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== Membership ==
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This handbook is the official source of information on how the Bike Kitchen works. [[Handbook Revisions | Proposed revisions]] of this handbook must be voted on at a [[Handbook#Staff_Meetings | staff meeting]].
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= Mission Statement =
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The Bike Kitchen teaches people of all ages and backgrounds how to repair bicycles. Through bike repair and bicycle related projects, the Bike Kitchen promotes personal development and provides leadership opportunities. Operating as a cooperative shop, we provide affordable ways to acquire and maintain a bike, offer youth programs, encourage re­use and recycling, and work with community groups to get more people on bikes.
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= Board of Directors =
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The Bike Kitchen Board of Directors is responsible for the long-term health of the organization. Key responsibilities include:
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* ensure fulfillment of 501(c)(3) requirements, including filing tax documents and maintaining 501(c)(3) status
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* long-term planning / sustainability
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* financial health of the organization
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* fundraising
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* public relations
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See the [[Media:BK_Bylaws_Updated.DOC|Bike Kitchen Bylaws]] for the formal description of the board.  See the list of [[People | current board members]].
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 +
= Types of People You'll See at the BK =
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== Staff ==
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=== Definition ===
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A Bike Kitchen staff member is a volunteer (mechanic or otherwise) that makes at least one of the following commitments:
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* Commits to volunteer during a specific three ­hour open hours shift every week.
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* Consistently "floats" at least 9 hours per month at open hours
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* Consistently takes responsibility for a specific task related to the Bike Kitchen such as [[Administrative_Clusters | cluster coordinator]], website management, membership management, etc.
  
=== Policies ===
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=== Becoming Staff ===
* $30-80 Membership includes:
 
** access to shop and tools during open hours
 
** 30% discount on used parts
 
** priority enrollment for classes and discounts on classes
 
  
* $30 "Digging Rights"
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To become Staff, you must:
** Must be a member
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# Fulfill a [[Handbook#Definition|staff requirement]] for three months.
** Includes any parts you can find to build one bike, kept track of with a 'punch sheet'
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# All Bike Kitchen communication is through the Bike Kitchen Google email listserv.  To learn how to join, click [[Information_Technology_Cluster#Staff_Email_List|here]].  Anybody is welcome to join and those who are fulfilling staff requirements are encouraged to join as early in the process as possible so they can learn how the Bike Kitchen operates.
** No guarantee that the BK has all the necessary or desired parts
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# At the end of your three month commitment, make a formal introduction and request to become staff.  Over the next two weeks, two current staff who have worked with you regularly must vouch for you.
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# If after two weeks you have two vouchers and no negative feedback, you become staff and can get a key to the BK.  If there is negative feedback, we will discuss it at the next [[Handbook#Staff_Meetings|staff meeting]].
  
=== Forms ===
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=== Maintaining Staff Status ===
[[Media:Membership_August2006.doc|Membership signup form and agreement]] - use these if we run out at the Bike Kitchen.
 
  
== Open Hours ==
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To remain staff, the volunteer's commitment must not be interrupted for more than two consecutive months.  If a volunteer resumes her commitment after an interruption that exceeds two months, staff benefits will resume six weeks after her staff commitment resumes.
At every mechanic's meeting, one of the first agenda items is who will cover what [[Volunteer_Coordination_Cluster#Staff_Schedule|shifts for the next two months]].
 
  
We are only limited to these hours by the number of mechanics who wish to volunteer their time, though. We have also occasionally had Friday open hours, and there is currently a regular monthly monday [[WTF night]] geared towards LGBTQ patrons and those who do not feel as comfortable around the somewhat male-dominated atmosphere of the shop during regular hours.
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=== Benefits ===
  
But really, if you have a [[Keyholders|key]], or can team up with someone who does to open the shop, it's fair game (though some sort of publicity would likely be helpful in getting people in to do actual work in the shop, natch).
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Bike Kitchen Staff enjoy the following '''benefits''':
  
