- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

Capital Campaign Support documentation
by CZ Mike 21 Nov '16

21 Nov '16

Greetings! Urban Bike Project of Wilmington Delaware will be launching a major capital campaign in 2017 and we are looking for examples of support material so we can produce a capital campaign brochure to distribute to potential funders. Surely there are some good examples from others out there? Please let me know if there is anything anyone can share, Thanks!

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Bike kitchen Insurance
by Olivier 19 Nov '16

19 Nov '16

Hello, here is Bikes del Pueblo from San Diego! Our bike kitchen just moved into a space and we are looking for some advice for insurance? After searching the thinktank archives, I found some messages rather old (2012) and was wondering where you all get your insurance? We got a quote for $2000 a year for our operation (out of a shipping container on a vacant lot) and we are a 501(c)(3) and we were wondering if that is a good price. Any feedback appreciated! Thanks! Oli

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Looking for interactive learning tool ideas
by AMS Bike Co-op 18 Nov '16

18 Nov '16

Hey Folks! I'm looking for ideas for hands on learning tools for teaching bike mechanics. The Bike Coop/Bike Kitchen is in the planning stages of a project that will one day be installed in our new shop space and serve as an education tool as well as a fun thing to welcome people into the shop. Our concept is to create an interactive wall display that illustrates some basic mechanical concepts. In particular we'd like to use this to connect with kinetic learners, non-English speakers (as English is the predominant language in our shop), and folks who are a bit intimidated to just start working on a bike. So! I'd like ideas from you about learning tools that we can include on this amazing wall! Modified bike parts that you might use in your intro to mechanics courses, analogies that you use to explain tricky concepts, even wild stuff that you have thought of but has not yet existed (we will likely seek out partnerships with engineers/designers at UBC to help us create some of these things so no idea is too big) Huge thanks to all - Hannah -- *AMS Bike Co-op* University of British Columbia 6138 Student Union Blvd | Vancouver, BC | V6T 1Z1 604-822-2453 | bikecoop.ca | @ubcbike

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Guadalajara collective
by Anne Duggan 17 Nov '16

17 Nov '16

Friends, At Bike!Bike! Larry Fitzpatrick and I (two of the Iowans) talked with folks from Guadalajara about a mechanics exchange. Larry and I would love to work for a couple of months this winter. Unfortunately, we lost the contact information! Por favor, escribeme a annem.duggan(a)gmail.com. Gracias, Anne Sent from my iPad

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Looking for interactive learning tool ideas
by jack 17 Nov '16

17 Nov '16

Here's our gear shift demo, FrankenBike. Also has a generator and lights, it works great as a hands-on activity for kids. Jack Murphy Bike Walk Wichita <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: AMS Bike Co-op <info(a)bikecoop.ca> </div><div>Date:11/17/2016 6:22 PM (GMT-06:00) </div><div>To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> </div><div>Cc: Hannah Fiegenbaum <education(a)bikecoop.ca> </div><div>Subject: [TheThinkTank] Looking for interactive learning tool ideas </div><div> </div>Hey Folks! I'm looking for ideas for hands on learning tools for teaching bike mechanics. The Bike Coop/Bike Kitchen is in the planning stages of a project that will one day be installed in our new shop space and serve as an education tool as well as a fun thing to welcome people into the shop. Our concept is to create an interactive wall display that illustrates some basic mechanical concepts. In particular we'd like to use this to connect with kinetic learners, non-English speakers (as English is the predominant language in our shop), and folks who are a bit intimidated to just start working on a bike. So! I'd like ideas from you about learning tools that we can include on this amazing wall! Modified bike parts that you might use in your intro to mechanics courses, analogies that you use to explain tricky concepts, even wild stuff that you have thought of but has not yet existed (we will likely seek out partnerships with engineers/designers at UBC to help us create some of these things so no idea is too big) Huge thanks to all - Hannah -- AMS Bike Co-op University of British Columbia 6138 Student Union Blvd | Vancouver, BC | V6T 1Z1 604-822-2453 | bikecoop.ca | @ubcbike

