[freegeek-startup] Free Geek Intergalactic events this weekend

[Iain (FreeGeek) Davidson]

Bummer !

Sounds like a great event, and wish I could be there !

I'm already booked to go north (instead of south), for the next 5 days..
family reunion in Canada !

Please take notes or videos of the events, so I could be there 'virtually'
later.

I also have lots of startup information to share, but not quite ready to
release yet!

But basicaly several things for startups, that I've learned quickly !

1) Strive for the model of at least 500 PC/s a month, (aprox 100+ PC's a
week).
2) Make connections with local volunteer groups, recycling companys.
3) Learn about running a non-profit from other local non-profit companies.
4) Find a location at least 5,000 sq feet (closer to 10,000 is better).
5) Create budget model, forcasting costs, labor, equipment, and flow of
material.
6) Find tenative source of (at least) 500 PC's over the next 30 days.
7) If you can't make it work, with 4 to 5 partime paid staff, and 10+
volunteers,
    the business ain't going to make it.  Even with Grants and large $$$
donations.

A good thing to have, is at least 3 to 4 strong willed people to help carry
it through the beginning, while openly sharing the load and ideas around.

(Also see some suggested questions, when I filled out the 'Startup
Application form' yesterday.)

Thanks! :)
-Iain
aka "Free Geek Bellingham"

On 7/26/06, That Man Behind the Curtain <richard at freegeek.org> wrote:
>
> Taking advantage of OSCON, Free Geek is holding a couple of initial
> meetings for folks interested in starting up official Free Geeks around
> the country. These will take place on Friday and Saturday July 28 and
> 29, 2006.
>
> Core group volunteers, staff, council, and volunteers are encouraged to
> attend these events and introduce themselves to the out of towners.
>
> So far coming to some or all of these events from out of town:
>
> * Casey Milford, Free Geek Arkansas
> * Scott Merrill, Free Geek Columbus
> * John Billings, Free Geek Michiana and Free Geek Chicago
> * Chris Hardy from Olympia
>
> (There may be others coming as well.)
>
> Friday evening "Welcome to Free Geek"
> =====================================
>
> Shawn, Richard, Matteo, Michael will coordinate this
>
> * Tour at 6 pm, along with regular folks -- make sure there's a good
> tour guide, one of us or Phil
> * After the tour, startup folks go to Meeting Room, volunteers to Front
> Desk
> * In Meeting Room
> o History
> o Structure of Free Geek
> o General Q & A
> o What are you expecting to get from the rest of the weekend here?
> o Develop a plan for each person
> * Beer (Shawn will find the right venue, Lab, Acme, Roots, Rose &
> Raindrop, Barley Mill, etc.)
>
> Saturday Morning "Free Geek Intergalactic Meeting"
> =================================================
> Meeting scheduled for 9:30 am - 10.45 in Free Geek's meeting room
>
> Richard (facilitator), Shawn (probably a little late), Matteo, Michael
> (if he can work it out), Nathan (scribe)
>
> * Overview of Franchise Process (presentation with Q & A)
> o caveat -- lawyer may want to tweak our process some
> * Mission of Free Geek Intergalactic (open conversation)
> * Structure (open conversation)
> * Need a minutes checker
> * Next Steps
>
> Saturday Rest of the Day "Hands on Learning"
> =================================================
> Following the morning meeting, the out of town folks are encouraged to
> shadow folks working regular shifts at Free Geek and learn how we
> operate. We will try to make as many staff and core group volunteers
> available to the out of towners as possible.
>
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