• New Site Q & A

1. Getting Immediate Help
   
   
2. Required Guidelines and Policies
     Cafe Guidelines
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3. Moderating Freecycle
     Organisational Chart
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4. The "Files"
   
   
5. Notices
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6. Responses
   
   
7. Pass The Torch
   
   
8. Volunteering
   
   
9. Translations
   
   
10. UK Moderators Manual
    
    

***Replace all XXX references with your local group name***

*WHAT IS FREECYCLE(TM) ABOUT?

There seems to be some confusion among some members lately, about what Freecycle(TM) is really about. So, here is my interpretation.

First, what Freecycle is NOT about.

Freecycle is NOT about giving only to the poor.
It is NOT about getting as much free stuff as you can.
It is NOT about getting things to earn money on the side.
It is NOT about getting rid of junk that is better off in the landfill.
It is NOT about having other people cater to you because you have transportation issues.

Freecycle IS about keeping things out of the landfill.
It IS about giving away something that has no use in our life anymore to someone who could extend its usefulness a little longer.
It IS about giving gifts to people while clearing out our own clutter.
It IS about community.

When you post an offer, you are offering to give someone a gift. It is up to you to give this gift to whomever you feel would be the best recipient. You are not obligated to give your gift to someone who is rich, poor, single, married, has no kids, has 1 kid, has 15 kids, has a car, doesn't have a car, or has a purple octopus named George living in their backyard. You can choose the most polite, the rudest, the funniest, or the shortest response to receive your gift. You can put their names in a hat and do a draw, or you can wave your magic finger over your screen and pick one that way. You can choose the first, 3rd, or 53rd respondent. It is up to you.

When you post a wanted ad, or respond to an offer, you are requesting a gift. For example, if there are over 1000 people on this Freecycle list, this gives you roughly a 1 in 999 chance of getting the item you are asking for. It's not the greatest odds, and you know what, just because you are rich, poor, single, married, have no kids, have 1 kid, have 15 kids, have a car, don't have a car, or have a purple octopus named George living in your backyard, does not mean you are more worthy of receiving a gift from a fellow Freecycle member than the average person living down the street. Sending emails that don't include please or thank you are one way to not receive an item. Sending emails with nasty comments in them are one way to find you in a bit of trouble.

We are a community. In every community, there are people who don't get along. And in most communities, when 2 people don't get along, they just avoid each other. To do that on Freecycle, all you have to do is set up a filter to send any email from someone you don't want to hear from straight into you trash bin. If you need help with that, let me know and I can help you.

So, just remember: If you're offering a gift, it's up to you who gets it. And if you're requesting a gift...well, be patient. Your turn will come eventually, but if you're not careful your name could end up on a 'will not give to' list.

Thanks So Much!

You are a member of XXX Freecycle. It is affiliated with The Freecycle Network(TM) and can be verified by its link at www.freecycle.org. We appreciate your participation.

*Adapted from a piece by Alyson Mercer