Ready for Bike to Work Day?
I think I'm supposed to be telling people what I am doing at SVBC. Problem is, what I do is pretty boring: Paying bills, sending out invoices, updating payroll, making the deposits, working with insurance issues, writing letters, proofreading, getting supplies in, keeping up the files. Are you yawning yet? Yeah, not something anyone wants to hear too much about. But I do love the job. It’s an organization I really believe in (and someone has to take care of these things!) and I’m working with and supporting such great people.
I do get involved with our programs, but sort of in the background. We are doing a lot of work now on Bike to Work Day. Most people probably don’t realize that serious work on BTWD starts in December, and even before that. It’s a big undertaking. First, the sponsors have to be lined up. These are the companies and organizations that give us the money to put on BTWD. In exchange, they get publicity such as their names and logos on the t-shirts, cloth bags, posters, the website, and other advertising. The sponsors have to be firmed up by the end of February so their names and logos get on the products.
The BTWD logo, t-shirt design, poster design all have to be decided on too. This is done at the regional level, coordinated by the Bay Area Bicycle Coalition. Also, by now Ernesto has started to work on organizing the most visible aspect of BTWD, the Energizer Stations. Another big coordination job. And, we are already working to line up a venue for our yearly Bike Away From Work Bash. What would BTWD be without the Bash?
Most of our work up to this point is done by ED Corinne and Ernesto, our Program Coordinator. I get involved with the invoicing and following up on unpaid bills (we do have expenses to cover!) and I will be working on the t-shirt sales and poster mailing.