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Request for ideas on Vision and Mission Statements for community bike workshops
by Bob Giordano 11 Feb '15

11 Feb '15

Hi Tom, This discussion was started by Donnie at SantroVélo... they are reworking their own vision and mission, and asked for feedback. I think it is a very worthy discussion, as we all can benefit from updating the 'what, why and how' of our work. Or perhaps just the 'what and why' as the 'how' tends to be more goal and objective statement oriented... I've heard many different definitions for vision, mission, goals, objectives and action steps. The key might be to have deep internal discussions and see what makes sense on a local level. Thomas Martin wrote: > Hi all: > New to this list, and I have lurked for exactly 2 messages. > Pardon my ignorance, but is this vision statement for this list, or for a > specific org that is subscribing to the list? > Mission statements and vision statements can quickly become obtuse with big > words that no-one uses in the organization and your community. And a vision > statement by committee is how that happens. > But here goes my two pence: > Transportation and transit is routine, so further explaining it as routine > is redundant. And anyways, making transportation anything but routine (fun! > sexy! transformative!) is going to inspire people more than the routinized > use of our transportation grid.. > '_________ advocates safe and equitable outcomes for people on bikes as a > form of everyday transportation. We are a non-profit, volunteer run community co-operative that empowers people to repair their own bikes' . Or something like that. > I posted this on my Facebook page a few days ago. It's got some good suggestions for how and why language shapes the public discussion: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/how-smart-language-helped-end-seat… Tom Martin > Bike Program Coordinator > Portland Community College- Cascade > 705 N Killingsworth St > Portland, OR 97217 > On Mon, Feb 9, 2015 at 10:26 AM, Bob Giordano <mist(a)strans.org> wrote: >> agree Ron. >> a general suggestion: >> instead of: >> 'We support safe cycling as a legitimate form of routine transportation' >> change to: >> 'We support safety for people on bikes as a legitimate form of routine transportation' >> or something like that. lots of 'talk' about the power of saying 'people >> on bikes' instead of 'cyclists' nowadays, which makes sense. >> -- >> Bob Giordano >> Free Cycles Missoula >> Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation >> Ron Kellis wrote: >> > Comment from the gallery: I've been, uh, subjected to these for over >> 20 >> years now. Meaning they can be really important for some folks as a focus >> > point, important for funding, and many feel the need to include every >> descriptor that can be crammed into the space available. Often, in my experience, this means few actually read it. And for others, well I volunteer as an instructor and self-help mentor. I know that fits in our >> mission statement someplace or we wouldn't be doing it. >> > KISS and short: >> > - We reach-out to help others learn to maintain their own bikes - >> We >> support safe cycling as a legitimate form of routine >> > transportation >> > - We assist members of the community who need a bike to obtain a >> bike. >> > Expand on that as necessary in supporting statements. >> > "*All great truths are simple in final analysis, and easily >> understood; >> if >> > they are not, they are not great truths."* ~ Napoleon Hill. >> > Just my $.02 >> > Ron >> > On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 12:19 PM, Andy Bakker >> > <andy.bakker(a)velocitycoop.org> >> > wrote: >> >> Hi Donnie, >> >> The mission statement that we use is: >> >> Our mission is to educate, encourage, and empower a vibrant and >> inclusive >> >>> cycling community through learning. We provide a non-profit, volunteer-run, >> >>> educational do-it-yourself workshop offering training, rides, and >> events to >> >>> empower all levels of cyclists in building, maintaining, and >> embracing >> the >> >>> fun of bicycles. >> >> I've been asked by a few volunteers about developing a real vision or >> vision statement and I'd be very interested if anybody has something they'd >> >> like to share! >> >> Cheers, >> >> Andy Bakker >> >> VéloCity Bicycle Cooperative >> >> 2111 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 >> >> andy.bakker(a)velocitycoop.org | www.velocitycoop.org >> >> On Sun, Feb 8, 2015 at 11:55 AM, Don <dontito(a)videotron.ca> wrote: >> >>> Hi Everybody, >> >>> I’ve been hit-and-miss following along on the Think Tank for the >> past >> while so please excuse me if I missed any threads relevant to this request. Our collective is now in the process of redefining >> ourselves, >> >>> and >> >>> part of the process is coming up with a Vision Statement and >> reworking >> our >> >>> Mission Statement, so I’d like to ask for examples that work for >> other >> groups. So far our shop has been mostly about mechanics and not so much >> >>> about advocacy, though of course that could change during this >> process. >> >>> All comments and suggestions will be gratefully received! >> >>> Donnie >> >>> SantroVélo >> >>> https://www.facebook.com/SantroVelo ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Donation Jar at Bike Valet Booth?
by Ryan Feller 10 Feb '15

10 Feb '15

Hello all, We run a bike valet at a bi-weekly farmer's market, usually parking several dozen bikes in a few hours. Valet is free to use and staffed by volunteers; our organization receives no compensation. We are considering a donation jar to benefit the organization (mostly to cover promotional materials). However, we don't want to pressure anyone to donate, lest it discourage their regular use of our service. We're considering a small donation jar in the corner of our event table, accompanied by a sign roughly stating, "Bike valet is a free service! Donations to Human Powered Delray are optional but always appreciated." Organizations that do bike valet: Do you have a donation or tip jar? Do you request compensation from event organizers? What do you do with donated money? If it's relevant, we're a 501(c)(3) bike/ped advocacy organization. Thank you very much for your time and input! -- Ryan Feller Board Member Human Powered Delray www.humanpowereddelray.org (941) 894-4333 ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Request for ideas on Vision and Mission Statements for community bike workshops
by Don 09 Feb '15

09 Feb '15

Hi Everybody, Ive been hit-and-miss following along on the Think Tank for the past while so please excuse me if I missed any threads relevant to this request. Our collective is now in the process of redefining ourselves, and part of the process is coming up with a Vision Statement and reworking our Mission Statement, so Id like to ask for examples that work for other groups. So far our shop has been mostly about mechanics and not so much about advocacy, though of course that could change during this process. All comments and suggestions will be gratefully received! Donnie SantroVélo <https://www.facebook.com/SantroVelo> https://www.facebook.com/SantroVelo ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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The Youth Bike Summit is just a week away! Please help us spread the word!
by Pasqualina Azzarello 06 Feb '15

