Got helmets (year 2)

In celebration of Family Day weekend, we were invited out to table at the MIT family activities fair this Saturday morning/afternoon from 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM. MIT really knows how to put on a show - I was expecting a simple line of tables - I went in and saw decorations, a popcorn machine, and a balloon man. While discussing PN2K semantics with a parent who was attracted by the helmets set up at our table, Mr. Balloon Man came over with this elaborately architectured balloon structure of an alien riding a bike. I was impressed.

The event proceeded to go by very smoothly (compared to our bike events) though there were times when a queue began to form and people started vying for attention. In general, parents loved the concept of donating to a nonprofit organization for a $20 helmet. One of the most exciting moments (besides the surprise gift from Mr. Balloon-Man) was seeing a mother who had dropped by our event LAST year. I had remembered her holding two helmets in her hand, but she was concerned about packing her luggage. The meeting went like this:

Me: I remember you!
Her: I remember you! I remember I had trouble last year because I could not pack the helmets, but then I realized that this is for a good cause and I should do whatever it takes. So I am going to buy today.

I remembered last year she had the red and blue one in her hand -- she was surprised I remembered. Anyway, she ended up getting them both. Thank you for your support and keeping safe!

Simultaneously, behind her was another important person who, as he says "on this fateful day, one year ago" was pulled into the scene that was PN2K when we met -- Will! Excitedly, I got to meet his parents again - and such a warm hello his father and mother both gave. Absolutely lovely folks, I think, and what a great son.

The person beside me was doing honey-research, so in between the mini-dance performances on the side, watching families take photos with TIM the Beaver (I missed it, sadly), and the chaos of families interested in learning more about PN2K, I tried some honey samples from the actual honey-combs.

Inventory was horrendous, I won't lie. As a starting non-profit, you have to figure out ways to make sure the quantity of helmets you order match up with the money you bring back. This seems straight-forward, but then you take into consideration the following:

people don't always have cash, so you need credit/debit options and multiple ways of accepting payment (e.g., online via PN2K.org);
helmet quantities are kept in my current office (room) and in the MIT COOP storage
when people are purchasing helmets, you have to make sure we have adequate quantities beforehand
you realize that after the event, you need to recount and make sure you know (1) the # of helmets sold (2) the amount of cash you have in your hand + the money paid online + the money paid through other means (e.g., card-swiper) matches the # of helmets sold (3) whether everything is documented correctly
helmets ordered via PN2K.org instantly deducts inventory count of helmets in the backend, but you need to manually deduct inventory in the backend for helmets paid by cash
people don't just want to buy helmets -- they are also interested in buying bike lights. (And thus, you fulfill their wishes and tell them you will get them lights because, hey, bike safety)

It was a solid 2-3 hours re-modifying the google excel spreadsheet and writing out steps for the next time we have to do this (Nov 8, bike event!) There are still a few things to do, like write up Thank You Donor Receipts and deliver those bike lights that were paid for today.

I then visited Anthony - the MIT COOP was definitely busier than usual with all the parents. I think he has a great mind for logistics (his response: "well I have to be good at logistics" while looking around crazily and slashing through numbers and notes on his pen-pad). I gave him the balloon. He needed it more than me.

Anthony, our star MIT COOP-er, with the loving alien-on-a-bike balloon in one hand, an MIT sweatshirt for an awaiting customer in the other, and a cell phone smashed between his ear and shoulder (customer 2, presumably). Thank you, Anthony for the work you do 🙂

Result -- Total: 10 helmets sold, 2 bike lights set, 2 x $20 donations (from dads who were empathetic) and more people who said they would follow up online/by email.

Thank you to Elena Byrne, Asst. Director of Student/Alumni Relations, and their organizing committee for inviting us to this fabulous event! Thank you MIT COOP and especially Anthony for partnering with us to make all these families happy. And importantly, thank you all the people of the tech world who create such fascinating technology that we can use to facilitate multi-tiered transactions. I have happy news: the inventory count was solid.

Keep Calm & Pedal On,

Chief Jedi