Board Member Profile: Mimi Torres
By Rachel Jacobson
Meet Mimi Torres, fundraising extraordinaire and all around bicycling badass. She’s a four-time Climate Rider, regular Bike Party participant, and everyday bike commuter. She spends her vacations tackling ambitious bike tours, and her weekends eating the best vegan food around and doing fun rides. From leading mystery rides for friends, to planning a route to write out a word representing what she’s most stoked about (like Climate Ride!) on her Strava map, to attempting to ride a century just around Lake Merritt, Mimi loves biking and being a little silly.
Mimi has been a Bike East Bay member for nearly ten years. She joined after using Bike East Bay’s free bike valet service at an event in downtown Oakland. “I was amazed by the free secure bike parking, and enjoyed chatting with the volunteers, who even helped fix my bike!” said Mimi, “I also learned I could become a member. I signed up on the spot.”
Through the years, she has volunteered with Bike East Bay at community events, on advocacy campaigns, and in the office. An active Bike Ambassador, Mimi recruits members at Bike to Work Day and year round. “Nonprofits need money to do the work,” she said, matter-of-factly, “and membership is important because it’s unrestricted, grassroots, and right from the people who want to see the change.” In fact, when it comes to fundraising, Mimi’s attitude is simple: “I love it.”
In 2017, she joined the Fundraising and Membership Committee to contribute to making Bike to Work Day and Biketopia — her favorite Bike East Bay events — successful. She said, “I had so much fun and I got really into asking for auction items for Biketopia!” Volunteering on the committee bolstered Mimi’s confidence to apply to the board.
“I wanted to be on the board as a cyclist and daily advocate for riding on the streets,” said Mimi. “I struggled with feeling like I had enough professional experience to join a board, but my time with the Fundraising and Membership Committee solidified that I was ready to make meaningful contributions as a board member.”
Since joining the board at the beginning of this year, Mimi has contributed energy and excellence to fundraising and governance. “I am so into efficiency and effectiveness,” said Mimi. “I have been involved with boards as an executive assistant in the past, and it was great exposure to board structures and what boards need to be highly successful.”
Mimi has appreciated the support the board and staff provide in her personal and professional development. “I feel encouraged to step up to leadership roles, and supported by trainings on topics like facilitation.” For Mimi, being a Bike East Bay member, and now board member, is all about creating meaningful change and having fun in the process.
In 2019, Bike East Bay is seeking energetic, committed board members. The Board of Directors works to guide Bike East Bay’s long-term strategy, ensure the health of our organization, and raise much-needed funding. Your work will directly contribute to building a more equitable and sustainable transportation system. Board service is an opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise to Bike East Bay while also helping you achieve your professional development goals.
We seek board members who represent the diversity of the people of the East Bay and the geographic communities of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. People of color are especially encouraged to apply. Bike East Bay seeks candidates with experience in nonprofit management; fundraising, grant writing, and foundation support; social, environmental and racial justice; communications and marketing; and the bike industry.
Your board will be elected at our annual member meeting on December 5 at Sports Basement in Berkeley.
Bike East Bay is seeking candidates to join our board of directors in 2019. Check out the board application to learn more at BikeEastBay.org/Board_Application.
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