* *We do not limit the number of bikes taken* by a family, though for groups we usually* can't give away more than 15 at a time.* The *only requirement for taking a bike is *that the person that the bike is for is under the *age* of 10. *We do accept donations *(though these are few and far between) in a jar and many of the family's receiving bikes also have kids that have gone through our version of Earn-A-Bike (EAB). We *fund this through our general fund* which mostly comes through donations and it costs us roughly $15 to $25 per bike but it is *free to the recipients*. We only provide accessories like helmets when there is surplus. We mostly try to give those out to older EAB participants who tend to go faster on their bikes. *My suggestions*: Do not require a bike to swap. See if you can get your kids bikes from shops in the city that accumulate them or from retired folks with trucks who pick stuff off the side of the road. Make sure people in your area know they can bring you kids bikes. You could even host a bike drive exclusively for kids bikes (though people will probably try to give you larger bikes as well). Local companies love the press that comes with hosting those things. Zach On Tue, Feb 21, 2017 at 4:12 PM, < thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote: > 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.org > > 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. Re: Kids bike library/swap programs (mike r) > 2. Kids bike library/swap programs (Bob Giordano) > 3. Re: Kids bike library/swap programs (Danielle Fry) > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: mike r <rozdol(a)yahoo.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 22:45:47 +0000 (UTC) > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Kids bike library/swap programs > Hello folks. > I had a similar idea and approached my local pubic library in Upstate New > York just a year ago. The proposed project was more limited than you > suggest, it was for Balance Bikes only and they were used 12inch wheel > kiddy bikes with cranks and chain removed. > I delivered 4 very nice little bikes and the staff of the library was > stoked to release the program. > The Library Director heard back from their insurance company and the > program was nixed. > The issue is that the Library retains ownership of the bikes and therefor > if there is an injury that resulted from bike issues, or perceived bike > condition issues, the Library would be liable. > Got the bikes back and gave them away...Mike aka the bike guy > > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad <https://yho.com/footer0> > > On Monday, February 20, 2017, 3:27 PM, Aida Mas Baghaie < > aida.masb(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Hey bike friends, > > We're starting a kids bike library/exchange in Vancouver, BC, where kids > can borrow a bike until they grow out of it and then swap it for one their > size. I've heard of a few different models for doing this, from kids bike > swaps at events to shorter-term loans from library branches. Anyone run a > program like this? If you do, please tell me about the useful things you've > learned by answering these questions: > > - what kind of program do you run? (i.e. kids bike swaps at events, > physical library, through earn-a-bike) > - how many bikes do you distribute/swap? do you charge anything for > them? > - how is the program funded? > - do you provide accessories (helmets, locks & lights) with the bikes? > if so, where do you get them from? > - any suggestions or words of wisdom for someone starting a kids bike > library/swap program? > > If you'd rather chat on the phone, just lemme know and I'll give you a > call. > > thanks y'all! > > yaay more kids on bikes. <3 :D > > aida > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank- > bikecollectives.org">Unsubscribe from this list</a> > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Bob Giordano <mist(a)strans.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 16:26:25 -0700 > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Kids bike library/swap programs > One of our strongest and most popular programs over the years has been > always offering free kids bikes. For age 10 and under we require no class > nor service time (older than 10 and we have various earn-a-bike programs). > > We do not charge, the bike is theirs to keep, and the family will come > back year after year and swap to a larger size. We always have a large > stock to choose from. We have more ready to go kid bikes in 'kid alley' > and over flow kid bikes in 'kid corner'. > > Many yet not all families donate into our shop jar. While we strive to > have some kid bikes close to 'ride out the door' we want the kid (and > parent) to finish off the bike with air, oil and some adjustments. We > work together to make that happen. > > We have found that this type of program brings in financial donations in > many other ways, from general appeals to events to small local grants. > > Other tidbits: we tend to remove hand brakes (unless in stellar condition) > if the bike (most) has a coaster brake. we esp. look for anything sharp > or broken to get off the bike, like remnants of a bell, reflector, chain > guard. > we help more with families that are struggling with the mechanical > aspects, and remain more hands-off if it is say a parent/child wanting the > building/bonding experience. if a parent ends up working on the bike > without the child, we try to entice the child to help sort nuts and bolts, > or draw a bike for the shop wall. we discourage training wheels yet help > get them on if a parent insists. we make our own striders, looking for > kid bikes that have low step thru frame and already have a drivetrain > failure. > it's honestly one of the most rewarding aspects of the community bicycle > shop, here in Missoula. > > -- > Bob Giordano, Director > Free Cycles Missoula > Shop: 732 S. 1st St. West, ph. 541.7284 > 10AM-6PM Tues-Sat, www.freecycles.org > Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation > www.strans.org, mist(a)strans.org, 