06 Feb '15

<https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/e39rob> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/uvasob> *SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AT THE YOUTH BIKE SUMMIT!* We're just a week away from the 5th annual Youth Bike Summit and we have an incredible line-up <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/aobsob> of speakers, workshops, and presentations! If you haven't already registered, you can purchase tickets here <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/qgcsob>. Registration includes meals, more than 30 workshops and presentations, and all conference activities over three days. If you are traveling from out of town, we encourage you to take a look at this link <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/68csob> that details the different locations of the YBS, directions, + affordable accommodations. The 2015 Youth Bike Summit is hosted by Bike Works <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/m1dsob> in Seattle, February 13-15, 2015. Please help us spread the word! *Register Today!* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/2tesob> <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/imfsob>*http://youthbikesummit.brownpapertickets.com/ <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/yegsob>* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/e7gsob> *THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS!* One of the founding principles of the Youth Bike Summit is that it is affordable and accessible for all attendees, especially youth attendees. This is possible on account of our generous sponsors and supporters. On behalf of Youth Bike, Bike Works, Recycle-A-Bicycle, and the greater youth bicycle movement throughout local communities throughout the US, we are incredibly grateful! Thank you for your support! *THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL SUPPORTERS!* After four year's in NYC, this is the first time the Youth Bike Summit has traveled. We extend a gigantic thank you to the local planning committee, with special thanks to Bike Works, Cascade Bicycle Club, Seattle DOT, and Washington Bikes! <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/uzhsob> *WIN AWESOME TIMBUK2 GOODIES IN #BIKEVALENTINE CONTEST* Here's how it works: Post, tweet, and retweet your pics and poems, showing love for bikes + biking. Tag your pics with @Timbuk2, @youthbikesummit, #BikeValentine, and #YBS15 and winners will receive prizes from Timbuk2! There's no limit to sharing the love! Contest ends on Valentine's Day at 3PM PST. Winners will be announced at the YBS. *More info can be found here: http://youthbikesummit.org/timbuk2-social-media-contest/ <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/asisob>* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/qkjsob> *BIG SHOUT-OUT TO PORTLAND!* Thanks to BikePortland <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/6cksob> and KBOO Radio <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/m5ksob> for yourarticle <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/2xlsob> and radio show <https://t.e2ma.net/click/2tybh/ac6fm/iqmsob> this week to help spread the word about the Youth Bike Summit! We're excited to see you at the YBS next week, along with youth and adult leaders from Transportation Alliance, Multnomah Youth Commission, Community Cycling Center, Safe Routes to School of Portland & Elly Blue Publishing! Also, KBOO will be recording live onsite at the YBS to capture youth voices from across the US! www.youthbikesummit.org Youth Bike | Director www.youthbikesummit.org | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Bike-Summit/230384430374509> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/youthbikesummit> *Youth Bike Summit | **February 13 - 15, 2015 | Bike Works | Seattle, WA* *Youth Bike transforms our local communities and strengthens our national movement by empowering bicycle leaders.* ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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NYS Meeting of Commuity Bike Shops
by breathingplanet . 05 Feb '15

05 Feb '15

Troy Bike Rescue and newly created Electric City Bike Rescue are hosting an Upstate New York Bike Summit! Community Bike Shops (a.k.a. Bike Rescues) from the Tri-cities area of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy will be present as well as Bike Rescues from Utica, Ithaca, Rochester, and Buffalo. This will be the first gathering for some of these organizations and a reunion for some of the Bike Rescues that participated in TBR's Bike!Bike! event a couple years ago. Topics will range from Best Practices on how to form, organize and operate a community bike shop to how the community bike shops can work with NYBC and other advocates to best promote bicycle rescue, restoration and utilization for transportation and recreation. The meeting will be held at the Schenectady Central Library on Saturday February 21st from 11am to 4pm. If you represent a community-based bicycle program or shop and wish to attend, please contact Mike at rozdol(a)yahoo.com. They have a large room reserved and have room for you! ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Earn-A-Bike Program Registration Form Templates
by Najari Smith 05 Feb '15

05 Feb '15

Hi All, Me and my team have started an youth Earn-A-Bike Program but we need some registration forms for parents to fill out. Any other accompanying forms and words of wisdom are very welcome. Thanks for you help! Najari -- Najari Smith 510.255.0625 Executive Director Rich City RIDES <http://richcityrides.org/> P.O. Box 2968 *RICHMOND*, CA 94801 Our mission is to create opportunities for the most vulnerable members of society to use cycling to improve health, economic stability and individual and collective capacity. *Follow Us:*twitter <https://twitter.com/Rich_rides> *Friend Us:*FB:friend <https://www.facebook.com/rich.cityrides> *Like us:*FB:like <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rich-City-RIDES/721409531207136> *Love Us:* don♥te <https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=V8PA3U…> *Visit Us at our New Community Shop Space located in the Historic Downtown Richmond.* *1500 Macdonald Ave. Richmond, CA 94801* City of Richmond Arts and Culture Commissioner Elected Chair Richmond Bicycle / Pedestrian Advisory Committee ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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World Bike Forum
by Tegan Moss 29 Jan '15

29 Jan '15

Hi All, In four weeks I will be at the World Bike Forum in Medellin Colombia presenting on a panel about "Bike Organizing". Are my co-presenters on this list serve? Who else is headed down? I would love to meet up with some other community bikes shop folks while visiting Colombia! Please feel free to reach me directly at tegan(a)communitybikeshop.org or 705-775-7227 if you are headed that way and would like to connect. Cheers, Tegan -- -- B!KE: The Peterborough Community Bike Shop 336 Rubidge St, Peterborough ON (705) 775-7227 communitybikeshop.org ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Troy Bike Rescue
by Josh Bisker 28 Jan '15

28 Jan '15

Who are my Troy Bike Rescue folks? Email me off-thread please. Actual important thing. Josh ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Portable Bike Co-op
by Justin Smith 24 Jan '15

24 Jan '15

We like the idea of having some sort of trailer, wagon or otherwise that we can take throughout the city to different neighborhoods, events and otherwise to help make bike repairs. We'd love your suggestions for what type of trailer to use, how to organize, actual plans and costs, your sources of funding, and all other advice and input you care to share. Thanks! -- Justin Smith Bike Erie www.bikeerie.org [1] (814) 580-9108 Follow us on Facebook [2] & Twitter [3]! Links: ------ [1] http://www.bikeerie.org/ [2] http://box809.bluehost.com/facebook.com/BikeErie [3] http://box809.bluehost.com/twitter.com/BikeErie ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Fwd: The Community Spoke! is looking for new leadership or to donate our resources
by The Community Spoke! 22 Jan '15

