[freegeek-e-newsletter] February Free Geek E-newsletter
e-newsletter at lists.freegeek.org
e-newsletter at lists.freegeek.org
Wed Jan 31 18:18:48 PST 2007
After a lengthy hiatus (wait, lemme check....) yes, the Free Geek e-newsletter
is definitely back! Lots of changes have happened since our last issue: read
on for the
news!
If you'd like to stop receiving this newsletter, please scroll down to the
very bottom of this email and follow the instructions.
Contents:
I. Volunteer of the Month
II. The Free Geek Family
III. Staff Comings and Goings
IV. Laptop Land Recovery
V. Free Geek Video on TV
VI. Teachers Needed
VII. Happenings Around Town
VIII. Wishlist
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I. VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Every month, we recognize one volunteer for all he or she has done for Free
Geek. This month's recipient is:
Robert Straker!
Robert is one of Free Geek's unsung heroes. He's been faithfully checking on,
changing, and repairing our flourescent tubes and ballasts for over 4 years.
Every few months, he stops by a few hours a day for a week or so to be sure
our volunteers and staff have adequate lighting to keep Free Geek running.
Thanks, Robert!
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II. THE FREE GEEK FAMILY
The idea keeps spreading, and we now have many kin! Over the past year, Free
Geek has been pursuing a trademark for our name. We have preliminary
trademarked status for our reuse and educational methods, and we're screening
new Free Geeks. Organizations that want to use the name need to follow a few
fair-use principles (
http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Free_Geek_Principles ), which include
operating procedures like using Free and Open Source Software wherever
possible and running themselves democratically in a non-hierarchical way.
Organizations that want to use the name need to be sure they follow the
principles, then apply. New Free Geeks are approved/disapproved by a body
made up of all organizations that previously have been approved to use the
name (in the beginning, it was just Free Geek in Portland). This body,
tentatively called Free Geek Intergalactic, now has 7 members. They are:
* Free Geek (in Portland, OR)
* Free Geek Chicago
* Free Geek Columbus (in Ohio)
* Free Geek Arkansas
* Free Geek Michiana (close to the border of Michigan/Indiana)
* A Free Geek in Tennessee (official name pending)
* Free Geek Vancouver (in BC, Canada)
We figure the trademark will protect the name from being stolen from under us,
and while the concept of a trademark seems proprietary to some, we're
dedicated to making the process as transparent and inclusive as possible.
We're also excited about creating an international, democratically-run
collaboration of like-minded people!
For a bit more explanation, and a list of links to the new Free Geeks, go to:
http://freegeek.org/family.php
If you have any questions about the process, send an email to
<propagation at freegeek.org>.
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III. STAFF COMINGS AND GOINGS
Lots has happened in terms of staffing in the past few months! Oso Martin,
founder of Free Geek, resigned in December and has gone on to start up Bear
E-cycling. Nathan Bennett, Free Geek's Entropy Coordinator will be leaving
in April to work with Oso at Bear E-cycling. In August we plucked Ali Briggs
out of the Build program to fill the newly created Volunteer Trainer &
Coordinator position. Jeff Robinson navigated his way so adeptly through the
Exploratory Laptop Internship that we converted him into a full-time
collective member in October. Then in December, Elizabeth Swager joined us
straight from her international travels to organize our lives in the form of
an Office Coordinator. There was a changing of the guards as former
Receiving Intern Katrina Light expertly trained Elise Dahan for the position.
And lastly, we recently hired Sarah Difendurfer to be our new Front Desk
Intern, as Sophia Luchini-Dexter's time in that position comes to an end.
Oso, Katrina, Nathan, and Sophia can still be seen around Free Geek, and will
continue to help out into the future.
Be sure to come by and say hello to Ali, Jeff, E-beth, Elise, and Sarah if you
haven't already done so!
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IV. LAPTOP LAND RECOVERY
Didja hear about our big breakin? Back in November, we sustained our biggest
break into our facilities yet. Read the press release here:
http://freegeek.org/pressreleases/free_geek_burglarized_2006.php Well, about
$5,000 worth of equipment was stolen from our facility, mostly from the
laptop area. That's really unfortunate, because most of our laptops go to
non-profits, so not only was equipment stolen from us, it was stolen from
other local non-profits as well.
I'm here to tell you, though, our laptop area has recovered wonderfully. Many
people donated laptops and laptop RAM after hearing the news, and the program
is now functioning back at pre-break-in levels: they produce about 8-9
laptops a week.
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V. FREE GEEK VIDEO ON TV
Over the course of 2 weeks in November and December, our house-made video was
shown on Portland Community Media television (http://pcmtv.org) 11 times.
The showings obviously made an impact, because donors and volunteers have
been telling us they found out about us through them. Cool.