406.830.7676 > > > > On Monday, February 20, 2017, 3:27 PM, Aida Mas Baghaie > > <aida.masb(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > > Hey bike friends, > > We're starting a kids bike library/exchange in Vancouver, BC, where kids > > can borrow a bike until they grow out of it and then swap it for one > their > > size. I've heard of a few different models for doing this, from kids bike > > swaps at events to shorter-term loans from library branches. Anyone run a > > program like this? If you do, please tell me about the useful things > > you've learned by answering these questions: > > - what kind of program do you run? (i.e. kids bike swaps at events, > > physical library, through earn-a-bike) > > - how many bikes do you distribute/swap? do you charge anything for > > them? > > - how is the program funded? > > - do you provide accessories (helmets, locks & lights) with the bikes? > > if so, where do you get them from? > > - any suggestions or words of wisdom for someone starting a kids bike > > library/swap program? > > If you'd rather chat on the phone, just lemme know and I'll give you a > > call. > > thanks y'all! > > yaay more kids on bikes. <3 :D > > aida > > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Danielle Fry <danielle(a)bicyclecollective.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 16:46:43 -0700 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Kids bike library/swap programs > I'm very interested in your responses as well. I'm trying to come up with > a better way to give out our kids bikes. Traditionally we've worked with > organizations and done larger events where we give away many kids bikes at > once, but then we're left with piles of both fixed and in-waiting bikes > that we don't have the storage for. In addition to the original questions, > would y'all mind giving some feedback on: > > - How do you manage the flow of kids needing bikes? Do you utilize a > wait list if you run out of kids bikes for the need in the community at the > time? > - How do you track who gets bikes? > - Do you limit how many bikes one child is allowed? One bike/year > more or less? > - Do any of you use specific criteria for being eligible for a free > kid's bike? > > Thanks! > > Danielle Fry > Director > Ogden Bicycle Collective > 936 28th Street > Ogden, UT 84403 > > On Mon, Feb 20, 2017 at 4:26 PM, Bob Giordano <mist(a)strans.org> wrote: > >> One of our strongest and most popular programs over the years has been >> always offering free kids bikes. For age 10 and under we require no class >> nor service time (older than 10 and we have various earn-a-bike programs). >> >> We do not charge, the bike is theirs to keep, and the family will come >> back year after year and swap to a larger size. We always have a large >> stock to choose from. We have more ready to go kid bikes in 'kid alley' >> and over flow kid bikes in 'kid corner'. >> >> Many yet not all families donate into our shop jar. While we strive to >> have some kid bikes close to 'ride out the door' we want the kid (and >> parent) to finish off the bike with air, oil and some adjustments. We >> work together to make that happen. >> >> We have found that this type of program brings in financial donations in >> many other ways, from general appeals to events to small local grants. >> >> Other tidbits: we tend to remove hand brakes (unless in stellar condition) >> if the bike (most) has a coaster brake. we esp. look for anything sharp >> or broken to get off the bike, like remnants of a bell, reflector, chain >> guard. >> we help more with families that are struggling with the mechanical >> aspects, and remain more hands-off if it is say a parent/child wanting the >> building/bonding experience. if a parent ends up working on the bike >> without the child, we try to entice the child to help sort nuts and bolts, >> or draw a bike for the shop wall. we discourage training wheels yet help >> get them on if a parent insists. we make our own striders, looking for >> kid bikes that have low step thru frame and already have a drivetrain >> failure. >> it's honestly one of the most rewarding aspects of the community bicycle >> shop, here in Missoula. >> >> -- >> Bob Giordano, Director >> Free Cycles Missoula >> Shop: 732 S. 1st St. West, ph. 541.7284 >> 10AM-6PM Tues-Sat, www.freecycles.org >> Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation >> www.strans.org, mist(a)strans.org, 406.830.7676 >> >> >> > On Monday, February 20, 2017, 3:27 PM, Aida Mas Baghaie >> > <aida.masb(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> > >> > Hey bike friends, >> > We're starting a kids bike library/exchange in Vancouver, BC, where kids >> > can borrow a bike until they grow out of it and then swap it for one >> their >> > size. I've heard of a few different models for doing this, from kids >> bike >> > swaps at events to shorter-term loans from library branches. Anyone run >> a >> > program like this? If you do, please tell me about the useful things >> > you've learned by answering these questions: >> > - what kind of program do you run? (i.e. kids bike swaps at events, >> > physical library, through earn-a-bike) >> > - how many bikes do you distribute/swap? do you charge anything for >> > them? >> > - how is the program funded? >> > - do you provide accessories (helmets, locks & lights) with the >> bikes? >> > if so, where do you get them from? >> > - any suggestions or words of wisdom for someone starting a kids bike >> > library/swap program? >> > If you'd rather chat on the phone, just lemme know and I'll give you a >> > call. >> > thanks y'all! >> > yaay more kids on bikes. <3 :D >> > aida >> >> >> >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/ >> thethinktank-bikecollectives.org">Unsubscribe from this list</a> >> >> > > > -- > Danielle Fry > Director > Ogden Bicycle Collective > 936 28th Street > Ogden, UT 84403 > 801-997-0336 <(801)%20997-0336> > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- > bikecollectives.org > > -- Zachariah Wahid Co-Director Back Alley Bikes (313) 879-5630