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Cycles for Change (St. Paul/Mpls, MN) Hiring a Program Director
by Jason Partridge 15 Nov '16

15 Nov '16

Cycles for Change, which operates two community bike shops in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN is hiring for a Program Director. This position will play a key leadership role in the organization, with substantial responsibility for shaping and leading C4C's programming (which includes weekly open shops, women/trans/femme night, youth apprenticeship, bike grant (free bike) program, and our community organizing/leadership development/advocacy work). Please consider applying! http://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/job-details?id=124614 Feel free to reach out with any questions. Women/trans/femme and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Jason

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Bike theft and redemption
by Andy Fry 15 Nov '16

15 Nov '16

Hi all, Through time we have had tools and components and a bike or two go missing. Most recently we had an incident where a young man took a bike, despite having plenty of hours and clearly being told said bike was for sale and not a bike to earn. The bike was returned via some back circuit channels in which the principal at this school rides. His mother would like him to volunteer at the shop some in a sort of apologetic or community service sense. I wondered what experiences or policies you all had for such instances. We have banned other folks in the past for similar deals, but being younger and perhaps misguided I was hoping we could come up with a constructive solution that might allow him to realign his perspective. Thanks, --Andy Fry Topeka Community Cycle Project www.cycleproject.org facebook.com/cycleproject

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Volunteer descriptions, roles, responsibilities.
by Tom Martin 14 Nov '16

14 Nov '16

Good Afternoon all: Rosewood Bikes is reviewing its volunteer roles for the next season. In our first year we took whoever we could get and just used them for whatever we needed at the moment. While it was successful and met our immediate needs, it has been a bit chaotic and unplanned. So, we would like to change that. The bike shop functions out of an awkward back room but we also have other resources to make an impact on our communities that aren't necessarily dependent on a space, like transportation and land use subcommittee meetings or tabling at events. I am asking the Hive Mind that makes the thinktank: - how did your volunteer orientation and trainings develop - what volunteer positions are established in your co-op, collective or community bike shop - if the position descriptions are documented, can you share it with me here or via direct message - As your program or project evolved, how did the positions evolve? - What volunteer gigs turned into paid work? what paid gigs turned into volunteer opportunities? and when/how did that happen- program funding changes? A greater/lesser need? community input? BOD expectations? So far, Rosewood is developing the following volunteer positions and descriptions: volunteer mechanic, ride lead, active transportation coordinator, marketing coordinator. What are we missing? Who volunteers for you and what do they do? Your assistance and advice would be very appreciated. Tom Martin Rosewood Bikes Program Director 16126 SE Stark Portland OR, 97233 Shop: 503-568-1938 Personal: 510-996-8655

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What the Election Means for Bike Co-ops
by Josh Bisker 14 Nov '16

