INSTITUTIONAL PLAN










Approved By

QCBS Collective Council

May 13, 2008





19 June 2008




Dear QCBS Supporter,




During the last year, our 501(c)(3) community bicycle shop has utilized graciously donated residential space, public parks, and commercial venues to house our repair shop and build our publicly-owned Greenbikes. The attached Institutional Plan is meant to help us grow these and other mission-critical programs. We are asking for your public support for this plan, so that we may approach granting agencies and private donors with vigor and confidence.


The plan is the result of several months of collective decision-making by our governing body. Our goal is to record the broad community support shown by cycling citizens, local businesses, local media, public officials, law enforcement, and civic institutions over the last year.


You need not agree with every detail of this Institutional Plan. It is a living document and, like any business plan or budget, it can be changed democratically as new challenges and needs arise. We welcome comments and responses via the contact information on our website, www.qcbs.org.

Regards,


QCBS Collective Council














INSTITUTIONAL PLAN

QUERENCIA COMMUNITY BIKE SHOP

DENTON, TEXAS







Approved By

QCBS Collective Council

May 13, 2008

CONTENTS



  1. Mission

  2. Goals

  3. Teaching Model

  4. Our Community

  5. QCBS Community Programs

  6. Our Needs

  7. Proposed Budget (Start-up through Second Year)


APPENDICES


  1. List of Supporters


  1. City of Denton Map of Proposed Cycling Lanes and Trails


  1. QCBS Certification Criteria


  1. Frequently Asked Questions


MISSION STATEMENT


Our mission statement was approved during the ratification of our Constitution, which may be found on-line at www.qcbs.org:


QCBS’s mission is to establish and maintain a 501(c)(3) non-profit community-run bike shop, dedicated to providing residents of Denton County a healthy, affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative to the debilitating effects of automotive dependency. We will achieve our mission by offering open access to the necessary work space, tools, parts, and instructional resources for one to build, repair and maintain his or her own bicycle. This will also serve to encourage self-reliant transportation while strengthening the bonds of community through collective ownership and cooperation.



GOALS


TEACHING MODEL


The governing body of QCBS, its Collective Council, values teaching over all other activities. We strongly adhere to the principle of self-reliance through collective action as expressed in our Mission Statement (www.qcbs.org). We ask that students not only learn to repair and ride their bicycles safely, but that they teach others to do the same. To that end, the great collective effort of building and maintaining QCBS is based on the expansion of a large pool of qualified instructors. In our experience, bicycle repair is a skill sorely lacking in our society, especially among those most likely to benefit from bicycle transportation. We provide knowledge currently available only to commercial shops or to individuals with great time to invest in self-learning. Our model of teaching will provide bicycle repair and cycling skills to everyone willing to learn on a pay-as-you-can basis.

The QCBS open-shop and continuing education programs practice a traditional artisan-apprentice model of teaching with one-on-one and hands-on instruction between a certified QCBS instructor or volunteer and their students. Instructors are expected to be able to work with the diverse community that makes Denton a great place to live and work. While entry-level volunteers are always encouraged to help one another repair bicycles, we encourage the use of our certified instructors (see Appendix C). These community experts must demonstrate their abilities to our governing body before teaching their own workshops.

We hope to maintain rigor in teaching while encouraging beginners to experiment with repairs in a safe and fruitful manner. Students who achieve basic safety certifications will be allowed to work unsupervised in the shop under guidelines approved by the Collective Council.

Our classroom is the shop itself. Volunteers will receive extensive aid with their first projects but are expected to learn how to repair and care for their own bicycles. Multiple repair stands and full tool kits will make possible repairs that are impractical at home or with traditional automotive tools. Contrary to its simplicity, the bicycle requires at least seventy-four unique tools.

At present, we maintain a strict do-it-yourself teaching model where the only forms of payment accepted from students are volunteer hours to the organization, private donations, and a willingness to learn.

No teaching will occur at a QCBS shop or event without strict adherence to safety rules. Road and shop safety is the first goal of any QCBS student or instructor. Note that no one may advance to certification or instructor status without passing the basic safety courses.

Most of our volunteers have extensive public interests outside the bike shop. We hope to teach not only our bicycle skills but also the things we have learned as a non-profit community organization. To that end, QCBS instructors will also be available to lead or join workshops on community mobilization, non-profit organizing, and other related topics. In so doing we adhere to the non-profit guidelines forbidding partisanship and lobbying.