22 Jan '15

Hey Everyone, It's been over a year since our last event and it is with mixed emotions that we announce that the core group that makes up The Community Spoke! is moving on to new things. We're looking for a new group to take and reinvent the Spoke and provide a much needed service to the Boston area. We have a full workshop of tools, supplies and parts and a reserve of cash dedicated to the project that we would like to pass on. This is essentially a "bike co-op in a box." Ideally, we'll connect with a new group of volunteers that would continue to use the Spoke's name and legacy and function in a similar way to the old group. If this is not possible we'd like to find an existing group or groups to give our resources to. To remind you of our mission, we are an all volunteer bike shop that provides free bike repair. We've always tried to focus on cycling communities underserviced by the bike industry and are committed to being a safer space. Our safer space policy is integral to our operations and our most important policy. We are also looking for a new home for H.E.L.L. <https://thecommunityspoke.wordpress.com/h-e-l-l/>, a free helmet program. H.E.L.L. and The Community Spoke! have been partners for some time. Included are dozens of high quality helmets and funds earmarked for helmet distribution. If you or anyone you know is interested in operating a free bike repair organization or absorbing its resources to your current organization please let us know! Familiarize yourself with our mission and points of unity at www.thecommunityspoke.org and fill out our application. Help us continue to provide the Boston area with free resources and promote cycling. Please spread this message to anyone who may be interested. The application can be submitted at http://goo.gl/forms/haIWLCmPi4 Thanks, Dora, Dustin, and Alex - core volunteer group of The Community Spoke! ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by David Eyer Davis 22 Jan '15

22 Jan '15

Hi Bayley, It's a good question. Long story short, don't put beginners in key decision making roles. Killing a bike is highly subjective: we kill most department store full suspension 24" bikes, for example, even if they're largely ridable but have 1-2 key needs, but would save even the grossest road bike from total destruction because they're so sought after. Try and have a core volunteer or staff member make the calls, then the beginner volunteer do the task at hand. Our mechanics use the first section of this checklist to determine whether or not to kill a bike: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mvJGn6drZsb5L_kXiEFJUpHHAbmWGwZQzJqo7Yk… On top of that, we get so many adult-sized department store bikes that if the bike has 2 of the following issues, it dies: seized cables/broken housing, broken shifters, unsalvagable rear wheel, play in rear swingarm, missing components. We train people up similarly to you: start 'em with killing bikes, move on to patching tubes/fixing flats, then tuning kids bikes (without gyros/gears) kids bikes with gears/gyros, 24" bikes, finally 26" huffys, then everything else. Cheers, Davey On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 4:29 PM, Bayley Vanderpoel < bayley.vanderpoel(a)velocitycoop.org> wrote: > Davey, > Do you have a method of sorting the bikes after they're triaged, such as > sorting them by particular issue? > > I ask because our organization gets a lot of beginners. We decided to > train them by triaging all the bikes we get, then having them focus on > particular components each time they come in. > > The first day a volunteer might replace 8 bad tires on bikes, the next > time they might true a dozen wheels, then the next time they adjust a dozen > brakes. > > I'm struggling to wrap my head around a method which allows volunteers to > quickly find bikes with the component that needs work. I'd like bikes to be > fixed in a sequence but can't figure out the best way to sort. Anyways I'm > interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks! > > Bayley > Velocity Bicycle Cooperative > Alexandria VA > > On Wednesday, January 21, 2015, David Eyer Davis < > davey(a)bicyclecollective.org> wrote: > >> Hi Johnny, All, >> Thanks Jonathan for the big picture perspective. It's helped a lot in >> Salt Lake, we delivered 2427 refurbished bikes to our community last year >> from that location alone, out of 2837 donated. >> >> Specifically, we've been using the Walking Bird inventory control tag >> <http://walkingbird.com/> to good effect, but haven't been attaching it >> to the bike upon donation. Our kids bikes and kill bikes (around 1200 bikes >> last year) duck that system, once a bike is donated it is triaged, sorted >> to be killed by volunteers, tuned by more skilled volunteers, or fixed by >> paid mechanics. Only the bikes fixed by paid mechanics get a walking bird >> tag. At this point you can integrate the system into your POS, since each >> walking bird tag has a unique number. We use the tags to track the bike's >> progress from mechanic to sales floor to client/customer, keeping the tag >> on file after the bike has left the shop. So if a huffy comes in, gets two >> hours spent on it, new tires and tubes and a brake cable, then is given >> away a week later, the director of operations sees that bike coming and >> going. We haven't integrated the system into our POS yet, rather we just >> keep the tags, the director of operations goes through them to reconcile >> consumables inventory and log mechanic efficiency, and keeps the paper on >> file in case there's an issue with the bike down the road. We will >> integrate with our POS as soon as we spend the time stepping it up to a >> functional computer based, rather than partial paper, inventory. I'll >> report back then. >> >> I believe they're available through QBP, possibly J&B. >> >> Thanks, >> Davey >> -- >> >> David Eyer Davis >> Executive Director >> Bicycle Collective >> c: 801-230-6308 >> www.bicyclecollective.org >> >> The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an >> effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a >> cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished >> bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children >> and lower income households. >> >> On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 10:54 AM, Jonathan Morrison < >> jonathan.morrison(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> In my personal experience there is nothing new about what community bike >>> shops do. All those "ah-ha!" moments are usually when someone has >>> (un)intentionally applied an existing concept from another >>> application/industry to their community bike shop. So save yourself the >>> trouble and time of reinventing the wheel by actively trying to identify >>> those concepts in the first place. >>> >>> Our current Executive Director (Davey Davis) hit it on nose when he >>> claimed that *"this isn't a shop, it is a factory"* at least in terms >>> of operations management ( >>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operations_management). >>> >>> While I spent years in that shop, I failed to see it. Davey is a >>> genius. But the fact is, broken bicycles are the raw material that we >>> refine (in mass quantity) into a consumable product that is >>> sold/re-donated. The more successful Community Bike Shops (that help the >>> most people) are the ones that make that refurbishing process as efficient >>> as possible. >>> >>> Efficiency happens when you increase the number of bicycles that go >>> through the shop, while decreasing waste and the time it takes to for the >>> average bike to go in and out the shop's door. *A sign that you have >>> an efficiency problem are excess storage. *Especially if they are >>> stored for more than one "busy season". Given that some shops are in >>> seasonal weather, obviously things might stack up in the winter. >>> Accordingly, each shop will have a different averages and goals. >>> >>> So, what the hell am I rambling on about? >>> >>> *If you don't track the bikes (dates, times and stages), it is hard to >>> know how to improve.* >>> >>> If you are looking for a quick / fun / easy / socratic / fictional tale >>> to get inspired on how operations management might help your shop achieve >>> its mission, consider reading the, "The Goal." >>> >>> >>> http://www.homeworkforyou.com/static/uploadedfiles/User_569117112014E_M_Gol… >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> Sincerely, >>> >>> Jonathan Morrison >>> c: 801-688-0183 >>> >>> On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 7:45 AM, Nathan Wilkes <nwilkes2(a)gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I was thinking a simple numbered ID. >>>> >>>> Nathan >>>> >>>> On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Jonathan Morrison < >>>> jonathan.morrison(a)gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> What kind of solution are you looking into? >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Sincerely, >>>>> >>>>> Jonathan Morrison >>>>> c: 801-688-0183 >>>>> >>>>> On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 3:33 PM, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi Friends, >>>>>> >>>>>> Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who >>>>>> donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? >>>>>> We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate >>>>>> donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted >>>>>> for our youth programs. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks! >>>>>> Jonny >>>>>> >>>>>> John Barrett >>>>>> The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's >>>>>> Organic Berries >>>>>> www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / >>>>>> www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries >>>>>> jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca >>>>>> 403.619.2648 >>>>>> >>>>>> ____________________________________ >>>>>> >>>>>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>>>>> <a href=" >>>>>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe >>>>>> from this list</a> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> >>>> >>> >> >> >> >> >> -- David Eyer Davis Executive Director Bicycle Collective c: 801-230-6308 www.bicyclecollective.org The mission of the Bicycle Collective is to promote cycling as an effective and sustainable form of transportation and as a cornerstone of a cleaner, healthier, and safer society. The Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to the community, focusing on children and lower income households. ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Paul Nagel 21 Jan '15