== Earn a Membership / Digging Rights ==
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* Free used parts for personal (your own, non-income-generating) projects
A patron may volunteer to earn membership (six hours volunteering) and digging rights (six more hours, only for members).  See the [[Task_List|volunteer task list]] for things to do.
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* [[QBP Special Order Protocol|Order parts]] at cost + 15% from wholesale catalogs for personal use
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* Vote at [[Handbook#Staff_Meetings | Staff Meetings]]
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* Access to [[Staff Development Hours]]
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* A [[Keymasters|key]] to the shop to use it during times when the bike kitchen is closed
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* Attend Bike Kitchen classes for free
  
 
== Mechanics ==
 
== Mechanics ==
=== Becoming a mechanic ===
 
Anyone can come in and work as a mechanic at the bike kitchen as long as they have a basic knowledge of bike repair and a willingness to teach people. You don't have to be an ace mechanic, but you do have to know what you can do and what you can't. A general guideline is that you should feel comfortable building a bike from parts at the bike kitchen.
 
  
Within a month of putting on an apron or regularly giving advice, all mechanics should attend a mechanic's orientation. After attending the orientation, the mechanic will be 'shadowed' by a head mechanic (someone responsible for running a shift) while helping one customer. The head mechanic will then designate the person a 'mechanic' or advise the person what they need to work on.
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Bike Kitchen Mechanics are Bike Kitchen Staff members that assist patrons with bike projects during open hours and/or teach classes.  The more mechanics we have, the more hours we can open, and the more people we can serve.
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As a mechanic, you should strive to keep the tools in the hands of patrons, so they can learn by doing.  You should be open to learning yourself and prepared to ask another mechanic for help.  You should also use your discretion to make reasonable decisions in gray situations.
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=== Becoming a Mechanic ===
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To become a Bike Kitchen Mechanic, you should start by volunteering during open hours to get a feel for things.  Next, attend [[Staff Development Hours|Staff Development Hours]]. When you're ready, you can enter the [[Mechanic Apprentice Program]].
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=== Mechanic Policies ===
  
New mechanic orientations are every month or so, and should cover:
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Mechanics should follow these policies:
* a tour of the bike kitchen
 
** location of parts and frames
 
** how the eab program works
 
** prices for parts and membership
 
* how to help people at the bike kitchen
 
** teach people, don't do the work
 
** be sure to give estimates of time
 
** let people know other options
 
** if you don't know how to do something, ask another mechanic
 
* sign in table and program
 
* mechanic priveleges and responsibilities
 
  
=== Staying a mechanic ===
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# Make the shop a welcoming space
Once designated a mechanic, you are welcome to come and put on an apron and help people whenever you wish. If you want to be able to order parts through wholesale catalogs, take parts for personal use, or vote at meetings, you need to volunteer for a specific 2 hour shift once per week (e.g. saturdays: 12-2)
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# Be respectful of fellow mechanics and patrons
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# Act professionally when assisting patrons
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# Do not engage in sexist, racist, homophobic or any sort of prejudiced behavior
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# Do not work on personal projects while staffing a shift
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# Do not consume alcohol or drugs before or during a shift you are staffing
  
=== Mechanic Responsibilities ===
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=== Other Responsibilities ===
==== Opening ====
 
# Turn on the main lights (near far door) and lights in the WW (near forks)
 
# Set up sandwich board and BK sign at either side of courtyard on sidewalk
 
# Put on apron and name tag
 
# Check to see that all workbenches are stocked with their color coded tools, grease, cleaner, etc. If a tool's missing replace it from the backup tools (color code it), and write it down on the shop "want list".
 
# Check rag supply and put out fresh rags if necessary (also a good volunteer task if short on time).
 
# Open rollup door near greeter desk ('''make sure it's unlatched first!!!''')
 
# Log into Freehub
 
# If patrons show up before you're ready to open please ask them to either wait outside or to volunteer to do a task on this list
 
  
TUESDAY: Please bring the trash cans in from Florida St. and put them in garbage room. The key is in the office key box if room is locked.
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See the [[Opening / Closing Checklist]] page for the particular responsibilities that mechanics and staff have during open hours.
  
==== During Open Hours ====
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== Greeters ==
[[User:Ledlie|Ledlie]] 4/17/09: This section needs updating / trimming
 
# Introduce people to the shop. If someone shows up and looks confused, ask them if they need help or have a question. Be welcoming into the space because it can be very intimidating. Explain policies and encourage them to put away tools. Explain that we are volunteer-run. Greeter and Volunteers can help immensely with this.
 
