- TheThinkTank - lists.bikecollectives.org

collective call
by bike talk 22 Jun '09

22 Jun '09

Hi, I stopped writing our weekly emails to the thinktank list because some collectives were getting kind of cranky (pun!) about all the email and the local issues we put out, but I think this is a valid query: does anyone want to be part of a collective phone call, otherwise known as a conference call, about collective issues like spreadsheets, shop space, volunteers, structure, and management? I think we'd be doing it thurs. night. Nick -- please let us know if you want to be taken off this list. Hear Bike Talk! live on www.killradio.org, 10am-noon Saturdays. Call in at (213) 252-0998. Hear the podcast at kpfk.org: http://www.kpfk.org/programs/170-bike-talk.html See what's new with us at www.biketalk.us

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Wheels and Truing Workspaces in your shop
by Rich Points 21 Jun '09

21 Jun '09

Collectives, We're about to start digging into setting up our new space, specifically the wheel and truing station. Right now we have a dedicated work space for a truing stand, spokes and hubs but our cone wrenches, free wheel and cassette tools are mixed in with our general tool bench. Because of this our cone wrenches are often used for the most inappropriate jobs imaginable. We also have a couple extra truing stands that float around the shop. Now that we have a little more space we want to set up a wheels and truing area of the shop. I'd love to see photos of how you do this in your shops. Looking forward to your responses. -- Rich Points Community Cycles Director http://CommunityCycles.org Rich(a)CommunityCycles.org 720-565-6019 (W) 303-589-0597 (C) Donate your old car to Community Cycles http://communitycycles.org/get-involved/donatecar.html Make your ride count! Register for Bike to Work Day June 24, 2009 http://www.drcog.org/btwd2009/index.cfm?page=Register

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volunteer application
by Liza Mattana 20 Jun '09

20 Jun '09

Hey, Does anyone have a volunteer application they'd be willing to share? Pedals2People is finally seeing a lot of interest from possible volunteers, and we feel like we should have a more formal process for new folks. Before, it was all friends-of-friends showing up, but now we're actually growing (yay!) and meeting many new people. If there's a helpful application out there, please send it my way! Thanks, Liza -- Liza Mattana president www.pedals2people.org Spokane, WA

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BICAS is hiring!
by troy neiman 18 Jun '09

18 Jun '09

Hiring Community Mechanic/Educator. 20hrs/week BICAS (Bicycle Inter-Community Action & Salvage) is a collectively-run non-profit community education and recycling center for bicycles. We are currently seeking a qualified mechanic to fill shifts in our community shop and co-coordinate womens and trans classes/workshops. Duties include: teaching bicycle repair skills, refurbishing bikes, coordinating volunteers, assisting customers, etc. Strong mechanical and personal skills, bilingual, and commitment for long term employment a plus. $8.50/hr. Accepting resumes until Aug 1st @ 44 W. 6th St (drop in or mail) or e-mail bicas(a)bicas.org. Call 628-7950 for more information. www.bicas.org. Love Peace and Bicycle Grease! -- Be Yourself @ mail.com! Choose From 200+ Email Addresses Get a Free Account at www.mail.com

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"discrimination concern"
by Plan B 18 Jun '09

18 Jun '09

Hey y'all, This is Victor at Plan B down in Hot as Hell New Orleans (the new official name for the city). I just got this email, and it's almost laughable, but I wanna deal with it in by using an accountable and knowledgeable (and perhaps vicious) response. I'd love some ideas. Here's the email, in it's entirety. /While viewing your website, I have noted that tuesday nights are exclusive to women and transexuals- I hope that you are aware that as a non-profit this constitutes sexual discrimination. If you do not cancel this event, I may refer the situation to the ACLU. Thank You, Thomas Taylor /My gut instinct is to be a jerk. My original response started with the line, " Dear Big Dummy...." I'm not the best at responding to jerks, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks y'all! Overheated hugs and sweaty kisses, Victor

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Shop Signage
by Erik Stockmeier 18 Jun '09

18 Jun '09

Hi- The Recyclery is almost finished moving into our new storefront and making some nice signs to help people understand who we are and what we do (among other things). I know we have all figured out much of this on our separate owns, but what kind of community shop-specific signs do we all have? is there a collection of them somewhere? I know the wiki is down... But specifically I'm thinking about the many "we will not fix your bike for you..." type signs. does anyone have any lists?

