The Pedalshift Project 396: Florida Coast Part 3

The previous day’s winds having ebbed, it was time to ride a full day again. And with grayer skies and the winds more at my back than my face, day 3 got things back on track. Would last year’s free campsite be as welcoming on this trip?

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 396: Florida Coast Part 3.

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Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet – all welcome. Email the show at pedalshift@pedalshift.net or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at (202) 930-1109

Pedalshift 400 Live

Hold the date… Pedalshift 400 Live will be Friday April 11th at 8pm ET – 5pm PT. Check out Pedlashift on YouTube or pedalshift.net/live for more. Ask Me Anything for sure, the rest is a surprise maybe to me as well?

Florida Coast Part 3

Statistics

Miles biked – 37.8

Ubers 0

Towns with beach in the name 0

Free camps 1

Flats 0

As always we like to close out the show with a special shoutout to the Pedalshift Society! Because of support from listeners like you, Pedalshift is a weekly bicycle touring podcast with a global community, expanding into live shows and covering new tours like this summer’s upcoming bike tour! If you like what you hear, you can support the show for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or even a buck a month. And there’s one-shot and annual options if you’re not into the small monthly thing. Check it all out at pedalshift.net/society.

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 396: Florida Coast Part 3 appeared first on Pedalshift.

March 5, 2025

Nonprofits Working with Undocumented Activists

Threats to find and deport undocumented immigrants in the United States have grown immensely since the start of the Trump administration. Nonprofits can continue fight for immigrant rights and include undocumented activists in their advocacy efforts. Even though we at Alliance for Justice aren’t immigration lawyers (so what comes out of our mouth will not be legal advice), we felt it was important to address how nonprofits can work with undocumented activists and continue to fight for immigrant rights. In today’s episode, we’ll first talk about what undocumented activists can and cannot do when advocating with nonprofits and what nonprofits should keep in mind.

Attorneys for this Episode

Quyen Tu

Brittany Hacker

There are a number of ways that nonprofits can engage undocumented activists to help support their missions. And these activists are often the best voice to amplify when the rights at stake directly impact them.

· Free speech and assembly: peaceful protest (be careful of arrest, could result in ICE arrest)

· Advocate for policy change:

o Advocate for or against executive orders and executive branch policies like ICE priorities and border protocols

o Community organizing

o Education of the public or officials

o Lobbying

o Ballot measure campaigns (check state & local laws)

o Be plaintiffs in a court case or a nonprofit can file a case to represent the interest of undocumented immigrants: like ACLU case on birthright citizenship

There are a few things undocumented immigrants are not allowed to do, including:

· Assist citizens in completing voter registration applications

· Cannot contribute anything of value to federal, state, or local elections (money, volunteer time)–for both undocumented and visa holding immigrants

o Considered a foreign agent interfering with an election

o It is also prohibited for nonprofits to knowingly solicit or receive contributions from foreign nationals (including undocumented activists)

· Vote in federal elections

· Work without employment authorization

Best Practices:

-for non-citizens: Consult an immigration attorney! Be prepared if you engage in protest. Check out know your rights resources and trainings in the show notes.

– If you are a nonprofit planning work with undocumented activists:

· Consult legal counsel: especially if doing partisan work

· If you serve immigrant communities, have policies in place to protect clients and staff, know what ICE agents can and cannot do

-Make sure that your nonprofit is in good standing; have appropriate documents and robust compliance so if you are investigated, you know you’re operating on solid legal grounds. Check out our nonprofit advocacy check-up, a compliance list and recent episode on this topic.

Examples of great work involving undocumented activists:

· ILRC: great immigrant rights tool kits, legal resources for immigrants about visas and other legal processes, ways to get involved with local lobbying and policy work

Resources

–Engaging in Advocacy with Undocumented Activists

–Race and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Racial Justice and Immigrant Rights

–Advocacy Check-Up: Nonprofit Self Assessment

–ILRC know your rights Toolkit

–10 Things Noncitizen Protestors Need to Know (ILRC)

–NYLPI Guidance to Nonprofits Regarding Immigration Enforcement

–Immigrant Arc list of EOs on Immigration (includes status of litigation, NY focused but applicable nationwide)

February 27, 2025

The Pedalshift Project 395: Florida Coast Part 2

There are few rules in bicycle adventures, but I am a firm believer in the one that says you do not taunt the bike touring gods. Day 1 was a breeze, I said! The bike gods respond with a breeze of their own. Would their wrath of headwinds push me to screeching halt on my way to Daytona?

