DRVC Resources

Carsharing Resource List

1. The Carsharing Start-Up Kit

• The RAIN magazine article about Berlin's very successful car co-op, StattAuto.
• A copy of a short carsharing radio and TV Show.
• On paper and on computer disk, a sample:
  • "How to Start a Car Co-op" checklist
  • Membership Application
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Brochures
  • Bylaws
  • Description for insurance
  • In-Car Info
  • Cards, membership
  • Membership Handbook
  • Newsletter
  • Operational Guides
  • Press Releases
  • Reservation Sheet
  • Transport Survey Form
  • Volunteer Sign-Up Form
  • Research on previous Carsharing Projects
• Order Form for a free copy of The Car Co-op Book (costs only $5 S&H for Kit owners).

Permission is given for cooperative groups to modify the computer document's versions by adding their own, specific information.

This kit is available for $50 from RAIN magazine, PO Box 30097, Eugene, OR 94703. Find out more from the RAIN website.

The Eugene Car Co-op can be reached at PO Box 30092, Eugene, OR 94703. 503-345-2708.

My comments: the kit took forever to arrive (over three months) and at $50 is a substantial investment. If you are already far along on developing a car co-op and have already designed applications forms, brochures, and so forth, it may not be much use. However, if you would like to save the time of developing all these items for yourself and are willing to work with what the Kit provides, it could be a real help. In addition, if you feel you are going to need to do a lot of persuading to get co-op members, the video and audiotape shows about carsharing and the attractive (in a funky way) brochures could help make your case.

An interested side note: most of the operating carsharing programs in the West are in Canada in Europe, and my subjective impression is that they tend to use automated keyboxes where you enter a code to get the key for the car. The Kit is short on details about this type of system, which is a bummer considering this might be one of the more arcane details for a group starting a carsharing program.

2. Carsharing email list

3. Carsharing web sites

Cooperative Auto Network (Vancouver, BC, CANADA)
Complete copies of their member information so you can see how it's done. Links to other organizations and some mildly useful press articles (mostly European) about carsharing.

Carsharing Portland (Portland, OR USA)
Group just getting started (11/97) but a really good FAQ.

Victoria Car Share Co-operative slick site (frames even) with some good stuff including a cost-comparison chart to help potential members realize they'll save with a carsharing co-op.

Dancing Rabbit Vehicle Cooperative (DRVC) and DRVC FAQ (Rutledge MO USA) Our own site!