Volunteer Job Descriptions

Volunteer Night
What: Primarily working with others fixing bikes for donation, sale, or the Bike Library. Less experienced volunteers are paired with more experienced; all are welcome. This is a great way to learn bike mechanics.
When: Monday nights 3-9pm
Preferred time commitment: Half an hour or more
Skills wanted: None required, but general bike maintenance and organizational skills are a plus

Bike Library Filmmakers and Editors
What: The Community Partners Bike Library seeks individuals to film and edit footage to create a short (3-minute) video about the program, and to record and edit footage throughout the 2012 Bike Library season for future videos.
When: Hours vary. Volunteers needed right away for editing footage about the 2011 season. Please contact marianne@cyclesforchange.org
Preferred Time Commitment: Able to commit at least a few hours in January for the creation of a video, or able to commit a few hours starting in April.
Skills wanted: Some experience with filmmaking and/or editing.

Open Shop Assistant
What: This is a time for anyone in the community to come into the shop to learn how to fix their own bike. As an assistant, you will help people perform repairs on their bikes and ensure that each open shop patron gets the help they need, puts tools and parts away, and has a positive experience.
When: Wednesdays 3-9pm, Saturdays 12-4pm, Sundays 12-5pm
Preferred time commitment: at least 2 hours
Skills wanted: Bike mechanic skills, knowledge of the space, ability to teach, ability to multitask

Bike Library Photographer
What: The Community Partners Bike Library seeks photographers to document programming and events throughout the 2012 Bike Library season.
When: Hours vary. April through October 2012. Contact marianne@cyclesforchange.org to volunteer.
Preferred Time Commitment: One hour for each event.
Skills wanted: Some experience with photography.

Greeter
What: Greeter’s main responsibility is to welcome visitors and volunteers to the space. Greeters help manage Open Shop activities by ensuring people working on bikes find a stand, or get on a waiting list, helping volunteers to check in with a staff member and record their hours, and by providing general information to community members.
When: Wednesdays 3-9pm, Saturdays 12-4pm, Sundays 12-5pm
Preferred time commitment: at least 2 hours
Skills wanted: Friendly approach, ability to keep track of multiple tasks simultaneously

Sales Floor Cashier Assistant
What: As a Sales Assistant you will be asked to greet customers who enter the sales floor and continue through the sale or donation of a bike, including running the register. You will also be asked to keep the shop clean, organized, and free of bike parts.
When: Monday Wednesday: 3-9pm, Saturday Sunday: 12-5pm
Preferred time commitment: at least 2 hours
Skills wanted: People skills, knowledge of bikes and bike accessories to help shoppers

Youth Teaching Assistant
What: Assist a staff instructor in youth programming--Cycles for Change offers a variety of youth programming including the apprenticeship program, the COMPAS Arts apprenticeship, and classes through St Paul Connections during the school year.
When: The apprenticeship program is Mon-Fri, 9am-12:00pm. The COMPAS Arts program is Mon-Fri 1-3:00pm. These run through August. Classes during the school year generally run between 3-5pm twice a week.
Preferred time commitment: At least one day a week for a full class session
Skills wanted: Experience with youth, basic bike knowledge

Teaching Assistant
What: Assist a staff instructor in teaching youth classes and adult classes.
When: Saturdays 10am-12pm (Earn-a-Bike classses, ongoing), Sundays 4:30-6:30 (Basic or Intermediate level, four week classes), Thursdays 6-8:30 (Basic or Intermediate level, four week classes)
Preferred time commitment: Full class time for any of the classes
Skills wanted: Knowledgeable in whichever class they are assisting, preferably already taken that specific class

Bike Library Translation and Interpreting
What: The Community Partners Bike Library seeks community members fluent in Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Karenni and Somali to assist with translation of materials beginning in February 2012.  Opportunities are available for interpreting at our events April through October 2012.
When: Translation support needed in February 2012 to prepare for the upcoming Bike Library season. Hours flexible. Please email marianne@cyclesforchange.org
Preferred Time Commitment: One hour at least
Skills wanted: Proficiency in Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Karenni or Somali languages.

Project Wishlist
What: Cycles for Change has a number of projects we would love for volunteers to take on--these are listed on our website in our Wishlist. These projects include coordinating Bike Drives, fixing the wind turbine, and making T-shirts. The wishlist can be accessed at cyclesforchange.org/wishlist
When: Anytime.
Preferred time commitment: Depends on project; some will take more time than others.
Skills wanted: Personal initiative and ability to work without supervision

Bike Library Mechanics
What: The Community Partners Bike Library seeks community members to help our Lead Mechanic with bike maintenance and mechanics in the Minneapolis Bike Library warehouse.
When: Volunteers needed right away! Please email marianne@cyclesforchange.org
Preferred Time Commitment: One hour at least
Skills wanted: Some mechanics experience or willingness to take classes at Sibley.

Special Events
What: Most of these events would require you to help set up our booth at community gatherings and interact with community members to let them know about Cycles for Change. This could also include helping out at a bike repairs/maintenance stand.
When: If you are interested in this opportunity ask for an events schedule from any employee.
Preferred time commitment: At least one hour, but it depends on the event
Skills wanted: People skills, potentially bike mechanic skills, neighborhood connections a plus

Specialized Teams
What: Volunteers can choose to serve on any of three volunteer-led teams: Finance, Fundraising and Grant Writing, and Web Help. Serving on a team entails meeting with other team members and fulfilling the teams specific purpose.
When: Teams meet once a month. Check with a staff person for upcoming meeting times.
Preferred time commitment: 2-3 hours/week preferred
Skills wanted: Skills specific to the team preferred--experience managing budgets, fundraising, grant writing, and working with websites and databases all are pluses.
 

Bike Library Orientations: Staff Support
What: Volunteers needed to support the Community Partners Bike Library team during our spring Orientation & Bike Fits.
When: Hours vary. Orientations will be scheduled between April and July 2012. Please email marianne@cyclesforchange.org to get involved.
Preferred Time Commitment: One hour at least.
Skills wanted: Must enjoy working with the public.

Translator
What: Translation services would be immensely helpful during open shop hours, in doing any work with the Bike Library and for translating the various written materials Sibley produces.  
When: During Open Shop hours; on your own time
Preferred Time Commitment: any
Skills Wanted: Fluency in Spanish, Hmong, Kareni or Karen

For more information on any of these volunteer opportunities, please email micah@cyclesforchange.org.

Thanks, and hope to see you around the shop!