Mechanics Minutes Feb 2011

02/27/11 Bike Kitchen Staff Meeting

Notes handwritten and digitized by Daniel

New mechanics-to-be introductions

The following people are currently working on, or have completed their three month commitment to become staff. They are followed by their regular committed shift. (Sorry, in the confusion of starting the meeting, trying to get situated and people still coming in, I didn't write down how long people had been working these shifts already.)

Jose – Wednesday

Lani – Greeter Wednesday

Cleveland – Wed? Sorry pal, I forgot what day your on.

Evan – Thursdays

Tammy – Saturday

Isaac – Tuesdays

Renee – WTF

Renee Wants to Become a Staff Member

Renee, who has been coming in for WTF for the last four months or so, would like to get a key and become a staff member. Commence two week vetting process of Renee as staff.

New QBP Policy Check In

Newly updated policy for ringing up QBP orders as outlined in this wiki under Special Ordering Parts in the Handbook. In particular checking in about the new policy of paying for special orders by dropping you money directly into the safe in the BK office. NOT ringing up your orders in the register. For complete and more detailed instructions, please see above mentioned page. Attn: “Yay! My special order has arrived! How do I pay for it?”

Update from Board of Directors about their last meeting

Four main check-ins:

1. Jordan is going to be assuming a lesser role with BK until his term as a board member is up. Though, he will remain on the board until that time

2. There will be three posts opening on the board of directors in October, 2011.

3. Amar is looking to become the Bike Kitchen's liaison to our landlord.

4. Re-allocating some of the Volunteer Cluster Coordinator & Ops Coordinator tasks to the broader staff of the Bike Kitchen. More info below.

Check-In about who we have 86'ed from the BK since the Last Meeting

1. Neal Evan Dry – Had been previously asked to leave as a staff member though had recently been showing up back at the shop and was informally allowed to hang out in the space. This most recent 86'ing of Neal is a further affirmation of his being ban from being at the Bike Kitchen.

2. James – 86'ed for multiple instances of disruption to the shop, hoarding bikes and generally abusing digging-rights privileges, and repeatedly disrespecting the space and others using it, especially mechanics.

3. Trina – As that those in attendance of the meeting sought clarification of Trina's having been 86'ed or not, it seemed generally unclear what exact action had been taken towards her. No one knew for sure if she had been formally 86'ed or whether the decision was pending some further process. However, the general sentiment was that, until the exact action taken could be clarified, people shouldn't feel uncomfortable asking her to leave if they didn't feel comfortable working with her. Could someone clear on the situation please update this?

---Also on this subject, a proposal was made to create a list, perhaps in poster form, to be publicly displayed, detailing what kinds of action or behaviors at the bike kitchen would cause someone to be 86'ed, or have other appropriate action taken. A short brainstorm included but was not limited to:

1. Any racist, sexist, homophobic, gender-phobic, or other discriminatory behavior.

2. Stealing from the shop.

3. Other abuses of the space.

In the interest of time and inclusion, it was decided to proceed with the meeting and continue this brainstorm and discussion over the BK list-serve so that others not present at the meeting could participate in creating this list.

Francisco's Shop Suspension

There was a discussion and vote on whether Francisco would be allowed to return to the Bike Kitchen as a patron. The vote was unanimous in stating that he could return to the BK as a patron.

It was also decided that further shop privileges are TBD as time goes on and Francisco's involvement in the BK grows.

Colin's Shop Suspension

It was discussed though no vote was taken whether or not Colin should be allowed to return to the Bike Kitchen as a patron.

A little back story. Colin was asked to leave the Bike Kitchen and not return for three months. At the end of those three months, the possibility of his being allowed back to the BK would be discussed at a mechanic's meeting. This was that meeting. Colin had not been presented with guidelines as to how he could repair his relationship with the BK in the way that Francisco had been asked to write an essay and engage in conversations with shop staff about his behavior. It was left up to him to do this on his own, or decide how he would like to try and rebuild any trust with the BK.

At the meeting, there was an informal consensus that Colin should not be allowed back to the Bike Kitchen as of yet. There was a sentiment that he should not be totally ban from returning ever. But, that in order for him to be welcomed back into the BK again, he must work to repair the trust he has lost with the shop. There was no suggestion as to how exactly he should go about rebuilding this trust. It was decided that he should be a determinant of that, but it would at least involve him stating that he wants to return, and that he have some sort of communication with the shop regarding his past behavior. And, what he would change about it in the future. There has been little to no contact with Colin since he was asked to leave the Bike Kitchen.

It was brought up that it seems really important to tell Colin why he is still not allowed at the Bike Kitchen, that a response be given to him about our meeting. Esther volunteered to contact Colin with this response.

Shop Beautification

Spencer outlined a few things about shop beautification. There will be a one week period, when has yet to be determined, that the BK will be closed. i.e. no open hours, no classes, etc. During that time a number of projects will be undertaken to improve the shop's use of space and storage and to perform general repairs. These projects include but are not limited to:

1. Clean and sand tool benches.

2. Rearrange frame storage.

3. Repair out-door bike stands.

4. Consolidation of odd parts.

5. Paint walls. To help as references as well as just looking good. i.e. “The derailleur part your looking for can be found along the purple wall.”

6. Re-label parts bins, including finish labeling in Spanish.

7. Build new tire-rack/system for arrangement.

8. Build a roll-out tool box for working in the courtyard.

Volunteer Cluster Coordinator & Operations Coordinator

This item was echoing the email that went around a few weeks ago about how it seems like the BoD has be defaulting to pick up some slack around the shop as far as regular tasks that have to get done. But, it would be great if lots of people felt like doing various parts of the necessary tasks that seems small, but together keep us going. The list included various aspects of an Ops Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator. Such as:

Spencer is on beautification. Lorae wants to do staff appreciation party planning Still need someone to be in charge of stocking the medical kit. Etc.

It was echoed that this discussion should be tabled to next meeting/list-serve.