14 Nov '16

This is a message I sent to the Mechanical Gardens. I'm passing it on to you here. Feel free to repurpose. Love and strength and sorrow, everyone. Josh ___________________ This is a message of hope and strategy. Today we enter a broken future, and the dangers that now loom on the horizon are too numerous to be counted and too massive to be properly appraised. In consequence, we as the Mechanical Gardens now have a tremendous responsibility. "We've got our work cut out for us," is a saying that's been in the air. Here's what I believe that looks like for us. We must make our co-op a place that actively opposes the agenda of hatred, and defends and elevates women, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ folks, the disabled, and the impoverished. We must become an organization that embodies social mechanisms for achieving equity, safety, mutual aid, compassion, and environmental justice in our operations and outlook. This election is a disaster; its fallout will be far worse, snowballing into a series of crises as the new government destroys the many social, cultural, and economic systems that people depend upon for life. For the Mechanical Gardens, therefore, I submit that rather than asking "what can we do to help people avoid the coming crisis," we approach our work slightly differently, asking: "what can we do in the co-op so that after these crises come, after the systems we depend on are undone, that groups of people still know how to operate in ways that support their values and provide safety for them?" This means that the soft stuff on our agenda -- like creating our guidelines for decision-making, collective respect, and participation -- is the most important work we have cut out for us, alongside our outreach to bring more people into the shop and the collective. These are everything. These are the seeds of a solid tomorrow that we tend and cultivate at the co-op, and that we entrust to everyone who comes in the door, so that they can plant and foster them as well, no matter what calamity comes. How do we do this? We begin by training ourselves to articulate our values and decide how to formally embed them in our cooperative structure, and deciding to informally embody them in our ways of being. Some of our values stand alone; others will be informed by the risks we see to liberty and justice, such as the threats of persecution, discrimination, sexual exploitation, authoritarianism, police and mob brutality, land exploitation, the devaluing of science and reason, and the fracturing of democratic institutions. We must decide how to value and embed compassion, equity, feminism, mutual aid, environmental sustainabilty, enfranchisement, reason, protection against persecution, safety, autonomy, responsibility, and respect into the bike co-op, both in the institution and in our interactions there. Bike stuff is important too! Mechanicship especially is critical to the oncoming era of climate calamity, with uncertain roads, settlement conditions, and gasoline access meaning that bikes become invaluable for billions of devastated and displaced people worldwide. (General DIY skills and self-confidence too.) But bikes here might be a vehicle to helping us empower ourselves and our communities to create thriving structures that support their groups' values. This, I submit to you, is "our work." We have so much we can learn from each other in it. How to be listeners, how to be leaders, how to be community members. How to be strong, how to be nimble, how to collaborate. And how to work not out of fear but of love for each other, those around us, and those yet to come. These things are the seeds of the revolution we need to prepare for. This has been a bad day, but I'm very happy to be doing this work with you. The world is in trouble, and by coming together, we have found work that will help people survive the dark times ahead. Josh

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National Bike Summit
by Angel York 14 Nov '16

14 Nov '16

National Bike Summit (the national bike advocacy conference) is in Washington DC on March 6–9 *http://bikeleague.org/summit* <http://bikeleague.org/summit> Equity scholarship <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAER2PGPH3TlCoSGEgefpFRZM9plXBplm…> deadline is January 6, 2017, it brings the price of entry down to a hundred dollars.

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Group Visioning Exercises: Go
by Josh Bisker 11 Nov '16

11 Nov '16

What are you favorite group exercises for collective visioning, for things like (a) collective ethics and values (b) standards of respect and behaviors in the shop (c) responsibility, wrongdoing, and justice. Go.

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Creating a Community Survey
by Nicole Meyer 02 Nov '16

02 Nov '16

Hi all, At Austin's Yellow Bike Project we're trying to create a community survey to better engage and serve our neighborhood. We're interested in finding out how people view us, and what services they'd like to see us offer. Also, ultimately, we'd like to find out what might make us inviting enough to change the demographics of our majority white, majority cis male volunteer collective, but I'm not sure how to incorporate that into a survey. Baby steps! Has anyone done a community survey before? Do you have any advice for crafting questions, and for methods of distribution & collection? Thank you! Nikki Meyer P.S. It was great to meet some of you in Detroit at my very first Bike! Bike! Glad to be a part of this community :)

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Any German co-op
by Tigre Bici 02 Nov '16

02 Nov '16

Hello! We are looking for a german co-op to have some questions asked. Does anyone is part of one or knows one? please let us know Thanks R.