# Try to maximize the bike stands and truing stands. Don't be afraid to ask someone to get off a stand if a) they've been on it for a long time or b) they aren't really using it.
 
# Walk around and make sure that everything is running smoothly. ASK people if they need help even if it looks like they know what they are doing... frequently people are too shy to speak up.
 
# Do some maintenance and cleaning. Put tools away, ask customers to put tools away if they aren't using them. Encourage people to clean up after themselves and help us clean at the end of the shift. Encourage people to keep tidy and out of others' way.
 
# Earn-a-Bikers and those who purchase memberships in order to build a bike do not pay for the parts to build their bike unless they want something extra special.
 
# Parts are for sale. Use your judgment on how much to charge. Take into account the following when pricing a part:
 
  
    * Consider the price list on the bulletin board in the cage
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During open hours, it is immensely helpful to have a greeter who welcomes people, describes how the shop operates, collects money, operates the register, and signs patrons in. Being a greeter is an excellent way to regularly contribute to the Bike Kitchen that does not require mechanical expertise.  The greeter may be a volunteer working towards a membership or digging rights, or may be fulfilling the staff requirement of volunteering consistently.
    * What the parts will be used for (maybe charge someone who builds and sells bikes more than someone who is working on a bike for themselves.)
 
    * The relative abundance of the type of part in our shop (maybe charge more for parts that are scarce in our shop)
 
    * Quality of the part
 
    * What the person can afford
 
    * Membership (members pay less)
 
  
==== Closing ====
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See the [[Greeter Guide]] page for more information.
# Announce clean-up 15 minutes before closing.
 
# Put away all tools and parts left out on the shop floor. Bring in stands from outside.
 
# Check to see that all workbenches are stocked with their color coded tools, grease, cleaner, etc. If a tool's missing replace it from the backup tools (color code it), and write it down on the shop "want list". Please also check the tool board over the large workbench for the same.
 
# Put especially filthy rags into the hamper (also a good volunteer task if short on time).
 
# Bring in sandwich boards from Florida St. and Alabama St.
 
# Empty the shop trash into large can in the trash room. Key is in the office key box.
 
# Sweep the shop floor
 
# Is the stereo off?
 
# Turn off all lights (WW, main floor, and office)
 
# '''Lower any roll-up doors and LATCH THEM!'''
 
# '''Check all 3 doors to ensure that they are locked when you leave!'''
 
  
MONDAY CLASSES AND WTF: Please take the trash cans from the trash room to Florida St. Monday is trash night.
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== Volunteers ==
  
=== Mechanic benefits ===
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We often have a steady stream of people coming in asking to volunteer, whether to put hours towards a membership or digging rights or just to help out. Determine what their skills and interests are, and consider assigning them a task from the [[Task List]] so they can become more engaged with the shop and community.
Once you attend an orientation and volunteer for 4 shifts as a mechanic or a greeter or manage a critical task (website, membership, finance, etc), you may:
 
  
* order parts at cost +15% from wholesale catalogs for personal use
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Volunteers with specific skills (i.e., web design, graphics, event organizing, fund raising, woodworking, etc.) are encouraged to contribute using those specific skills. Volunteers with quality bike mechanic experience are encouraged to become volunteer mechanics.  Regular volunteers are often needed to greet, wrench, and perform the many mundane tasks that keep the shop going.  When a volunteer commits to working consistently at the Bike Kitchen, she can become [[Handbook#Staff | staff]].
* take used parts at no cost for your own personal use
 
* vote at mechanic's meetings
 
  
People who volunteer regularly may run [[Volunteer_Coordination_Cluster#Staff_Schedule|a shift]] and become a [[Keyholders|keyholder]]. Anyone with a key is welcome to use the shop during times when the bike kitchen is closed, and may open the shop for 'random' open hours.
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= Communication =
  
Anyone who volunteers an average of at least 12 hours per month can vote at meetings.
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As an entirely volunteer­-run organization, the staff are rarely all together at the same time. We fill this need with the following resources:
  
== Greeter and Volunteers ==
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== This Wiki ==
  
=== Greeters ===
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The goal of this wiki is to be a central repository of information about running the Bike Kitchen. It will be most useful if staff keep it up-to-date and add things that are missing.  See the [[Help:Contents|help page]] for how to use the wiki.
The greeter serves as both the gatekeeper to the shop and as a welcoming position. It's a position that's often neglected in a busy shop, but it's important to give people their orientation and first steps in solving their problems -- and it's very important in terms of collecting the fees that keep the shop going. Without a greeter, many people won't bother signing in or paying, especially because a lot of them don't even know where to go.
 
