We’re always looking for tool donations to keep building and improving our tool inventory. We currently have a few big ticket items that we’re on the lookout for. If you have any of the following tools and would be willing to donate them, please get in touch with us via our Tool Donation Form.
Thanks for your consideration!
July Tool Wish List:
Thickness Planer
Nail Gun
Pruning Saw
Lathe
Cement Mixer Attachment
Pressure Washer
Compressed Air Impact Wrench
Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, July 22nd, 2012 | No Comments »
Thanks to all the members who made it out to our AGM this year, which was held on June 17th at the Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House. In our first year, we have made great progress in support of our mission to empower our community with the tools and skills they need to improve their homes and public spaces. At our AGM, we were able to celebrate and highlight many of these successes, as well as discuss our direction for 2012/2013 with those members in attendance.
Another highlight of our AGM was the election of our incoming 2012/2013 Board of Directors: Kathy Yan Li, Craig Massey, Caitlin Dorward, Conner Wear, and Chris Diplock. You can read more about these Directors here.
We would like to extend a big thank-you to all of our funders and supporters this year, including:
Financial Supporters: The City of Vancouver, Vancity Foundation, Mountain Equipment Coop, UBC Student Environment Centre, Peernet BC
Technical and Professional Support: Zach Bulick, Melanie Conn, Mitch Dermer, Charlie Easton
Tool Donors: Port Coquitlam Building Supplies, Midland Tarp & Canopy, Private Tool Donors
And finally, a huge thank you to Donna Chang and everyone else at Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House for generously hosting us, and for all that they’ve done to welcome us into the neighbourhood over the past year!
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, July 09th, 2012 | No Comments »
UPDATE, June 14 2012: The application phase has passed and we will be announcing our new hire soon!
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We are very excited to announce that we will be hiring a part time Events and Promotions Coordinator this summer! We are currently seeking a dynamic individual to work along side our Board of Directors to help plan and promote the exciting workshops and events that the VTL runs. Interested in applying? Check out the full job description below, and get in touch with us at president@vancouvertoollibrary.com when you’re ready to apply. Deadline is Sunday June 3rd at 5:00pm.
Please help us find the right person by passing this job posting on to any great candidates you know.
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The VTL is currently seeking an Events & Promotion Officer to join our team.
About The VTL
The Vancouver Tool Library (VTL) is a cooperative tool lending library at 3448 Commercial Street. We are motivated by a vision of our community empowered by the tools and skills needed to transform their homes and communities into vibrant spaces. To get there, we’ve created a community resource that will reduce the costs of improving and greening the places in which we live, work, and play. More information is available on our website, at www.vancouvertoollibrary.com
Commitment
This is a contract position paying $720/Month for the fulfillment of the duties below (which we anticipate will take 12-15 hours per week)
Events and Promotions Officer’s Roles and Responsibilities
Identify member demand for the frequency and type of workshops to be held
Identify potential facilitators of workshops and enlist their participation
Develop, schedule, and promote workshop series (approximately one workshop per month)
Book and coordinate tabling and fundraising events
Develop monthly newsletter content in collaboration with the Director of Communications and help build the newsletter subscriber list
Update social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and blog, regularly
Ensure all website material is up to date
Coordinate the distribution of posters and other marketing materials for VTL events
Acquire and maintain sound knowledge and understanding of the organization
Represent the VTL in a professional and friendly manner when working with volunteers, community partners, and the general public
Attend monthly committee meeting with Director of Communications and Director of Events
Qualifications of the applicant
Demonstrated commitment to community development and education
Aligned with the values and mission of the VTL
Prior experience in education, workshop, or event planning preferred
Demonstrated ability to work independently
Interest in working in a non-profit environment
Organized
Professional communicator
Excellent skills planning group activities
Proficient using social media and online communication tools including facebook, twitter, gmail, google calendar, and a wordpress blog
Experience in a tool/trades related field is preferred but not essential
Benefits
Grow your personal network by meeting and working with a great Board and Volunteer group
Learn and gain professional experience in a leadership role
Opportunity to learn about tools and gain the skills needed to use them
Personal satisfaction of contributing to a non-profit community organization
To apply for this position, please send your resume and a statement of interest to president@vancouvertoollibrary.com by Sunday June 3rd @ 5:00 PM. We look forward to hearing from you!
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, May 20th, 2012 | Comments Off on We’re Hiring an Events and Promotions Officer
The VTL is now accepting application for “Build It!” – Our Summer Volunteer Program
“Build It” is a program that aims to support our volunteers as they become more involved with their community while developing their personal skill set in tool use and woodworking. Over the six month duration of the program, participants work one shift per week at the VTL and receive monthly training and workshops, as well as all the necessary materials, to support them completing their dream wood working project.
Program Participants’ Commitment to Us:
A weekly volunteer shift in the VTL shop
Dedication and commitment to the VTL’s principles and values
Our Commitment to Participants:
The materials, parts and tools to work on a project
Monthly training and workshops on how to build your dream project
Program participants will be working in the shop on a weekly basis and will become the frontline face of the VTL, representing us to our members. The VTL expects the following qualification out of applications:
Honesty and integrity in the work that they do
A strong willingness to learn
Familiarity with the Vancouver Tool Library. Familiarity with coops a plus.
Customer service experience
Interested in gaining tool skills while volunteering a the VTL? Apply for the program today by sending an email to volunteer@vancouvertoollibrary.com. Please include a resume & paragraph on your dream project and why you’d like to participate in the program. Applications due Sunday June 10th, 5:00pm
Written by The Vancouver Tool Library, May 20th, 2012 | Comments Off on Recruiting for “Build It” Volunteer Program
The VTL has a great collection of garden tools that are finally seeing good use now that spring is here! One of our favourites is the 16′ Pole Pruner, which is definitely not a tool that everyone needs to own for themselves! Our pole pruners features both a saw, for larger branches, and a pruner, for smaller branches.
The pole pruner is useful for getting those out of reach branches and minimizing the need to use a ladder while pruning (which can be unstable when used on uneven surfaces such as lawns, not to mention difficult to safely manouvre on). Pruning is best done in the spring or fall, when the tree has yet to come fully out of it’s winter dormancy. For some shrub and tree species, it’s still ok to prune at this time of year but summer is creeping up on us so act quickly if there is pruning that you need to do this year!
Pruning is done for a number of reasons: to promote plant health, to maintain a plant’s intended purpose such as producing fruit or forming a screen, and also to protect people and property (ie: removing dead or hazardous branches). As any arbourist will tell you, there is a real art (and science!) to pruning, and learning about how trees respond to different kinds of cuts is pretty fascinating (and easy to pick up) stuff, and will quickly help you achieve the results you wanted to achieve. Needless to say, we suggest reading a few guides before heading out into the garden with your tools! Here are a couple suggested resources on pruning, most of them guides from American Agricultural Extension Service agents (which are a great resource for all other kinds of gardening advice and information, too!).
We’re always looking for tool donations to keep building and improving our tool inventory. We currently have a few big ticket items that we’re on the lookout for. If you have any of the following tools and would be willing to donate them, please get in touch with us via our Tool Donation Form.