Hello Bike Project friends,<br><br>We have a pretty big announcement to make, as we are changing some of our hours at the IMC location. We think that you will like the change, as you will still have the opportunity to work on your bike, but we are offering some new types of hours:<br>
<br><font size="6"><b>New Hours</b></font><br><br>1. <b>Staffed hours</b>: These are the same hours as we have normally operated in the past, and we may also call them <b>Open Hours</b>. We aim to have at least two volunteers during these hours, and you will be able to get some mechanical assistance when you bring in your bike. This is also a great time to make your first visit if you are not a member, as we will be able to offer assistance. During this time we will offer bike and parts sales, so if you are looking to do a little shopping, you can stop by during this time. <br>
<br>2. <b>DIY hours</b>: DIY stands for Do-It-Yourself. During these hours, we cannot guarantee that we will have any mechanics available to help you out. This is a great time to come in and work on your bike if you know what you are doing, or are willing to look through some of the repair books in our library (or like to gamble and maybe meet another member who is willing to help you out). During this time we will also be offering sales, so if you need to buy a bike or whatever -- stop on by. If you are looking to visit our shop for the first time, it is okay if you just want to look around, but if you need help with a minor bike repair you should wait for a Staffed/Open Hours shift.<br>
<br>3. <b><span class="il">Mechanics/Wrench</span> <span class="il">night</span></b>: <u></u>NEW OFFERING! This is a night for members only. The main rule for this night is <u>shop builds only</u>. A shop build is a bike we repair to sell. Why would you want to come on this night? Maybe you are interested in becoming a volunteer, but the other nights are too hectic to learn anything. Show up on this night and our current volunteers will help show you the rules of the shop! Maybe you are interested in repairing your own bike, but would like to learn on a similar bike before tearing into yours -- show up on this night a volunteer will help show you how to make the repair you want to make to your own bike, but you will learn on a shop build. It's kind of like choosing your own one-on-one instruction, but you are helping The Bike Project out by working on a shop build. Maybe you signed up for a work equity membership (where you volunteer 8 hours in exchange for a membership) -- this is a great opportunity to get your hours in while working on shop builds. Or maybe you just want to hang out with some volunteers because we are a fun group of people. That is okay too! Note that we will be offering sales during these hours as well.<br>
<br>One other thing that we have done is leave Monday nights open for classes and meetings. Now you won't have to worry about Campus Bike Project being closed once a month for our members' meetings. Soon we'll begin to offer classes, so if you like some structure to your learning, we will be able to accomodate!<br>
<br><u>Campus Bike Project hours will remain the same</u>, but here are the new hours for the IMC/Urbana location (notice that we've standardized an evening shift as 6:30 to 9:00 -- we hope this helps you free up a few brain cells to use for more important information):<br>
<br><b>Urbana/IMC</b><br>Sunday: 2:00 to 5:00 -- DIY hours<br>Tuesday: 6:30 to 9:00 -- Staffed/Open hours<br>Wednesday: 6:30 to 9:00 -- Mechanics/Wrench night<br>Thursday: 6:30 to 9:00 -- Staffed/Open hours<br>Saturday: 2:00 to 5:00 -- Staffed/Open hours<br>
<br>These hours will be in effect beginning Sunday, April 24.<br><font size="6"><b><br>Monthly Members Meeting</b></font><br>Mark your calendars for Monday, April 25. We will be hosting our monthly meeting at the Urbana/IMC location at 6:30 p.m. Please show up if you can make it. The agenda is available at <a href="http://thebikeproject.wikispaces.com/2011-Apr-25+Agenda">http://thebikeproject.wikispaces.com/2011-Apr-25+Agenda</a>. Feel free to add any agenda items.<br>
<br>Thanks!<br>Phil Graff<br>Bike Project volunteer<br><br>