- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Competitive analysis?
by Godwin ! 11 Feb '11

11 Feb '11

So, I have been tasked to perform a competitive analysis of similar organizations by an economist in our group. I'm realizing now that a genuine competitive analysis is probably not exactly what we need but a general survey on many of our shops may be useful to all of us. Since we are gearing up to lobby our university to support a DIY bike shop on campus again, our goal is to see what other similar organizations offer and what it takes to run them so that we can bargain reasonably. This data might also be useful for a number of other reasons to any bike collective. I have put up a draft of a survey, please take a look. (I put this together pretty quickly, the ordering is probably not the best) I am by no means an economist, so some of the terminology could probably be improved, same goes for US specific information. I would eventually like to offer up the data in such a way that any sensitive information could be untied from the organization information to keep information confidential, but I'm not sure of any other way than to simply query me after it is complete, I can also provide a relevant breakdown afterwards. I'm not sure if people would find giving information about income and expenditures too confidential even in that scenario. If it interests you, I would like to hear back about a few things:If you think I'm wasting my timeIf you have any suggested amendments, improvements or additions of any questions or extraction of irrelevant or far too confidential questionsSuggestions for a host other than google forms Thanks everyone,.godwin of the Bike Root

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video screens for tutorials?
by Mark Rehder 10 Feb '11

10 Feb '11

At our shop we usually only have one Head Mechanic per shift, with two Shop Assistants who may or may not have enough knowledge to guide people through repairs (and one SA has to always deal with incoming people and the cash so really only two folks available for instruction at most). We've seen a large increase in the numbers of users of our shop (over 5,000 in 2010) and I find myself once again pondering having video instruction at each station for those that might want to use it. These would be touch-screens that have, at the very least, a web browser with the Park Tool repair page as well as Sheldon Brown's info (especially for working on 3-speeds and other old bikes) plus whatever might be useful. The technology for this is getting cheaper every day, and more and more people are used to getting their info from a screen. I floated this idea by our group a few years ago but it got voted down. I'm going to try again, but first wanted to see if anyone else is using or has tried such a set-up. Thanks, Mark Rehder - Coordinator re-Cycles Community Bike Shop http://re-cycles.ca

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Competitive analysis?
by Godwin ! 09 Feb '11

09 Feb '11

Thanks! I'm going to write up a more finalized version with the suggested amendments this evening then. I'm going to do my best to research American specific stuff, particularly organization types but if anyone has better knowledge about this stuff, please send it my way. .godwin From: anna(a)edmontonbikes.ca Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2011 17:22:31 -0700 To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Competitive analysis? Hey Godwin, I think this is a great idea! It'd be great to get up-to-date, standardized info just to compare where each of us are at compared to others and give ideas for future initiatives. Some suggested additions: ServicesPossible additions to the list of possible services offered:- Off-site bike repair (eg. at community events, festivals) - Bike trailer sharing and temporary bike parking racks (short-term rentals or lending) - Recycled bike frame bike racks (pic here)- Social events related to bike (eg. bike movie screenings, - Metal and rubber recycling for unusable bikes/parts and tires/tubes- Bicycle education (eg. CANBIKE on-road commuter cycling courses, tabling at events with cycling info) - Recycled bike frame bike racks- Website resources IncomeCharitable status allows the organization to issue tax deductible receipts for any private donations received. It may be worth including a section to account for private donations (not just private institutions). Anna Vesala Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society 780.433.BIKE edmontonbikes.ca . On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 12:31 AM, Godwin! <goodgodwin(a)hotmail.com> wrote: So, I have been tasked to perform a competitive analysis of similar organizations by an economist in our group. I'm realizing now that a genuine competitive analysis is probably not exactly what we need but a general survey on many of our shops may be useful to all of us. Since we are gearing up to lobby our university to support a DIY bike shop on campus again, our goal is to see what other similar organizations offer and what it takes to run them so that we can bargain reasonably. This data might also be useful for a number of other reasons to any bike collective. I have put up a draft of a survey, please take a look. (I put this together pretty quickly, the ordering is probably not the best) I am by no means an economist, so some of the terminology could probably be improved, same goes for US specific information. I would eventually like to offer up the data in such a way that any sensitive information could be untied from the organization information to keep information confidential, but I'm not sure of any other way than to simply query me after it is complete, I can also provide a relevant breakdown afterwards. I'm not sure if people would find giving information about income and expenditures too confidential even in that scenario. If it interests you, I would like to hear back about a few things:If you think I'm wasting my time If you have any suggested amendments, improvements or additions of any questions or extraction of irrelevant or far too confidential questionsSuggestions for a host other than google forms Thanks everyone,.godwin of the Bike Root _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.… _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave(a)bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit: http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.…

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accountability process for person accused of assault (Caroline, Free Ride)
by Caroline Savery 06 Feb '11