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Kids bike library/swap programs
by Aida Mas Baghaie 20 Feb '17

20 Feb '17

Hey bike friends, We're starting a kids bike library/exchange in Vancouver, BC, where kids can borrow a bike until they grow out of it and then swap it for one their size. I've heard of a few different models for doing this, from kids bike swaps at events to shorter-term loans from library branches. Anyone run a program like this? If you do, please tell me about the useful things you've learned by answering these questions: - what kind of program do you run? (i.e. kids bike swaps at events, physical library, through earn-a-bike) - how many bikes do you distribute/swap? do you charge anything for them? - how is the program funded? - do you provide accessories (helmets, locks & lights) with the bikes? if so, where do you get them from? - any suggestions or words of wisdom for someone starting a kids bike library/swap program? If you'd rather chat on the phone, just lemme know and I'll give you a call. thanks y'all! yaay more kids on bikes. <3 :D aida

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Political message
by Sarah Schaan 19 Feb '17

19 Feb '17

Greetings everyone! I am curious to know if any bikebike members/organizers have discussed making a collective statement about the recent political issues that USA has been dealing with? Several policies and many statements made by the White House and co. directly contradict our mission statement. As a multinational organization I believe we may have a greater impact if we could unite our voices in some manner. I have been bad at keeping up with social media/ email threads so if this has already been addressed, I would thank you for catching me up! As always, keep your rad souls burning bright :) Sarah Schaan, FMCBW Fargo

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Big questions about trust, classism, and preconceptions
by Andrew Shooner 15 Feb '17

15 Feb '17

Hi all, Looking for some wisdom on what I think is a pretty deep question for our shop. Quick background: Broke Spoke is a non-profit community bike shop, with a mission to give everyone better access to better bikes, and enable everyone to do their own maintenance. A big part of our community has been a social services campus nearby which includes long-term residency, an overnight shelter, a free cafeteria, and a residential substance abuse rehab program. People from that center use the shop frequently, and are probably the most common group to earn bikes from the shop. Right now, once you regularly commit to a certain number of hours consistently for 4 months, we provide you a key to the shop, so you can come in on your own time to work on your own stuff and free up open shop hours so you can volunteer. This has always been by invitation rather than an automatic 'upgrade'. We have a small group of regular volunteers from the center some of whom would otherwise qualify for this type of access, but have never been invited. We're making an effort this winter to reorganize our shop volunteerism to be more inclusive, and the discussion has led to addressing this. Without speaking for others from the shop, I'll share my own thoughts: on one hand, I hate the notion that someone's general economic status could disqualify them from becoming a more involved member of our community. The other side of that is that severe economic stress or a substance abuse problem can have a serious influence on someone's behavior, and it isn't necessarily an individual character judgement to be more cautious about access to our entire shop (~150 bikes, 8 stands, power tools, etc - our whole operation). But that lands you back in a pretty categorically classist conclusion that poor(er) people are inherently less trustworthy in the shop. I also don't like where that logic leads: where do you draw the line? My gut tells me that the potential benefit in granting someone that trust is worth the risk, but I appreciate the other, more cautious perspective as well. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated! Thanks, Andy Broke Spoke, Lexington KY