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Synopsis of Service Toolkit Workshop
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 02 Nov '16

02 Nov '16

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Synopsis and Materials from Advanced Problem Solving 101
by rob＠robertgrossmandesign.com 01 Nov '16

01 Nov '16

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Save the Date - Youth Bike Summit 2017
by Pasqualina Azzarello 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

Hi Everyone, Save the date for the 7th annual Youth Bike Summit! *When:* October 6-8, 2017 *Where:* Washington, DC / Arlington, VA *Hosted by:* Phoenix Bikes in Arlington, VA A "save the date" card is attached - we are planning for the largest Youth Bike Summit yet so please help us spread the word by sharing it far and wide throughout your networks. More information can be found on our website <https://youthbikesummit.org/> and in our newsletter. <https://t.e2ma.net/webview/iisnq/40f834ebe474f7287604bb50e53383a7> You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @youthbikesummit Feel free to be in touch directly should you have any questions or want to learn more about ways you and your shops/orgs can participate in this ever-growing, collaborative youth bike movement. Thanks, everyone! Best, Pasqualina [image: Inline image 1] -- *Pasqualina Azzarello* Director, Youth Bike Summit Website <https://youthbikesummit.org/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/youthbikesummit/?fref=ts> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/youthbikesummit> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/youthbikesummit/> @youthbikesummit #YBS17 *SAVE THE DATE! * *Youth Bike Summit* Hosted by Phoenix Bikes in Arlington, VA October 6 - 8, 2017 // Arlington, VA / Washington, DC

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How-To Guides for Sorting Used Parts
by Anastasia Clement Thorne 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

Hello everyone, I work for Kickstand in Vancouver, BC. We are reorganizing the shop to create an environment that allows volunteers to be very self-directed and self-sufficient while volunteering. One of the the solutions I'm working on is creating a How-To guide for sorting EVERY used part, so that brand-new mechanics can get working parts into the appropriate bins, or strip them for small parts (even if they don't really know what all the parts do. Think, flow charts and well-labeled diagrams). I know that there are other shops out there who have already made these resources, so that I don't have to rebuild a wheel unnecessarily. Does anyone work/volunteer for a shop that has these resources? Please share! Or do you know of a shop that does this? I'm happy to contact them! Thanks for your collective brain power! -stasia

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If You Like Podcasts About Bike Collectives
by Thomas Butler 31 Oct '16

31 Oct '16

Then here (forwarded below) is an episode to add to your list. It's a 34:09 interview with 2 coordinators of Austin's Yellow Bike Project. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Everyday Superhumans" <everydaysuperhumans(a)gmail.com> Date: Oct 20, 2016 6:46 AM Subject: Everyday Superhumans Episode Premiere To: "Thomas Butler" <thomas.unavailable(a)gmail.com>, "Thomas Fackler" < thomas.fackler(a)gmail.com> Cc: Good morning Tom & Thomas, Kyle here. Just thought I would let you know that the interview you two did with Caroline and I a few months ago is live online. You can check it out here <http://everydaysuperhumans.com/2016/10/19/episode-15/>. We want to thank you two again for sitting down with us for an hour to chat about the Yellow Bike Project. We love what you're doing, so much that I ended up buying a bike from you guys the next week! Have a great day! - Kyle S.

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Bulk Used Parts
by Zachariah Wahid 28 Oct '16

28 Oct '16

Would anybody out there be interested in receiving bulk shipments of used bike parts? Back Alley Bikes collects parts from hundreds of bikes every year and many of them are used at a much slower rate than they arrive. We are exploring the idea of running a Community Shared Bike Parts program (after the model of CSAs in communities with access to local agriculture) or simply packaging parts in bulk and shipping them to fellow bike collectives upon request. Please respond with your thoughts. Would you be interested in receiving parts for a fee to cover our costs? Has your collective or others that you're aware of tried something like this before? -- Zachariah Wahid Offsite Program Manager (313) 879-5630

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Neighborhood Bike Works is hiring a Youth Program Director
by Steve Maluk 26 Oct '16