  
A greeter is a good role for a first-time volunteer or earn-a-biker, because it doesn't strictly require any technical knowledge, or intimate knowledge of how the shop functions. They can just punt questions to mechanics on the floor.
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== Staff Meetings ==
  
The greeter role is also surprisingly interesting for experienced mechanics. It gives you a broader view of what kind of problems come into the shop, with a chance to answer a lot of short technical questions before referring people to other mechanics. People feel more free to come up to you with questions after they've learned your name, so it's never a boring job.  
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[[Staff Meetings]] are usually held on the last Sunday of every other month at 7pm. These meetings are vital to the development and success of the shop.  At the meetings, we discuss and vote on various issues related to the shop and establish the [[Volunteer_Coordination_Cluster#Staff_Schedule|shift schedule]] for the next two months. [[Minutes]] are usually kept.
  
=== Other Volunteer Roles ===
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== Staff Email List ==
We often have a steady stream of people coming in asking to volunteer, whether to put hours towards a membership or digging rights or just to help out. Feel free to assign them tasks from the [[Task List]] in order to help them become more engaged with the shop and community.
 
  
== Parts and Sales ==
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Many important discussions and policy decisions are made over the [[Information_Technology_Cluster#Staff_Email_List | staff email list]]. It is crucial that staff read email on the list and stay up-to-date.
  
=== Stocking New Parts ===
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== Work Nights ==
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Work nights are held on the last Sunday of every other month--that is, staff meetings and work nights alternate in the calendar. These meetings are where we do major cleaning and organization, work on larger projects within the shop, and share ideas. Along with the mailing list and the staff meetings, the work nights are a time when mechanics from all the shifts can see one another. Also, they're a lot of fun.
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= People Who Use the BK =
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== Patrons ==
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Patrons visit the shop during [[Handbook#Open_Hours | open hours]], and must either be [[Handbook#Membership | members]] or pay a $6 "day use" fee.  No one is turned away for lack of funds.
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== Membership ==
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Memberships are annual and cost $40-$80 (sliding scale: pay more if you can), though they may be earned by volunteering for six hours.  Youth age 18 and under get free membership.  Membership provides:
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* access to shop and tools during open hours
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* 30% discount on used parts
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* access to classes
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== Digging Rights / Earn-a-Bike ==
  
The bike kitchen stocks new parts when:
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For any parts you can find to build one bike, you can purchase "digging rights" for $30 or volunteer for six hours (often called "earn-a-bike").  Guidelines:
  
* members frequently have to leave the shop to buy parts to complete projects they are working on at the bike kitchen (such as seat binder bolts)
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* you must be a member
* the new part will let us reuse parts that are incomplete and the used part cannot be easily found at the bk (such as a barrel adjuster)
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* includes any parts you can find to build one bike, kept track of with a 'punch sheet'
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* no guarantee that the BK has all the necessary or desired parts
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* a person may acquire digging rights only once per year (not once per membership)
  
New parts are of basic but durable quality. the Goal of Stocking new parts is to encourage people to reuse the parts that we already have at the bike kitchen, and to ensure a positive experience for members. Like used parts, new parts are sold only to people who use them at the bike kitchen. Along with stocking new parts, we can make a better effort to get parts donations from local shops and members.
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It is likely that a patron will not find all of the parts that she needs to complete her bike in the Bike Kitchen parts room. Other parts may be bought from the Bike Kitchen or from other shops / sources.
  
See the [[Minimal Inventory]] page for basic parts we should keep on hand.
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= Some Shop Rules =
  
== Receipts ==
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== Bike Storage ==
  
'''In all cases....'''
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Bike Kitchen members may store up to one "project bike" at the Bike Kitchen as long as she makes regular progress on the project. A "project bike" is one that a member is building from parts mostly acquired from the Bike KitchenIt must be clearly labeled with the member's name, the phone number, and the date of the last day it was worked onProject bikes [[Recirculating_Project_Bikes|will be reclaimed]] if they are not properly labeled or the latest date is more than two weeks past (in which case the Bike Kitchen will try to reach the patron by phone).
* If you can't tell from the receipt, write down what it was forAlso say what 'department' it's for - shop supplies, fundraising, etc
 
* If you can't read the dollar amount, write that down too.
 
