[freegeek-startup] 'Virtual' Free Geek - Implementation, Facilitation, Education...

[Iain (FreeGeek) Davidson]

ok,
  Here's a really strange question about a start up Free Geek .... (eerrr...
ok, Iain...  stop talking in the 3rd person... ! )....

  It's all about Free Geek in Bellingham....  :)

I've applied and been tentatively accepted as a 'affiliate' (i.e. not using
the Free Geek name and some principles).

I'm volunteering in (Bellingham, WA)  5 to 15 hours a week at two different
business/non-profit implementations of a 'Free Geek' type organizations.

They receive equipment donations, ask for recycle cost recovery fees, save
'good' components, tear down the rest, ship to plastic/metal/copper/gold
recyclers, and try to manage volunteers.

Each is running the operation with limited budget, limited skills, different
personalities/organizational styles, and limited amount of incoming systems
(er, because they don't advertise!).   For both, it's been months, and still
at same levels of volunteers and income, volunteers, and $$$ return.  And
they won't even work together in creating a bigger solution !  And guess who
is caught in the middle ! (me).

I see so much potential, so many partnerships could be formed, so many
collection events can be done, so many volunteers could be managed
better...  Argh.  it's frustrating to see the potential, have the strength
and knowledge on how to fix it, but being un-able to help the course in the
right direction.

For the past few weeks,
   I've been mulling over my own personal values and long term goals, and
what I'd like to do in the way of eWaste Management.

I would really like to stick closer and use the Free Geek goals and values,
be part of the Franchise, and be partners in the growing network across the
country.  Working with the network of recycling businesses, starting with
Washington State I-5 corridor area, and figuring out a way to provide
services to most of the counties of Washington State.  [1]

I've worked out what I want to do.. . I want to be a 'Implementor,
Facilitator, and Educator' on eWaste management.

Bringing the players, volunteers, businesses, and recyclers TOGETHER... not
in competition, but in cooperative partnerships.. in a common goal..
keeping that dang eWaste out of the landfills and responsibility taken care
of.

I (and of course, many others who would like be part of this), would like to
form a franchise officially called.
                     "FREE GEEK BELLINGHAM"

But it would be a group of volunteers to help implement, facilitate, and
educate the community on getting it done NOW, and done in a cooperative
manner.

We would have no set permanent location,  but our members would choose which
business offers us the best value for our volunteer efforts.  Website would
do the scheduling, and tracking of who's available when, and location to
work.  That saves us a significant expense.. renting space to work. Periodic
monthly/weekly meetings at a particular chosen spot in Town. (either
sponsored or not).

We would supply equipment, staff, tools, and volunteers to work WITH
businesses at their location, in making the recycling happen. (Well, most
likely, the business with the best working environment and "perks" and
ability to pay staff... :)  The goal would be to work efficiently and
effectively with the time and resources available.

This group also has the future opportunity to create  'finite contracts' for
specific tasks or projects....  i.e. pick up equipment here, drop it there,
take it apart, arrange for recycler pickup and removal, etc...

So in a way, we have no space..  but counting the businesses which want to
partner with us, and offer space to work.... 15,000 to 20,000 square feet ..
or more !

I've complete the first level of the website for this concept (2nd level
pages are NOT smoothed out yet, wait a week or so :)
                  http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Free_Geek_Bellingham

What would be some concerns or thoughts about this approach, in compared
with a 'traditional' Free Geek group ?

Weird huh! -----  Let's do it! :)
-Iain

[1] This is intentional for the new Washington State legislation coming up.
If we can get on the 'official partners list' and partner with some of the
top manufacturers and cover most counties,  100,000's PC's a year will come
our way !
       http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/eproductrecycle/adminFee.html
       http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=70.95N&full=true
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