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by bike talk 23 Mar '09

23 Mar '09

Women on Bikes biketalk.us or kpfk.org -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! on kpfk: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html or see what's new with us at biketalk.us

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Policy or Process for Removing Collective Members
by ecos 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

unsubscribe -----Original Message----- From: Sam Santos <lalato(a)gmail.com> To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2009 08:47:21 -0500 Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Policy or Process for Removing Collective Members One thing we do is we post all of the things we need volunteers for on our wiki. We then advertise that via an e-mail list (kinda like this ThinkThank list) to our membership. We make sure that it's understood that no job is just for one person. Anyone can do any job, and, in fact, the more people that help out (even on the simplest tasks) the better. This promotes a volunteer culture and it helps build connections between members. We don't take those volunteer duties off the wiki list. We do put the list of names of folks that have volunteered to do it there. If someone slacks off, we will try to hold them accountable by pointing out that they committed to it. If the person (or persons) continue to slack off, we remove their name from that task on the wiki. And then we advertise again that we need volunteers for that task. It doesn't have to involve a lot of drama. It's just a list of tasks that need to get done. If someone gets hurt feelings because they're slacking off. That's a personal issue outside of the volunteer tasks. I hate to say it, but there isn't always a way to give people this kind of information in a way that won't make them upset. That doesn't mean the person gets kicked out of the collective. It just means that they aren't assigned that task anymore. If you need a more formal process... you could always bring task reassignments to a vote at your regular meetings. Might make for a much longer meeting, but it would give your group a chance to air things out in a more public forum. The trick there is to not let things go crazy about something that might only be a minor grievance. Another way to do it is how I've done it at another organization (community radio station) where I volunteer. I'm currently sort of a co-chair of the rock/pop genre (basically every flavor of rock from bonnie prince billy to bon jovi). I've only ever been to one meeting, but my co-chair goes to most of the meetings. I do some of the work (cateloging music, making sure all the new stuff is available to DJs, and my co-chair does some of the other stuff). Honestly, the station would be better served with one person that could handle everything and go to all the meetings. But, we're making it work as best we can with our available volunteer time. Maybe that's a model you guys can shoot for. Maybe instead of trying to replace the slackers... just add people that will help with the tasks. If the slackers can do a small part, the other helpers can handle the rest. Between the group, you'll get the task completed. One downside I've noticed to this approach is that if I can't volunteer one week... all of the things I normally will definitely not get done. It's not like my co-volunteer is picking up the slack (pardon the pun). ;-) --sam On Sat, Mar 21, 2009 at 12:12 AM, Macho Philipovich <macho(a)resist.ca> wrote: > > maybe i'm misunderstanding the situation, but if people aren't following > through on the tasks they commit to, couldn't they just be approached to see > why, and to see if something could be arranged that works better for them? > you could also let them know in as non-guilt-tripping a way as possible > that the collective is really counting on them, and that if they're too busy > or just feel like shirking it would really benefit the shop for them to let > someone else step in who's able to commit. > > the only rule we have that gets you an immediate boot at our shop is > physically violent behaviour. even for stuff like fucked up > racist/classist/sexist shit, we try our best to work it out by > communicating, so i'm not sure i see the need for booting someone just for > being a flake. > > macho > > > > _______________________________________________ > Thethinktank mailing list > Thethinktank(a)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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Women on Bikes!!!
by bike talk 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

Hi, I forgot to mention Kelly Martin!!! of Bicycle Kitchen! 10am-noon on killradio.org, biketalk.us -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! on kpfk: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html or see what's new with us at biketalk.us

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Policy or Process for Removing Collective Members
by james blesdoe 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