The Pedalshift Project 395: Florida Coast Part 2

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Pedalshift 400 Live

Florida Coast Part 2

Statistics

Miles bikes 30.4

Miles not biked 27.4

Ubers 1

Towns with beach in the name 6

Flats 0

Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart, RIP
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Carl Presseault
David Neves
Patty Louise
Terry Fitzgerald
Peter Steinmetz
Timothy Fitzpatrick
Michael Liszewski
Hank O’Donnell
David Zanoni
David Weil
Matthew Sponseller
Chad Reno
Spartan Dale
Carolyn Ferguson
Peggy Littlefield
Lauren Allansmith
Eric Burns
Thomas Pearl
Darrin McKibben
Richard Stewart
Dave Fletcher
Jack Smith
Luke Parkinson
Ryan Patterson
Cyrus Farivar
John Gardiner
Sam Scruggs

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 395: Florida Coast Part 2 appeared first on Pedalshift.

February 20, 2025

The Pedalshift Project 394: Florida Coast Part 1

The first day of the Florida Coast adventure starts from the cooler air of Jacksonville, carrying me south through a series of beach towns on the way to a state park outside of St. Augustine with two entrances… the short way has a locked gate… would I be able to get through or have to go all the way back around (complete with extra miles) to get to camp?

The Pedalshift Project 394: Florida Coast Part 1

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Pedalshift 400 Live

Florida Coast Part 1

Statistics

Miles bikes 52.5

Miles ferried .3

Towns with beach in the name 7

Regrets for not stopping for a cuban coffee 1

Flats 0

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 394: Florida Coast Part 1 appeared first on Pedalshift.

February 19, 2025

Robocalling and Texting Campaigns

Does your nonprofit want to build power and amplify its impact by engaging in robocalling and texting campaigns? Would it surprise you to find out that while this type of advocacy can effectively boost your reach and put you in touch with thousands (even millions) of supporters, it also comes with rules related to opt-out requirements, mandatory disclaimers, prior consent, and more? On this episode, we’ll introduce you to our new Robocalling guide and walk through several of the issues your nonprofit needs to think about before you pick up the phone or click send on a robocall or robotext campaign.

Attorneys for this Episode

Monika Graham

Melissa Marichal Zayas

Natalie Ossenfort

Robotext and Robocall Campaigns

Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Federal Election Commission (FEC) each regulate robocalls and robotexts

For example, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), enforced by the FCC, strictly limits when organizations can make robocalls and robotexts. Violations of TCPA can result in stiff fines, so know the rules before you launch your next campaign.

Keep in mind that many states also have their own rules on these communication methods.

Federal Restrictions on Robocalls / Robotexts

What are robocalls and robotexts? Calls or texts made with an autodialer or using an artificial or pre-recorded voice.

Under federal law (the TCPA), a nonprofit organization must obtain an individual’s “prior express consent” to: (a) send a call or text to a cell phone using an autodialer, a prerecorded voice, or an artificial voice, or (b) to send more than three prerecorded or artificial voice calls to a landline in a 30-day period.

Express consent requires:

The person gave permission to be contacted at their cell phone number.

The call is within the scope of the consent given.

The person hasn’t revoked their consent.

Prior express consent is not the only consideration you need to think about before engaging in robocall or robotext campaigns. Identification, opt-out, and disclaimer requirements are going to be relevant too.

For example, federal law requires that all pre-recorded voice telephone messages to cell phones or landlines must include a specific identification disclaimer. Disclaimer must:

Clearly state at the beginning of the message the official registered name of the organization initiating the call, and

The telephone number of the organization (not the number of the vendor who placed the call, a 900 number, or a number for which charges exceed normal local or long-distance transmission charges).

