What’s New at I-GO?

Coming Soon– new car locations

• Andersonville– 5200 N. Ashland (Trumball Elementary)
• Edgewater– 6214 N. Winthrop
• River North– 30 W. Huron (Whole Foods)
• Rogers Park– 1624 W. Morse

Attention members who previously reserved vehicles at 1 W. Superior. We are moving those cars a few short blocks and you will locate them at 30 W. Huron (Whole Foods.) Be sure to check the location the next time you make your reservation. We’re adding more cars to Albany Park, Evanston, Hyde Park, Lakeview, South Shore and West Town soon!

Chicago’s Tallest Building Joins I-GO

The Sears Tower is offering its tenants new commuter incentives including exclusive access for two I-GO hybrid cars located in the Sears Tower parking garage for any person working in the Sears Tower who becomes an I-GO member. Are you an I-GO member currently working in the Sears Tower? You can earn $50 in personal driving credit for signing up your business at the Sears Tower. Please contact Richard Kosmacher at richard@igocars.org if you work in the Sears Tower and want to learn more about the Sears Tower commuter incentives.

Independence Day

We’re not waiting for July 4! This year, I-GO is celebrating Independence Day in Spring when we split from Flexcar’s reservation and billing system and launch a new system that is sure to get “oohs and ahhs” from our members. Stay tuned for more information!

A Sweetheart of a Deal!

Help your friends and family kiss car ownership good-bye! For the entire month of February, new members can join I-GO for only $35 by using Promo Code d35valentine! Don’t wait for valentines day, share the love for I-GO now and you will earn $20 in driving credit for every new member that joins and lists you on their join form application. Visit www.igocars.org and click the “Join Today and Save” button.

Motormouth

When it comes to “chatting,” no one at I-GO is more qualified than one of the newest members of our team, Clare. Introducing Motormouth, I-GO’s official member blog where Clare will share the latest news at I-GO, get the answers to your burning questions or just get the conversation started on issues/topics that are important to you. To check out Motormouth, visit www.igocars.org and click the blog link at the top of the page.

Canadian Artist Shares I-GO Cars

The Museum of Modern Ice is a free, month-long winter celebration in Millennium Park and I-GO is the exclusive car sharing sponsor. Don’t miss the spectacular ice wall created by Canadian artist (and I-GO member) Gordon Halloran or plan a day of skating atop Halloran’s abstract ice painting in Millennium Park’s McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. For a complete list of events and activities, visit www.museumofmodernice.com and reserve an I-GO vehicle today!

Welcome New Business Members

• Chicago Metropolitan Agency For Planning (CMAP)
• Dreams for Kids
• Shaw Environmental
• U.S. Equities Asset Management, LLC.

Join Our Team

I-GO is committed to giving members the best car sharing experience possible. We can do that because we are local and hire qualified I-GO members, friends and associates who share our vision. In our effort to maintain our growing fleet, we’re happy to announce Evan Skow has joined our talented group of Fleet Assistants.

I-GO Career Opportunities

• Billing Coordinator: to oversee our new billing system and manage member billing inquiries. If you or someone you know has excellent customer service skills, experience in book keeping and is detail-oriented, please forward a cover letter and resume to Bridget Torres at Bridget@cnt.org.
• Summer Interns: to help with our marketing outreach and other basic office functions. For more information, contact Sheena@igocars.org.

Member Tips

Fill ‘er up!

• Ever wonder how a fleet of nearly 200 I-GO vehicles stay above 1/4 tank of gas? You got it! Members who drive a vehicle that reaches 1/4 tank during their reservation are required to stop at any gas station and re-fuel using the Wright Fuel card we provide in each car. Failure to re-fuel the vehicle is a $25 penalty. On the flip side, we’ll credit your account $2 just for doing what you’re supposed to do. Remember to write your member number on the receipt and leave in the glove box so we know who to credit.

