Volunteers
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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 us 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?
- 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
- Pre-Dismantling, Small Dismantling, Dismantling where you'll take apart computers for recycling
- Sorting where you'll sort computer parts, such as expansion cards and RAM
- 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, sign in. Ask staff where you should go next.
- Sign out: When you are finished for the day, tidy your workspace, tell staff you're done 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: You can ask to be put on the schedule while you're at Free Geek, or call in. You can volunteer regularly, or not, it's up to you. We're flexible! Volunteer hours are 11-6, Tues-Sat.
- Add/change a shift: Talk to a human to do this please. Call us during open hours, or drop by.
- Canceling a shift: If you aren't able to make it for your shift, please contact us at least 24 hours in advance so another volunteer can take your place. If you're just canceling your shift, you can also leave a message on Free Geek's voicemail, or email volunteer {at} freegeekvancouver {d0t} org – but don't email us to add/change shifts!
PARKING
- Bicycles: We'll be getting a bike rack eventually. For now, you can usually bring your bike inside. Ask warehouse staff where you can park it.
- Cars: The parking lot in front of our building is our neighbour's, so don't park there as they will tow you. Our parking lot is in the lane behind Free Geek, but 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 during a 3 ½ to 4 hour shift; this time is not deducted from your hours. Take Breaks!
- 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 dust masks if you are disassembling computers.
- If you are cut at Free Geek and it bleeds, you must let the closest staff member know immediately 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, inclusive, 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.
- Stealing or violent behaviour will get you immediately banned from Free Geek.
ADOPTERS: WHAT KIND OF COMPUTER DO THEY RECEIVE?
We call the computer we give away a GeekBox. It runs the Ubuntu GNU/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 higher
- 512 MB of RAM
- Hard drive: 40 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 or parts (like a printer, or more RAM), you can purchase it at our thrift store downstairs. You get a volunteer discount if you have volunteered at least 12 hours over the last 90 days.
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 GNU/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, GNU/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 (& closed statutory holidays)
STAYING IN THE LOOP
Our website: If you want to stay posted about upcoming workshops, events, and meetings, you can check our website http://freegeekvancouver.org
- 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 runs, or how consensus works, or you want to participate in discussions and decisions, you are welcome to attend. More info is on our website.
STAFF:
Megan Zanussi (Volunteer Coordination) volunteer {at} freegeekvancouver {d0t} org
Ifny Lachance (Communications, Outreach, Media)
David Repa (Finance, Revenue, eBay)
Adam Scriven (Recycling, Warehouse)
John William (Thrift Store)
Ryan Yeske (Reuse, Advanced Testing, Systems Administration, Mezzanine)
QUESTIONS? ASK US!!! Thanks for helping Free Geek!
