Adoption Packet

From FGVwiki

Jump to: navigation, search

There is a hard copy in Dead Trees, here is the link Volunteer Timesheet

Contents

Volunteering at Free Geek

Thanks for offering to volunteering at Free Geek! We are almost entirely volunteer-based, so your help means a lot. Anyone may participate, as long as they can make it to our facility to volunteer. No computer experience is required; we'll teach you everything you need to know.

If you need a computer: After 24 hours of service, volunteers qualify for a free computer, a class on how to use it, and 1 year of free technical support. We also hope that you learn a bit about computers while you're volunteering. Just tell you want to be in the Computer Adoption Program.

If you don't need a computer but still want to volunteer: Yay! Your help is appreciated too!

WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO AT FREE GEEK?

Common tasks for volunteers include:

  • Receiving where you'll take in equipment from donors
  • Evaluating where you'll test computers to see if they can be re-used or not
  • Dismantling where you'll take apart computers for recycling
  • Sorting where you'll sort computer parts
  • Monitor Testing where you'll test monitors
  • Cleaning where you'll help organise and clean up the kitchens, bathrooms, and general areas

You also have the opportunity to do some special tasks, like help out in the Thrift Store, do data entry and other administrative work, or do some printer testing. There are other things that need doing too – if you have special skills, please let us know!

STARTING YOUR SHIFT; VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

  • Sign in: When you arrive, please come to the phone desk and sign in.
  • Sign out: At the end of each of your volunteer shifts, you'll need to tell staff you're done for the day and sign out. If you leave the building during your shift (to get lunch etc), you should sign out, and then start a new sign-in when you come back.
  • Scheduling: Before you leave for the day, it's a good idea to ask staff to put you on the volunteer schedule for your next shifts. You can volunteer any amount of time between 1pm-6pm, Tuesday to Saturday, as long as there's room. You can start later than 1, or leave before 6. We're flexible!
  • Changing/canceling a shift: If you aren't able to make it to Free Geek for your shift, please call us at least 24 hours in advance so another volunteer can take your place.

PARKING

  • Bicycles: We'll be getting a bike rack eventually. For now, you can bring your bike inside. Ask warehouse staff where you can park it.
  • Cars: Our parking lot is in the lane behind Free Geek. The parking lot in front of our building is our neighbour's, so don't park there as they will tow you. If possible, try to park on the street so that there are spots left for people dropping off computers.

TAKING BREAKS

  • BREAKS: We encourage you to take 15 minute breaks in every 3 ½ to 4 hour shift, this time is also not deducted from your hours. During this break time you will still earn hours toward adopting a computer. Take Breaks! If you leave Free Geek property, don't forget to sign out at the Phone Desk.
  • FOOD: Eating food is only permitted in the kitchen or outside. Remember to wash your hands before you eat, to keep dust, allergens & residue from getting in your food. You can have a beverage with you while you work; try to put it in a place where it won't get tipped over.
  • SMOKERS: Please note that according to new legislation, and for the consideration of others, You may not smoke within 6 meters of any entrance or air intake.

HEALTH AND SAFETY, RAH RAH RAH!

Please stay safe. There are lots of pointy things and tall piles of computer stuff at Free Geek. We ask the following of you while you're here:

  • Be careful, wear comfortable shoes (no open toes or sandals allowed), dress appropriately for your task, and alert a staff member if you see an unsafe situation that needs attention. Watch your step, as things get moved around a lot.
  • If your back or ankle or anything else starts hurting while you're volunteering, let us know and we'll have you do a different task.
  • When you lift things, don't bend over to pick them up. Bend from the knees and keep your back straight. Don't be shy to ask for help!
  • We strongly suggest wearing gloves and safety glasses if you are disassembling computers.
  • If you are cut at Free Geek and it bleeds, you must let the closest staff member know so that he or she may act and give directions to others accordingly. Ask for staff assistance with the First Aid Kit!
  • If you need any special consideration at all, let a staff member know so that we can work with you and help you get the most from your volunteer term.
  • If you have a cold, we encourage you to stay home & take care of yourself. If you feel a cold coming on while you're in the space, try to wash your hands a lot.
  • Free Geek is a safe, respectful place. We don't allow harassment, abusive language, violence, theft, or other destructive behaviors here. Help keep our organization fun and inviting for all! If you feel uncomfortable with someone's behaviour, let staff know.

ADOPTERS: WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER DO THEY RECEIVE?

We call the computer we give away a GeekBox. It runs the Ubuntu Linux operating system and has software installed for word processing, using the internet, listening to music, and other activities. The current specifications are as follows: 

       Processor: Pentium III 1 GHz (“GigaHertz”) or better 
       256 MB of RAM 
       Hard drive: 20 GB or so 
       DVD rom & CD-RW, floppy drive, sound card, video card 
       Internet ready with network card & modem if required
       Comes with: 17” Monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers

Adoption Policy: Members of the adoption program can get their first computer after 24 hours of volunteer work. Subsequent computers can be obtained only once per year, after another 24 hours of service. Please Note: GeekBoxes are the only systems we offer through the Adoption Program. You cannot volunteer for components, other kinds of systems, or laptops.

VOLUNTEER DISCOUNT IN THE COMPUTER THRIFT STORE

If you need additional computer equipment (like a printer, or more RAM), you can purchase it at our thrift store downstairs. You get a volunteer discount after you've been volunteering for 24 hours.

ADOPTION: GRADUATION FOR COMPUTER ADOPTERS

Once you finish your 24 hours, let us know and we will arrange a time with you to take the Computer Adoption Class. It's an introduction to computers, and to using Linux, the operating system we install on GeekBoxes. You'll receive your "new" computer at the conclusion of the class, so it's important you arrange a way to get it home. We require this class of all Adopters. Even if you have some computer experience, Linux is a bit different, so we want to be sure you understand how to use it.

After graduation, you are more than welcome to keep volunteering with us if you like!

COMPUTER HELP FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS

We offer workshops on different topics, for everyone from beginners to more advanced computer users. You can check our website for more information, or ask staff. Workshops are free for volunteers. Please don't ask us for technical support during the day, since we're busy with Free Geek's day-to-day operations!

PARTING INFORMATION

For reference, here's Free Geek's contact info. Thanks for volunteering at Free Geek!

Free Geek Community Technology Center

1820 Pandora St.

(2 blocks north of Hastings, between Commercial & Victoria)

604-879-4335

http://freegeekvancouver.org


Operating hours: Tues-Sat 11am-6pm, closed Sun/Mon

Volunteering hours: Tues-Sat 1pm-6pm

STAYING IN THE LOOP

  • Our mailing lists: You can also subscribe to one of our mailing lists. The Announcement list goes out once or twice and month, and will tell you about upcoming events. The General list is for discussion about topics and issues of interest to Free Geek. For more info on subscribing to our mailing lists, go to our website.
  • Our monthly meeting: Free Geek's monthly meeting is open to volunteers and the public. It happens the second Tuesday of every month, starting at 6:30pm, at Free Geek. If you are interested in learning more about how our organisation is run, or about how consensus works, or participating in discussions and decisions, you are welcome to attend.

STAFF

  • Ifny Lachance (Communications, Volunteers, Outreach, Media)
  • David Repa (Finance, Revenue, Thrift Store)
  • Adam Scriven (Recycling, Warehouse)
  • Ryan Yeske (Reuse, Advanced Testing, Systems Administration, Mezzanine)

QUESTIONS? ASK US!!!

Thanks for helping Free Geek!

Retrieved from "http://wiki.freegeekvancouver.org/article/Adoption_Packet"
Personal tools