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Big questions about trust, classism, and preconceptions (momoko saunders)
by Heather Nugen 15 Feb '17

15 Feb '17

Hey Momoko, This might be better to tackle seperately in a 1-on-1 thread but I think what I'm hearing is that the unclear criteria set it up so that current folks making decisions about new core volunteers are in a position to "judge" incoming members which might dissuade new members. I think that's accurate, but to some extent, we're all judging and being judged all the time (it's not necessarily a bad thing). I think having the criteria be vague and numinous is what makes any process of judgement/evaluation tip towards the unfair/exclusionary. So, what I recommend you all try to do is spend time outlining these a little bit: "Your behaviour in the shop off hours will appropriately represent Bike Farm." - What kind of behavior is appropriate? this doesn't need to be a laundry list, even coming up with 'values' level words (ethical, honest, kind etc) will help people understand what is and is not acceptable. A Bike Farm code of ethics would go a long way towards laying this out (those are usually 1 page or less!) "You have the skills to handle the strange situations that come up at Bike Farm." - what are those skills? Conflict resolution? Desecalation? Loss Prevention? Hands off teaching? - If someone doesn't have them, are there resources Bike Farm knows about/can recommend for folks to learn/practice if they are interested? - is there a way to help interested/incoming folks self assess their skill level with those things and support them in their development/growth? I really think reframing this similarly to the questions of mechanic skills-- and how to evaluate who has and doesn't have them, and how to handle that-- bike co-ops are teaching people all kinds of mechanics all the time, usually in this really awesome, incredibly calm and welcoming non-judgmental kind of way. That's not just haphazard! That's systematized, cultural, and it's usually intentional, and you can apply that kind of teaching philosophy to anything your org/group thinks it's important for people to know. Those questions might seem vague, hard, or weird to answer, but I really think it will make things a lot more accessible and transparent, which in the long run, will make your processes more equitable.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Big questions about trust, classism, and preconceptions
by Heather Nugen 15 Feb '17