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Hiring at Bikes Not Bombs
by arik grier 12 Jun '09

12 Jun '09

Bikes Not Bombs seeks to hire a Director of International Programs to oversee BNB’s overseas development work. This is a full-time, salaried position with benefits. Salary range is $32,000 – 35,000 based on experience. The Director of International Programs reports to the Executive Director. BNB is a vibrant, open, effective, and collaborative non-profit organization. Staff members and volunteers are determined and hardworking, the environment is fast-paced and friendly, and the work is demanding and rewarding. Professional development is considered a high priority, and we strive to achieve a strong sense of community and solidarity. Responsibilities: ➢ Develop and manage relationships with BNB’s new and existing international partners, including: o Identify and evaluate potential new overseas partners in terms of their capacity and potential to initiate, manage, and sustain a bicycle-based enterprise and/or educational project. o Develop Memoranda of Agreement that includes project timelines, budgets, fiscal agreements, guidelines, and expectations. o Recruit, train, supervise, and support BNB international trainers to provide intensive, on-the-ground assistance for new projects. o Evaluate projects’ progress and needs, and provide guidance and technical assistance on a regular and as-needed basis. ➢ Schedule and oversee logistics of material support of international projects, including: o Manage the procurement of tools, parts, and other items needed by international projects, securing shipping containers, coordinating and overseeing container loadings, recruiting volunteers, ensuring paperwork is properly completed, managing communication with custom officials, invoicing, and managing relationships with trucking companies and freight forwarders. o Manage bicycle procurement, preparation, and storage by working with other BNB staff and key volunteers. o Supervise and support volunteer Bike Drive Coordinator and Assistants in the planning and implementation of bike drives. o Manage issues related to BNB’s offsite storage, which is primarily used for bikes to be shipped overseas, including the use of this storage for Wednesday Volunteer Nights. o Help to coordinate and staff Wednesday Volunteer Nights, where volunteers process and store bikes to be shipped overseas. ➢ With the Executive Director and other development staff identify, report on, and solicit sources of support for the program, including grants and individuals: o Identify event opportunities to promote BNB’s international work; help to organize and staff events. o Cultivate and maintain relationships with major donors who have a specific interest in international work. o Help to develop strategies for new revenue streams (e.g., fee for service activities). ➢ Draft the International Programs’ annual budget; monitor expenses and provide quarterly reports to the Executive Director and International Committee; assist ED as needed with financial reporting and forecasting. ➢ Recruit members for BNB International Committee, coordinate and oversee involvement of each member, and schedule and facilitate monthly meetings. ➢ Facilitate and promote interaction between the International Program and other BNB departments, including: o Work with the BNB youth development programs to develop opportunities for cultural exchange and engaging local youth in international work and events. ➢ Develop and oversee efforts that help to spread Appropriate Technology designs among international partners, and share knowledge between them. o Stay up-to-date on latest research and innovations in the fields of bicycle-related and appropriate technology (AT). o Cultivate relationships with MIT’s Design Lab and key innovators – both individuals and institutions – in AT. The ideal candidate will have the following characteristics and experience: ➢ 3-5 years experience in the management of international projects with community-based partners ➢ Ability to be both a creative and strategic visionary as well as a practical thinker ➢ Self-motivated, highly organized, systems oriented ➢ Strong written and verbal communication skills in English ➢ Experience in international shipping procedures ➢ Excellent interpersonal skills, cultural competency, strong listening and negotiation skills ➢ Experience in program management and staff/volunteer supervision, with the ability to mentor, motivate, prioritize, and set clear expectations ➢ Facility with Macintosh computers, and experience using MS Word and Excel ➢ Must be willing and able to work some evenings and weekends ➢ Multi-lingual candidates (Spanish, Swahili, French, and Haitian Creole) highly preferred ➢ Knowledge of bike shop procedures, shop tooling, sales, bicycle assembly and repair operations ➢ Demonstrated commitment to alternative transportation, grass-roots organizations, and international development Please submit a cover letter and résumé to hiring(a)bikesnotbombs.org by June 22, 2009. Target start date is August 1. Bikes Not Bombs encourages applicants of diverse age, ethnicity, gender, nationality, physical ability, religion, and sexuality.