Disclaimers may also be required if a non 501(c)(3) organization expressly advocates for or against a federal candidate or solicits contributions in relation to a federal election –> triggering federal campaign finance law, which is enforced by the FEC.

This type of disclaimer should not apply to 501(c)(3)s which are prohibited by the Internal Revenue Code from supporting or opposing candidates for public office.

Likewise, the IRS may require a disclaimer if fundraising solicitations are made by non-501(c)(3)s reminding the potential donor that contributions are not tax deductible.

Remember: State Law Matters Too!

Many states restrict certain types of calls, like robocalls. When they do, they often apply to both cell phones and landlines.

In many instances, state laws are similar to the federal rules, but variations between state and federal law do exist, and some states restrict calls that would otherwise be allowed under federal law.

Consult with counsel before launching your campaign because common state law requirements include:

Notification or self-identification requirements

Time restrictions

Geographic limits

Permit requirements

Prohibitions on caller ID blockers

And more!

State law may also require lobbyist or campaign finance registration and reporting in some instances.

FAQ

New Robocalling guide contains a handy FAQ, where you can find answers to common questions like:

What are the best ways to collect cell phone numbers for these types of campaigns?

Are landlines treated differently than cell phones?

What happens when a cell phone number is reassigned to someone other than the person who provided consent?

Resources

Robocalling Rules: Before You Pick Up the Phone, Hold That Call. What You Need to Know about Robocalls, Robotexts, and Autodialers

February 13, 2025

The Pedalshift Project 393: Florida Coast Preview

My annual tradition of a winter ride in the sunshine state continues! Unlike past years, I’m shaking things up with the start and focusing on a coastal ride along the East Coast Greenway before turning inland. But the Florida Coast is the name of the game for this adventure, and on this episode we preview the ride!

The Pedalshift Project 393: Florida Coast Preview

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 392: eBike Range Test Takeaways.

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Florida Coast Preview

The ride

Jacksonville to WDW over 4 days!

East Coast Greenway!

A ferry!

Mostly coastal riding with the ocean over my left shoulder (who knew?)

Revisting the Florida Coast to Coast Trail

Riding all the way to my finish line resort at WDW (no Lyfts at the end this time!)

The gear

Brompton

3 days of camping

Backpack mode with front pannier (same as last year)

Keeping things minimal as the camping gear takes up some room

No stove

Details

JAX-St. Augustine

St. Augustine – Daytona

Daytona – Lake Monroe

Lake Monroe – WDW

Highlights

Day 1 St. Johns ferry and St Augustine

Day 2 All coastal riding to Daytona

Day 3 Reuniting with the FLC2C trail and camping at the free Lake Monroe campground

Day 4 Eff it we’re doing it live! Another thrilling ride into the belly of the beast errr Mouse and then celebrating by flying the Falcon and drinking blue milk and hitting the cantina

Potential issues

I need this trip more than I’ve ever needed a bike adventure so there’s a lot of mental energy riding on this one… so you just KNOW shit will go sideways!

Have not gotten the Brompton checked and likely won’t have an opportunity as I have only a day or two in DC before I fly down to JAX. What could possibly go wrong?

Tour Journal episodes start… next week, AND this gets us almost all the way to episode 400. Stay tuned for a live show announcement for mid-April!

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 393: Florida Coast Preview appeared first on Pedalshift.

February 6, 2025

Best of Pedalshift 292: Touring Bike Essentials

I ride three different bikes for touring, and each one has plusses and minuses depending on what kind of ride I’m looking for. But if you’re new to bike touring or looking for another bike, what should you be thinking about? On this episode, the things I look for in a touring bike! Originally podcast August 11, 2022.

The post Best of Pedalshift 292: Touring Bike Essentials appeared first on Pedalshift.

