TheThinkTank December 2018

thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org

19 participants
12 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

5 4

2 floor bike racks
by Tigre Bici 23 Mar '19

23 Mar '19

Hello everyone We are thinking on buying/making a 2 floor bike rack to save some space and have more bikes in a small space. Do anyone have experience on them? Any insights on we shall make it or buy it? Thanks R.

7 7

Year's End
by Cyclista Nicholas 31 Dec '18

31 Dec '18

Best wishes to everyone for the new year!!!! I'm thankful for for all your thought, passion, and action this year. Stay safe tonight! 2019 needs you :) cyclista Nicholas Director Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles

1 0

Volunteer Scheduling System?
by Audrey Wiedemeier 31 Dec '18

31 Dec '18

Greetings, Folks: Does anyone have advice/suggestions/insight into these or other volunteer scheduling systems? I am testing out: Freehub, Flipcause, When I Work <https://wheniwork.com/>, Volgistics, <https://www.volgistics.com/> and Freecyclerys rad spreadsheet. Right now we have no scheduling system, but rather operate with a "just show up at these times" system. Keyholders let me know when they can't be at their regularly scheduled program and then I cover. We have about 15 core volunteers (volunteer 4-6 time a month), and 15 active volunteers (they come once or twice a month). The main issue that I hope to resolve is volunteer retention and making all folks feel welcome to be a part of the organization. I realize there are many other benefits to implementing a scheduling system, as well as way to retain volunteers. Thank you in advance! Peace & grease, *Audrey Wiedemeier* (She/her/hers) Iowa City Bike Library, Director 700 S. Dubuque St, Iowa City *Hours: *Sat. 10-3, Mon. 5-7, Tues. 6-8, Wed. 6-8, Thurs. 6-8, Fri. 4:30-6:30 BikeLibrary.org C: (515) 450-1651

4 3

how to peel a banana
by Sunny Nestler 20 Dec '18

20 Dec '18

Hey everyone, Can someone explain to me how you facilitated the peeling a banana segment of the "Hands Off Wrenching" workshop at the LA Bike!Bike! ? I didn't go to that workshop but it sounded really cool, and someone from my shop went and was describing it to me. I think I wanna use it in a workshop I'm leading but I want more info! Also thinking of incorporating a banana split follow up activity, because those are delicious! 🍌🍌🍌 sunny *Sunny Nestler*, *Programs Manager* AMS Bike Co-op University of British Columbia 604-822-2453 | bikecoop.ca | @ubcbike

8 13

Re: [TheThinkTank] NorthEast Regional Bike!Bike! *Save the Date*
by Ainsley Naylor 17 Dec '18

17 Dec '18

The Victoria Day Holiday is scheduled to fall on the Monday proceeding May 24th, (Queen Victoria's birthday). In Canada it is widely referred to as "May Two-Four" no matter what date it falls on. Also, we drink a lot of beer ;) Ainsley. On Tue, Dec 4, 2018 at 7:51 AM Heather <technostoopid(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I'm confused. is it May 2-4 or 18-20? > > On Mon, Dec 3, 2018 at 12:45 PM Matthew Dickinson < > matthew.dickinson(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: > >> FYI!!!! >> >> >> Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone >> <https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS> >> >> Begin forwarded message: >> >> On Monday, December 3, 2018, 3:26 PM, Ainsley Naylor < >> needleandthread(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >> We are pleased to announce that Toronto has set the date for Bike!Bike! >> NorthEast!! >> >> We will be hosting all our regional friends over the 2019 Victoria Day >> long weekend: >> >> Saturday May 18 - Monday May 20 ("May 2-4") >> >> This will be an opportunity for folks from the Northeast U.S., Ontario, >> Quebec and the Canadian Atlantic provinces to gather and learn, engage and >> inspire each other! We are specifically hoping that this event gives folks >> the opportunity to attend who haven't been able to attend the annual B!B! >> conference. >> >> Stay tuned for invites and updates starting in January after we get our >> committees organized. Registration etc. will be facilitated through the >> bikebike.org website >> >> - Ainsley and the Toronto Gang. >> ____________________________________ >> >> The ThinkTank mailing List >> >> Unsubscribe from this list here: >> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Coordinators Group" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to thirdhandcoordinators+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. >> To post to this group, send email to >> thirdhandcoordinators(a)googlegroups.com. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thirdhandcoordinators/1839409565.1091815.… >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thirdhandcoordinators/1839409565.1091815.…> >> . >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> >

4 7

Help! Your Drop-in Attendance Numbers Plz!
by Josh Bisker 14 Dec '18

14 Dec '18

Heyyo! I've got to turn around a grant proposal for our DOT quick like lightning and they want projections for the # people whom we can serve given a couple proposed conditions. These programs will be new for us, however, so I don't have a good baseline from which to extrapolate numbers. But maybe you do! Can you tell me how many folks you think you serve given something like the following conditions (ballpark figures are fine): - Saturday open hours* - Sunday open hours** - Weekly pop-up repair somewhere - Weekly group ride - Weekly commuter bike train Thank you!!! * For us, the Saturday hours would probably be 10:30-2:30, but give me whatever data you've got that you think is relevant ** For us, the Sunday hours would probably be 4-8, but give me whatever data you've got that you think is relevant. Josh Bisker 914-500-9890 New York Mechanical Gardens Bike Co-op <http://bikecoop.nyc/> 596 Acres <http://596acres.org/> Bindlestiff Family Cirkus <http://bindlestiff.org/>