21 Jan '15

Jonny, Attached is the tag that we use. It was modified from the tag found in the appendices of Recycle-a-Bicycle's Tools for Life: https://www.transalt.org/sites/default/files/resources/toolsforlife/26netwo… I've also attached a tag we use for wheels and other items. We might seek to change the bike tag a bit so the tag slides inside a plastic sleeve, because even printing on more expensive cardstock, the tags can rip off the ties. - Paul The Bicycle Tree shop: (714) 760-4681811 N. Main St.Santa Ana, CA 92701info@thebicycletree.orghttp://thebicycletree.orgon facebook / on instagram / on tumblr / on twitter / on meetup Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 15:33:43 -0700 From: jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca To: thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org Subject: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags Hi Friends, Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for our youth programs. Thanks! Jonny John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic Berries www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca 403.619.2648 ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List Unsubscribe from this list ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Jonathan Morrison 21 Jan '15

21 Jan '15

In my personal experience there is nothing new about what community bike shops do. All those "ah-ha!" moments are usually when someone has (un)intentionally applied an existing concept from another application/industry to their community bike shop. So save yourself the trouble and time of reinventing the wheel by actively trying to identify those concepts in the first place. Our current Executive Director (Davey Davis) hit it on nose when he claimed that *"this isn't a shop, it is a factory"* at least in terms of operations management (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operations_management). While I spent years in that shop, I failed to see it. Davey is a genius. But the fact is, broken bicycles are the raw material that we refine (in mass quantity) into a consumable product that is sold/re-donated. The more successful Community Bike Shops (that help the most people) are the ones that make that refurbishing process as efficient as possible. Efficiency happens when you increase the number of bicycles that go through the shop, while decreasing waste and the time it takes to for the average bike to go in and out the shop's door. *A sign that you have an efficiency problem are excess storage. *Especially if they are stored for more than one "busy season". Given that some shops are in seasonal weather, obviously things might stack up in the winter. Accordingly, each shop will have a different averages and goals. So, what the hell am I rambling on about? *If you don't track the bikes (dates, times and stages), it is hard to know how to improve.* If you are looking for a quick / fun / easy / socratic / fictional tale to get inspired on how operations management might help your shop achieve its mission, consider reading the, "The Goal." http://www.homeworkforyou.com/static/uploadedfiles/User_569117112014E_M_Gol… Sincerely, Jonathan Morrison c: 801-688-0183 On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 7:45 AM, Nathan Wilkes <nwilkes2(a)gmail.com> wrote: > I was thinking a simple numbered ID. > > Nathan > > On Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Jonathan Morrison < > jonathan.morrison(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> What kind of solution are you looking into? >> >> >> Sincerely, >> >> Jonathan Morrison >> c: 801-688-0183 >> >> On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 3:33 PM, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca> wrote: >> >>> Hi Friends, >>> >>> Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated >>> bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're >>> working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor >>> recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for >>> our youth programs. >>> >>> Thanks! >>> Jonny >>> >>> John Barrett >>> The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's >>> Organic Berries >>> www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / >>> www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries >>> jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca >>> 403.619.2648 >>> >>> ____________________________________ >>> >>> The ThinkTank mailing List >>> <a href=" >>> http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe >>> from this list</a> >>> >>> >>> >> > ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Justin Smith 20 Jan '15

20 Jan '15

We're interested as well. --- Justin Smith Bike Erie www.bikeerie.org [5] (814) 580-9108 Follow us on Facebook [6] & Twitter [7]! On 01/19/2015 3:33 pm, jonny b wrote: > Hi Friends, > > Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for our youth programs. > > Thanks! Jonny > > John Barrett > The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic Berries > www.goodlifebikes.ca [2] / www.twowheelview.org [3] / www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries [4] > jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca > 403.619.2648 > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… [1]">Unsubscribe from this list</a> Links: ------ [1] http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o… [2] http://www.goodlifebikes.ca [3] http://www.twowheelview.org [4] http://www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries [5] http://www.bikeerie.org/ [6] http://box809.bluehost.com/facebook.com/BikeErie [7] http://box809.bluehost.com/twitter.com/BikeErie ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Karen Overton 20 Jan '15

