For those of you that volunteer with Back Alley Bikes, this monthly feature on our website might be helpful for you. As you may have noticed on our calendar, there is a volunteer meeting on the Thursday after our new volunteer orientation (usually the first Thursday of the month).
We understand not everyone can make these meetings as finding one time to work for such a large group is impossible. So once a month we’ll be posting notes from the meeting here on the website and printing a physical copy to go up in Back Alley Bikes. This way, if you can’t make it you can still get a summary of what happened at the meeting.
So lets get to it!
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6pm, Thursday 4th of October
Updates from Heather:
– Hazardous waste day is a bust. There is a hazardous waste facility in Detroit that we can use instead of driving to Taylor. Recycling florescent bulbs still really hard to do since they are considered “commercial” waste.
Glenn mentions that Home Depot or Lowes may recycle the bulbs for us. Worth a call.
– Rubber recycling can still happen sometime Monday-Friday. Heather to coordinate w/ Glenn to help transport rubber to Silver Lining.
– Allies talk to Jason after the meeting to clear up issues with ally program
Info from Glenn:
– October 27th is “Make a Difference Day”. Back Alley Bikes should do something.
– Website: There should be a place where all the photos and videos are in one place.
***Jason says there is already such a place called the media section. Use the tabs “Resources” – > “Media” in the navigation bar
Trouble finding times to volunteer was mentioned
***Jason says to use the calendar on the left side of the website where all that information is posted. That information is also given out at new volunteer orientations which all volunteers must go through.
Suggested topic from Heather:
– Does anyone have ideas about volunteer meeting structure?
No response
Does anyone have suggestion for the best time to meet? Previously we met at 8pm but most people would leave. 5pm was too early and meeting in the middle of volunteer night is sometimes difficult.
After some discussion the group seems to prefer meeting around 6pm. Blocking off 6pm-7pm for the meeting seems to be the best option.
– It is suggested that notes from the meeting are posted for folks that can’t make it to the meeting. Where should they be posted? On the web and printed for posting in BAB.
– It is suggested that there is a place that volunteers can set agenda. Having a sheet posted on the main bulletin board in BAB is proposed as a solution.
Question from Jim:
– Do we have any control over the lights outside in the Back Alley? It would be best to have the light on at night.
***Jason: Not as far as I know, CCNDC might. Will have to follow up with them.
– Suggestion to have a scrap day
***Heather: I am aware of the large amount of scrap and will be organizing a run soon.
Suggestion from Mike:
– Would like more educational opportunities for volunteers like the “mini-classes” that Jack offered.
***Heather: as I transition into this job I’m suspending the mini-classes while I get my footing. If I’m to do such a class in the future I want set topics and a lesson plan which currently don’t exist. May offer a sixth week with a special topic as part of adult mechanic class, but this isn’t set yet. There may be a materials fee for a wheel building class.
***Jason: are there topics people want covered that aren’t covered in the adult mechanic class?
Wheel building, coaster brakes and internal gearing are brought up as topics.
Bottom brackets and wheel truth are brought up but these are topics currently covered in the adult mechanic class.
– Some concern over a materials fee for a class is brought up.
Glenn suggests having an annual calendar of dates for Back Alley Bikes
***Jason: one was made for 2012 and there will be another one for 2013 made this winter. Some events are booked last minute and not possible to put on an annual calendar that is made in advance.
Jim mentions that there needs to be exit signs put up
***Jason and Heather: The collective is aware of this situation and working on it
There were some general questions about Back Alley Bikes 501(c)3 status.
***Jason and Heather: our status is pending but is being worked on.
There is some talk about re-branding of Back Alley Bikes. Glenn says he will send some logo ideas on to Jason.
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So as you can see in the notes we are trying to clean up the format and get agendas set to make more coherent meetings for all volunteers involved. See what happens next month.
If you are a volunteer come contribute the Thursday after the New Volunteer Orientation every month at (now) 6pm!
If you don’t volunteer here, but are interested in doing so, come to a volunteer orientation which is always the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm (next one on Nov 7th).