Volunteer!

Volunteers fixing bikes at the Boston Cyclists Union's roving Bike to Market stand.

There are several ways to get involved with the union, from the smallest tasks and favors on up to joining the board of directors. There are specific jobs that can be taken on–such as helping out at the office, compiling the Union Rider newsletter or volunteering at a Bike to Market stand–and there are also internships and initiatives that can be taken up by the right candidates. If you’re interested in helping out with decision making and working with a team——joining one of the Boston Cyclists Union’s committees might be the thing.

To let us know about you and what you’re interested in, you can fill out our volunteer sign-up form. But getting plugged in may involve emailing the director, calling the Union, or joining a committee.

To join a committee, you can either check the online calendar on our home page for the next meeting of that committee or contact the chair of that committee and let them know what you’re interested in. Here are our four standing committees:

BIKE PROMOTION COMMITTEE
Acting chair: George Ulrich
Covering all aspects of encouraging people to ride bikes by any means. From teaching people how to ride to making the environment more bike-friendly to influencing policy.

Volunteer grassroots organizers help collect information from neighborhood residents and translate their desires into requests for better biking infrastructure.

This committee covers:

Education, Classes/Workshops
Bike to Market
Urban Design & Cycling Infrastructure
Neighborhood Organizing
Public Education
Identifying demand for publications (to be carried out by Communications Committee)
Special Events
Beginner and Intermediate rides

UNION BUILDING COMMITTEE
Chair: Stefanie O’Shea
Covering all aspects of building a strong community of support around the Boston Cyclists Union, from writing grants to ensuring that members feel engaged and involved.

Fundraising
Grant Writing
Membership development
Discount program
Membership events
Rank and File/Volunteer Community building
Annual Meeting
House Parties
Volunteer Management
Volunteer night

By collecting names on petitions and other means, volunteers are helping to build an organization with real influence on policy and infrastructure.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Acting Chair: Dana Busch
Covering all aspects of communicating what the Union does to the outside world.

Editorial
“Info-Wranglers”
Web Development
Design
Info-graphics
Public Relations
Public Education publications and announcements
Social Media
Research/Evaluation

FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Acting Chair: Ray Porfilio
This committee oversees the financial and everyday operations of the Boston Cyclists Union. If you have strong skills in non-profit management, accounting, non-profit law, this may be your bag.

Budget
Administrative Policies/Procedures
Board Composition/Nominations
Board/Director Evaluation