 
'''If you took cash out of the register....'''
 
* Put the reciept and the change in the register.  
 
   
 
'''If you need to get reimbursed....'''
 
* Write your name and that you need to get reimbursed on the receipt.
 
* Put the receipt in the Accounting In Box folder.
 
 
'''If you used a BK card....'''
 
* Write that you used a BK card on the receipt.
 
* Put the receipt in the Accounting In Box folder.
 
  
For other financial-related information, see the [[Financial Cluster]] page.
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== Cutting Tools ==
  
== Classes ==
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There is an extra $5 charge for using one of our cutting tools (eg. bottom bracket tap, facing tool, fork thread cutter).  These tools are expensive and need to be sharpened / repaired / replaced over time.
The Bike Kitchen usually holds a monthly class of some kind, often of one of the following types:
 
  
*[[Tuneup Class|Tune Up]]
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== Parts ==
*[[Rolling Repair|Rolling Repair]]
 
*[[Wheel Building|Wheel Building]]
 
  
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and we wholeheartedly encourage new, off-the-wall, so-crazy-it-just-might-work approaches to cycling skills education.
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=== Stocking New Parts ===
  
Since classes are a significant source of income for the Bike Kitchen, we try and have at least one every month. If you would like to teach a class you should mention it at the bimonthly mechanic's meeting or express your intention to teach one on the [[Handbook#Email_List|email list]].
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The Bike Kitchen stocks new parts when:
  
See the [[Classes]] page for more information.
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* members frequently have to leave the shop to buy parts to complete projects they are working on at the bike kitchen (such as seat binder bolts)
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* the new part will let us reuse parts that are incomplete and the used part cannot be easily found at the shop (such as a barrel adjuster)
  
== Forms ==
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New parts are of basic but durable quality. The goal of stocking new parts is to encourage people to reuse the parts that we already have at the bike kitchen, and to ensure a positive experience for members. Like used parts, new parts are sold only to people who use them at the Bike Kitchen.
  
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See the [[Minimal Inventory]] page for basic parts we should keep on hand.
  
== Email List ==
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=== Special Ordering Parts ===
  
The SFBK email list is hosted by Yahoo Groups at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bikekitchen/. All staff should be on the mailing list to keep up to date on announcements and discussion. Members and patrons may be on the mailing list if they want to stay in tune with the daily activity at the Bike Kitchen.
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See the [[QBP Special Order Protocol]] page.
  
There is a fair amount of activity on the list. In order to avoid being buried by email, we have a few rules.
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=== Used Parts ===
  
=== Subject Prefixes ===
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Prices are always subject to the discretion of the mechanics on duty. The price list near the cash register offers a guide of prices which reflects the range in quality of used parts. Mechanics should offer a ~30% reduction on prices for members.
  
Use subject prefixes if your email does not need to be ready by everyone on the list. Be aware of your audience and respect their precious time.
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'''No part leaves the shop unless it is on a bike.''' We are not trying to supply the universe with used parts; we're helping people build and repair bikes.
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'''No BK frame leaves the shop.''' All BK frames are for EAB/digging rights projects and should be built up as complete bikes before leaving the shop. A frame or partial bike that is walking out the door should throw up a red warning flag -- please confirm that the patron brought in the frame that they are leaving with.
  