OUR COMMUNITY


QCBS serves the community as a non-profit organization under federal law. Our volunteers and constituents would like to open the transportation corridors of Greater Denton to more efficient, environmentally friendly, and safer bicycle transportation. We are working people, professionals, business owners, civil servants, and students who share a desire to make Denton a better place to live, learn, and work. Denton's diversity and proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex create an opportunity for economic and civic growth. Bicycle advocacy must be developed at an institutional level in order to address the public health, environmental, economic, and social consequences of Denton’s expanding population and influence. We have an opportunity to create a model community by seeking resolution to traffic congestion, sprawl, and pollution.

Our community is non-partisan, non-profit, volunteer-based, and committed to innovation. We do not condemn those who use automobiles. In fact, while we prefer cycling whenever possible, many of our members rely on cars for daily commutes to work and school. This familiarity with the problems of automobility in part drive our mission. Many of us also support mechanized public transportation as a vital solution to urban growth. However, we believe that bicycle and pedestrian mobility are the ultimate solutions to growth problems and will benefit every factor in the equation regarding Denton’s ongoing expansion.

Situated in a relatively flat and temperate climate, our North Texas community is poised to become a model for bicycle mobility at the crossroads of the American South and Lower Midwest. Public transportation and walkable cities in these two regions have lagged behind established infrastructure in the urban North and Upper Midwest. The City of Denton has stated the issue clearly. "The city should be designed to accommodate people rather than automobiles . . . Transit, bicycle, and pedestrian linkages should be planned and implemented to serve daily transportation needs safely and conveniently" (The Denton Plan, 1999-2020: Comprehensive Plan of the City of Denton, Planning and Development Department, Comprehensive Planning Section: City of Denton, 1999, p. 29).

QCBS has received open support from educational, law enforcement, civic institutions, commercial institutions, and local bicycle shops. Widespread community support encourages and enables QCBS to promote cycling and its inherent benefits to health, transportation logistics, safety, and the environment.




COMMUNITY PROGRAMS


As part of its focus on community service and cycling advocacy, QCBS supports community and continuing education programs for youth and adults. Our 501(c)3 status legally allows the fulfillment of requirements for certain community service programs. All of the programs encourage donation but are free to those who cannot afford them.

Workshops

Students receive practical instruction on topics ranging from commuter safety, bicycle repair, and fitness. We include both an “open shop” for immediate repairs and a more extensive program of continuing education workshops.


Build-a-Bike

Volunteers are rewarded with the opportunity to salvage and repair their very own QCBS bicycle from our donated inventory.


Youth Bike

A variety of courses teach Denton’s youth about bicycle safety and basic maintenance. Advanced youths may take adult courses with parent and instructor approval. Enrollment fees may cover cost of equipment, helmet, and materials in this “mini-day camp” program.


GreenBike

This is modeled on a popular international method of releasing salvaged and uniquely identifiable bicycles into the “wild” for public use. QCBS and participating commercial shops repair the bicycles for free. At least one local shop is already repairing QCBS Greenbikes. GreenBike was recognized by the Denton Record Chronicle and by the community at our successful benefit concert and bicycle release during May 2007.


Advocacy Programs

Community outreach and cycling awareness programs help Denton accommodate and appreciate the economic and cultural value of the bicycle. QCBS is not against anyone, we’re just for the bicycle! QCBS does not lobby on behalf of politicians, political parties, or political agendas. We will help others improve community and advocacy programs where possible.


ArtBike

We are committed to ongoing collaboration with local artists and the art community. Our creative community converts bicycle waste into functional beauty and objets d’art, such as the recent Greenbike sculpture installation on the UNT campus.

OUR NEEDS


Our organization’s most immediate and substantial need is a permanent location in which to house our growing donated inventory, repair infrastructure, and tools. For program consistency we prefer a donated lease of at least two years in a space of at least 1000 sq. feet with safe plumbing and electrical power. Our ideal location is our “constituent corridor,” a sector bordered by TWU, the intersection of Bonnie Brae and University Ave., UNT, and Denton’s town square. This space encloses most public institutions, bicycle-able mercantile corridors, and Denton’s older central housing.

Aside from a permanent location, the usual start-up necessities will include office infrastructure (computer, basic furniture, and printing funds), repair infrastructure (tool kits, repair stands, lumber for counters, and essential power tools), and enough funding for our first two years of utility and service bills.