15 Feb '17

Hey Andrew, it sounds to me like you and your collective might want to consider your criteria for key-holdership. If those criteria are not formalized, expressed, and accessible, then people cannot work towards meeting those criteria, and you have established an elite group of key holders that is inaccessible to the majority of your organizations membership base. That will result in the people who "lead" the organization eventually not being representative of the population your organization (presumably) exists to serve. I don't think that "showing up for x # of hours over x period of time," sounds like it is adequate criteria for someone to be given access, which means there are other (likely currently unstated) criteria that determine whether someone is worthy of the privilege of a key. Rather than ask people to just be more trusting, I would consider doing an activity that names the other criteria (as well as consequences for violating norms), and then make them available generally. This allows people to demonstrate their abilities to meet those criteria-- regardless of income, housing, or addiction history. -Heather On Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 4:12 PM, < thethinktank-request(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> wrote: > 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.org > > 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. Big questions about trust, classism, and preconceptions > (Andrew Shooner) > 2. Re: Big questions about trust, classism, and preconceptions > (momoko saunders) > 3. Re: Big questions about trust, classism, and preconceptions > (momoko saunders) > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Andrew Shooner <ashooner(a)gmail.com> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 14:57:27 -0500 > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Big questions about trust, classism, and > preconceptions > Hi all, > > Looking for some wisdom on what I think is a pretty deep question for our > shop. Quick background: Broke Spoke is a non-profit community bike shop, > with a mission to give everyone better access to better bikes, and enable > everyone to do their own maintenance. A big part of our community has been > a social services campus nearby which includes long-term residency, an > overnight shelter, a free cafeteria, and a residential substance abuse > rehab program. People from that center use the shop frequently, and are > probably the most common group to earn bikes from the shop. > > Right now, once you regularly commit to a certain number of hours > consistently for 4 months, we provide you a key to the shop, so you can > come in on your own time to work on your own stuff and free up open shop > hours so you can volunteer. This has always been by invitation rather than > an automatic 'upgrade'. We have a small group of regular volunteers from > the center some of whom would otherwise qualify for this type of access, > but have never been invited. > > We're making an effort this winter to reorganize our shop volunteerism to > be more inclusive, and the discussion has led to addressing this. Without > speaking for others from the shop, I'll share my own thoughts: on one hand, > I hate the notion that someone's general economic status could disqualify > them from becoming a more involved member of our community. The other side > of that is that severe economic stress or a substance abuse problem can > have a serious influence on someone's behavior, and it isn't necessarily an > individual character judgement to be more cautious about access to our > entire shop (~150 bikes, 8 stands, power tools, etc - our whole > operation). But that lands you back in a pretty categorically classist > conclusion that poor(er) people are inherently less trustworthy in the > shop. I also don't like where that logic leads: where do you draw the line? > > My gut tells me that the potential benefit in granting someone that trust > is worth the risk, but I appreciate the other, more cautious perspective as > well. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated! > > Thanks, > Andy > Broke Spoke, Lexington KY > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:33:30 -0800 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Big questions about trust, classism, and > preconceptions > Andy, > > At Bike Farm we have a similar policy. Volunteering for a steady two > months can lead to a key. You have to be nominated, and it's the > responsibility of the person who nominated you to ensure that you > understand the rules of the shop. > > We've had a number houseless folks be key holders. Besides the occasional > person sleeping at the shop when it's pouring freezing rain outside, we > haven't had any issues. But we are still selective of who we nominate. > > For example, there's a fellow who's been volunteering for months now. He's > super dedicated. But honestly, he displays some paranoid tendencies, and > sometimes get's into verbal altercations with others. We vote on who gets a > key, and just like all our decisions, anyone can veto a proposal. I would > vote "no" if this person came up for key nomination. I have no problems > with letting people know why I don't think it would be appropriate. > > There are a ton of valid reasons to object to someone's nomination. I hope > you and other volunteers feel comfortable enough to express yourselves. At > the same time, there are no rules for those valid reasons. Economic status > and or past drug use, to me, are not valid reasons to deny someone a key. > Try to base your conclusions on their present behaviour, not your > assumptions. > > It's lucky you get 4 months of time to observe the person in the shop. If > after 4 months, you're still not sure if you can trust them, hang out with > them more. Try being friends. What's their life like? > > It seems like you're searching for a rule to follow, but the reality is > that trust is something we develop. Trust is vital for shops like ours to > operate. > > I think if you really got to know the person, you would feel more > comfortable with trusting them with a key to the shop. You shouldn't be > afraid to express if you don't trust someone. But one would hope that > feeling of untrust is based on their actions, and not stereotypes. > > Good luck! Being accepting and conscientious isn't easy work. > -momoko > > > On Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 11:57 AM, Andrew Shooner <ashooner(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> Looking for some wisdom on what I think is a pretty deep question for our >> shop. Quick background: Broke Spoke is a non-profit community bike shop, >> with a mission to give everyone better access to better bikes, and enable >> everyone to do their own maintenance. A big part of our community has been >> a social services campus nearby which includes long-term residency, an >> overnight shelter, a free cafeteria, and a residential substance abuse >> rehab program. People from that center use the shop frequently, and are >> probably the most common group to earn bikes from the shop. >> >> Right now, once you regularly commit to a certain number of hours >> consistently for 4 months, we provide you a key to the shop, so you can >> come in on your own time to work on your own stuff and free up open shop >> hours so you can volunteer. This has always been by