A few recommended prefixes are:
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=== Trades ===
  
* ATTN = Attention, use this only if everyone should read your message
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It is the Bike Kitchen's policy not to trade parts because:
* ED = Education, related to classes
 
* OT = Off Topic, use this generously for emails not directly related to running the BK
 
* WEB = Pertaining the the www.bikekitchen.org web site
 
  
For example:
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* it can drain our stock of useful parts for our patrons
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* we could be accepting stolen parts in exchange for legitimate parts
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* it can eat into our used part sales, a portion of our income
  
ATTN: Shop closed Tues for election<br/>
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== Handling Money ==
WEB: please post the fundraising party info<br/>
 
OT: anyone have a good herbal remedy for saddle sores?<br/>
 
  
=== Be Constructive ===
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Please see the [[Financial_Cluster#Specific_Protocols | Specific Financial Protocols section]]
  
As one mechanic posted to the list:
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== Classes ==
  
:Negative reviews are helpful for avoiding poor experiences but not nearly so as alternative suggestions.
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The Bike Kitchen usually holds a monthly class on how to fix your bike.  They are an important part of the Bike Kitchen's mission and income. See the [[Education Cluster]] page for more information.
  
If you have a criticism or complaint, it will be more readily received and substantially more helpful when coupled with a suggestion or alternate solution.
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== Open Hours ==
  
== Freehub ==
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See the [[Volunteer_Coordination_Cluster#Staff_Schedule | staff schedule]] for the current open hours, which are reevaluated at each [[Handbook#Staff_Meetings | staff meeting]].  Each open hour shift must have a shift leader, at least two supporting mechanics, and a committed greeter.  New open hour shifts can be launched if the shop is available and these roles are filled.
  
[http://freehub.bikekitchen.org Freehub] is the system we use to track people, the services they have access to and their visits to the shop.
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== WTF Night ==
  
See [http://bikekitchen-trac.cvsdude.com/membership/wiki the Freehub project wiki] for details on Freehub.
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WTF night is a safe and supportive night that strives to primarily serve people who identify as female or transgender. See the [[WTF_Night | WTF Night page]] for more information.
  
== Official Handbook ==
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== Past Handbook Versions ==
  
In addition to the descriptive wiki pages, the Bike Kitchen has an official handbook.  What makes it official?  Bike Kitchen staff approve the policies in the official handbook at regular staff meetings.  The stuff in the official handbook is inspired by the contents of this wiki, and the correspondence on the Bike Kitchen Yahoo! group.  The drafts are below with the most current one on top.  Below that is a list of TODO items to improve the handbook.
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Here are past versions of this Handbook:
  
{| border="1" style="text-align:center"
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{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Title !! Date !! Download
 
! Title !! Date !! Download
Line 213: Line 207:
 
| BK Handbook Draft 00 || || [[Media:BK_Handbook_DRAFT00.pdf‎|pdf]] [[Media:BK_Handbook_DRAFT00.doc|doc]] [[Media:BK_Handbook_DRAFT00.odt|odt]]
 
| BK Handbook Draft 00 || || [[Media:BK_Handbook_DRAFT00.pdf‎|pdf]] [[Media:BK_Handbook_DRAFT00.doc|doc]] [[Media:BK_Handbook_DRAFT00.odt|odt]]
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
'''ToDo'''
 
* Make wiki contents reflect official handbook
 
* Reformat handbook in a more printable fashion (This would be considered a new draft)
 
* Add a section about the cash register and general money stuff
 
* Add a section about this wiki!
 

Latest revision as of 17:21, 15 January 2018

This handbook is the official source of information on how the Bike Kitchen works. Proposed revisions of this handbook must be voted on at a staff meeting.


Mission Statement

The Bike Kitchen teaches people of all ages and backgrounds how to repair bicycles. Through bike repair and bicycle related projects, the Bike Kitchen promotes personal development and provides leadership opportunities. Operating as a cooperative shop, we provide affordable ways to acquire and maintain a bike, offer youth programs, encourage re­use and recycling, and work with community groups to get more people on bikes.

Board of Directors

The Bike Kitchen Board of Directors is responsible for the long-term health of the organization. Key responsibilities include:

  • ensure fulfillment of 501(c)(3) requirements, including filing tax documents and maintaining 501(c)(3) status
  • long-term planning / sustainability
  • financial health of the organization
  • fundraising
  • public relations

See the Bike Kitchen Bylaws for the formal description of the board. See the list of current board members.

Types of People You'll See at the BK

Staff

Definition

A Bike Kitchen staff member is a volunteer (mechanic or otherwise) that makes at least one of the following commitments:

  • Commits to volunteer during a specific three ­hour open hours shift every week.
  • Consistently "floats" at least 9 hours per month at open hours
  • Consistently takes responsibility for a specific task related to the Bike Kitchen such as cluster coordinator, website management, membership management, etc.