20 Jan '15

HI Jonny, Here's the repair tag we use, by stapling to the handlebar. They are color coded, based on destination: reserved for shop sales or reserved for school programs/earn-a-bike. We keep an inventory in Google spreadsheet that lists the data on the tag. At the end of the year, it becomes easy to sort the column and count what bikes were sold, what bikes were sent to schools, or donated to other causes and # de-manufactured. Theoretically, you could keep the hard copies and count, but some always end up lost - so it's not a great system unless there are fewer people involved who are equally committed to the inventory system. We start the new year's inventory with all the bikes that had no destination in the prior year. In our two stores, we use Light Speed, which tracks and prints out the repairs done. Karen On Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 5:33 PM, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca> wrote: > Hi Friends, > > Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated > bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're > working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor > recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for > our youth programs. > > Thanks! > Jonny > > John Barrett > The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic > Berries > www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / > www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries > jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca > 403.619.2648 > > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > > ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags
by Bayley Vanderpoel 20 Jan '15

20 Jan '15

Hey Jonny, This bicycle repair checklist doesn’t contain info about who donated but it’s the checklist that we use to determine the bikes state. First we triage the bike to determine what’s the matter with it. We circle every box which needs work. We’ll put the checklist in a clear plastic sheet, remove the pedals and zip tie them to the bikes handlebars (which we’ll turn to the side) to save space. When a volunteer is learning bicycle mechanics, we encourage them to focus on one component at a time, i.e. properly adjust 8 brakes one day, rather than trying to true a wheel, then brakes, adjust the derailleurs, and bearings. We believe they become proficient faster that way. They can look at the checklists to determine specific components which need work. Bayley Velocity Bicycle Cooperative Alexandria, VA *From:* Bayley Vanderpoel [mailto:bayley.vanderpoel@velocitycoop.org <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','bayley.vanderpoel(a)velocitycoop.org');>] *Sent:* Tuesday, January 20, 2015 4:39 PM *To:* Vanderpoel, Bayley *Subject:* Re: [TheThinkTank] Bike Tracking Tags On Monday, January 19, 2015, jonny b <jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca <javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca');>> wrote: Hi Friends, Do any shops have examples of tags that they use to track who donated bikes, who's worked on the bikes, bike's state of repair, etc? We're working on creating something simple and effective to facilitate donor recognition as well as getting bikes effectively prepared and sorted for our youth programs. Thanks! Jonny John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View / Barrett's Organic Berries www.goodlifebikes.ca / www.twowheelview.org / www.facebook.com/localorganicbarrettsberries jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca 403.619.2648 ____________________________________ The ThinkTank mailing List <a href="http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe from this list</a>

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Conflict Resolution - Accountability in an all volunteer run organization
by Jesse Cooper 17 Jan '15

17 Jan '15

Hey Momoko! At Our Community Bikes we have a volunteer orientation evening twice a month, in which we engage prospective volunteers with concepts and practices of non oppressive language. Most people aren't familiar with oppressive language and we try and education them on many different fronts that are basics in communication. However we can't cover every single nuance or facet that is hurtful or detrimental to some others. It's not always great, but we are always recommending that people acknowledge and be aware that this is an inclusive space. Code of Conduct is pretty important and should be made clear before interacting with the space. I think that an accountability agreement sounds like a great idea. A letter / waiver that they would have to read and sign off. It's no guarantee against poor behaviour but it certainly would be a way of insuring that they take responsibilities for agreements on interactions. We have a conflict resolution process for staff and volunteers, and members / customers / general public. We had a middle aged white male volunteer who was golden for example, lots of great tech skills and super productive and helpful, but a young woman asks for instruction and he grabs the tool from her hand (?? gah!) (NO !) and does the work barely explain his process to her ( Aw come on! that's not instructing !) and when he did, it was in condescending tone (way to uphold the patriarchy bro... ). Regardless, an incident report is filed and staff act by assigning a "buddy" or "go to" person to be the mediator. That man is approached on gentle and respectful terms, without negative language but that he need be aware we would like to discuss a situation. When he consents to this and has confirmed an appropriate time to be spoken with, we then sit privately and discuss the situation. He wouldn't be allowed to volunteer until the discussion comes from it. Results can vary greatly. Each situation is as unique as a snowflake and prescribed recipes and procedures for con res only is used as a foundation or basic steps. If resolution cannot be found, we let go of the volunteer. so anyhow, it's not as simple as I may be describing, it never is and is usually difficult, and drawn out. We intend to mitigate that and never let anything go on for long periods without some sort of closure. Even with the most frustrating and difficult situation, closure is really important. Bad rep with long term, selfless, generous volunteers isn't anything any of us want to carry. However, the person may be completely unreasonable and unable to dialogue. We would have to cross that bridge when we get to it. Some times we just have to ask them to leave and drop it. It's the worst possible break up. But it happens. Warm thoughts of you ! and all my confidence that we are doing great work and being great people ! (unabashed hopefulness and optimism!) This is from our STAFF manual. It isn't complete in a lot of ways *Conflict Resolution * *Rational Sources Of Conflict * Generally stems from people operating with: -Different facts -Different experiences -Different values -Different assumptions -Different constraints When it becomes apparent to you that a conflict is emerging, these areas are a good place to start in figuring out how to resolve the difference. Check with the differing individuals to see if: Facts need to be clarified, Experiences need to be compared and sorted out, Values need to be aligned, Assumptions need to be aligned, Constraints need to be understood, words used need defining/clarification. Conflict deriving from these sources can generally be resolved with little difficulty, particularly if it is addressed as soon as it appears. In this source lie differences of mechanical technique/knowledge. We have agreed in the past that such differences can easily be resolved by referring to the Blue Book. Another rational source of conflict lies in differences of facts/assumptions regarding policy. This can be resolved by referring to the policy/procedure manual. Difference of values is a bit trickier but referring to the organizational mission statement may be useful. *Emotional Sources Of Conflict * *Dinosaur Brains * *...[I]nside each human brain lurks the brain of a dinosaur -- irrational, emotional, easily enraged -- waiting to take control. . . . [H]umans don't always act like humans. One minute they're normal, rational people; the next, they're little better than reptiles. Trouble comes when they use the Reptile Response -- their primitive thinking patterns -- instead of the rational part of their brain. * Instinctual response • Get it now! *(Impulsive) * • Fight, flee, or freeze *(Threatened) * • Be dominant *(Competitive or controlling) * • Defend the territory *(Defensive) * • Get the mate! *(Sexually competitive) * • If it hurts, hiss! *(Complaining) * • Like me, good; not like me, bad! *(Intolerant) * Sometimes--especially in stressful situations--a short-circuit occurs and people have difficulty re-channeling their response from their dinosaur brains to their reasonable brains, and to shift from instinctual, emotional behavior to thoughtful, rational behavior. It is important for us to understand and accept that everyone reacts from his or her dinosaur brains sometimes. Although it is easy for one dinosaur brain to bring forth other dinosaur brains (for one person's emotional reactions to stimulate others' emotional reactions), we must avoid the temptation to respond to impulsive, threatened, defensive, or other emotionally-based behavior in like emotional ways and to respond instead in rational ways. 29 *Approaching a conflict: * *Appropriate behavior * -communicate that conflict is/has been present. -try talking when the conflict begins. -Use “I” statements both in talking to the person you are disagreeing with and your coworkers. *Inappropriate behavior * -ignoring that there has been a dispute (which is not the same as consciously trying to calm down and deal with the problem later) -verbal or physical violence -gossip or talking shit about the person you are in conflict with to staff or customers -trying to get people on “your side” -exaggerating *Ground Rules * *What to try to do (if you're involved): * -listen and be open to suggestions (even the ones that imply you have been wrong or have fucked up) -be solution centered -be concise and practice assertive communication -use I statements to define your needs -give reasons behind your thinking -remember it's ok to differ and all ideas should be treated with respect. Disagreement does not mean rejection. -restate what you are saying using different words/language when you feel that you're not being heard -take responsibility -be aware of non-verbal communication -think about your needs but do not ignore the needs of the collective. *What Not To DO: * -blame people (this leads to guilt, defensiveness, and alienation) -avoid addressing conflict (this impedes resolution) -resort to verbal or physical violence -Gossip (and if you do find yourself gossiping, ask yourself “why?”) -get people onto your “side” of the conflict -perpetuate or fall victim to groupthink which is a mode of group behavior in which ideas, even ideas which are not well thought through, may prevail despite the individual group members' ability to know the ideas are not useful, or worse, actually harmful to the group's goals. *What to try to do (if you're not involved): * -gently ask those involved to work out their differences -talk about it or let it go -express how the conflict is affecting you/your work environment/the group -ask the individuals involved to meet with you or another person who will act as a mediator -ask yourself or your coworkers how you can help the process *What Not To Do (if you are not involved): * Subcommittee 30 *When are they necessary? * -Either when those involved feel that a subcommittee would be beneficial or when coworkers feel it to be necessary. *Made up of: * - at least 2 people (each person involved has a say as to who 1 of the people in the subcommittee is), others can volunteer. *Goals: * -must meet no more than 1 week after the issue is raised (what step!???) -to simplify and expedite the conflict resolution process -to support those involved in the process *Roles may be: * -Mediating meetings between the parties involved. -to identify or clarify problems -to figure out effective ways of communication between parties -to provide an objective perspective (as much as that is possible) on the situation -to communicate to the parties involved what the needs/desires of the collective are -to provide feedback on the conflict resolution process -Enforce repercussions, timelines and the like. When staff are asked for feedback a time line must be set, and must be quite short so that the process isn't put on hold. Repercussions for tardy responses must be established. On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 12:28 PM, momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> wrote: > Hello! > > Accountability is a struggle for Bike Farm. As an all volunteer run > organization, it's difficult to chastise undesirable behaviour. Not > only is it hard to tell someone who is volunteering their time that > they did not do something right, but the negative feedback is not the > kind of environment we're trying to create. > > Still, what happens when someone messes up. To say nothing is nearly > as detrimental. It erodes the quality of the service we provide, and > can lead to an unsafe working environment. > > What do other collectives do? Do you have a accountability agreement? > Something along the lines of, "by volunteering here, I want to be held > accountable to the group in these ways..." or a grievance procedure? > > How do you communicate about your issues? > any feed back would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers, > -Momoko > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > >

