Board Application Information Packet 11-1-2020
Election Schedule and How to Apply:
Nov. 16: Board applications are due by 5pm.
Nov. 30 to Dec. 14 at noon: Voting period. You'll be able to vote online via google form or in person at the shop on Sundays. An option for voting by phone will also be available for those who need it.
Dec. 14, 6pm: We'll announce the results and celebrate at the Co-op's Dec. meeting!
To apply, please fill out this Board Application form by 5 pm on November 16.
Co-op History & Purpose
The Durham Bicycle Cooperative (“the Co-op”) was founded in 2007 as an all-volunteer community bike workshop located in downtown Durham, North Carolina. In 2015, the organization launched a major campaign to renovate and move to the current space at 1612 Acadia Street in Duke Park neighborhood.
We provide bicycle repair skill-sharing and an earn-a-bike program, as well as various community outreach programs including free helmet distribution for children and youth, and programs to provide bicycles to children in partnership with the City of Durham. The Co-op is a 501(c)3 nonprofit built on a collective model, where (prior to COVID) volunteer shop coordinators manage open-shop work sessions and skilled volunteer mechanics dedicate time to assist patrons with fixing up their bicycles. Patrons can either purchase or earn a Co-op membership through volunteering, and can purchase or earn a bicycle for low cost. Our open shops are currently on hold but we are offering one-on-one assistance on a limited basis during the pandemic.
Board Structure & Responsibilities
The Co-op is based on a “working board” model where board members fill necessary roles to sustain the shop operations, cultivate a healthy financial standing, inform our membership base of organizational activities, and create a sense of community by hosting special events and membership meetings (currently virtual due to COVID-19).
Because of our “worker collective” roots, the Co-op operates on a consensus-based decision-making platform, hosting monthly meetings open to all members. At the monthly meetings, board members and core volunteers discuss a variety of topics, consense around common goals or decisions, and vote, as needed, to address organizational needs. There are also committee meetings held as needed to discuss items and move projects forward outside the monthly meetings.
The time commitment to attend the monthly meeting and committee meetings (if any) is approximately 2 – 4 hours per month. In addition to participating in monthly and committee meetings, it is expected that each board member fill a role to contribute to the Co-op’s well-being.
Board Roles & Term
Board elections are held annually in December with Board terms of 1 - 2 years. The Co-op seeks to fill the board roles listed below to keep the organization functioning at its best, and also strives to represent the diversity of the Co-op’s general membership in the selection of board members. We encourage people of all races, genders, gender expressions, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, religions, and abilities to apply and participate in the board.
Board roles include:
And may also include:
Operations lead
Events / public outreach lead
Equity lead
IT lead
Development coordinator
Communications coordinator
Volunteer / “shop vibe” coordinator
Donations coordinator
(It is not required to be on the board to hold one of the above lead or coordinator roles, but we encourage board participation.)
Skills that the Co-op welcomes in board candidates include (but are not limited to or required to participate):
· Accounting / bookkeeping
· Nonprofit or business management
· Fundraising, development, or grantwriting
· IT / software / web Development
· Communications / marketing / social media
· Neighborhood liaison
· Bike knowledge/ mechanical skills
· Teaching and training
· Volunteer coordination
· Event coordination
· Membership development
· Customer service
· Community and government partnership relations
· Legal expertise
Board Member Expectations:
1. Attend at least 75% of Co-op monthly meetings.
2. Make an annual financial contribution to the Co-op at the level that is reasonable for each individual.
3. Support the Co-op’s mission, purposes, goals, policies, and programs in an inclusive and collaborative manner.
4. Help recruit other nominees to the Board who can make a contribution to the progress of the organization.
5. Serve actively on committees of the Board.
6. Attend activities and events sponsored by the Co-op whenever possible.
7. Sign a conflict of interest policy and notify the board should a potential conflict of interest arise in the future.
Any questions? Please contact Debbie West at development@durhambikecoop.org. Thank you to everyone who is interested in applying!
