Matt,

Thanks for the vote. I was talking about the Epitome project, specifically. It's an outdoor social justice grant and while theirs (The Epitome Project) is a noble cause, it's definitely mis-categorized, having to do with the arts, specifically. There are other grants, some even larger that they could apply for. Also, as I stated in the earlier email, "I really don't mind if the garden project or the rock climbing project win", I was talking about first ascenders specifically, they definitely have a good idea and it would be great if they won.

I'm the type of person that never even cheats at Scrabble or Monopoly. If the win isn't pure, it's not deserved and all fair competition is welcome; I'm also the first to cry foul when I perceive something off in a competition. The same topic about having a mis-matched project to the competition has been brought up in the Epitome Project's comment post section.

Thanks for the insight. Since we're a local project, we can only hope to impact the underserved in our area, although we are always trying to increase our outreach, we've only made a small dent in Jefferson Parish (county, to you, probably), and a slightly larger one in St. Bernard Parish, which is suburban/rural with a rapidly growing bike-infrastructure.

Our constant mission is to keep our stand time and tool use free, which we have been successful at accomplishing for over a decade. Also, no one is ever turned away from a class for lack of funds. At the same time, we do need to recognize that some have inherent privilege over others due to perceived race or class, etc. We try to have constant awareness and combat social injustice in it's myriad incarnations, including economic disparity, which crosses all lines.

Thanks again for your vote and allowing me to clarify a few things. The initial email may have been unclear.
 
Victor Pizarro
Project Organizer
Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project
On 7/24/2012 1:40 PM, mfen651@aol.com wrote:
Victor, (and Everyone).

Please excuse me for a paragraph of two if I use this public forum to respond to Victors request. 

First Bravo for finding this opportunity and then reaching out to the community to close the gap.  You got my vote for those two reasons alone. 

I had a hard time to be honest and almost went with firstacenders.org. 

I wish you and your organization the best.  You'll see I also wrote a comment on the site after I voted.  I hope you'll read it and consider it as you continue to move the organization forward. 

No longer can we assume geographic location is an indicator of need or lack of need, risk or lack of risk.  The services of organizations like yours and the other, are as needed today in suburbia as they ever were in the inner cities. 

Wish all a very successful, safe and wonderful summer season.

Thanks,

Matt Fenichel




-----Original Message-----
From: Plan B <nolabikeproject@gmail.com>
To: The Think Tank <thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org>
Sent: Tue, Jul 24, 2012 12:55 pm
Subject: [TheThinkTank] Please help if you can.

Okay y'all, here's the deal.
 
http://outdoors.maker.good.is/projects/bikeproject

We're in the running for a $5,000 vote based grant. If we get it, we're giving away 100 re-cycled bikes along with lights, patch kits, and a basic maintenance class. We're teaming up with our local advocacy group ( www.bikeasy.org )for the selection process to make sure it goes to the needy and underserved of New Orleans. We have been fluctuating between #1 and #4 out of 115 entries. The grant is supposed to be for "Social justice in the outdoors". Not to shit talk, but currently in first place is "The Epitome Project", which is noble, BUT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OUTDOORS. I really don't mind if the garden project or the rock climbing project win, but the fact that project to fund musicians on the other side of the planet is in a dead heat with projects that do work with much larger local impact (and actually fit the grant competition category) is a little bothersome.

Could you vote for us (or whoever you think will do the most good with the money?) The easiest way is with facebook. Doing it with email is fine too, but you have to confirm your vote afterwards.

Here's the link again.  http://outdoors.maker.good.is/projects/bikeproject

Their website can be a little sluggish at times. Please be patient.

Also, if you could spread the word, I'd really, really love y'all for it! Just cut and paste on your Facebook platform!

See you at BikeBikeX in New Orleans 2013!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much for reading this!!!!
-- 
Victor Pizarro
Project Organizer
Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project
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