26 Oct '16

Hi all. Our program director of the past 4+ years, Liz Pisarczyk, is leaving us in February. Liz has done a ton for NBW, and so now we've begun the search process to find someone to step in and build off of the strong state of our youth programming. Here's the job description, and it's also attached as a PDF. Please take a look and share far and wide! * Director of Youth Programs – Neighborhood Bike Works* *Position Summary:* Neighborhood Bike Works (NBW) is seeking a full-time Director of Youth Programs to lead our organization’s youth bike-education programming. This position assumes primary responsibility for directing and developing all youth programs, and supervising and supporting the professional development of all youth program staff. Additionally, the Director of Youth Programs works with the Executive Director and other department managers as part of NBW’s leadership team, represents NBW and its programming to funders, community partners, youth, and families; and partners with Board, other staff, and volunteers to develop the organizational resources of NBW. *About Neighborhood Bike Works:* In 2017, NBW will build on its recent growth and reloication to a new community shop and bike education hub. NBW is celebrating 20 years of using bikes as the hook to engage youth in positive out-of-school-time activities. By learning bike mechanics and exploring the city by bike, young people at NBW build life skills and healthy habits, and gain leadership experience. Based in West Philadelphia, we primarily serve youth of color from low-income communities. In addition to our youth programs, NBW provides a DIY bicycle workshop space for adults as well as community outreach programs to promote cycling. More information regarding NBW can be found at neighborhoodbikeworks.org. *Reports to:* Executive Director *Reporting to this Position:* Ride Program Manager, Youth Engagement Specialist, Lead Youth Program Instructor, and shared supervision of the Outreach Coordinator *Primary Responsibilities:* *Program Development and Evaluation* (40%) · Plan and direct current and new programming in collaboration with Executive Director, program staff, and other stakeholders. · Work with youth program team to coordinate all NBW programming, manage program calendar, and communicate with program partner organizations. · Collaborate with youth program staff to develop curriculum for youth programs, set benchmarks for youth involvement in NBW programs, and develop channels for youth to grow and assume leadership roles within and outside of NBW. · Develop and maintain systems for tracking data on students and programs, including registrations, participant involvement in all youth programs, and graduation information. · Develop and maintain program evaluation methods in collaboration with program staff and Executive Director. Ensure effectiveness of data collection and analysis. · Provide organization-wide program reports on a monthly basis and as needed. · Ensure programming remains culturally responsive for the youth and families we serve. · Work with program staff and other stakeholders to facilitate the continued development of a long-term vision for NBW’s programming, including all levels of youth programs. *Staff Management and Support* (40%) · Recruit, hire, support, and supervise youth program staff. · Work directly with youth, supporting program staff in the delivery of youth programs. · Develop, coordinate, and deliver training and orientation for all program staff. · Support program staff in planned, continuous professional development. · Foster teamwork, appreciation, and shared leadership within the programs department at NBW. · Ensure that all instructors, volunteers, and program participants comply with NBW policies and procedures, including all safety and risk management policies and procedures. · Conduct annual performance reviews and 360-degree reviews for all direct reports. *Financial Management, Development, and Communications* (15%) · Work in partnership with the Executive Director and Development Manager to support fundraising related to programs, including events and donor communications. · Write program updates and reports for use in grants, reports, and promotional materials. · Create and manage program budgets. · Work alongside other staff to solicit feedback and stories from participants, parents, and others. Share feedback with all staff and work with others to promote programs externally. *Administrative and Strategic Oversight* (5%) · Work with Executive Director to create and update risk management policies and guidelines as needed. · Participate in NBW’s strategic planning process and assist in developing short and long-term program plans for core and advanced programs. *Qualifications:* The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of management experience in a non-profit setting or related field, a proven track record successfully supervising and supporting staff and volunteers, and experience working with diverse populations including youth of color and those from low-income families. Background knowledge of Philadelphia’s education system, history, bicycling community, and networks of youth development organizations is preferred. Candidates with non-traditional work and education experience are encouraged – please tell us about those experiences that qualify you for this position. Additional Qualifications: · Driven by the mission and work of NBW. - A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, or related field preferred; however, equivalent work experience will be considered in lieu of education. - Successful development and implementation of youth programming curriculum. - Commitment to social justice and youth leadership. - Experience with performance management and supporting the professional development of staff. - Knowledge of nonprofit management. - Must possess and demonstrate superb communication skills, both written and verbal. - Energetic and engaging with youth while being reliable, responsible, and professional. - Familiarity with Philadelphia’s neighborhoods preferred. - Ability to be flexible with a set work schedule and work evenings and weekends as needed. · Experience with Microsoft Office and Access. · Successful passing of PA State Police Criminal Background Check, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, and FBI Clearance required. This is a full-time, hourly position that will begin in January 2017. The position will be non-exempt in compliance with new December 2016 FLSA overtime regulations. The pay range for this position will be $18.25 to $20.20 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications. NBW offers a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and retirement plans. *Please email a resume and cover letter* to jobs(a)neighborhoodbikeworks.org. Applications received by November 28, 2016 will receive priority consideration. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seek staff who reflect the community we serve. Candidates of color are encouraged to apply. -- Steve Maluk Executive Director Neighborhood Bike Works <215-386-0316%20x%20113>215-386-0316 x118 www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org [image: NBW's Bike Drive and Birthday Party] Celebrating 20 years of positive youth development.