4 4

ED Search - Community Bicycle Center - Biddeford, Maine
by Andy Greif 07 Dec '18

07 Dec '18

Hi Think Tank Colleagues, The Community Bicycle Center(CBC) has recently begun searching for its next Executive Director. Please help get the word out by passing along the ED Search document below to your colleagues. Thanks! The CBC provides youth development experiences for kids in Biddeford, Maine and surrounding communities. The attached ED search document tells more about the CBC and check out www.communtybike.net <http://www.communtybike.net> . The CBC is thriving with effective programs during the out-of-school hours and collaborations with alternative education programs. The staff and volunteers are skilled mentors and committed to developing nurturing relationships with youth. The CBC home is newly renovated, mortgage free, and abuts a 140 acre municipal park. The CBC stands strong financially with dedicated donors/grantors, contracted programs, and endowment funds with the Maine Community Foundation. Take care, Andy Greif Founding ED (retired) 406 Valverde Commons Drive Taos, NM 87571 <mailto:andygreif60@gmail.com> andygreif60(a)gmail.com 207-229-8199 Live Edge Bowls by Andy Greif Website: <http://www.liveedgebowls.com/> www.liveedgebowls.com Email: liveedgebowls(a)gmail.com <mailto:liveedgebowls@gmail.com> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH COMMUNITY BICYCLE CENTER The board of directors of the Community Bicycle Center (CBC) in Biddeford, Maine, seeks a dynamic leader who shares our belief that every child deserves a safe place to connect and grow during the critical non-school hours. The CBC provides youth enrichment opportunities for personal growth through outdoor and other unplugged activities, often on two wheels! The organization has deepened its impact substantially in recent years and is poised for continued growth. The board is seeking an effective manager and a visionary leader, someone who can spot and seize opportunities on the horizon while continuously peddling. Organizational Overview Founded as a volunteer-run program in 2001 and incorporated as a nonprofit in 2005, the CBC offers today eight distinct programs in addition to civic engagement opportunities and educational programming in partnership with the Biddeford School Department. With an emphasis on fun and a deep commitment to equity and open access, the center has created a vibrant community where young people are empowered and supported to be their most engaged, healthy, and confident selves. Our current programs provide a unique framework for youth development: • Open shop time: Through this core program, youth of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to stay productively engaged after school by “dropping in” to the CBC’s daily open shop time where they can connect with volunteer adult mentors, staff, and peers through hands-on bike repair, board games, art projects, homework help, and exercising in the upstairs fitness space. • Trek2Connect: Geared toward meeting the aspirational and social-emotional health of young people, grades seven-to-graduation, this CBC program launched in August 2017 with one pilot cohort consisting of ten students. At full maturation in 2023, the program will engage six youth cohorts (60 students), 10+ dedicated program mentors, and two program managers. • STEM Bike Mechanics: Beyond collaborative school department programming (described below), the CBC leads a seasonal STEM Bike Mechanics program to make STEM education more effective, accessible, and fun. Through eight learning sessions, the program provides one-on-one support from volunteer mentors, educators, and field-active STEM professionals. • Mentoring: The CBC’s youth-centered and experiential programs are designed to promote formal and informal mentoring of young people, in addition to creating pathways for peer-to-peer mentoring. We focus on building trust and rapport through fun, hands-on, low-barrier activities. • Job Readiness: Young adults aged 12+ “earn and learn” in our Kids Bike Factory, building critical job skills by managing a youth-led bike repair business and earning a monthly educational stipend in the process. Through hands-on learning in a real-world context, we are teaching transferable job skills such as financial literacy, communication, and project management. 2 • Leadership Development: The CBC’s inclusive community environment means that kids from diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities learn and grow side-by-side, developing empathy and appreciation for another’s similarities and differences. Opportunities abound for trained youth to guide, nurture and lead their less experienced peers. • Summer Camp: The CBC provides healthy lunches for youth and family members, and expanded programming to allow kids to connect with the trails, beaches, and natural features that make our state unique. The center owns six acres of green space for camping, exploring, and riding; and abuts 140 public acres and 22 miles of public trails In addition to our afterschool and summer programming, the CBC facilitates educational and service-learning activities four days a week during the school year through a codified collaboration with the Biddeford School Department. Our approach to youth development is based on developmental asset research and designed to develop critical life skills including resilience, problem-solving and goal-persistence. We are focused on long-term outcomes, taking a strengths-based approach to increasing the protective factors that promote positive social-emotional health and social well-being, and integrating youth in physical fitness, outdoor recreation and mind/body health in the process. A more comprehensive description of the CBC can be found on the website: www.communitybike.net. Priorities for the Future Guided by a recently completed strategic plan, the executive director will work with the board of directors, community stakeholders, and dedicated staff and volunteers to expand the CBC’s impact in Southern Maine, with a focus on the following strategic priorities: • Youth Development: Provide low-barrier, high-quality program activities that address the developmental needs of all youths aged 8-18. • Social Responsibility: Promote civic engagement and service learning among area youths. • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math): Increase youth access to hands-on STEM learning experiences through CBC programs and provide opportunities of increasing complexity for youth to develop STEM competencies. • Job Readiness: Engage older youths in soft and technical job skills development opportunities through the Kids Bike Factory. • Healthy Living: Provide activities that engage youths in physical fitness, outdoor recreation, and mind/body health. • Sustainability: Develop the four components of organizational sustainability: people resources, partnerships and collaborations, communications, and resource development. Position Requirements Leading the CBC boldly into our next phase of development requires a broad set of attributes and skills. Responsibilities include budgeting and financial management, oversight of program development and implementation, fundraising, public relations and facilities management. We expect that the successful candidate will bring the following to our organization: • A passion for our mission and unwavering belief in the value of every child • Leadership experience in the realm of youth development • An entrepreneurial spirit 3 • Solid writing skills, comfort in public speaking, and demonstrated strength as a “good listener” • Cultural responsiveness and commitment to diversity and liberation • A track record of “relationship building” and readiness to engage in resource development • High energy, authenticity and good humor • Computer literacy in word processing and data and donor management software • Attention to detail and the ability to multitask and manage critical-path timelines • The highest level of recommendations from references, collaborative partners, and peers In addition to the expectations listed above, preference will be given to candidates who can also demonstrate the following: • A deep appreciation for the value and impact of volunteers and a track record of successfully working with volunteers to achieve shared goals • Demonstrated ability in developing organizational growth strategies • Nonprofit experience • Interest in outdoor recreation Compensation The compensation package includes a competitive salary commensurate with experience, and health and retirement benefits. This position reports directly to the board of directors. The successful candidate can expect a formal review after six months as well as an annual review. Nondiscrimination The CBC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, national origin, ancestry, public assistance, ethnic background, religion, marital status, economic class, age, disability or handicap (mental or physical), sex, creed, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and any other legally protected characteristics in admission or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. The CBC complies with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity and will take “affirmative action” measures to ensure the enforcement of its policies. To Apply Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Starboard Leadership Consulting at the following address search1(a)starboardleadership.com. The cover letter and resume should contain detailed information concerning work experience, past successes, leadership experience and qualifications. Please be prepared to provide contact information for professional references upon request. Paper copies may be sent to Lisa Belyea, Starboard Leadership Consulting, 84 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine, 04401, but electronic submission of materials is preferred. No phone inquiries, please. Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2019.

