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

[Iain (FreeGeek) Davidson]

ok,  after some more thought after my posting....   maybe a better name
would be
       Free Geek WASHINGTON ?
:)
-iain

On 8/28/06, Iain (FreeGeek) Davidson <iain at freegeek.org> wrote:
>
> 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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