Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 7, 2011 at 10:58am

I think she is going a different direction this year but did do a kickstarter campaign to raise funds for printing, right?

Permalink Reply by Kelly C on November 7, 2011 at 11:00am

Yeah, I donated to that kickstarter campaign. I was just under the impression that this was a non-profit, but if the end profits don't go to a cause, is it really? I'm just confused at what the new intent of this calendar is.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 7, 2011 at 11:46am

"Skipped town?" Really? I donated to the Kickstarter campaign as well. I was never under the impression that the proceeds this year were going to CWHC. If you had read the site, or any of the lead up press, you would have known as well. Do you think she just got the $6000 from the KickStarter campaign, stiffed the printer and ran off with the funds to San Francisco? Really? Pretty modest goals for defrauding the bicycling community, I'd say.

 

Here's an excerpt from the KickStarter TYK donation page:

Beyond the printing of the calendar, we hope to launch an outreach program to help launch women into the world of cycling.

We're calling this "The Monthly Cycle."

Each month, TyK will send chaperones to local bike shops nation-wide to introduce women to their mechanics, help them learn to fix a flat, and get to know the vernacular of the bicycle.

Setting up this endeavor will take time and money. There are a LOT of bike shops out there!

 

Here's an excerpt from an AV Club interview from September 29th:

AVC: You’ve met your Kickstarter goal, so obviously things have been going well for you.

AF: It’s the first time we’ve used Kickstarter, and it’s the first year we’ve offered the calendar wholesale. Previous years, we’ve sold it on consignment where the stores don’t get a single dollar. It all went straight to Chicago Women’s Health Center. Now, the mission of TYK is more and more solidified in the US and abroad, and it’s obvious that there needs to be some sort of organization to help get women into bike shops and make them comfortable. Someone needs to be their advocate. So, it’s nice to have the proceeds of the calendar going there, at least in part. Bike shops have a good reason to push the calendar now. They get a percentage of the proceeds, and it’s for sale during the middle of the winter, which is the worst time for sales. Consignment’s just not something I want to ask stores to do anymore.

AVC: What else is coming up for TYK?

AF: We’ve just started the first round of the Monthly Cycle, where we pair up with local bike shops and host an event for women. TYK is acting as a chaperone to bring women into local shops and help figure out an event plan based on a shop’s different area of expertise. Shop owners aren’t event planners, and they’re not used to hosting people for a teach-in or whatever. We help facilitate that. We get 10 women into a shop at a time to meet mechanics, learn about their bikes, whatever.

My entry to the shop community had me going into Rapid Transit with a flat, and they were a little busy, but not too busy. They sat down and taught me how to fix a flat. They took that 15 or 20 minutes to walk me through the process, telling me there’s no need to be stranded. I’ve still gone in other times since to have a flat fixed, but I know that I could do it myself. I’ve helped other people on the side of the road.

That was the moment I felt in control of my bike instead of it being in control of me. I felt independent and powerful, and that I’d never be stranded. I wanted to give that opportunity to other women to meet mechanics and forge a relationship with a shop. I wanted the mechanics to know the women’s names and be able to say, “Oh, it’s Jen. She’s stopping by again. It’s great to see her.”

At our events, each woman gets a Spoke Card with a bike diagram on the back so she’ll know what the parts of the bike are and can call them by name. She can go in next time and say, “I think the rear derailer’s clicking,” and even if that’s not right, it starts the conversation off right using the bike as a point of knowledge.

Sandra Samman said:

Alexis claimed that she called the CWHC 4 times and they did not return her call. This is not true. I called the CWHC and spoke with Melissa. Who was the liaison in the past. She NEVER received a call from Tyk this year.They would have loved and could have put the proceeds to good use.

 

I would love to know where every penny is going? Is Tyk a non-profit or LLC. Now the money has moved to SF with Alexis, perfect timing to skip town.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on November 7, 2011 at 11:59am

That would explain why I haven't received my copy yet ;)

Kevin C said:

 Do you think she just got the $6000 from the KickStarter campaign, stiffed the printer and ran off with the funds to San Francisco? Really?

Permalink Reply by Kelly C on November 7, 2011 at 12:07pm

I have faith that the calendar is still made with altruistic intention - and that everyone who ordered calendars will get them - but I was (and maybe still am) a little unclear about the changes that were made this year from the previous 3 years. I know it was my fault to not read more. That AV clip from Kevin C is a good springboard. I just assumed that the mission was still the same as it had always been, but it has changed a lot.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 7, 2011 at 12:11pm

From the FAQ, also on the KickStarter donation page:

How soon will I be holding my own pinup in my grasping hands?

Assuming you promise not to get your filthy paws all over their silky drawers, your pinup calendar will arrive by November 15th.

Last updated: Wednesday Aug 31, 11:43am EDT

Kelly C said:

I have faith that the calendar is still made with altruistic intention - and that everyone who ordered calendars will get them - but I was (and maybe still am) a little unclear about the changes that were made this year from the previous 3 years. I know it was my fault to not read more. That AV clip from Kevin C is a good springboard. I just assumed that the mission was still the same as it had always been, but it has changed a lot.