We continue to accept working assets like bicycles, parts, money, and working tools. Gifts may be anonymous, but as a non-profit community organization we make the description, value, and date of all items, cash, and in-kind donations a part of the public record.




PROJECTED BUDGET


FISCAL YEARS 2008 & 2009

Monthly

FY 2008

FY 2009

Office Infrastructure




Lease

600

7200

7200

Utilities

150

1800

1800

Web/Phone

50

600

600

Desktop Computer


600

 

Printer/Fax


250

 

XP Pro Software


300

 

Chairs


200

 

Tables


100

 

Maintenance



300

Subtotal (Office)


11050

9900





Repair Infrastructure




Repair Stand * 4


1200

 

Repair Station Tools*4


1100

 

Lumber


1000

 

Surface Materials


400

 

Fasteners


300

 

Paint


200

 

Misc.


500

 

Maintenance



1000

Subtotal (Repair)


4700

1000





Publications/Media




Photocopies


500

600

Other Printing


500

700

Signage


1000

200

Subtotal (Publications)


2000

1500





TOTAL


17750

12400




APPENDIX A


SUPPORTERS

(IN PROGRESS)



APPENDIX B


CITY OF DENTON BICYCLE ACCESS PLAN (MAP)


http://www.cityofdenton.com/pages/engprintmaps.cfm?36x48bike%2Epdf&object=1529&folderID=19&fileID=115&action=view


APPENDIX C


QCBS CERTIFICATION CRITERIA

In addition to our “open” shop periods, interested QCBS volunteers and the general public are encouraged to participate in our continuing education courses. The courses are not required or mandatory, but certain privileges are reserved for certified volunteers who have completed them. Professional instructors or mechanics who can demonstrate mastery of a particular field may be certified without completing all of the requirements in a field. Such candidates must be sitting members of the Collective Council, demonstrate real support of the QCBS mission, and must still complete the co-teaching and other volunteer requirements of the particular certification.


Road Safety (certification)


Students will learn and demonstrate to the Road Safety Instructor a basic understanding of vehicular cycling, which is the practice of negotiating automobile and pedestrian traffic in a legal, safe, and assertive manner. Requirements: Youths must wear ANSI-, SNELL-, or CSCC-approved cycling helmet, sign QCBS Safety Code, and obtain guardian permission. Adults must wear helmet if available and acknowledge QCBS Safety Code. One-on-one and small-group sessions are available for special needs students. The course should take no more than 90 (ninety) minutes. Privilege: receipt of certificate signed by QCBS Collective Council at next meeting.



Road Safety (instructor)


The “RSI” will demonstrate to the Collective Council the ability to independently teach and certify students. QCBS requires that the RSI be especially vigilant in adhering to the Safety Code when teaching courses, and in enforcing the youth helmet rule. Requirements: The RSI candidate will observe and comment on the teaching of a senior RSI. The candidate will then co-teach 1 (one) Road Safety Certification course. A senior RSI will then evaluate the independent teaching of the candidate and make a recommendation to the Council. The candidate is permitted to respond to the RSI recommendation. The total time required for the RSI certification is approximately 6 (six) hours, including observation, co-teaching, and teaching. Privileges: ability to teach Road Safety course, purchase discounts, signed certificate.



Basic Shop Repair (certification)


Students will first demonstrate to a certified QCBS Mechanic or Technician (see below) a command of safety protocols for non-power tools and the proper handling of solvents and repair stands. Then the student will proceed to learn how to adjust all the “exterior” components and control surfaces of the geared bicycle, and to adjust chain tension on a non-geared bicycle. Requirements: Road Safety Certification, guardian permission if necessary, oral or written “pass” on basic safety and parts and tool identification test. Three 90 (ninety) minute courses will precede a demonstration in which the student will have 1 (one) hour to properly adjust brakes, derailleurs, headset, and cones on a geared bicycle, for a total time of approximately 6 (six) hours. Privileges: access to repair stand unsupervised, limited access to repair stand, purchase discounts, signed certificate.



Mechanic (certification/instructor)


The Mechanic candidate will first demonstrate to a certified QCBS Technician a mastery of safety protocols related to power and fabrication tools. The candidate will demonstrate to a Technician the ability to build, dish, true, and test a rear wheel for a geared bicycle. The mechanic will demonstrate an ability to rebuild and properly adjust a rear hub, bottom bracket, headset, and brake assembly (cable, coaster, or disc of the candidate’s choice). Requirements: Road Safety Certification, guardian permission if necessary. The Mechanic candidate must co-teach at least 2 (two) Basic Shop Repair courses, or co-teach 1 (one) Road Safety and 1 (one) Shop Repair Course. The candidate must independently teach 1 (one) Basic Shop Repair course and be observed by a Technician who will make a recommendation to the Council. The candidate may respond to the recommendation of the Technician. Privileges: ability to teach Basic Shop Repair courses, access to repair stands, purchase discounts, signed certificate.



