April 2023 General Meeting
The activity is starting to pick up around Working Bikes, with spring collection season and nice riding weather just around the corner. That’s not to say we’ve had an inactive winter — we’ve been busy with strategic planning, mechanic training, organizing, and keeping bikes rolling! We’ve got a lot to discuss as we talk about what’s been accomplished and what lies ahead for Working Bikes. We’ll get together in person and virtually next Wednesday, April 5th, for a hybrid meeting — the first since we’ve lifted our mask mandate in the shop and vaccine requirements for volunteers (though both are still welcome and encouraged!). Folks are cordially invited to attend in person anytime after 6:00pm. Bring a dish or some drinks to share if you like, and please hang back if you’re feeling at all ill. We’ll be starting the meeting and activating the Zoom link (see below) promptly at 6:30pm. This time, we’ll be joined by North Lawndale’s own Derek Brown, founder of Boxing Out Negativity (and leader of Bike Out Negativity coming up in May) and our friend Jesus Mariela, Director of cycling programming at CESTA, our partner in El Salvador. We look forward to seeing you there!
Zoom Meeting Link
February 2023 Annual Meeting, Draft Minutes
April 2023 General Meeting Agenda
We’re a reason to be cheerful!
A lot of us know David Byrne from his time in the Talking Heads. Lots of bike heads also know what a fan Mr. Byrne is of two-wheeled, self-powered transportation, taking his trusty Montague on tour with him and capturing his thoughts on experiencing the world from a saddle in a collection of essays called The Bicycle Diaries (or if our friends at Open Books sell that copy, here’s another link). But did you know he started a foundation, which then created a publication? Called Reasons to be Cheerful, Working Bikes was excited to be highlighted as such. Check out the piece written by Michaela Haas, who was introduced to Working Bikes by her work with Rotary International, here.
February 2023 Annual Meeting
Winter temperatures are finally arriving for 2023, but we’ll be relatively cozy in the Working Bikes warehouse! Join Working Bikes for our 2023 Annual Meeting to talk about the year that was, elect a slate of Board Members, discuss current projects both local and international, and get ready to spread bicycle love in the year to come. We’ll get together in person and virtually next Wednesday, February 1st, at a hybrid meeting. Folks who are vaccinated and masked are cordially invited to attend in person anytime after 6:00pm. Food and drinks are welcome, though masks are still necessary in the warehouse when not eating or drinking and we’ll be more spread out than in pre-Covid times. We’ll be starting the meeting and activating the Zoom link (see below) promptly at 6:30pm. We’ll have our friends from the SAFE Ambassadors talk about their work, will be sharing updates on our strategic planning process, and will be talking all things Working Bikes. We look forward to seeing you there!
Zoom Meeting Link
December, 2022 Draft Minutes
Agenda
December General Meeting
Winter is in full swing, but the year isn’t over yet! Join Working Bikes for a General Meeting one last time in 2022 to talk about the year that was, discuss current projects both local and international, and revel in the power of bicycles. We’ll get together in person and virtually this Wednesday, December 7th, at a hybrid General Meeting to discuss all things Working Bikes. Folks who are vaccinated and masked are cordially invited to attend in person anytime after 6:30pm. Food and drinks are welcome, though masks are still necessary in the warehouse when not eating or drinking and we’ll be more spread out than in pre-Covid times. We’ll be starting the meeting and activating the Zoom link (see below) promptly at 7:15pm. We’ll have Community Mechanic Training Program grads in attendance, will be sharing updates about upcoming donation events and shipping parties, and as always, will be spreading bike love. We look forward to seeing you there!
Zoom Meeting Link
August, 2022 Draft Minutes
Agenda
Working Bikes 23rd Anniversary!
Gather with Working Bikes staff, volunteers, partners, and friends to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and raise a glass to the amazing community that made it all happen! The Working Bikes 23rd Anniversary Celebration will be held at the Working Bikes shop (2434 S. Western Avenue) on Saturday, October 1st from 4pm – 8pm. Come by for a block party, warehouse tours, a silent auction, a bike decorating bonanza, games, music, and more! Bites and beverages will be provided by some of our favorite local vendors including Flor Azteca, a co-operative from Telpochcalli Community Education Project, CHAOS Brew Club, and Revolution Brewing. Get individual tickets here.
Interested in supporting Working Bikes as we enter our 23rd year? Consider becoming a 23rd Anniversary Sponsor! Learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits here. Ready to support? You can make a donation to the Anniversary Fundraiser here. For questions about sponsorship and donations, please contact us at [email protected].
August General Meeting
We can’t believe it’s already August, but the heat has been in effect for a couple months now and back to school events are just around the corner. Please join us on Wednesday, August 3rd, for a hybrid general meeting to discuss all things Working Bikes- folks who are vaccinated and masked are welcome to attend in person anytime after 6:30pm. We’ll keep our distance, but food and drinks are welcome. We’ll be starting the meeting and activating the Zoom link (see below) promptly at 7:15pm. This month we’ll be hearing from a few local partners, including Brother Demetrius of Bikes in Da Hood, Amanda Woodall on coordinating Chicago’s bike giveaway, and friends from Pilsen Fest who will be encouraging pedaling as their signature theme this year. We’ll also be sharing updates about upcoming donation events, rides, and shipping parties, and as always, spreading bike love. We look forward to seeing you there!
Zoom Meeting Link
June, 2022 Draft Minutes
Agenda
June General Meeting!
Our first General Meeting of the summer season is upon us! Join us tomorrow Wednesday, June 1st for a hybrid meeting – folks who are vaccinated and masked are welcome to attend in person anytime after 6:30pm. We’ll be starting the meeting and activating the Zoom link (see below) promptly at 7:15pm. This month we’ll be hearing from our local partner Derek Brown from Boxing Out Negativity, sharing updates about upcoming donation events, rides, and shipping parties, and introducing the new faces who have recently joined the WB team. We look forward to seeing you there!
Zoom Meeting Link
April, 2022 Draft Minutes
Agenda
April General Meeting
It’s that time again! Our April General Meeting is coming up next Wednesday, April 6th. We’ll be hosting the meeting using a hybrid model again, with vaccinated, masked attendees welcome to join us at the warehouse anytime after 6:30pm. We’ll be starting the meeting promptly at 7:15pm. We like to hear from our partners at these General Meetings and this time we’ll have folks from our Community Mechanic Training Programs talk about their experience!
Zoom Meeting Link
February, 2022 (Annual Meeting) Draft Minutes
Agenda
The Community Mechanics Training Program!
Working Bikes is partnering with Lyft to create the Community Mechanic Training Program (CMTP), a series of workshops designed to teach community members essential bike mechanic skills! The goal of this program is to help train up future bike mechanics, focused specifically on folks who have barriers to employment and historical underrepresentation in the bicycle industry. Starting in last 2021, Working Bikes staff hosted information sessions for community members to learn more about the CMTP. Recruitment for program members is focused on the neighborhoods surrounding our shop, including North Lawndale, Little Village, and Pilsen. To do this, we’re speaking directly with customers, volunteers, and our neighborhood partners to get the word out about the program!
The first cohort of mechanics in training have already started getting their hands dirty! Xail and Sarah have been leading the group in some of bike 101 basics, including tool and part identification, flat fixes, and the beginning bike systems. After 6 weeks, the mechanics will be ready to seek out employment throughout the city’s network of bike shops, as well as with our program partners at Lyft/Divvy! The second cohort will begin later this month and will be focused on working with Spanish speaking community members. We’re excited to share skills with and support the growing number of bike mechanics in our community! We’ll be sure to takes plenty of photos along the way!