Permalink Reply by MK on November 7, 2011 at 1:06pm

must resist terrible "thought you knew" joke, oh no! it's too late

Kelly C said:

I have faith that the calendar is still made with altruistic intention - and that everyone who ordered calendars will get them - but I was (and maybe still am) a little unclear about the changes that were made this year from the previous 3 years. I know it was my fault to not read more. That AV clip from Kevin C is a good springboard. I just assumed that the mission was still the same as it had always been, but it has changed a lot.

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 7, 2011 at 6:42pm

;-D

MK said:

must resist terrible "thought you knew" joke, oh no! it's too late

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on November 8, 2011 at 4:13am

I find this thread hilarious; it always amazes how people are willing to make the worst assumptions about stuff when they are just to lazy to go out and read the information available to them.

 

Thanks for letting people know what they already should have know Kevin, this way I don't have to :)

Permalink Reply by Kelly C on November 8, 2011 at 4:31am

I was honestly just curious if anyone had made the same assumptions that I did. I know, I know, assume and you make an ass out of 'u' and 'me'. But the three years prior the calendar had done the same thing every year, so I assumed it hadn't changed. I forgot how ppl can be so adamant and slightly jerky on the internet. Thanks for the clarification, but please don't give me a hard time because I didn't read all the fine print.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on November 8, 2011 at 6:08am

Missing info is one thing; turning your missing info into a plot for the person in charge to skip the state with the profits is an entirely different thing.

 

Using a public forum to voice your obvious personal issues are quite another.  Have you discussed any of these issues with Alexis herself or are you just interested in running a smear campaign because you are unhappy with her?  Based on your complete lack or participation on this forum beyond this conversation, and you acting like a child all over their FB page, I am going to say that you are more interested in making Alexis look bad...  If the time it took to be in the calender was such a big deal why did you volunteer?  Is this the sort of behavior you consider adult and professional?  How would you feel if somebody were to act like this on your website?

 

For the record, Kevin and I do not spend all of our time on the internet; we just choose to pay attention when we do.  TyK put the info out there, if you choose not to read it is that their fault?

 

 

Sandra Samman said:

Kelly, you and a shit ton of other people missed that as well, so do not feel bad. Yes, the info is on the Kickstarter page. Those of people, that do not live on the internet all day long miss those little things. Most are too busy with their actual lives. Fair, she states on Kickstarter where the money is going.Great!

Most of the women in the calender and at the gala, and who were planning on purchasing the calender, all think the proceeds are going to CWHC...FACT!

That is not the issue for me. The issue for me and some of the other women that were actually in the calender is that, that piece of info was left out when we donated 4 hours of our time at the original shoot. Then we donated another 3 hours when we shot that leg and topless shot. She could have made it clear to ALL the women, that donated their time, that the money was not going to CWHC(way before kickstarter). At the Gala, some of the women that are in the 2012 calender, did not know the money was not going there. When asked that evening. I heard one woman say "the money goes to CWHC" where I jumped in and corrected her. This should have been made CLEAR to ALL the women in the calender.

At the Gala, April Lynn(one of the women in the calender), asked Alexis why the money was not going to CWHC? Alexis told her that she called the CWHC 4 times and they NEVER returned her call, due to the CWHC being busy with changes. I found this hard to believe, so I called the CWHC myself. I was transferred to a Melissa. Melissa has worked at the CWHC for 5 years. She was the contact person for the previous calenders and knows Alexis. Alexis worked with Melissa in the past.  Melissa informed me, that Alexis never called this year. The CWHC would have gladly taken the proceeds once again. They need all they can get. WHY? would Alexis not speak her truth on that? WHY, would she make up that story. To top it off, I loved how she posted a pic, of the re-launch of the CWHC on the Tyk FB page. This only added more confusion to people. Leading more people to believe the money is going there-pretty crafty I would say. All in all its very misleading.

 

What I find hilarious, is that people always assume the best out of people. She could have CLEARLY stated to all the women in the calender and on her website and fb page, that NO money is going to CWHC.

 

She was also very rude and demanding to many of the women in the calender, which made everyone annoyed with her. No hello or thank you was said at the Gala, just a "did you sign your 50 calenders" --WOW! not very supportive of women at all.

 

So, if you people would like to continue to buy into the Alexis show, so be it. Many of us are done and are happy she has left Chicago. I just want the truth out on all that is misleading.

 

Have a great day!

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by shar on November 8, 2011 at 9:50am

Thank you Kevin for sharing the evidence with everyone. And Doug you are hitting the nail on the head! Sorry Kelly for taking over your forum question, but some things need to be said in defense of TyK.
Sandra you are very wrong about your story. I am the one who passed along the brief duscussion I had with Alexis after your inquiry to me and April Lynn, so dont go throwing Aprils name out there nor start 'sharing' information you never had the gumption to even ask Alexis and anyone else involved in TyK production.
The intentions and new direction of Thought you Knew has been advertised since before we even got picked to be apart of it this year.
TyK outreach is honerable and growing positively. Do your research before slamming something you got the honor of being a part of. Oh god you volunteered your precious time. Man there are sooo many ladies out there that would have killed to have your spot.
Honestly, the only thing I think went wrong here is your way of going about this topic.
If you had questions you should have asked and again done your research. I did and I did not find it a waste of time nor do I spend all my time on the internet

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