Bike Mechanic – We welcome all levels of mechanics. We encourage people to learn how to care for their bikes and we can help you learn.
For everyone there are a couple of requirements:
- Contact us before coming to the shop so we can ensure we have the enough regulars to work with new volunteers the day you will be joining us. Our email is [email protected]. Please do this at least a couple of days in advance.
- Review and agree to our shop policies.
- Having completed 8th grade.
For experienced mechanics – We welcome experienced mechanics to teach us some things. Drop in any time during shop hours (Tu & Th 1-5 p.m.) and help fix bikes, no commitment required. You will be paired with a current volunteer for orientation to the shop during your first visit.
For novices looking to learn – There is a graduated process.
You will be expected to do much needed tasks such as repairing tubes, fixing flats, readying helmets and locks, removing scavenged parts, washing bikes, and work your way through learning our bike shop. Having demonstrated a good fit with the program, you’ll be steadily challenged with new systems and types of bikes to repair. Do not expect one-on-one training as a bike mechanic until having demonstrated a commitment to being a regular volunteer.
Volunteers must be mature and be able to work on their own. Thus, we work with youth that have completed 8th grade (and older).
Greeter – meet customers, tell them about our program, help them find a bike, fit helmets, give out questionnaires. Like to meet the public? Don’t want to get your hands super greasy? You would need to spend an afternoon seeing how it works, then go for it. Can come any day during shop hours. (Tu & Thur 1-5 p.m.) and plan to stay for the afternoon.
Shop Organizer – help keep parts and tools organized, salvage parts, move bicycles between on-site and off-site storage, coordinate scrap Like to organize things? This is a vital role needed to keep up with the busy new location. You would need to spend at least one full afternoon to learn about how things are organized, then you would be ready to go. Can come any day during shop hours (Tu & Th 1-5 p.m.), and stay to closing to help pack up site.
Information Manager – help us manage customer surveys, Facebook page, donor database, volunteer communication, e-mail requests, and develop new ideas and tools to help us keep useful data and communicate. Spreadsheets, database management, computer skills, and new suggestions to bring our organization into the 21st century. Can do most of this from your home on your schedule. Need commitment of one person to stick with this for at least 6 months.
Classroom Bike Teacher – help teach bike repair in our new arrangement with Connections Learning Center Basic bike mechanic skills and ability to work with middle school students. Would need to have a background check. One morning or afternoon during the week, continuity for a few weeks during a teaching block would be important. Working with CLC
Special Event support – Outreach programs throughout the year