Becoming Staff

To become Staff, you must:

  1. Fulfill a staff requirement for three months.
  2. All Bike Kitchen communication is through the Bike Kitchen Google email listserv. To learn how to join, click here. Anybody is welcome to join and those who are fulfilling staff requirements are encouraged to join as early in the process as possible so they can learn how the Bike Kitchen operates.
  3. At the end of your three month commitment, make a formal introduction and request to become staff. Over the next two weeks, two current staff who have worked with you regularly must vouch for you.
  4. If after two weeks you have two vouchers and no negative feedback, you become staff and can get a key to the BK. If there is negative feedback, we will discuss it at the next staff meeting.

Maintaining Staff Status

To remain staff, the volunteer's commitment must not be interrupted for more than two consecutive months. If a volunteer resumes her commitment after an interruption that exceeds two months, staff benefits will resume six weeks after her staff commitment resumes.

Benefits

Bike Kitchen Staff enjoy the following benefits:

  • Free used parts for personal (your own, non-income-generating) projects
  • Order parts at cost + 15% from wholesale catalogs for personal use
  • Vote at Staff Meetings
  • Access to Staff Development Hours
  • A key to the shop to use it during times when the bike kitchen is closed
  • Attend Bike Kitchen classes for free

Mechanics

Bike Kitchen Mechanics are Bike Kitchen Staff members that assist patrons with bike projects during open hours and/or teach classes. The more mechanics we have, the more hours we can open, and the more people we can serve.

As a mechanic, you should strive to keep the tools in the hands of patrons, so they can learn by doing. You should be open to learning yourself and prepared to ask another mechanic for help. You should also use your discretion to make reasonable decisions in gray situations.

Becoming a Mechanic

To become a Bike Kitchen Mechanic, you should start by volunteering during open hours to get a feel for things. Next, attend Staff Development Hours. When you're ready, you can enter the Mechanic Apprentice Program.

Mechanic Policies

Mechanics should follow these policies:

  1. Make the shop a welcoming space
  2. Be respectful of fellow mechanics and patrons
  3. Act professionally when assisting patrons
  4. Do not engage in sexist, racist, homophobic or any sort of prejudiced behavior
  5. Do not work on personal projects while staffing a shift
  6. Do not consume alcohol or drugs before or during a shift you are staffing

Other Responsibilities

See the Opening / Closing Checklist page for the particular responsibilities that mechanics and staff have during open hours.

Greeters

During open hours, it is immensely helpful to have a greeter who welcomes people, describes how the shop operates, collects money, operates the register, and signs patrons in. Being a greeter is an excellent way to regularly contribute to the Bike Kitchen that does not require mechanical expertise. The greeter may be a volunteer working towards a membership or digging rights, or may be fulfilling the staff requirement of volunteering consistently.

See the Greeter Guide page for more information.

Volunteers

We often have a steady stream of people coming in asking to volunteer, whether to put hours towards a membership or digging rights or just to help out. Determine what their skills and interests are, and consider assigning them a task from the Task List so they can become more engaged with the shop and community.

Volunteers with specific skills (i.e., web design, graphics, event organizing, fund raising, woodworking, etc.) are encouraged to contribute using those specific skills. Volunteers with quality bike mechanic experience are encouraged to become volunteer mechanics. Regular volunteers are often needed to greet, wrench, and perform the many mundane tasks that keep the shop going. When a volunteer commits to working consistently at the Bike Kitchen, she can become staff.

Communication

As an entirely volunteer­-run organization, the staff are rarely all together at the same time. We fill this need with the following resources:

This Wiki

The goal of this wiki is to be a central repository of information about running the Bike Kitchen. It will be most useful if staff keep it up-to-date and add things that are missing. See the help page for how to use the wiki.

Staff Meetings

Staff Meetings are usually held on the last Sunday of every other month at 7pm. These meetings are vital to the development and success of the shop. At the meetings, we discuss and vote on various issues related to the shop and establish the shift schedule for the next two months. Minutes are usually kept.

Staff Email List

Many important discussions and policy decisions are made over the staff email list. It is crucial that staff read email on the list and stay up-to-date.