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Announcing the 2015 Youth Bike Summit Program
by Pasqualina Azzarello 17 Jan '15

17 Jan '15

Hi Everyone! We're excited to announce this year's program <http://youthbikesummit.org/program-2015/>. Please take a look and feel free to share! <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/ag5hmb> *Announcing the 2015 Youth Bike Summit Program!* We are thrilled to announce this year's *outstanding line-up* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/q85hmb> of speakers, panels, workshops, and activities at the 5th Annual Youth Bike Summit! Whether you're a teenager, college student, educator, parent, advocate, urban planner, civil servant, cycling enthusiast, or community leader of any age, we hope you'll join us to share your vision and ideas for how to create a more just, equitable, and inclusive biking movement. The 2015 Youth Bike Summit is hosted by Bike Works <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/606hmb>, February 13-15, 2015 in Seattle, WA. **The deadline for *early-bird tickets <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/mt7hmb>* has been extended to February 1.* Register today! *More information can be found at youthbikesummit.org <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/2l8hmb>. Thank you for sharing this information w/ youth and adult bike leaders in your community!* <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/ie9hmb> *Support Youth Leaders to Attend the Youth Bike Summit!* Several youth cycling groups and school bike programs from across the US are working hard to raise funds to travel to Seattle to attend the Youth Bike Summit. If you've ever attended a YBS, you know what an inspiring experience it can be. Please consider making a contribution to one of these groups - any amount is a tremendous help! International High School at Union Square (NYC) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/y69hmb>, El Puente Academy of Peace & Justice (NYC) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/ezaimb>, Bikes Not Bombs (Boston) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/urbimb>, BICAS (Tucson) <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/akcimb>. <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/qcdimb> *Learn More About Youth Cycling Advocate Brook Negussie!* Introducing Brook Negussie, one of this year's youth presenters during the keynote address! Brook states: "What inspires me is having all these amazing people traveling from around the country to learn more about how they can improve their communities through the use of bicycles." Learn more about Brook's experience from our generous sponsor, Cascade Bicycle Club <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/64dimb>. <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/mxeimb> *Apply for an Adventure Cycling Youth Travel Scholarship!* Adventure Cycling is seeking candidates for their 2015 Young Adult Bike Travel Scholarship Program <https://t.e2ma.net/click/uzd1g/asaqdh/2pfimb>. Adventure Cycling will choose two winners who will participate in either the Leadership Training Course or the Introduction to Road Touring course. Eligible candidates will be ages 18-25 and have an interest in bicycle travel and touring. *The application deadline is February 1, 2015. Learn more about Adventure Cycling during their presentation at the Youth Bike Summit!* Youth Bike | Director www.youthbikesummit.org | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Bike-Summit/230384430374509> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/youthbikesummit> *Youth Bike Summit | **February 13 - 15, 2015 | Bike Works | Seattle, WA* *Youth Bike transforms our local communities and strengthens our national movement by empowering bicycle leaders.*

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Conflict Resolution - Accountability in an all volunteer run organization
by Josh Bisker 16 Jan '15

