Hey SVBE volunteers, staff. You’ve done an amazing job keeping our wheels turning, saving bikes from the landfill and providing valuable transportation to our community!
Here are some of the ways that 2024 is off to a great start:
- In the first 3 months, we donated 181 bikes, 61 more than that time last year, a nearly 51% increase over last year.
- With Gregg nearly singlehandedly operating the shop, SVBE earned more revenue in Q1 2024 than in Q1 2023, 18% more.
- Our building and cash reserve fund has grown to over $1 million dollars.
We’ve brought on new part-time team members to continue building SVBE:
- Aneta Blazyczek was hired as a part-time consultant in December last year as our Human Resource Strategist, reworking all of our HR practices and policies from the ground up.
- Niko Dueweke, reporting to Gregg, is now a part-time paid employee and our first designated sales associate.
- Holly Nielsen, our part-time Social Media Specialist, was hired in April to help all in our SVBE community to tell their story. Contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have a story to tell with either words or photos.
- We’ve received over 150 applications for open positions for the roles of Volunteer Coordinator and Program Manager.
Our board has added some talented new people:
- Ross Stovall joined early in 2024 with a particular interest in deploying his professional skills as a Manufacturing and Operations consultant to rebuild all of our operational practices, particularly our accounting, sales and inventory systems.
- Katy Tripp, a Business Controller/Finance Program Manager at Google, has joined to lend her organizational expertise and her background as a CPA/auditor to SVBE.
- Nicole Cove has over 17 years experience in the finance industry including 10 years on Wall Street. Nicole will be leading management of SVBE’s treasury funds.
SVBE also recognizes the contributions of two departed board members, Bruce Hildenbrand and Roger Conley Smith.
A key focus for SVBE in 2024 is improving the volunteer experience. Some ways we have or plan to continue cultivating our community is by:
- Starting new volunteer events. Thanks to Helen, Michael and Dave who have been leading a new Monday night volunteer event open to all on the third Monday of the month.
- Improving the shop experience. In 2023, shop organization and tidiness was highlighted as a large area of improvement. Thanks in no small measure to our amazing volunteer David Geraghty and Shop Manager Gregg Kato, the shop is tidier and better organized than it has been in years.
- Creating new programs such as education and repair opportunities for volunteers.
- Building a better outdoor space to socialize when we’re not fixing bikes.
Unfortunately, Gregg, Dave F. and David G. have been having to deal with repeated acts of vandalism to our waste bins, illegal dumping, and more recently, a series of shop burglaries. The police are actively investigating and we have been increasing building security measures.
Volunteers like you are what make us a community and together you are our most important resource. Your hard work and dedication continue to make SVBE a vital force in our community. Together, we're building a brighter future for SVBE and cycling enthusiasts alike!