Another idea, which just might be too crazy to attempt.&nbsp; <br><br>I&#39;m part of our local Slow Food chapter.&nbsp; (<a href="http://slowfoodusa.org">slowfoodusa.org</a>) vs local chapter (<a href="http://slowfoodgainesville.org">slowfoodgainesville.org</a>) Slow Food&#39;s national organization has all of its legal paperwork straight, and nonprofit status.&nbsp; As a chapter, we only had to apply for our own Federal Employment Identification number (EIN), no crazy paperwork.&nbsp; No long wait from the IRS about nonprofit status.&nbsp; We were immediately up and running.<br>
<br>You can see where i&#39;m headed with this, and this might be crazy...<br><br>The idea would be to make <a href="http://bikecollectives.org">bikecollectives.org</a> Its own organization, and allow small groups to apply to be chapters, (or not.)  This could potentially make it a lot easier for start up collectives/co-ops.&nbsp; To ask for help from there local governments, police departments, to get the word out... <br>
<br>but then again, this would take an intense amount of effort, and one hell of a BOD.&nbsp; And more than that impeccable organization skills.&nbsp; The more I write, the less likely this seems possible.<br><br>Anyways, I&#39;m all for working out some organization on a large scale.<br>
<br>Ex: Last night I received a call about a gentleman who lives in south florida, and runs a nonprofit bike shop, where he takes bikes and fixes them up for kids, (and the local Guatemalan population that is very short and rides kids bicycles.)&nbsp; He can&#39;t get rid of adult bikes, no one wants them. If he can he sells them for $10 to at least be able to buy a few tubes for the kids bikes.<br>
<br>(We do not currently have an overstock of bicycles)<br><br>Where he lives in South Florida it is impossible to cycle as a method of transportation.&nbsp; The cities are made up of 8-lane highways between neighborhoods, and things are so spaced out.&nbsp; Currently he has three warehouses of adult bicycles (quite a few in very good condition) that he is paying rent on.&nbsp; He is also about to acquire a warehouse space that has 2500 bicycles in it.&nbsp; After talking to one of our members, he is interested in selling/donating them to us.<br>
<br>Next step for me, work out details of how much money/effort is required to purchase/transport the large quantity of bicycles.&nbsp; And a system for distributing them to the collectives nearest us, provided they are interested. (st.Augustine, jacksonville, orlando, tallahasse, maybe savannah?)<br>
<br>vyki<br><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, May 11, 2008 at 4:14 PM, Vyki Englert &lt;<a href="mailto:vyki.englert@thekickstand.org">vyki.englert@thekickstand.org</a>&gt; wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
We (Kickstand) contacted Park tools directly, and they offered us a sponsorship price list.&nbsp; We do not yet have nonprofit status, so this was great for us after often being turned down for not having 501(c)(3).&nbsp; Every one seems to want/need the tax write-off.&nbsp; The prices we have through Park are considerably better than wholesale. <br>

<br>Each time we order we have to contact Park again and ask permission to use the price list, and then order within a certain time frame.&nbsp; They explained this is to prove that we are serious, and are not going to abuse the privilege. <br>

<br>vyki<div><div></div><div class="Wj3C7c"><br><br> <br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, May 11, 2008 at 2:54 PM, Mark Rehder &lt;<a href="mailto:mark@re-cycles.ca" target="_blank">mark@re-cycles.ca</a>&gt; wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">

On 11-May-08, at 8:01 AM, bike against wrote:<br>
<br>
(snip)<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; - &nbsp;WE ARE THE ULTIMATE TESTERS &nbsp;-<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
That&#39;s for sure! &nbsp;Last year, when I was putting in a tool request to MEC, I asked for one of the pricier Topeak floor pumps. &nbsp;MEC now carries the Filzer brand of gear (since Park no longer sells to them) and they asked us to try the cheaper Filzer pump because &quot;if any can test a bike product it&#39;s your shop!&quot;. &nbsp;And they&#39;re right!<br>


<br>
And that pump has actually held up quite well, except for the handle coming off (it was just glued on) and a bit of electrical tape wrapped in various ways solved that problem. &nbsp;I&#39;ve just ordered another one, as well as a replacement head and hose to keep one of our older no-Filzer pumps functioning.<br>


<br>
I also ordered four of the 2-notch Suntour freewheel removers, because we know that&#39;s an item that dies on a regular basis.<br><font color="#888888">
<br>
Mark</font><div><div></div><div><br>
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