PBMA Newsletter #1
AND SO IT BEGINS
Genesis of the PBMA
Back in March, some conversations began among some professionals in the bicycle industry seeking a paradigm shift. We are mechanics of varying degrees of expertise and focus, but all with a similar drive to elevate ourselves and each other so that we have the respect reflected from our skills.
We formed our Board of Directors based on folks who we know who showed dedication and passion for what we’re looking to do. We started a facebook group which now has over 7500 members internationally. We came up with a mission statement, which drives everything we do. We looked at all the legalities and so incorporated, trademarked, and branded ourselves.
We began the production of branded merchandise to promote our visibility. We sent out press releases. We organized a time line and put various projects into that time line, prioritizing and arranging as needed so that it made sense not just for us, but for those with whom we were seeking involvement.
We have had numerous Skype meetings with our board to keep us organized and on track. Our initial timeline took us right to September and Interbike. Around half the board of directors attended to introduce ourselves, attend meetings, shake hands, make new friends and forward our cause. It may seem a small task, bringing an organization from non existance to near daily conversation in the cycling industry is no easy task. Events like Interbike and subsequently Fall CycloFest offer us the avenue to get the message out and meet with members and those who are curious what the PBMA is.
We recently announced a call to action revolving around certification, continuing education, professional developmnet and technical training in general. We aren't looking to write the book, we are looking to create some simple standards like many others industries so we as mechanics can define our value in simple terms. We want the industry to recognize mechanics as Professionals and for mechanics to identify with what being a professional means.
"A profession is “an occupation whose core element is work based upon the mastery of a complex body of knowledge and skills. It is a vocation in which knowledge . . . or the practice of an art founded upon it is used in the service of others. . . . governed by codes of ethics and profess a commitment to competence, integrity and morality, altruism, and to the promotion of the public good . . . . form the basis of a social contract between a profession and society, which . . . . a monopoly over the use of its knowledge base, the right to considerable autonomy in practice and the privilege of self regulation. Professions and their members are accountable to those served, to the profession, and to society.” -Teaching and Learning Professionalism: A Core Competency, Snell, L. 2007
So come on in, and see what excites us, drives us, motivates us to be in this industry, and let’s all be in this together to make our passion for bicycle mechanics and the service we provide be the best it can be.
Genesis of the PBMA
Back in March, some conversations began among some professionals in the bicycle industry seeking a paradigm shift. We are mechanics of varying degrees of expertise and focus, but all with a similar drive to elevate ourselves and each other so that we have the respect reflected from our skills.
We formed our Board of Directors based on folks who we know who showed dedication and passion for what we’re looking to do. We started a facebook group which now has over 7500 members internationally. We came up with a mission statement, which drives everything we do. We looked at all the legalities and so incorporated, trademarked, and branded ourselves.
We began the production of branded merchandise to promote our visibility. We sent out press releases. We organized a time line and put various projects into that time line, prioritizing and arranging as needed so that it made sense not just for us, but for those with whom we were seeking involvement.
We have had numerous Skype meetings with our board to keep us organized and on track. Our initial timeline took us right to September and Interbike. Around half the board of directors attended to introduce ourselves, attend meetings, shake hands, make new friends and forward our cause. It may seem a small task, bringing an organization from non existance to near daily conversation in the cycling industry is no easy task. Events like Interbike and subsequently Fall CycloFest offer us the avenue to get the message out and meet with members and those who are curious what the PBMA is.
We recently announced a call to action revolving around certification, continuing education, professional developmnet and technical training in general. We aren't looking to write the book, we are looking to create some simple standards like many others industries so we as mechanics can define our value in simple terms. We want the industry to recognize mechanics as Professionals and for mechanics to identify with what being a professional means.
"A profession is “an occupation whose core element is work based upon the mastery of a complex body of knowledge and skills. It is a vocation in which knowledge . . . or the practice of an art founded upon it is used in the service of others. . . . governed by codes of ethics and profess a commitment to competence, integrity and morality, altruism, and to the promotion of the public good . . . . form the basis of a social contract between a profession and society, which . . . . a monopoly over the use of its knowledge base, the right to considerable autonomy in practice and the privilege of self regulation. Professions and their members are accountable to those served, to the profession, and to society.” -Teaching and Learning Professionalism: A Core Competency, Snell, L. 2007
So come on in, and see what excites us, drives us, motivates us to be in this industry, and let’s all be in this together to make our passion for bicycle mechanics and the service we provide be the best it can be.
THE PROFESSIONAL BICYCLE MECHANICS ASSOCIATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE, DEVELOP, AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL BICYCLE MECHANIC.