16 Jan '15

No specific answer here, only a reflection that this is a place where process becomes really important: when there's no structure in place to even begin looking at bad behavior (or sub-optimal behavior) then it falls to individuals to intervene, which makes conflict hard to avoid. Even having guidelines on paper and a rotation for who enforces them or brings up grievances can be helpful. My experience in some groups has been that a) creating a process helps establish a space where people can participate without it becoming personal, b) starting anywhere and iterating upon what you've got is better than having nothing love love love, Josh On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 3:28 PM, momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> wrote: > Hello! > > Accountability is a struggle for Bike Farm. As an all volunteer run > organization, it's difficult to chastise undesirable behaviour. Not > only is it hard to tell someone who is volunteering their time that > they did not do something right, but the negative feedback is not the > kind of environment we're trying to create. > > Still, what happens when someone messes up. To say nothing is nearly > as detrimental. It erodes the quality of the service we provide, and > can lead to an unsafe working environment. > > What do other collectives do? Do you have a accountability agreement? > Something along the lines of, "by volunteering here, I want to be held > accountable to the group in these ways..." or a grievance procedure? > > How do you communicate about your issues? > any feed back would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers, > -Momoko > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > >

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In Search of a Speaker
by Justin Smith 15 Jan '15

15 Jan '15

Hello all, Locally, we have a think tank / forum that focuses on community progress and they have asked us for a recommendation on someone who can give a presentation / lecture on active transportation. Of course, we have no shortage of topics in mind. So we'd like your help - who have you heard and think is great or would like to hear speak about what biking and/or walking can do and is doing to help improve quality of life? Or, maybe you're the person we're looking for - if so, let us know! To dig into this a little more, there are a ton of areas we'd love to focus on; however, improving support for and accessibility to biking and walking for people in undeserved and low-income communities is definitely high on our list. Whether it's one particular topic such as community building, bike cooperatives, youth programs, bike clubs, or otherwise, or a combination of many topics, we'd like to find a great speaker who can discuss the importance of biking and/or walking and share what they've done and accomplished in their city. Also, I think we've all heard our fair share of "experts" who, while brilliant and passionate, they just aren't good presenters for whatever reason. We don't need a Winston Churchill or MLK, Jr., but we need someone who can offer great insight and isn't dull. Also, the closer the person is to Erie the better, and we're looking to schedule someone for spring. For some background, Erie is a city of 100,000 and has no bike shop or bike cooperative within city limits. We have fewer than two miles of bike lanes (though a really nice 10 mile multiuse path), we don't have a bike/ped coordinator or bike/ped plan, but we are set up in a wicked awesome grid system and have wide roads with not much congestion. About us - we're a new organization (circa 2012) and there has never been a bike advocacy organization like us. In other words, we all have a long ways to go and providing education opportunities like this to help spark further action, involvement and investment is very important. Thanks for you help and suggestions! -- Justin Smith Bike Erie www.bikeerie.org [1] (814) 580-9108 Follow us on Facebook & Twitter! Links: ------ [1] http://www.bikeerie.org/

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Conflict Resolution - Accountability in an all volunteer run organization
by Jesse Doud 14 Jan '15

14 Jan '15

We recently had an issue like this at Mechanical Tempest. At a fortnightly meeting, it came up that one of our volunteers was behaving in a way that was dismissive to people trying to learn, and generally acting like a know-it-all man (very common problem). We decided that the best way to approach this was 1 - amend our safe space policy so we had something to point to if it happens again in the future, and 2 - reach out to the volunteer and tell him the issue that others were having with his behavior. The mechanic that runs a shift with him put their hand up for this conversation. He took the feedback well. That's a pretty lightweight response in a high-trust group. If he did not take the feedback on, or did not amend his behavior, it would be nice to have a conflict resolution scheme already in place, but we haven't gotten there yet. But at least having an agreed upon policy to point to if the situation escalates is a good start. Jesse On Tue, Jan 13, 2015 at 9:28 AM, momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> wrote: > Hello! > > Accountability is a struggle for Bike Farm. As an all volunteer run > organization, it's difficult to chastise undesirable behaviour. Not > only is it hard to tell someone who is volunteering their time that > they did not do something right, but the negative feedback is not the > kind of environment we're trying to create. > > Still, what happens when someone messes up. To say nothing is nearly > as detrimental. It erodes the quality of the service we provide, and > can lead to an unsafe working environment. > > What do other collectives do? Do you have a accountability agreement? > Something along the lines of, "by volunteering here, I want to be held > accountable to the group in these ways..." or a grievance procedure? > > How do you communicate about your issues? > any feed back would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers, > -Momoko > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > >

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Conflict Resolution - Accountability in an all volunteer run organization
by breathingplanet . 14 Jan '15

14 Jan '15

Momoko, I just wanted to say that your questions and comments here resonate for us at Troy Bike Rescue - also a long-time all-volunteer shop. We recently went through a pretty trying situation in which a long-time member was finally held accountable by fellow members after months of nothing being said and other collective members feeling disrespected or ceasing to participate as a result (or things were only being said in smaller/private groups). We do have a conflict resolution clause to our bylaws, and we did have professional mediation on deck in the case that it would be necessary or useful - but either of those only work with full cooperation from all parties.... and before that if grievances are actually voiced and then actually *heard* by the offending party. In the end the member was asked to leave the collective and was banned from the space until they agreed to participate in mediation. We are re-grouping, getting shit done, and hopeful for a fresh re-start as springtime rolls around. What you bring up is a really tough and important area of discussion, but I dont think we have the answer. We dont feel like our dealing with it was in any way exemplary, though our core group feels like a lot was learned, and we will certainly be on guard for red flags in the future..... but could things have been less painful and less drawn-out had something been different on an organizational level? probably? Andrew Troy Bike Rescue On Mon, Jan 12, 2015 at 3:28 PM, momoko saunders <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> wrote: > Hello! > > Accountability is a struggle for Bike Farm. As an all volunteer run > organization, it's difficult to chastise undesirable behaviour. Not > only is it hard to tell someone who is volunteering their time that > they did not do something right, but the negative feedback is not the > kind of environment we're trying to create. > > Still, what happens when someone messes up. To say nothing is nearly > as detrimental. It erodes the quality of the service we provide, and > can lead to an unsafe working environment. > > What do other collectives do? Do you have a accountability agreement? > Something along the lines of, "by volunteering here, I want to be held > accountable to the group in these ways..." or a grievance procedure? > > How do you communicate about your issues? > any feed back would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers, > -Momoko > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > > -- ------__o ----_`\<,_ ---(_)/ (_) andrew lynn 518-573-7947

