- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

A Bicycle Love Note
by andrew 17 Jun '11

17 Jun '11

This is up today, on the local Times Union Bike Blog... a really inspirational story from one of our newer volunteers... http://blog.timesunion.com/bike/a-bicycle-love-note/3576/ you can also find it linked on the TBR facebook and share it there too. http://www.facebook.com/troybikerescue

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Directors insurance
by andrew 16 Jun '11

16 Jun '11

any 501c3s out there have 'directors' insurance' what does it generally cost? for ten years we have had no insurance... we are now operating in our own building and are actually a 501(c)3, though still entirely volunteer operated... and starting to figure out the insurance thing. andrew Troy Bike Rescue http://www.troybikrescue.org

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Form 1023
by Jonathan Green 15 Jun '11

15 Jun '11

Bike Folks! My name is Jonny Green, and I volunteer at the Bicycle Kitchen in Los Angeles. I am helping at least two, possibly three, other co-ops get their tax-exempt status. I am looking for Form 1023s and related correspondence with the IRS from which to borrow text and ideas. I am especially interested in filings that state that the co-op will be selling bikes, parts and accessories outright at low cost. We would like to establish maximum flexibility for these organizations in the types of activities they can use to sustain themselves. Please help us out. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at 917-520-4647. Thanks. Jonny

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Noob Coop Questions ~ Other's Experiences and Opinions?
by Ron Kellis 03 Jun '11

03 Jun '11

I am very new to coops of any type so I have to apologize if these subjects have been discussed in depth and I don't know where to look (if I can be pointed in the right direction, TIA). These questions are mine, not the VéloCity Co-op. Some have been discussed in general and some not at all, I am doing a little research for my own education. Use of patron/customer sign-in sheets. Y/N comments Pro/Con. Using sheets to track shop use, help motivate donations for stand time vs. not putting off those who have limited funds. Use of membership. Y/N comments Pro/Con. $5 for membership, 1st hour (or "use") is free so cost neutral, write the date on a business card and leave it at that. Collect $5 to use the stand/tools/consumables as patron/bike passes the door and either gets their card or flashes it to use the coop. Idea is they would spend >$20 to purchase the consumables they might only use once a year. Plants the idea stand time and consumables cost. Use of requirement to have taken a basic class to use the stands (waved at the discretion of the Sr. person on site). Y/N comments Pro/Con. Non-profit competing with the local bike shop by offering paid services. Pro/Con We try to offer "Verbal assistance" right . . . but many struggle with "Righty-tighty, lefty-loosy" and are often trying to get back on the trail so aren't in a place where they are looking for a learning experience. So if they can't do the work themselves, paid services when the LBS is on the other side of the same building. Again, TIA to any who can take time to answer or point me to message archives for education. Ron

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Step-by-step Mechanic Lessons Request
by John Barrett 28 May '11

28 May '11

Hi, Does anyone have documents for step-by-step individual mechanical tasks (IE rear derailleur adjustment). We want to make individual instruction sheets to have available in the shop so that it's really simple for folks to learn on their own. I realize this sort of thing is widely available through many books and the Internet, but it would be great if there's an already formatted doc available. Thanks! -- John Barrett The Good Life Community Bicycle Shop / Two Wheel View - Calgary / The Organic Saskatoon & Iron Orchard jonny(a)goodlifebikes.ca 403.619.2648

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Nasson Community Bicycle Center Spring Newsletter!
by Maryalice Walker 27 May '11

27 May '11

Good day! Please find attached the Nasson Community Bicycle Center's first newsletter (in easy-to-open .pdf!). If you do not wish to be on our newsletter e-mail list, please reply with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. Ride on, -- Maryalice Walker Resiliency Activities Coordinator Nasson Community Center Tel: 207-324-5657 Web: www.nassoncc.org Twitter: http://twitter.com/NassonCC Facebook Page: Nasson Community Center and Little Theater<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Springvale-ME/Nasson-Community-Ce…>

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Community Cycles is hiring a bike mechanic
by R Points 26 May '11

26 May '11

http://communitycycles.org/events-calendar/events/401-hiring-mechanic.html?… *Bike Shop Mechanic/Customer Service Representative* Community Cycles (http://CommunityCycles.org) seeks a motivated and qualified individual to assist in the day-to-day operation of its non-profit bicycle retail and community bike shop in Boulder, Colorado. Duties include working in our community bike shop doing customer tune ups, refurbish bikes for retail, as well as large bike sales and customer service. This is a seasonal full-time position. *Responsibilities* * Refurbish bikes for showroom and large bike sales * Perform customer tune ups * Provide customer service, including repair diagnosis and point-of-sale operation * Manage and stock inventory * Assist with general shop cleanliness * Assist shop manager with incidental operations, including bicycle repair * Attend weekly staff meetings * Report to the executive director *Position Requirements* Successful candidates will have previous professional experience in the following areas: * Ability to oversee other mechanics * Ability to educate interns, as needed. * Use of Point of Sale system (computerized cash register). * Ability to help customers and represent organization in a professional manner. * Solid cycling knowledge base * 5+ years of experience repairing bikes preferred * Bicycle repair, including diagnosis * Ability to lead, manage and oversee a group of workers * Retail management experience preferred * Strong desire to give back to the local community and have an impact on peoples' lives * Non-profit management *In addition, the following skills and experiences are desirable: * * Professional attitude and teamwork ethic * Customer communication in a retail environment * Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines * Flexible availability * Ability to work in a fast paced environment *Apply* *Send your resume in the body of the email to resume(a)communitycycles.org * *If you do not paste your resume into the email your resume will not be accepted.*

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moving video
by andrew 24 May '11

24 May '11

fun lil vid! http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CnIqE2YhiWA Troy Bike Rescue come visit our new house anytime!

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Launching new Co-Op in St Pete, FL
by Chris Kelly 23 May '11

23 May '11

Greetings from sunny St Petersburg, Florida, where we're hard at work hatching a Co-Op under the umbrella of the St Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. The Club sits in a historic landmark recreation complex downtown, owned by the City. One of the buildings located on that property, the Cue House, is being fitted out this month for a (hopefully) June opening. We're on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/home.php#%21/pages/St-Pete-Bike-Co-Op/2030482163895…>here: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/St-Pete-Bike-Co-Op/203048216389591 but figure website can wait. The goal is to get wrenches turning as soon as possible. If list members are inclined, the following info would be very helpful and much appreciated: - What is your organization's solution for Membership/Utilization recordkeeping, database, etc...? - What surplus tools might you have? We're willing to pay for shipping on donations, and will purchase used tools offered at decent prices. - and finally: What do you wish someone had told you when you were at the 'launch' stage we currently find ourselves? St Pete is a largely flat town, bathed in sunlight for more days of the year than most of the US, and has recently implemented millions of dollars worth of designated trail, lane, path and other infrastructure<http://www.stpete.org/bicycle/>. As the community responds to that investment/invitation, we hope to help keep them safely moving... Excited at the possibilities, delighted with the community response thus far and thanking you for your kind response, I remain, yours, Chris Kelly CPeterKelly(a)Gmail.com

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SCHOOL Bike Shops?
by Daniel S 23 May '11

23 May '11

Hello. I'm looking for ideas around setting up a bike shop to be used within a school division area. The students coming there would, I think, be being worked with to address some "issues". And/or students in general, probably. Anyone familiar with any school-used bike shops, of any kind? Funding is something we're needing to look at, too. Any ideas there? Cheers. Daniel.

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