1 0

extra bikes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! help!!!!!
by breathingplanet 07 Dec '18

07 Dec '18

hi all, Ive been mostly a lurker on this list in the past few years. but chiming in now because Troy Bike Rescue needs to unload a bunch of stock, and we hope the ThinkTank can help! This is a deep storage collection that has gone through several culls over the years, so there is not much in there that should be scrapped. We are at a point now where we are not able to penetrate the backlog because of limited volunteers and hours, and a continual income of donations..... it is cramping our style - literally. We are located in Troy, NY about 3 hours from Montreal and NYC and 4 hours from Boston, and Philly.... We want to give between 50 and 100 bikes to a good home where they will be refurbished and used. We would consider splitting the cost of a Uhaul or something if someone is interested. We are very open to suggestions of how to redistribute these. We want to help fledgling projects, but if a capitalist outfit can use them, we could work with that too. If an oversees distro project could use them, thats cool too. Just dont want to scrap them if at all possible, and we need to figure this out. Whadda Yall think(tank)?? Thanks for any feedback. PS. we also have a million wheels too. all aluminum (most steel has been culled). -- Andrew Lynn Certified Arborist Magai Arboriculture 518-573-7947

5 6

ED Search - Community Bicycle Center - Biddeford, Maine
by Andy Greif 06 Dec '18

06 Dec '18

Hi Think Tank Colleagues, The Community Bicycle Center(CBC) has recently begun searching for its next Executive Director. Please help get the word out by passing along the attached ED Search document to your colleagues. Thanks! The CBC provides youth development experiences for kids in Biddeford, Maine and surrounding communities. The attached ED search document tells more about the CBC and check out www.communtybike.net <http://www.communtybike.net> . The CBC is thriving with effective programs during the out-of-school hours and collaborations with alternative education programs. The staff and volunteers are skilled mentors and committed to developing nurturing relationships with youth. The CBC home is newly renovated, mortgage free, and abuts a 140 acre municipal park. The CBC stands strong financially with dedicated donors/grantors, contracted programs, and endowment funds with the Maine Community Foundation. Take care, Andy Greif Founding ED (retired) 406 Valverde Commons Drive Taos, NM 87571 <mailto:andygreif60@gmail.com> andygreif60(a)gmail.com 207-229-8199 Live Edge Bowls by Andy Greif Website: <http://www.liveedgebowls.com/> www.liveedgebowls.com Email: liveedgebowls(a)gmail.com

1 0

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

TheThinkTank December 2018