06 Feb '11

Hi everyone! I'm writing from Free Ride, Pittsburgh PA's own bike collective. We have once monthly meetings, and consist of general users, a member support base, and collective council members who have to have substantial involvement in order to participate in decision-making. Collective council members generally number 10-18 people. http://www.freeridepgh.org Our group is currently dealing with situation that's new to us: a person who lives in Pittsburgh and who is the leader of a small bike mechanics educational initiative in India has been publicly accused of multiple sexual assaults. This person receives minor in-kind support for his India project from Free Ride. In December, he was asked privately by survivors of his alleged sexual assault to participate in a restorative justice process. At first he agreed, but later backed out of what he was asked to do. As a result, the survivor-initiated restorative justice process has gone public with their accusations in an effort to protect the community. As I understand it, the accused person rarely, if ever, is actually *in* Free Ride using the shop. He is only involved through having asked us for support for his India bike initiative (which is still a pretty rad project). So, Free Ride is trying to decide how we should respond to this situation. We want to support the India project, but we also strongly prioritize our community's health. We are inclined to support any reasonably transparent and respectful community accountability process by the very nature of our own non-hierarchical, community-building organization. We are disturbed that this person whom we support is backing out of a community justice process that has been requested of him. We are also concerned, of course, by the accusations themselves. We haven't made any decisions yet, besides asking this person to send us a written statement addressing our concerns about him backing out of the accountability process, if he wants to receive continued support from us (though we are not guaranteeing him continued support). We are inclined to ask what the people in the restorative justice process wants us to do--maybe they don't want their process to affect this person's professional affairs, maybe they do... Does anyone have any advice on how their organization has handled a situation like this? Where someone in their community was called out publicly for abusive behavior outside of the shop and/or outside of their direct involvement with your organization? What did you take into consideration when drawing the line between supporting someone and protecting others? How did you handle it? What were the results? Also, on a separate but related note, Free Ride is trying to develop its own strong Code of Conduct for our shop (long overdue!) We want the language to be firm and to reflect our anti-oppression values. Our goal in creating a Code of Conduct is create a safe space for all users to learn and share knowledge about bicycle mechanics. If anyone has any suggestions for language to include in our Code of Conduct, please let us know. We could really use your advice... thanks so much! Cheers, Caroline If you want, you can e-mail me privately at carolinesavery [at] gmail.com.

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saint accountants
by andrew 06 Feb '11

06 Feb '11

greetings thinktank, does anyone know any accountants possessing saint-like graciousness that might be willing to talk me through what the hell to do for our taxes. we deal, with SOOOO little money, but yet are a corporation, and the process is daunting. i have been searching locally and might find someone but thought maybe someone on the list has someone (even if far away) who is awesome. not looking for free... just someone down with the cause and understanding of the legal grey areas we find ourselves in. please email me personally if this rings any bells. anyone _at_ breathingplanet.net thanks Andrew Lynn Troy Bike Rescue

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Art plz!
by Dugan Meyer 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Hey! We just announced our Winter Workshop Series at MoBo Bike Co-op in Cincinnati. Our poster is sweet. ThinkTank is pretty damn cool too, and all the knowledge gems that get shared are super useful, but where's all the art? I know you folks have some awesome images out there in your shops or on your hard drives. Anyone care to warm up the listserv a bit by sharing some of it here? Dugan MoBo Bike Co-op, Cincinnati

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Non-discrimination/anti-racism policy
by John Barrett 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Any one have an effective Non-discrimination/anti-racism policy that the Good Life Community in Calgary could borrow/copy/steal? Thank you - I couldn't find one on the wiki -- John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View - Calgary / The Organic Saskatoon & Iron Orchard jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca 403.619.2648

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With My Own Two Wheels
by Dave Bourgeois 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

ThinkTankers- I was fortunate to attend the premiere screening of With My Own Two Wheels last night. http://www.withmyowntwowheels.org/ This beautiful film showcases "the bicycle as a vehicle for change around the world", as illustrated through five personal stories enabled through organizations like yours. The filmmakers are interested in showing it at community bike shops (and other venues). I hope you can see it. Dave Bourgeois Treasurer, Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition/Bici Centro

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Non-discrimination/anti-racism policy
by Mendy Evans 03 Feb '11

03 Feb '11

Hi, John. A couple of the foundations here in Denver, Colorado provide good sample non-discrimination policies... The Denver Foundation @ http://www.denverfoundation.org/foundation/page/mission.vision.values *Our Anti-Discrimination Policy* The Denver Foundation shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado @ http://www.gayandlesbianfund.org/grants/application-resources/nondiscrimina… *Sample Nondiscrimination Policy* This policy states [Organization Name]’s position on discrimination. This policy applies to all [Organization Name] employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors. [Organization Name] follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, disability status, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public. I realize these might be USA-centric, but I hope this helps in some small way. -Mendy -- *Mendy Evans *Development Director The Bike Depot cell: 720-331-5282 find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TheBikeDepot *The Bike Depot is a nonprofit community bike shop that offers a wide range of bicycling programs, services and products. Visit us online at www.thebikedepot.org or come by the shop at 2825 Fairfax St. in Denver.* **

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automated response
by jay 02 Feb '11

02 Feb '11

I'm out of the office Monday 1/31/11. I'll get back to you when I return. Best, Jay Ferm

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