Board Membership at Bearings Bike Works

Bearings is grateful for the oversight and leadership of a thoughtful and dedicated Board of Directors that collaborates with the staff to put the right tools in the hands of youth, enabling them to advance their skills to build productive lives.

Board Members are involved in a variety of ways to ensure Bearings Bike Works is carrying out its mission and vision in service to the community. At a high level, the Board serves primarily in an oversight and advisory capacity. Growth opportunities, operational challenges and financial management are discussed regularly and board members are leaned on for advice and consultation, both in meetings and in individual capacities. Board members also serve as ambassadors for Bearings’ work in the community and are regularly asked to help broaden Bearings’ base of supporters in carrying out the mission. While board members are not expected to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization, many board members find additional places to serve and volunteer, whether it be in the programs, fundraising efforts or special projects related to growth and innovation.

While there are many “on ramps” and facets to Bearings’ work in the community, whether an interest in cycling, a passion for workforce development and celebration for the skilled trades, or innovative youth programming for Atlanta’s youth, Bearings deepest passion is to create pathways out of poverty for youth growing up in Atlanta by empowering youth towards self-sufficiency through work ethic, skill development, and positive relationships. Bearings is a faith-based organization and embraces a biblical worldview in all aspects of its operations, from program design to oversight and fiduciary responsibilities.

Those who resonate with this approach to poverty alleviation find synergy in their involvement with Bearings. The following books and resources have been foundational to the creation of Bearings’ model of service and worldview: Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor, Bob Lupton; When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself, Steve Corbett; Restoring All Things: God's Audacious Plan to Change the World through Everyday People, John Stonestreet and Warren Cole Smith; How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, Paul Tough; Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth. Bearings Bike Works is also a member of the True Charity Network (learn more at truecharity.us.)

Board Membership Expectations:

1. Be faithful to the organization’s values, mission and policies.

1. Interpret Bearings’ work and values to the community, represent the organization, and act as an ambassador.

2. Be willing to express disagreement in healthy dialogue and debate.

3. Act in the best interest of the organization.

4. Attend a minimum of 75% of board meetings, including committees you are assigned to except in case of family or business emergencies. Attend meetings on time and adequately prepared. RSVP if unable to attend Board or Committee meetings at least three days in advance to Board or Committee Chair. Board Meetings are held every other month (odd months of the year) on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:30 pm. in person at Bearings. (Committees meet in alternate months. Day and time vary depending on the committee members’ schedules and are typically virtual.)

5. Make significant, personal financial investment to the organization at a level that is personally meaningful, with a minimum of $2,500 annually. We ask you to thoughtfully consider making Bearings Bike Works one of your top two philanthropic priorities.

6. Inform the Board Chair of any conflict of interest or possibility of profit as a result of Board action.

7. Serve as the CEO’s representative and under his/her direction to the degree that individual Board members are involved with public representation or volunteer work with the organization. These auxiliary activities are optional for Board members, not mandatory.

8. Serve on the Board for a three-year term, which can be renewed one time for a total of six consecutive years. After six years, a Board member must step off for a minimum of one year; during the one-year sabbatical a Board member may remain involved as a volunteer, advisor or other non-Board capacity.

Bearings Bike Works carries Directors and Officers Insurance to protect the Board. Our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws also limit liability of the board following standard non-profit best practices.

Becoming a Member of the Board:

1. All candidates will meet with the CEO and one or more existing board members for informal interviews.

2. Assuming a mutual wish to proceed following these interviews, the candidate will then fill out an application and submit references.

3. Candidates are invited to attend at least one meeting to observe board culture and meeting flow.

4. The board votes on new member applications in the fall and, if affirmed, extends a formal invitation to the candidate to join the board.

5. New board member terms begin in January.

To learn more or express interest in membership of Bearings’ Board of Directors, please email us.