Bikes for the World Seeks New Members for Board of Directors

BIKES FOR THE WORLD SEEKS NEW BOARD MEMBERS 

WHO WE ARE

Bikes for the World (BfW) is a Rockville, MD-based 501(3)(c) that collects unwanted bicycles, primarily in the DMV area, and distributes them to disadvantaged communities overseas. Since our founding in 2005 and our incorporation in 2011, we have shipped nearly 200,000 bicycles to 19 countries, principally in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America/Caribbean. In addition, some bikes are used to support domestic projects in the United States, such as seasonal bike distributions to area youth and earn-a-bike projects. 

BfW’s mission is to: 

· make quality used bicycles and parts affordable and available to people in developing countries; 

· enhance the lives and livelihoods of students, teachers, healthcare workers, small entrepreneurs, and others through better transport and microcredit lending opportunities; · generate skilled employment in bicycle repair and maintenance overseas; and · provide satisfying environmental and humanitarian community service opportunities for volunteers in the United States. 

HOW WE DO IT

Having only a small staff, we are a volunteer-powered organization. Our bikes are collected locally through drives organized by volunteers, including schools, Eagle Scouts, Girl Scout troops, religious institutions, and organizations such as Rotary Clubs and the World Bank/IMF. BfW staff transport the bikes to our warehouse in Rockville, where they are loaded into containers by volunteers for shipment overseas. Regular, committed volunteers also strip less-ideal bikes for parts. 

Other sources of bikes come through our extensive partnerships with local bike shops who serve as bike drop-off sites in MD and VA. In addition, since our founding, over 20% of the total bikes donated have come from bikes dropped off at transfer stations/recycling centers. This latter source accounts for a significant portion of the spare parts we supply to rural mechanics. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

An ideal Board candidate should be knowledgeable about the operations of BfW, enthusiastic about our mission, and eager to work collaboratively with the other Directors and staff. Having volunteered with BfW or similar organizations is desirable. See here for a list of board responsibilities. 

Board members oversee and guide the organization’s leadership through oversight, good governance, and strategic planning, as well as serving in an ambassadorial and outreach role. They also provide hands-on oversight and active support to the staff through volunteering at BfW collections as the face of BfW, at loadings at the BfW warehouse, and by direct interactions on specific topics; and participating in five annual Board meetings, and in committee meetings on an as-needed basis. BfW Directors are not compensated and must abide by BfW’s written policy statements. 

We value highly engaged Board members. If you have not previously volunteered with us at a collection/loading or visited our warehouse (either the current one in Rockville, MD or our previous locations), we suggest you contact our Executive Director, Taylor Jones (taylor@bikesfortheworld.org) to inquire about doing so. 

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The strength of the BfW board depends on its array of skills, knowledge, experiences, contacts, and gender and ethnic diversity. Ideal candidates will have experience in several of the following thematic areas: 

· international development; 

· the operation, management, or governance of nonprofit organizations poised for growth; · communications and/or public relations, strategic planning, and website development; · fund-raising and grant-writing, with a willingness/ability to identify and write grant proposals; · connections with potential local partners and allies -- nonprofits, businesses, and/or local agencies and governments; 

· financial management and audit requirements; and, 

· recycling and environmental concerns. 

In particular, we are looking for applicants with: 

· connections with internationally facing institutions, such as the Peace Corps or U.S. Agency for International Development, potential corporate partners, and religious or community groups who would be potentially interested in supporting our mission; 

· demonstrated fundraising experience working with corporate trusts and foundations; and, · the ability to introduce BfW staff to potential donors and/or sponsors in a proactively engaged way. 

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, please send a cover letter with CV (with “BfW Board” in the subject line) to Board Chair Karen Hendrixson (khendrix@verizon.net), copying Executive Director Taylor Jones (taylor@bikesfortheworld.org), describing: 

● Relevant professional, non-profit, board-level, corporate, and/or biking/bike industry experience. ● Why are you interested in committing your time, resources, and energy to us? ● What characteristics and strengths you would bring to our Board.