invitation rather than >> an automatic 'upgrade'. We have a small group of regular volunteers from >> the center some of whom would otherwise qualify for this type of access, >> but have never been invited. >> >> We're making an effort this winter to reorganize our shop volunteerism to >> be more inclusive, and the discussion has led to addressing this. Without >> speaking for others from the shop, I'll share my own thoughts: on one hand, >> I hate the notion that someone's general economic status could disqualify >> them from becoming a more involved member of our community. The other side >> of that is that severe economic stress or a substance abuse problem can >> have a serious influence on someone's behavior, and it isn't necessarily an >> individual character judgement to be more cautious about access to our >> entire shop (~150 bikes, 8 stands, power tools, etc - our whole >> operation). But that lands you back in a pretty categorically classist >> conclusion that poor(er) people are inherently less trustworthy in the >> shop. I also don't like where that logic leads: where do you draw the line? >> >> My gut tells me that the potential benefit in granting someone that trust >> is worth the risk, but I appreciate the other, more cautious perspective as >> well. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated! >> >> Thanks, >> Andy >> Broke Spoke, Lexington KY >> >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/ >> thethinktank-bikecollectives.org">Unsubscribe from this list</a> >> >> >> > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> > To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> > Cc: > Date: Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:40:22 -0800 > Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Big questions about trust, classism, and > preconceptions > Oops, One last thing I forgot to say. > > One of the key reasons someone will be nominated for a key is to hold a > shift. We require two key holders for every shift. If the person has been > coming regularly to their shift for two months, and there is a need for a > 2nd or 3rd key holder on the shift, this is the usual reason someone gets a > key. So people don't get them just for showing up every once in a while for > two months. They have to show dedication! > > Coming to nearly every one of your shifts for 2 months is a requirement > that weeds out a lot of the less steady folks. This is a good litmus to > evaluate trust. > > On Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 12:33 PM, momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> > wrote: > >> Andy, >> >> At Bike Farm we have a similar policy. Volunteering for a steady two >> months can lead to a key. You have to be nominated, and it's the >> responsibility of the person who nominated you to ensure that you >> understand the rules of the shop. >> >> We've had a number houseless folks be key holders. Besides the occasional >> person sleeping at the shop when it's pouring freezing rain outside, we >> haven't had any issues. But we are still selective of who we nominate. >> >> For example, there's a fellow who's been volunteering for months now. >> He's super dedicated. But honestly, he displays some paranoid tendencies, >> and sometimes get's into verbal altercations with others. We vote on who >> gets a key, and just like all our decisions, anyone can veto a proposal. I >> would vote "no" if this person came up for key nomination. I have no >> problems with letting people know why I don't think it would be >> appropriate. >> >> There are a ton of valid reasons to object to someone's nomination. I >> hope you and other volunteers feel comfortable enough to express >> yourselves. At the same time, there are no rules for those valid reasons. >> Economic status and or past drug use, to me, are not valid reasons to deny >> someone a key. Try to base your conclusions on their present behaviour, not >> your assumptions. >> >> It's lucky you get 4 months of time to observe the person in the shop. If >> after 4 months, you're still not sure if you can trust them, hang out with >> them more. Try being friends. What's their life like? >> >> It seems like you're searching for a rule to follow, but the reality is >> that trust is something we develop. Trust is vital for shops like ours to >> operate. >> >> I think if you really got to know the person, you would feel more >> comfortable with trusting them with a key to the shop. You shouldn't be >> afraid to express if you don't trust someone. But one would hope that >> feeling of untrust is based on their actions, and not stereotypes. >> >> Good luck! Being accepting and conscientious isn't easy work. >> -momoko >> >> >> On Tue, Feb 14, 2017 at 11:57 AM, Andrew Shooner <ashooner(a)gmail.com> >> wrote: >> >>> Hi all, >>> >>> Looking for some wisdom on what I think is a pretty deep question for >>> our shop. Quick background: Broke Spoke is a non-profit community bike >>> shop, with a mission to give everyone better access to better bikes, and >>> enable everyone to do their own maintenance. A big part of our community >>> has been a social services campus nearby which includes long-term >>> residency, an overnight shelter, a free cafeteria, and a residential >>> substance abuse rehab program. People from that center use the shop >>> frequently, and are probably the most common group to earn bikes from the >>> shop. >>> >>> Right now, once you regularly commit to a certain number of hours >>> consistently for 4 months, we provide you a key to the shop, so you can >>> come in on your own time to work on your own stuff and free up open shop >>> hours so you can volunteer. This has always been by invitation rather than >>> an automatic 'upgrade'. We have a small group of regular volunteers from >>> the center some of whom would otherwise qualify for this type of access, >>> but have never been invited. >>> >>> We're making an effort this winter to reorganize our shop volunteerism >>> to be more inclusive, and the discussion has led to addressing this. >>> Without speaking for others from the shop, I'll share my own thoughts: on >>> one hand, I hate the notion that someone's general economic status could >>> disqualify them from becoming a more involved member of our community. The >>> other side of that is that severe economic stress or a substance abuse >>> problem can have a serious influence on someone's behavior, and it isn't >>> necessarily an individual character judgement to be more cautious about >>> access to our entire shop (~150 bikes, 8 stands, power tools, etc - our >>> whole operation). But that lands you back in a pretty categorically >>> classist conclusion that poor(er) people are inherently less trustworthy in >>> the shop. I also don't like where that logic leads: where do you draw the >>> line? >>> >>> My gut tells me that the potential benefit in granting someone that >>> trust is worth the risk, but I appreciate the other, more cautious >>> perspective as well. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated! >>> >>> Thanks, >>> Andy >>> Broke Spoke, Lexington KY >>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinkt >>> ank-bikecollectives.org">Unsubscribe from this list</a> >>> >>> >>> >> > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank- > bikecollectives.org > >

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TheThinkTank February 2017