On 22/08/2010 3:31 PM, Jonathan Morrison wrote:
In the not so distant past (mostly at Interbikes) I have been
approached by larger funding entities sincerely interested in creating
a formal "Bikes Belong" / "Alliance for Walking and Biking" for
community bike organizations. Where large sums of money could be
given to the formal larger organization, and then filtered down to the
smaller community bike orgs. Even start up grants and packages for
new orgs. On many levels it would be very empowering and give our
community a clear voice. However...
While there were a few orgs that would be interested, there wasn't
enough to create the critical mass of membership that representatives
in the bike industry were looking for. Even if the membership was
adequate, it would require adding business structure and
accountability to a lot of organizations that were working just fine
without those things.
So while I did think about it a lot, I have to be honest, I don't
think it appropriate or even worth it for *this* group.
Our organizations are decentralized, autonomous, and internally
motivated. While at the same time we have voluntary channels for
information sharing and communication through the Bike Collective
Network tools, Bike!Bike!, and others. There is redundant work,
overlap, and lessons re-learned -- but to an acceptable degree.
Frankly, what we have is simple, low overhead, functional but not
elaborate.
I think this is the challenge with sustainability. Everyone always
wants to see and feel growth. Orgs reach the mission and stabilize --
but either those involved or the community still wants more. At which
point they break something that worked just for the sake of fixing it
again, often out of scope with the mission.
So the question in my mind becomes... What more would a "cooperative
of cooperatives" yield to the community bike projects that wouldn't be
possible with our currently decentralized structure? Furthermore,
would the existing and future community bike projects be willing to
conform elements of their current structure in order to reap some of
those benefits?
In my mind benefits would be things like:
* Centralized/single contact point for [inter]national media.
* Career creation for staff at an [inter]national headquarters.
* Group buying power (printing, graphic design, tools, parts, helmets, etc.,..).
* Retainer services (legal, cpa, grant writing, etc.,...)
* A dirty word, but effectively a franchise package for rapid startup
and growth.
* Foundation like attributes such as grants.
* Accept and disperse large in-kind donations from the bike industry
Again, while some of those sound really great, we are all doing them
locally in one way or another already.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Morrison
Executive Director
Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective
2312 S. West Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
w: 801-328-2453
c: 801-688-0183
f: 801-466-3856
www.slcbikecollective.org
The mission of the Salt Lake City 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 Bicycle
Collective provides refurbished bicycles and educational programs to
the community, focusing on children and lower income households.
On Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 1:19 PM,<veganboyjosh@gmail.com> wrote:
Godwin, I'm guessing the small group of people involved in software
development all have access to email? Can we take the discussion off of this
list (with anyone who's interested being welcome to join and
receive/contribute, of course) with the goal of more focused and rapid
discussion that doesn't distract from the purpose of this group?
I'm no longer a paid employee at Community Cylces, but I am still here and
interested and passionate about bikes being the way of the future. This
project specifically is something I'm interested in contributing to.
josh.
On Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 1:07 PM, Godwin<goodgodwin@hotmail.com> wrote:
I would most definitely like to be a part of this. At Bike!Bike! we put
together a small group to work on software development but I would also be
game for some brainstorming and decision making.
Did you want to take lead on getting this off the ground Ainsley?
-godwin
On 22/08/2010 12:12 PM, Ainsley Naylor wrote:
sounds great. the *collective of collectives* is going to be a main-focus
for me within this community for the coming year. lots of ideas and projects
that need to be hatched and hashed out.
talk to VeganJosh about the spreadsheet he has started whcih has a very
large collection of data on 150+ bike collectives.
also somewhat related: what about a Bike!Bike! collective that helps
facilitate work from year to year? website, money, scholarships, archiving,
history-writing? We realized last week that B!B! needs to have a mission
statement and an anti-oppression policy, among other things. anyone want to
be a part of this work?
bike love,
ainsley.
_______________________________________________
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to
TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
_______________________________________________
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to
TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
_______________________________________________
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
_______________________________________________
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org
_______________________________________________
Thethinktank mailing list
Thethinktank@bikecollectives.org
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to
TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org
To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.org