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CiviCRM
by Jonathan Morrison 23 Oct '16

23 Oct '16

Has anyone been using (https://civicrm.org/) or would they recommend a different software package? -Jonathan

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bike maintenance training for a local Boys and Girls club
by Let's put people on bikes 20 Oct '16

20 Oct '16

My community does not have a bike coop. I repair donated bikes and give them away through local charities and offer free bike clinics around town (library, churches, etc). I have been donating bikes to the local Boys and Girls club and now have been asked to give bike maintenance training to some of the kids. The kids are middle schoolers, we have no dedicated space, there are no tools except what I can provide, I get about an hour a week, and I am enjoying every minute of it. I started out going over how to do a pre-ride safety check, changing tires and tubes, and things like that. It quickly be came a problems course - a bike would show up and we diagnose what needs to be done to get the bike safely back on the road, I supervise the kids when they fix it, and the bike immediately finds a new happy owner. Basket cases go to my shop and I make them work. I am looking for pointers to any kind of similar programs to see what they cover and get any advise that might be available. All help is greatly appreciated. Best regards, JB

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Chamber of Commerce membership
by Stephen Andruski 17 Oct '16

17 Oct '16

All, Our organization, The Rockville Bike Hub, has off-and-on discussed connecting with the local Chamber of Commerce. I was wondering how many other collectives/community shops out there have actually joined their local Chamber of Commerce and what value you've gotten out of it. Steve Andruski The Rockville Bike Hub Rockville, MD -- "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

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Re: [TheThinkTank] CiviCRM
by jack 16 Oct '16

16 Oct '16

We use Salesforce / Wordpress / Mailchimp and have been pleased with what all we can do, for free. <div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: David Zundel <davidzundel(a)gmail.com> </div><div>Date:10/15/2016 7:33 PM (GMT-06:00) </div><div>To: The Think Tank <thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org> </div><div>Subject: Re: [TheThinkTank] CiviCRM </div><div> </div>CiviCRM recommended David On Sat, Oct 15, 2016, 6:13 PM Jonathan Morrison <jonathan(a)bicyclecollective.org> wrote: Has anyone been using (https://civicrm.org/) or would they recommend a different software package? -Jonathan ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Hiring at the Icarus Project: remote operations coordinator
by the holla 13 Oct '16

13 Oct '16

Might be up someone's alley! http://theicarusproject.net/jobs-and-volunteer-opportunities/ For those who aren't familiar with this org, here's their mission: "The Icarus Project is a support network and education project by and for people who experience the world in ways that are often diagnosed as mental illness. We advance social justice by fostering mutual aid practices that reconnect healing and collective liberation. We transform ourselves through transforming the world around us."

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