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Welcome to Bike Works and our Volunteer Program!
So you're wondering about being a volunteer...
There are numerous exciting and rewarding ways that you can become a volunteer
at Bike Works!
Help
with the Dinner Auction!
Weekly adult bike repair classes
Working with youth in Earn-A-Bike
Assisting with special Events
Help us send bikes to Ghana
3 Ways to Get Started:
1. Sign up for an Orientation
If you are new to Bike Works, the best way to get started is to sign
up for a volunteer orientation. Contact Jayanthi, Bike Works' Youth
and Volunteer Coordinator (for the summer), to set up an appointment
by calling 725-9408 or emailing her at outreach@bikeworks.org.
2. Fill out a volunteer Questionnaire Form (online soon)
Bike Works has a handy volunteer questionnaire form that we request
volunteers fill out. The form allows us to learn more about your unique
skills and talents, availability, needs, and other comments that you
may have to enlighten or entertain us. Ask for a form the next time
you're visiting Bike Works if you have not yet filled one out.
3.Join our volunteer list serve (online soon)
Each month Melanie sends out an announcement about current volunteer
need. This is a great way for emailers to learn more about what's what
at Bike Works. Once you sign up, you will receive no more than one or
two emails per month. To join the list serve, email a request at outreach@bikeworks.org.
VOLUNTEERING
AT BIKE WORKS' WEEKLY ADULT BIKE REPAIR PARTIES
(Starting back up Septemeber 2008!)
Every
Tuesday from 6:30pm to 9:30pm Bike Works has a drop in bike repair party.
Come on down and wrench with us. Free drinks, and snacks are provided
for all volunteers. The bikes we repair during these sessions are donated
to Treehouse, Farestart, local non-profits, and our annual Kid’s
Bike Swap.
WORKING WITH KIDS IN THE BIKE WORKS EARN-A-BIKE PROGRAM
There are many ways you can work with the kids at Bike Works. The most
common ways are as follows:
EARN-A-BIKE
PROGRAM
Volunteer with kids in the shop during their classes or during their
Earn-A-Bike work time. Kids (much like adults) have an abundance of
questions as they are taking apart a bottom bracket for the first time
or making their first hub overhaul adjustment. When volunteers are there
to help them trouble shoot, answer questions, and help them complete
their tasks with accuracy, quality learning happens. When quality learning
happens, kids can take pride in their work and what they have learned.
Help a kid achieve a bike dream come true!
The schedule of in shop weekly youth bike activities can be found at
our Earn A Bike Page.
If you would like to volunteer during any of these times, it is most helpful
to Bike Works staff and more importantly helpful to the kids if you let
us know in advance that you would like to volunteer during specific times.
A commitment to a specific day and time of the week plus an ongoing regular
commitment to that date and time is especially helpful and requested.
When volunteers come on a regular basis to work with kids, real relationships
between volunteers and kids blossom and flourish. These relationships
between kids and adults mean a lot to kids.
If you cannot make a day that you have committed to, please call us in
advance and let us know that you cannot be there so we can make other
arrangements. We count on volunteers to be there. So do the kids!
Rides with Kids
Join us on special bike rides. We're always in need of volunteers to help
supervise rides, mentor kids with special bike riding techniques (this
is especially helpful in the BMX arena), and provide transportation for
either bikes or kids for these trips. If you have a van or truck that
can accommodate bikes or passengers, please let us know and we'll contact
you as trips arise.
Bikes to Ghana
Once a year Bike Works sends 400 bikes to Ghana, Africa. We have work
parties getting these bikes packed into a big metal shipping containers
in the late summer and early spring. Stay tuned for the next Ghana work
party by joining our volunteer list serve or visit our website, or giving
us a call at 725-9408 for more info and updates.
Special Events
Throughout the year we have fundraising events, host parties, and promote
Bike Works at other local bike events such as Bike Expo and Car Free Day.
Stay tuned for the next special event by joining our volunteer list serve
or visit our website regularly for more info and updates.
Youth Community Service
Youth are required to take our bike repair classes in order to volunteer.
Once you have the skills, you can work during Earn-a-Bike time and use
the hours for school or court-ordered community service hours.
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