January 30, 2025

The Pedalshift Project 392: eBike Range Test Takeaways

So I successfully rode 75 miles on a single charge of my eBike battery (with a little bit of a top off!). What did I learn from the adventure and what does it mean for future trips with my ebike?

The Pedalshift Project 392: eBike Range Test Takeaways

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eBike Range Test Takeaways

75ish miles is pretty great with a little top off… that’s amazing for the C&O and other reasonably flat terrain!

1.Battery Management is Key

•The ride underscored the importance of efficient battery use. Keeping the e-bike battery between 20% and 80% for everyday use is recommended, but for extended trips, charging to 100% proved essential. However, overuse of higher pedal-assist levels (like Level 3) quickly drained the battery, emphasizing the need to stick to lower levels (1 or 2) to maximize range.

2.Comfort Adjustments are Ongoing

•Experimentation with the saddle and handlebars revealed that finding the right configuration for long rides is a process. While the new saddle and bar extensions offered some comfort, they weren’t perfect, suggesting that further adjustments or a different saddle type (like a Brooks) may be needed for better ergonomics.

3.Weather and Trail Conditions Impact Performance

•The dry, cool weather and improved trail conditions (like the newly paved Western Maryland Rail Trail) enhanced the ride experience. However, headwinds were a challenge, requiring adjustments in effort and assist levels to maintain speed.

4.Range and Effort Balance

•The ride confirmed that the e-bike could cover about 70-75 miles on a single charge, with minimal hills and strategic use of pedal assist. This opens possibilities for long-distance touring with the addition of a second battery but highlighted that even with assist, significant physical effort is still required, particularly on longer rides.

5.Preparation and Redundancy are Crucial

•While the ride was successful, minor issues like forgetting a bike lock, misplacing microphone components, and underestimating hydration needs pointed to the importance of thorough preparation. Carrying a spare battery, hydration supplies, and tools for adjustments proved beneficial.

The ebike is absolutely in my plans for some adventures

– Train and bike to/from DC – really anyplace but emphasis on east coast

– Circumnavigation of Lake Ontario

– More east coast greenway riding

– Another segment of the cross country ride

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 392: eBike Range Test Takeaways appeared first on Pedalshift.

January 29, 2025

Memos, EOs and Impacts on Nonprofits

On this episode of the podcast, we will talk about the deluge of executive orders and a new memo freezing funding that has come in at the start of Trump’s new administration. How will they effect the work of non-profits and what can you do to support or oppose these and future executive orders.

Attorneys for this Episode

Tim Mooney

Brittany Hacker

Federal Funding Freeze Memo and Executive Orders

• Memo issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

• Halt on grants and loans distributed by the federal government.

• Implications for Medicaid, WIC, and other critical programs.

Legal and Constitutional Challenges

• Lawsuit filed against the funding freeze, citing violations of the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

• Debate over the legality and scope of executive orders.

Nonprofit Advocacy and Response

• Importance of independent nonprofit organizations in countering these actions.

• Guidelines for 501(c)(3) organizations to legally speak out against executive actions.

Role of Funders

• Call for funders to fill gaps caused by halted federal funds.

• Encouragement for philanthropy to step up during this crisis.

Resources

· Being a Player

· Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits – National Council of Nonprofits

· Rules of the Game – Foundation Funding Tips

January 23, 2025

The Pedalshift Project 391: eBike Range Test Part 1

On this episode we ride from my cabin to Cumberland, MD on the C&O towpath to see if we can squeeze 75 miles out of my eBike battery! With only one real opportunity to top off, this is a real test with fairly unfun consequences if I run out… did I make it or did I have to pedal the last bit without that little extra boost?

The Pedalshift Project 391: eBike Range Test Part 1

Hey it’s the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 391: eBike Range Test Part 1.

Subscribe/Follow The Pedalshift Project:
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eBike Range Test Part 1

75 miles on one battery charge with a little top off! Next week, takeaways!

Music

You’ve been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Jason has a new solo album available NOW. Go listen to JUKEBOX BOY wherever cool music is available!

The post The Pedalshift Project 391: eBike Range Test Part 1 appeared first on Pedalshift.