As some in our community may know, BICAS has recently taken some time to re-energize the Volunteer Program. As a result, we had temporarily suspended the Volunteer Orientation. We are hoping to launch a robust program that offers consistent opportunities for volunteer participation.
We are excited to announce that we have confirmed an orientation date for March 23, 2016 – after which regular, orientations will be resuming again on the 4th Wednesday of every month. With this orientation, we will be discussing plans, hopes, and dreams for our new Volunteer Program. We invite you to join us at this orientation by filling out our Volunteer Application and Orientation Sign-up. Please feel free to email our Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator at bicasvolunteers@bicas.org with any questions. We look forward to connecting with you soon!
BICAS Special Events
BICAS hosts several annual fundraiser events, including:
BICAS often partners with the Living Streets Alliance to provide free bike repair services at local schools and various Kidical Masses in community. These repairs happen on as as-need basis. As we continue to dream and expand our Volunteer Program, we will be looking to increase our visibility in communities in need of our services with our Mobile Mechanics initiatives. These programs require volunteer support. Specifically, they require volunteers who are able to commit their time and energy towards becoming proficient in the mechanical areas that are most useful at these outreach events – the best way to do that is by frequenting our Open Toolbox Nights (See below). These nights are designed to help dedicated volunteers become proficient outreach mechanics. Your availability and schedule will determine whether this type of volunteer position will work for you. Click to learn more about exciting upcoming Mobile Mechanics Opportunities.
Open Toolbox (OTB) Nights
Held the 2nd and 4th Wednesday night of every month from 6:30pm–8:30pm at BICAS. On the 4th Wednesday, Open Toolbox will immediately follow our monthly orientation. OTB is a knowledge exchange and work party in a fun and social setting – a great way to meet other volunteers and to get to know BICAS. Projects vary depending on the instructional topic or theme, but typically feature unique topics such as Bike Stripping, Bike Cleaning & Lubricating, Fix-a-Flat, Front & Rear Hub Rebuild, to name a few. These sessions are facilitated by a BICAS mechanic and function, simultaneously, as peer-based trainings and volunteer opportunities with our Kids Bikes initiatives. Building up/repairing kids bikes so that they are affordable and accessible in our communities is an integral component of these skill shares and one of our DREAMS at BICAS. As volunteers become proficient in various areas of bike mechanics, they will also help us manifest this dream!
Area Specific
Some volunteer work will be unique to a particular area of BICAS, such as assisting staff with data entry for various programs. These kinds of opportunities are dynamic and changing depending on the program needs. While a regular, consistent shift may be possible, program work often happens on a continuum, with some months being busier than others. For example, while there may be ongoing data miscellaneous data entry work, the need for volunteers increases during special events – i.e. Art Auction.