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Conflict Resolution - Accountability in an all volunteer run organization
by Geoffrey Bercarich 14 Jan '15

14 Jan '15

Quaker third party mediations. Following up with conflict res training for all key volunteers. It didnt work for my case but respect in the process needs to be fundemental in order for respect to be gained in the volunteer space. Its also important to do things fast. Taking a year or more to settle a conflict leaves details out and makes all parties in conflict in the lurch adding to tensions in the overall community. On Jan 14, 2015 1:28 AM, "momoko saunders" <analyst(a)bikefarm.org> wrote: > Hello! > > Accountability is a struggle for Bike Farm. As an all volunteer run > organization, it's difficult to chastise undesirable behaviour. Not > only is it hard to tell someone who is volunteering their time that > they did not do something right, but the negative feedback is not the > kind of environment we're trying to create. > > Still, what happens when someone messes up. To say nothing is nearly > as detrimental. It erodes the quality of the service we provide, and > can lead to an unsafe working environment. > > What do other collectives do? Do you have a accountability agreement? > Something along the lines of, "by volunteering here, I want to be held > accountable to the group in these ways..." or a grievance procedure? > > How do you communicate about your issues? > any feed back would be greatly appreciated. > > Cheers, > -Momoko > ____________________________________ > > The ThinkTank mailing List > <a href=" > http://lists.bikecollectives.org/options.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o…">Unsubscribe > from this list</a> > >

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FW: Want to try crowdfunding and present at the National Bike Summit?
by Darren Flusche 09 Jan '15

09 Jan '15

Reminder about Tuesday’s webinar. Still room to register. Best, Darren *From:* Darren Flusche [mailto:darren@bikeleague.org] *Sent:* Tuesday, December 23, 2014 12:47 PM *To:* people(a)lists.peoplepoweredmovement.org; bike-equity-network(a)googlegroups.com; thethinktank(a)lists.bikecollectives.org *Subject:* Want to try crowdfunding and present at the National Bike Summit? *Do you have a great idea to make your communities more bike friendly? Or looking for new ways to support for your organization’s bike advocacy work? * The League of American Bicyclists is partnering with the crowd-resourcing nonprofit ioby to offer training and one-on-one support for pro-biking projects that would like to run a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds and build support in their communities. ioby <ioby.org> is a national, nonprofit digital engagement platform designed to support community-led, neighbor-funded projects that make neighborhoods healthier and more sustainable. *Join ioby for a webinar on Tuesday, January 13th, 12pm EST, to learn more! **The webinar will cover real-life case studies of successfully funded local biking projects, the ‘seven habits’ of highly successful crowdfunding campaigns, and the details of participating in the ioby crowdfunding partnership. *Register here. <http://ioby.tfaforms.net/4?id=701F0000000mTdI> *Interested groups should share their project idea via the very **brief application at *ioby.org/BikeLeague <ioby.org/bikeleague>* by January 20, 2015.** Selected groups will be notified by Jan 22, and work with ioby in January and February to develop fundraising plans, launch crowdfunding campaigns, and fundraise until mid-March 2015. Selected groups will also have an opportunity to showcase their funded projects at the League’s National Bike Summit <http://bikeleague.org/content/summit-2015> in Washington DC, March 10-12, 2015 – the theme this year is Big Ideas and we want to see yours funded!* No experience in fundraising is required to participate, and ioby’s program is applicable to groups of all sizes and phases of development. However, participating groups should: · be prepared to invest some time in learning about crowdfunding and running a campaign · have more than one individual working on their campaign · be willing to make direct asks for funding from their local networks · fundraise for a specific, concrete project that can be implemented in spring or summer 2015 *Learn more at* ioby.org/BikeLeague <ioby.org/bikeleague>*. * Questions? Contact Darren Flusche at Darren(a)BikeLeague.org *There will be future opportunities to crowdfund on ioby, so for this group, we will be prioritizing groups that have specific projects with a clear funding need and an immediate timeframe. We will chose 3 to 7 projects for this round. * Sincerely, Darren *DARREN FLUSCHE*, *Policy Director, League and Advocacy Advance* *DARREN(a)BIKELEAGUE.ORG* <DARREN(a)BIKELEAGUE.ORG> | *202-621-5456* *THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS* *WWW.BIKELEAGUE.ORG/BIKELAWS <http://bikeleague.org/bikelaws>* TWITTER <https://twitter.com/BikeLeague> | FACEBOOK <http://www.facebook.com/leagueamericanbicyclists> | YOUTUBE <http://www.youtube.com/user/bikeleaguevideo> *Bikes + Strong Partnerships = Big Ideas. Add your voice and help us take bicycling to the next level at the National Bike Summit <http://bikeleague.org/content/summit-2015>, March 10-12, in Washington, D.C.* [image: http://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/summit%20header%20small.jpg]

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Greetings from Fargo and looking for pedicabs, cycling advocacy, bike share program resources
by Sara Watson Curry 09 Jan '15

09 Jan '15

Hey friends! Sara writing you from chilly, lovely, and friendly Fargo, North Dakota, currently sitting right at 1 degree Fahrenheit! I'm a past member of the Fargo Moorhead Community Bicycle Workshop, most recently was working in the public library as the storytime superhero, and now back in the saddle with a bike-centered non-profit called Great Rides Fargo, which is dedicated to creating healthy individuals and communities with the almighty bike. Great Rides Fargo has been rolling on a small scale for 3 years, doing outreach with bike rodeos, youth programming, and a toting around a trailer of bikes. A number of projects have come together leading to it's growth and to my luck getting the position as the Director of Operations. Things we have going on: we will be launching a *bike share program* (using b-cycles) this spring with 11 stations and 101 bikes, we will be acquiring 2 *pedicabs, *and additionally taking over a roll of helping carry on *open streets community event* (3 to 5 mile loop open to only human powered traffic) . It's a lot of awesome and at the same time I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities and it has been a number of years since I have been in touch with friends in the cycling community! The last Bike! Bike! my partner Joe and I were able to attend was in beautiful Vancouver. If you are involved in the world cycling advocacy, pedicabs, bike share programs, or any large scale community events, please give me an electronic high five and let me know of any blogs, resources, grants, forums, etc that you find helpful. You can connect with me here, tweet me @currywatson, or text me at 701-261-9417 Thanks for your solidarity and safe pedaling! In service, Sara --

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