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour
by an undercover cop 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 > Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:01:53 -0400 > From: Alex Rosenblatt <rosenblatt.alex(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour > To: The Think Tank <Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> > Message-ID: > <885e42c50906100901l60104ab1vd3484d32b6ad58d3(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hello! > > I'm going on a road trip at the end of June, partly for fun and partly for > research/networking, to Montreal, Vermont, Boston, and possibly NYC. I'd > love to tour any of the local shops, grab a drink, and share ideas. My > organization is currently undergoing a reworking process so this trip will > be crucial to help me see what works and doesn't work in other shops. I'm > beginning to do research on the social capital building possibilities of > local sustainability initiatives and I'd love to talk about that as well. If > you're interested, let me know! I look forward to meeting y'all. > > Alex Rosenblatt > Assistant Program Coordinator > Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles burlington, vt, (almost) my home town: http://bikerecycle.localmotion.org/ - -ben -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAkowGScACgkQSfGaTCxqHXEpTQCcCQy4jXKQ71oy0a7nbOeoYeMH 8hQAn01Pwq+xY2ZUbjmWCwFqZ1dz1cCi =V3yI -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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bike related tencils
by Cascadian Fox 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

Hello, Here are a few stencils we use during our vélorution (crital mass). enjoy, Fox

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Re: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour
by Mark Rehder 10 Jun '09

10 Jun '09

Hey, Ottawa is only west of Montreal, not north. ;) Mark Rehder - Director re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op http://re-cycles.ca On 10-Jun-09, at 12:25 PM, info(a)re-cycles.ca wrote: > > Hello Alex, > > If you want to swing a little further north you are welcome to drop > by any time we are open. > > Chris Wells > (Email Handler & one of many Volunteer Head Mechanics) > > re-Cycles Bicycle Co-op > 477 Bronson Ave. Ottawa > > re-Cycles is open: > noon-5pm Mondays, 6pm-10pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays > (for volunteering, DIY, bike & parts sales & donation drop off) > We are now open 1pm-5pm Saturdays but (DIY's must be self sufficient). > > Bike sales and donation drop off also available during Cycle > Salvation hours: 9am-5:30pm Tuesday to Friday (BUT NO Volunteering > or DIY) > > info(a)re-cycles.ca > http://www.re-cycles.ca/ > > > --- On Wed, 6/10/09, Alex Rosenblatt <rosenblatt.alex(a)gmail.com> > wrote: > >> From: Alex Rosenblatt <rosenblatt.alex(a)gmail.com> >> Subject: [TheThinkTank] Northeast Bike Cooperative Tour >> To: "The Think Tank" <Thethinktank(a)bikecollectives.org> >> Received: Wednesday, June 10, 2009, 12:01 PM >> Hello! >> >> I'm going on a road trip at the end of June, partly for >> fun and partly for research/networking, to Montreal, >> Vermont, Boston, and possibly NYC. I'd love to tour any >> of the local shops, grab a drink, and share ideas. My >> organization is currently undergoing a reworking process so >> this trip will be crucial to help me see what works and >> doesn't work in other shops. I'm beginning to do >> research on the social capital building possibilities of >> local sustainability initiatives and I'd love to talk >> about that as well. If you're interested, let me know! I >> look forward to meeting y'all. >> >> >> Alex Rosenblatt >> Assistant Program Coordinator >> Recycle Ithaca's Bicycles >

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