What do you get when you cross an enthusiastic volunteer with a bike-lover? A Barter Member, of course! Wil Stevens is one of the SF Bicycle Coalition’s newest barter members, trading 10 hours of his time last fall in exchange for a no-cost membership to the SF Bicycle Coalition. We caught up with Wil to learn about his favorite volunteer opportunity (spoiler: Phone Bank) and why he thinks you should join us, too.

SF Bicycle Coalition: What made you start volunteering with the SF Bicycle Coalition?
Wil: I wanted to volunteer at the SF Bicycle Coalition and New Belgium Brewing Company’s Tour de Fat and found that to volunteer I needed to be a member. As an artist, I don’t have much money, so I was thrilled to hear about the Barter Membership.

Why did you decide to join through the Barter program?
I have volunteering in my blood and bike all over the city, so it was a no-brainer to help and earn hours towards membership. Everybody wins!

What has been your favorite volunteer moment?
After working my first phone bank opportunity, I was told that a member joined just because they loved the enthusiasm in my pitch. This was so touching! I have also been told by the SF Bicycle Coalition folks that I’ve got a great voice and approach to the phone bank, so I’ve already been back and plan to do more phone bank events! I love chatting with each member and helping them renew their membership with our great program.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering with the SF Bicycle Coalition?
When I’m not volunteering with the SF Bicycle Coalition you can catch me as the Volunteer Coordinator for One Brick, a non-profit that has a calendar of events to volunteer for after work and on the weekends. You can also catch me watching movies at The Roxie Theatre, working on the Trail Crew with the Sutro Stewards, and hosting GroupMuses at my 38-person hippie commune, Chateau Ubuntu.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about volunteering with us to earn a Barter Membership?
Get started doing the Phone Bank! Our members, staff and volunteers are the nicest and most encouraging folks on the planet, and help you through the whole process. You’ll chat with some wonderful people and you will know that you’ve got to keep volunteering with the organization because it creates such an honest, happy and passionate community!

Love volunteering, but not yet a member? Read more about the Barter Membership program and get started earning hours at Phone Bank like Wil!