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ADMIN
Notices - The heat seems to be making us a little cranky...
We just had to share these well written, calming words of Freecycle(TM) wisdom
which Anita, Orleans Freecycle group leader, passed along to her members in
Summer of 2004 as Ottawa's heat index passed the 40C/104F mark once again!
Thanks, Anita!
ADMIN: A few words from your moderators
The heat seems to be making us all a little cranky this week. Here are some reminders to help keep us on track until the heat subsides.
IF...
...someone gives you something that is in much poorer condition than you expected,
or whose condition has been misrepresented, you don't have to take it. Say "no
thanks" and leave it. Chances are, no matter what condition it's in, someone
else can use it.
IF...
...someone says "no thanks" and leaves the item you've offered, don't
be offended. Perhaps you haven't described it well enough or it's not quite
what they expected. Someone else may need it so offer it again with a more complete
description.
IF...
...you respond to an offer and you don't hear back right away, don't bombard
the offerer with follow-up emails. Members have the right to give their items
to anyone they choose in their own good time and sometimes can't respond to
each email personally. Keep an eye out for the TAKEN message and if it doesn't
appear in a day or so, you can follow up with a single email expressing interest
again. After that, let it go.
IF...
...you post a wanted and you have been blessed with it, post a RECEIVED message
so that people know your need has been filled.
IF...
...you post an offer and have gifted someone with your item, post a TAKEN message
so that people know the item is no longer available.
IF...
...you find you've worn out your welcome with people you've dealt with in the
past, or you are no longer getting responses from other members, you may want
to review the way you present yourself in emails and in person. Are you a little
abrupt? Too persistent? Did you forget to say thanks, by email or in person?
Did you miss appointments? Word gets around.
IF...
...you've had great experiences with a particular member, make sure that word
gets around too.
IF...
...you're going to cross post to other lists, please post to your own area first
and to other local lists a little later.
IF...
...you say you're going to pick up an item at a given date and time, do it.
Sometimes things happen and there are legitimate reasons to be late or miss
appointments. Even so, it's possible a member might really need to move an item
out of their house and may opt to give it to someone else rather than wait for
you or reschedule. That is their privilege and you should regard it as a missed
opportunity, not a personal insult or a poor reflection on their character.
IF...
...you pick up an item and the offerer is not home, follow up with an email
confirming you received it and saying thanks.
IF...
...you've got comments or complaints about messages you see posted, or about
the conduct of other members, please contact the moderators. We can send out
a general ADMIN notice (like this one) to remind members of the rules and etiquette
or, if necessary, contact an offending member privately. We can't know where
improvement is needed without feedback.
IF...
...you receive an email from a moderator, it means concern has been expressed
about your activities. Please take it in the spirit in which in it is intended:
with a view to improving the Freecycle experience for everyone.
IF...
...someone sends you an email and you're not sure how to take it, assume it
was meant the best possible way. This will help you feel better about other
members and prevent you from firing off angry emails.
IF...
...you're still tempted to write something you might regret later, remember
this adage: read twice, post once. Better yet, wait a few hours before pressing
send. Do you still want to phrase things quite that way?
IF...
...you've got something nice to say about Freecycle or about another member,
we'd like to hear about that too. It's great to hear when things are working
well!
IF...
...you've never made an offer, try it. It feels wonderful to lighten your load
and bless someone else with a gift!
Stay
cool, and stay calm
Your Freecycle(TM) Moderators
==========================
PS: A couple of more...
IF...
...you're enjoying the Freecycle experience, spread the word! PAY IT FORWARD
- tell 3 more people how great it is and how to join!
IF...
...you're looking for a pet, or a home for a pet, NOT on Ottawa Freecycle! Go
to petfinder (www.petfinder.com)
for advice and help.
Thank
you!
Your Freecycle Moderators