Freeze Frame

What’s wrong with this picture? It’s 5 degrees, the wind is blowing, your nose is running and the car you reserved won’t unlock. Here are some cool tips so you stay warm this winter:

• Be sure you are at the correct vehicle. It sounds obvious, but most of our locations have 2 or more vehicles and it’s easy to forget which one you reserved.
• Be Patient. The cold weather can impact how fast (or slow) our car technology communicates your Smart Card info to our system. Be sure to hold your Smart Card over the windshield reader for at least 3-5 seconds. If the doors do not unlock the first time, wait about 10 seconds (or for the light to turn red again) and give it another try.
• Parking Garages can also impact the speed that our car technology communicates your Smart Card info to our system. Be sure to allow a little extra time for your card to process.
• If all else fails, call us. We know you’re cold and we want to get you in your car and driving as soon as possible. Be sure to program I-GO’s number into your cell phone, 773.278.4446 to avoid any further delays.

Congratulations I-GO Member Survey Raffle Winner

“That’s great news. Woot. Woot!” I-GO member Mario Rodriguez (pictured with his girlfriend, Julia Warshall) exclaimed after learning he was the lucky member who won the $75 driving credit in our member survey raffle. “My girlfriend and I own a car that needed some work done when we decided to give I-GO a try. We’ve been so pleased with your service that we cancelled our auto insurance and are planning to donate our old beater to WTTW. Also, we’ve decided to cancel our plans to purchase a new car and start saving for a home instead. We believe in your mission statement and I cannot stress enough how happy we are to be I-GO members!” Mario gushed.

We’re happy to have you Mario. Woot. Woot!

Neighborhood News

Evanston

Information provided by I-GO member Mary Beth Klatt

If you’d like to share information about your neighborhood, contact Deb Ackles. You could earn up to $20 in driving credits if we use your content in future newsletters.

Events

Attending and supporting neighborhood events and reaching out to communities throughout Chicago, Evanston and Oak Park is possible with the help of our fantastic volunteers! Not only is volunteering for I-GO critical to our successful outreach, but it’s a great way to network, make friends and be a part of community activities. Plus, I-GO matches every hour volunteered with an hour of driving credit!

Schedule of Events

• Loyola University Non-Profit Career Fair
  February 7, 1 pm- 4 pm
  I-GO is looking for summer interns. For more info, contact Sheena@igocars.org.

• Evanston Eco-Fair
  February 10, 10 am-3 pm
  Located at the Beth Emet The Free Synagogue at 1224 W. Dempster

• Pedestrian Hell Exhibit
  January 25- March 6, Special Event: February 15, 7:00 pm
  Efebos Cafe located at 1640 S. Blue Island Ave.

• Winter Cycle Workshop with Brooklyn Fowler
  February 19, 2 pm-5 pm
  Cycling during
  Chicago winters can take a toll on you and your bicycle. Learn to give your bike a little love and keep it running through to the warmer weather. Participants will go over general tune up details that will assist in brake and derailleur adjustments, identifying drive train wear, simple wheel truing, and how to help pin point where that crazy squeak is coming from. Bring a bicycle; after the workshop those interested can gear up for a winter ride to the show at Links Hall, bike posse style! Proceeds will be donated to World Bicycle Relief. To register contact Erica at 773.281.0824 or emott@linkshall.org.

• Museum of Modern Ice
  February 1-29, Millennium Park
  I-GO Car Sharing is a proud sponsor of this free, month-long outdoor festival featuring a variety of activities encouraging Chicagoans to celebrate the vibrant winter season.

• Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Chicago
  February 28, Newberry Library on Oak Street
  YNPN will host its 5th Annual Celebration of Chicago’s nonprofit sector.

• Wine Tasting at Whole Foods South Loop
  Every Friday in March, 5 pm (Complimentary)
  Explore the world of wine one sip at a time. Whole Foods will have experts pouring wines in all price ranges, flavor profiles and varietals. Navigate through the tasting and get a free ride from I-GO Car Sharing to the CTA or Metra stations afterward. Learn more about I-GO on a warm ride to your destination. We will provide free rides on the half hour. Space is limited so check in at the I-GO information table when you arrive. Registration not required.

If you would like to volunteer for I-GO in 2008, please contact Sheena McNeal to be added to our volunteer network. Once you are on our network, you will receive notices when volunteer opportunities are available.