Do you have a situation where the dead wood is in the way, taking up space and committing to do jobs that are not getting done? Or is that they actively obstruct others? Jim --- On Fri, 3/20/09, Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE <urbanbikeproject(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: Urban Bike Project Wilmington, DE <urbanbikeproject(a)gmail.com> Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] Policy or Process for Removing Collective Members To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 10:06 AM We recently defined "Core Volunteer" as someone who attends a volunteer orientation class and volunteers for 3 full shifts every month. Core Volunteers are the only people who have a say in making decisions, though that is still a fairly informal process as of now. Since it's so recent we haven't removed anyone from Core Volunteer status (and with that, decision making), but will do so if a person is not fulfilling their obligations. I would suggest setting strict (i.e. no wiggle room for excuses) guidelines as far as what is required of an individual to participate in meetings and have voting power. Don't rock the boat right away but instead set a timeline or cutoff date for the new rules to take effect. Constantly remind people what the new requirements are and inform those on the edge of eligibility that, when the cutoff date comes, they will not be allowed to participate unless they've fulfilled the new obligations. The "old guard" is given a chance to fall in line if they want to, and can't be upset (though they probably still will be) when they no longer have the same say. Brian Urban Bike Project of Wilmington -a 501(c)3 non-profit bike shop- 1908 N. Market Street (entrance is in the parking lot behind the building) Wilmington, DE 19802 Hours: Thursday 6:30-9:00 Saturday 1:00-4:00 Visit us online at http://urbanbikeproject.org On Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 10:44 AM, Maggie Burrus-Granger <mburrus-granger(a)recycleabike.org> wrote: Hi Everyone, I am wondering if anyone has a specific policy or process for removing individuals from the collective, or council however you define it, the inner group of people with voting power. We are restructuring our organization and do not have a system for this. In the process of trying to build capacity, we've had some problems with people not pulling their weight, but also have no process for removing them, while the rest of the collective doesn't particularly want to rock the boat with long-standing volunteers, so as a whole there are a lot of excuses for people so most likely a simple majority vote won't work. Any advice? Thanks -- Maggie Burrus-Granger Recycle-a-Bike Program Coordinator 27 Sims Ave. Providence, RI 02909 401.273.7101 www.recycleabike.org _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)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.… -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)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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zines
by Derek Dunham 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

SO I have space that has been more of a bike collection than a bike collective at this point. See I live in the sticks and although there are many cyclists, few commuters. I am hoping to bring cycling to my community as well as a social forum. The idea is called Spoke 'n Words and I want to have a zine library available as well. What I am asking for from all of you is copies or extras you might have. I have a few from Boston when I lived up there but I am starting from scratch. -- Derek Dunham

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Re: [TheThinkTank] non-bike people in the shop/org/events?
by james blesdoe 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

Hi, group rides that snarl traffic you are riding having fun cars are stopped the drivers and passengers want to know what is going on you say we're just out having fun we do this every month leave from that place at this time next month they show up the ride is not sponsored or part of your shop but they find out about it the above is a basic description of what happened in los angeles between http://midnightridazz.com/ and the bicycle kitchen. Jim --- On Fri, 3/20/09, veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> wrote: From: veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com <veganboyjosh(a)gmail.com> Subject: [TheThinkTank] non-bike people in the shop/org/events? To: "The Think Tank" <thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> Date: Friday, March 20, 2009, 10:01 PM howdy all. wondering if any of you have had conversations in your shops and organizations about bringing non-already-bike people into the fold? of course, holding special events in the shop is easy when they're things like fixie nights, or alley cats or roller races. but those types of things tend to pull in people who are already riding bikes, even if they're not familiar with your organization or shop. how do you all work to expand your presence and expose people who don't commute or ride or even own a bike at all to what you're about? do any of you have a specific policy about this? would love to hear some ideas and experiences. josh. community cycles -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank(a)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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Sat 3/21 Women On Bikes Talk
by bike talk 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

10am-noon with: Ellen Hall from Cateye; Sheila Moon, the ladies' clothing manufacturer from SF; Aurisha Smolarski of the LACBC; rider Donna Cassyd; Ashira, bike artist; Bonnie Georges, who's done the Blessing of the Bikes for 17 years; Michelle Mowery of the LA BAC; L.A. Rider Justine. Dorothy Wong from SOCAL cross will be a moderator. Let us know what you think! call in at (213) 252-0998 -- please let me know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! on kpfk: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html or see what's new with us at biketalk.us

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non-bike people in the shop/org/events?
by veganboyjosh＠gmail.com 21 Mar '09

21 Mar '09

howdy all. wondering if any of you have had conversations in your shops and organizations about bringing non-already-bike people into the fold? of course, holding special events in the shop is easy when they're things like fixie nights, or alley cats or roller races. but those types of things tend to pull in people who are already riding bikes, even if they're not familiar with your organization or shop. how do you all work to expand your presence and expose people who don't commute or ride or even own a bike at all to what you're about? do any of you have a specific policy about this? would love to hear some ideas and experiences. josh. community cycles

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Unsubscribe
by Sarah Thiemann 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

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Policy or Process for Removing Collective Members
by Maggie Burrus-Granger 20 Mar '09

20 Mar '09

Hi Everyone, I am wondering if anyone has a specific policy or process for removing individuals from the collective, or council however you define it, the inner group of people with voting power. We are restructuring our organization and do not have a system for this. In the process of trying to build capacity, we've had some problems with people not pulling their weight, but also have no process for removing them, while the rest of the collective doesn't particularly want to rock the boat with long-standing volunteers, so as a whole there are a lot of excuses for people so most likely a simple majority vote won't work. Any advice? Thanks -- Maggie Burrus-Granger Recycle-a-Bike Program Coordinator 27 Sims Ave. Providence, RI 02909 401.273.7101 www.recycleabike.org

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