If you missed the showings, you can come in to pick up a DVD of the 12-minute
video (along with some bonus coverage of some cool events we've thrown in the
past) at our thrift store for $10. Or check out the 5-minute version on the
front page of our website: http://freegeek.org
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VI. TEACHERS NEEDED
Feeling the winter doldrums? Need something worthwhile to get you out of the
house? Free Geek's currently in need of teachers for our Getting Started
Class. This class is taught to every Adoption Program volunteer upon
completion of his or her 24 hours of volunteer time, and teaches basics about
how to use our FreekBoxen. It's very valuable, helping to guarantee that our
FreekBoxen will be used and loved.
The students of the classes tend to have a minimal to average amount of
computer experience, and while the 3-hour classes run weekly, we're willing
to work with whatever schedule constraints our teachers have. We'll show you
everything you need to know before teaching your first class: all materials
are well-documented, and we'll have you shadow a seasoned teacher before you
teach a class on your own.
For the full job description, go to
http://www.freegeek.org/internships/descriptions#teacher Then send an email
to <michael at freegeek dot org> or <liane at freegeek dot org> to get
started.
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VII. HAPPENINGS AROUND TOWN
OMSI Podcast
Every Friday there's a new one
http://www.omsi.edu/podcast
Sound Science is a weekly podcast, where OMSI educators answer questions
that were sent in by people from around the world. The podcast is like a
radio show, with host Anders Liljeholm interviewing various OMSI experts
for 5-10 minutes. Every Friday a new episode is posted, answering real
questions about science and technology. With iTunes or a similar program,
you can have your computer automatically download the latest episode as
soon as it is posted.
****************************************
Midnight Mystery Ride
Friday, February 9
11pm-after midnight
free!
Location TBA: http://www.yeabikes.net/midnight/
This monthly ride is always a blast. It meets at a local bar at 11pm, and the
group rides at midnight to a mystery location known only by ride organizers.
It's usually a 3-5 mile, easy-does-it ride. Dress appropriately!
Check http://www.yeabikes.net/midnight/ as the date approaches for starting
location.
****************************************
People's Food Coop Valentine's Day Party and Square Dance
Wednesday, February 14
People's: SE 21st and Tibbetts
2-9pm
FREE and all ages
Caroline Oakley will be calling the square dance, backed by talented old time
musicians, starting at 7:30pm. People's year-round farmers' market will fill
up the courtyard outside with tasty treats including pastries from the German
baker Fressen and chocolate truffles from Wingnut Confections. There will be
wine and chocolate tasting inside the store all day long and a
make-your-own-valentine craft table for creative people of all ages. Don't
miss live flamenco guitar music from 4 - 6pm.
http://peoples.coop
***************************************
Open Mic Reading: Po' Folks Poetry/Storytelling
Monday, February 26
Friendly House Community Center
NW Thurman and 26th
6:30-9:30pm
FREE
Last Friday of month, Open Mic for homeless and near- or formerly- homeless to
read poetry and sketches, 6:00 sign-up. Accessible by buses 15,17,77. Phone
contact: 503 228 4391.
****************************************
GEEK PROM!!
Late April or Early May
(this is Free Geek's yearly benefit event)
~$6-20 sliding scale
All ages
I just wanted to be the first to let you know...the prom will go on. Oh, yes,
it will. And it will be even fabulous-er than ever. Please stay tuned for
more info...
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VIII. WISHLIST
You might not know it, but many of our basic supplies (like printer paper and
TP) are donated to us by individuals with big hearts and a few extra dollars
in their wallets (or good scavenging skills!). We'd very much appreciate
donations of any of the below:
- Band-aids, band-aids, band-aids
- TP
- Dish soap
- Rubber bands
- Simple Green general spray cleaner
- Cream and sugar for coffee
- Dry Erase Markers
- Wire and cable cutters
- 8.5" x 11" single-sheet white printer paper (100% post-consumer
recycled, if possible)
- Food and drink for volunteers (especially chocolate)
- Locking cabinets (with keys, please!)
- Big hugs!
As a quick and easy alternative, we welcome your online monetary donations.
Just go to http://freegeek.org and click on the PayPal link on the right to
donate to Free Geek online.
** Want to be our dish soap or TP sponsor? If you donate some or all of the
money (about $40/month for both), we'll use our People's Food Co-op discount
to buy environmentally friendly soap and TP (thus keeping these purchases in
line with our environmental ethics), and Saint Liane Kocka will pick them up.
Contact liane [at] freegeek [dot] org if you're interested. **
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Ha! You've made it to the end of another Free Geek newsletter. For some
parting fun, check out this fun prank/bit of street art:
http://alltooflat.com/pranks/cube/
Until next time,
Shawn Furst
Volunteer Program Coordinator
Free Geek
1731 SE 10th Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
(503)232-9350
info at freegeek.org
http://www.freegeek.org
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