Technician (certification/instructor)


Technician will demonstrate to the Collective Council and the Shop Committee a unique contribution to the mission of QCBS in at least one of the following areas: fabrication, instruction, shop design, re-purposing/recycling, functional artistic endeavor, or other category approved by the Council. Privileges: ability to mentor Mechanics, permanent posting in QCBS archives of the documented project, signed certificate.



APPENDIX D


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


I’m interested in making a donation to help achieve the QCBS Institutional Plan. What do I do?


Please contact our Treasurer, Ellen Chenoweth (940-597-0201) for financial donations, or our Shop Manager, James Thompson at (940-206-0933) for material donations. All aspects of your contribution, large or small, will be recorded for the public record according to our strict fiduciary guidelines and for your tax purposes. Always ask for a “Record of Transaction” from the receiving volunteer. You may remain anonymous if you like. We ask that if you promote your association with our non-profit group, you do so in a manner that acknowledges our non-profit status and non-partisanship.



Where can I find a Green Bike?


In May 2007 QCBS released twenty-five Green Bikes across Denton during a public parade. In April 2008 a UNT Design II class released three Green Bikes with our assistance. Greenbikes remain in circulation. Typical release locations include libraries, schools, stores, and the town square. No one tracks them, so you never know when one might appear (or disappear). It could take a decade or more for the green bike culture to catch on here. In the meantime, encourage your friends and neighbors to use the bicycles responsibly and protect public access to them. Some apartment complexes and student dorms have created their own “in-house” Greenbikes (one was red, actually).



Won't Green Bikes get stolen?


Yes. The theft of community bicycles only demonstrates a demand for more bicycles. And even a stolen community bike is still one saved from the waste stream.



I found a Green Bike in need of repair. What do I do?


Email us at repair@qcbs.com or send a myspace message to www.myspace.com/qcbs. Let us know where and when you saw the bicycle and any other details. Some local shops repair the bikes. If they do, remember to thank them in writing so they can let the public know they support our mission.



Can I join your mailing list?


To subscribe to our low-volume mailing list, visit www.myspace.org/qcbs or contact our Internal Coordinator, Taylor Jones, by land mail at P. O. Box 1453, Denton, TX 76201. We will never share your information with public or private institutions except by your express consent.



How do you train your "certified" instructors?


First, we consult with other community bike shops. We also value the contributions of professional mechanics, industry experts, and local public officials in the design of our curriculum and certification criteria. For example, many local patrol car and bicycle police support our mission. Denton Police Department is headquarters for a world-famous cycling academy, and we hope to consult with them extensively in the teaching of vehicular cycling, which is a safe and legal method of asserting presence in automobile traffic. We welcome all friendly criticism and contributions to our teaching methods and perform regular self-evaluations among our students and volunteers.



Can I complete community service hours with QCBS?


With 501(c)3 status, QCBS can help you complete your community service hours.



How do your day-to-day shop practices support your larger environmental concerns?


We are committed to recycling, re-purposing of materials, and the efficient repair of bicycles with minimal parts and supply purchases. Thanks to advances in bicycle repair technology, we use environmentally safe chemical solvents and lubricants except in rare circumstances.



How do I join the Collective Council?


Volunteers who contribute twelve or more hours to the organization over a continuous three-month period may join our governing body and be selected by the Council for Steering Committee positions. Our Council meetings are open to the public and currently are held at Banter Coffee House, just off the square, 8pm, every Wednesday. Keep in mind these are business meetings, but we do socialize afterwards.



What does querencia mean and how do you say it?


Querencia (Ke-REN-see-ya) is a "Spanish term describing a deep, quiet sense of well being that comes with knowing a particular place of the earth . . . its history and its part in your history” (Kirkpatrick Sale, Dwellers in the Land: The Bioregional Vision. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 2000). We believe that, apart from obvious economic and health benefits, a cycling and walking city can help foster querencia among its citizens. While at first some of our volunteers troubled over the complexity of our name, querencia has come to evoke the non-partisanship and collectivity of our organization.