Board of Directors overview
Mission and vision
At the Community Cycling Center (CCC) we love Portland and bikes, so we put our two passions together 30 years ago, founding an organization on a mission to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits. Our vision is to help create a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay happy, healthy, and connected. We believe that all Portlanders–regardless of income or background should have the opportunity to experience the joy, liberation, and health benefits of cycling.
Our Approach
To advance CCC’s mission to broaden access to bicycling and its benefits, our first step is to ask the communities we serve what they need. We work alongside those most affected by racial and economic oppression to identify and overcome barriers to cycling that they face. Our organizational trajectory is shaped by findings from the Understanding Barriers (2010) and Barriers to Biking (2023) community engagement studies conducted in North and East Portland. In the latter study, community members repeatedly named lack of access to bicycles and a need for commuter safety education as barriers to bicycling in East Portland. That’s where our no-cost community programs enter the picture.
Who we serve: community programs
Since 1994, CCC’s community programs have served people living in North, Northeast, and East Portland who are marginalized by racism, sexism, xenophobia, and/or economic oppression. One hundred percent of participants in our programs are people of color, immigrants, and/or those living on a low income.
Business operations: 17th & Alberta Street
The CCC operates a for-profit DIY workshop, retail, and classroom space on 17th and NE Alberta Street. All revenue generated through sales of memberships, classes, and retail items directly supports our no-cost community programs.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment in every facet of our operations. We value diversity, collaboration, and respect for all people and ideas that contribute to a healthy, connected community. We recognize that there is societal injustice, so we strive to promote equity through constructive dialogue, organizational reflection, and effective, meaningful action.
Who we’re looking for
The CCC is seeking passionate and motivated community members to join our Board of Directors. The Board is composed of at least three members and no more than fifteen, each member serves a two year term with the option for re-election up to three times, for a total of six years of service.
The Board provides general and fiscal oversight, assists with fundraising and development efforts, and guides the strategic direction of the Organization. Board members are asked to volunteer approximately 6 hours per month, this includes one Board meeting (2 hours), one committee meeting (1 hour), and time spent independently staying apprised of Board activities and working on specific projects and events (~3 hours).
We’re looking for folks passionate about broadening access to bicycling and benefits with some of the following skills and/or experience:
- Board development
- Diversity, equity and inclusion best practices
- Event planning
- Finance
- Fund development
- General construction and/or handiwork
- HR/personnel
- Legal
- Marketing and outreach
- Organizational strategic planning
- Program evaluation, budget, and strategy
- Small business ownership
- Volunteer recruitment and management
All Board members are asked to participate in development activities especially for events and annual year-end appeal. We ask that Board members contribute or raise $500+ per year. This can be achieved via monthly giving (~$42 a month), one-time donation, peer-to-peer fundraising, or working with development staff to identify and solicit businesses and individuals on behalf of the organization. We acknowledge that fundraising is not first or second nature to most folks, our development team equips Board members with talking points, tailored copy for outreach, and identified prospects to augment knowledge and bolster fundraising efforts.
Next Steps
Please fill out the interest form so we can learn a little more about you!
We will be reviewing applications as they are received, you can expect to hear from us approximately 7-10 days after submitting your interest form.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Development Director, Jacks Volkoff (they/them) at jacks@communitycyclingcenter.org.