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ADMIN Notices - Sob Stories

There is no requirement listed that states a poster has to justify any requests made, and sometimes it just needs to be stated that some posts are over the top.

Here are a few examples of subtle (and not so subtle) reminders to use for your admin files regarding Sob Stories and Need/Want posts. Simply copy and paste... and feel free to edit as necessary!

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

Example #1 - No Explanation Required, Please

Dear Freecycle(TM) Member,

While we appreciate your wanting to share the circumstances behind your request for this item, please understand that no member should ever be made to feel they have to be *in need* of an item in order to request it. We are not here to determine need, only to keep things out of the landfills and find them new homes, for whatever reason. Please feel free to request an item, regardless of the circumstances, and know that you have no need to explain the reasons behind it.

Thank you,

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

(Courtesy of Jaymi, Wilson_Freecycle - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

Example #2 - Needed vs. Wanted

Dear Freecycle(TM) Member,

Please refrain from using the word NEEDED in your subject line when posting to Freecycle. While there are a lot of us with needs, this is not a wish list designed to fulfill the needs of others. This is a recycling group with the goal of reducing items thrown into landfills by finding people who are willing and able to use items you would otherwise discard.

We have become a very consumer-oriented society where many items are used and tossed away. Each day we are discarding tons and tons of items that might be useful to another person. The goal of the Freecycle movement is to link people to each other, so when they have an item they no longer want, they can simply post it to this forum to find someone who will use it. This is what The Freecycle Network(TM) community is all about!

If you have an urgent, immediate need, such as food for family, there are many worthwhile, helpful organizations where these needs can be addressed.

It just isn't in the spirit of Freecycle to use NEEDED, thus creating an urgency (whether real or not). The 4 subject line words of OFFER, TAKEN, WANTED or RECEIVED are sufficient to cover the mission of our Freecycle community.

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

Example #3 - Need vs. Want - Gentle Reminder - Help and Desperate Need

Hi all! Another Freecycle(TM) tip for you to consider...

"Please" - is good...
...while "PLEASE HELP!!!!" - is not.

"I am in need of" - is good...
...while "DESPERATE NEED!!!!" - is not.

"I am in search of a refrigerator because mine is broken" - is good
"I am in desperate need of a fridge because my auntie is sick and my brother got herpes and we're flat broke and my children are starving because the jelly went bad..."
- You got it - not good.

I know these may seem like silly things, and they are. But pleading for items is not needed, nor allowed. Please just include the simple facts when asking for an item.

More often than not, long exaggerated stories are ignored, while simple requests are considered.

Thank you for your time,

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

(Courtesy of Sarah, FreecycleGrotonMA Moderator - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

Example #4 - No Sob Stories - Keep it Short and Sweet, Greta

Hello, Freecycle(TM) Members,

This is an administrative reminder that when making posts to your Freecycle group, please do your best to keep it short and sweet.

The ideal format for posting:
Subject: Lead word, object, general location.
(For example:) Subject: Wanted: Men's shoes size 10 Brownstown

Body of your email: let's keep it as simple with a polite thank you.
(For example:) I need a pair of men's shoes, size 10, prefer brown or black. Thanks in advance, Joe Freecycle Member

What not to do:

Let's try not to get into full details of why you want something. This saves us from getting into contests to see who has the greatest sob story to get items. It tends to become very tiresome to the other members of the group and can quickly get out of control.

Hey, the simple beauty of the Freecycle concept is that you are able to just ASK for something without justification. Yes, no explanation needed!! Being a member of your local Freecycle group gives you that awesome right!!

(Side note: Please don't see this as the encouraging of outrageous, extravagant and frequent wanted postings. We still ask that you practice self-moderation in both what you ask for and how often.)

Let's take a look at an example of what not to do...

Subject: In Desperate NEED

Body: Hello, I am an old lady who lives in a shoe. I have 42 kids who are all down with the flu. My husband lost his job, our car broke down and we live 25 miles out of town. Our cat got sick and our dog ran away (let me tell you we are having a bad day!) We've all got a bad back and what we really lack is a spa, or a yacht, or a pool. If you have one just lying around, why that would be very cool! Give it to me 'cause I need it real bad, little Jimmy (our youngest) is just oh SO sad. I know this would make his day but I won't say "Thanks" or post a "Received", that's just my Freecycle group way. I know you'll give me what I want because I am just so needy. So look around and see what can be found signed, Greta the Greedy.

p.s. No offense intended if you are named Greta. She is a fictional character and not based on anyone either in this or any other Freecycle group :)

Thank you!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

Example #5 - No Sob Stories - No Strings Attached!

ADMIN: No strings attached!

One of the beautiful things about Freecycle(TM) is that the person requesting items does not incur any obligation to the giver in accepting an exchange. Not only is there no exchange of money, there is no written or unwritten obligations involved at all. When requesting an item, you don't have to give a "sob story" about why you need it. The "no strings attached" rule also means that when you make an offer, you cannot set up stipulations for non-monetary expectations, such as completing a questionnaire, or listening to a sales pitch, or anything else that creates an "agreement" between giver and receiver. We just ask that each member be *honest* and respect one another! Give freely, with no strings attached!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

(Courtesy of Tami, Hoover - Alabama Freecycle Moderator - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

Example #6 - No Sob Stories Needed

Dear Freecycle(TM) Members:

We understand there is a lot of hardship in our area. There are many people with needs. With that being said, we must remind our members of the mission of The
Freecycle Network(TM). We were founded as a recycling community. The fundamental mission of this group is to keep useful items out of landfills. This, alone, is a critical mission with long-reaching global effects that will positively effect generations to come.

There are many charities that deal with specifics of helping families and individuals with temporary needs during times of hardship. Even though the side effect of
giving items away with no strings attached is that we fulfill needs at times, this is not the reason our group was formed.

As a moderator I am assigned to keep this group focused on the mission for which it was formed. I need to remind members that if you chose to be here, you
also chose to follow the guidelines of the group. We make it clear in all the files and on the opening page of the group what our mission is. We do not allow posts with long explanations of hardship and need. This is not my rule, but what I, as a moderator, have been asked to do to keep the group on task. The groups that have allowed such posts end up with many requests posted trying to "one-up" the hardship stories in order to be chosen to receive items. It sometimes results in a complete moderation of the entire group and an intervention to get the group back on track. I have made every effort to keep our group from having such actions taken. In order to ask for an item on Freecycle, you do not need to explain your reasoning for wanting it. You simply ask. Of course, by the same token, we do not guarantee that all who ask will receive the requested items.

If you are unsure of the rules of Freecycle, please go to our homepage and read the text on that page. If that is not sufficiently clear, the rules are reiterated and detailed in our files section. If you are still unsure, please drop me an email and I will point you in the right direction.

** The next section is optional and can be removed as necessary without breaking the overall meaning of the message**

Now, as an alternative to a board full of wanted posts for charities, I have included on our site in a database, accessible to all members, a list of charitable organizations and what items they are seeking. If any members are interested in responding to the needs of the charity, please check the database area. If you are the member of a legitimate charity and wish to be listed, please send the following information about the charity to me:

Non-Profit Organization Name
Contact email
Contact person
Contact phone
Items requested
Non-profit
Tax Status
Are donated items tax deductible?
Do you issue receipts for donated items for tax purposes?
How long as a non-profit?

I will add your charity to the database and make an announcement to the group of a new addition.

Do understand that as a member of this group, when you keep items out of landfills and/or recycle, your efforts are charitable to both the earth AND to future generations. This alone is reason to feel proud of any and all of your efforts.

I thank all who participate in our Freecycle movement. Know that you are making a difference in so many ways!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com