Work Nights

Work nights are held on the last Sunday of every other month--that is, staff meetings and work nights alternate in the calendar. These meetings are where we do major cleaning and organization, work on larger projects within the shop, and share ideas. Along with the mailing list and the staff meetings, the work nights are a time when mechanics from all the shifts can see one another. Also, they're a lot of fun.

People Who Use the BK

Patrons

Patrons visit the shop during open hours, and must either be members or pay a $6 "day use" fee. No one is turned away for lack of funds.

Membership

Memberships are annual and cost $40-$80 (sliding scale: pay more if you can), though they may be earned by volunteering for six hours. Youth age 18 and under get free membership. Membership provides:

  • access to shop and tools during open hours
  • 30% discount on used parts
  • access to classes

Digging Rights / Earn-a-Bike

For any parts you can find to build one bike, you can purchase "digging rights" for $30 or volunteer for six hours (often called "earn-a-bike"). Guidelines:

  • you must be a member
  • includes any parts you can find to build one bike, kept track of with a 'punch sheet'
  • no guarantee that the BK has all the necessary or desired parts
  • a person may acquire digging rights only once per year (not once per membership)

It is likely that a patron will not find all of the parts that she needs to complete her bike in the Bike Kitchen parts room. Other parts may be bought from the Bike Kitchen or from other shops / sources.

Some Shop Rules

Bike Storage

Bike Kitchen members may store up to one "project bike" at the Bike Kitchen as long as she makes regular progress on the project. A "project bike" is one that a member is building from parts mostly acquired from the Bike Kitchen. It must be clearly labeled with the member's name, the phone number, and the date of the last day it was worked on. Project bikes will be reclaimed if they are not properly labeled or the latest date is more than two weeks past (in which case the Bike Kitchen will try to reach the patron by phone).

Cutting Tools

There is an extra $5 charge for using one of our cutting tools (eg. bottom bracket tap, facing tool, fork thread cutter). These tools are expensive and need to be sharpened / repaired / replaced over time.

Parts

Stocking New Parts

The Bike Kitchen stocks new parts when:

  • members frequently have to leave the shop to buy parts to complete projects they are working on at the bike kitchen (such as seat binder bolts)
  • the new part will let us reuse parts that are incomplete and the used part cannot be easily found at the shop (such as a barrel adjuster)

New parts are of basic but durable quality. The goal of stocking new parts is to encourage people to reuse the parts that we already have at the bike kitchen, and to ensure a positive experience for members. Like used parts, new parts are sold only to people who use them at the Bike Kitchen.

See the Minimal Inventory page for basic parts we should keep on hand.

Special Ordering Parts

See the QBP Special Order Protocol page.

Used Parts

Prices are always subject to the discretion of the mechanics on duty. The price list near the cash register offers a guide of prices which reflects the range in quality of used parts. Mechanics should offer a ~30% reduction on prices for members.

No part leaves the shop unless it is on a bike. We are not trying to supply the universe with used parts; we're helping people build and repair bikes.

No BK frame leaves the shop. All BK frames are for EAB/digging rights projects and should be built up as complete bikes before leaving the shop. A frame or partial bike that is walking out the door should throw up a red warning flag -- please confirm that the patron brought in the frame that they are leaving with.

Trades

It is the Bike Kitchen's policy not to trade parts because:

  • it can drain our stock of useful parts for our patrons
  • we could be accepting stolen parts in exchange for legitimate parts
  • it can eat into our used part sales, a portion of our income

Handling Money

Please see the Specific Financial Protocols section

Classes

The Bike Kitchen usually holds a monthly class on how to fix your bike. They are an important part of the Bike Kitchen's mission and income. See the Education Cluster page for more information.

Open Hours

See the staff schedule for the current open hours, which are reevaluated at each staff meeting. Each open hour shift must have a shift leader, at least two supporting mechanics, and a committed greeter. New open hour shifts can be launched if the shop is available and these roles are filled.

WTF Night

WTF night is a safe and supportive night that strives to primarily serve people who identify as female or transgender. See the WTF Night page for more information.

Past Handbook Versions

Here are past versions of this Handbook:

Title Date Download
BK Handbook Draft 02 21 March 2007 pdf doc odt
BK Handbook Draft 01 28 January 2007 pdf doc odt
BK Handbook Draft 00 pdf doc odt