Volunteering
This page describes various ways you can volunteer to help Freecycle.
Becoming a Moderator
The first stage in volunteering is usually to become one of the Moderators of your local group. To do this, you can mail your group owner (from the home page), or respond to an appeal for new moderators on your local group.
The requirements to be a moderator vary from group to group, but generally:
- You'll need to have been active on your local group for a while.
- You should be computer literate. Familiarity with the Firefox browser is also a plus.
- You'll need access to a computer, and to the Internet (usually, but not always, broadband).
- You'll have to be able to spend at least a couple of hours per week moderating the group. Some groups have a [rota] and schedules.
- You should have good language skills - correct spelling, proper punctuation, complete sentences, and proper grammar are a must. You mustn't type in "chat mode" or "IM mode", or all lower case or upper case.
- You'll need the ability to follow instructions. There are guidelines in place for all Freecycle group moderators to maintain in order to be listed on the main Freecycle webpage.
- You should have a positive attitude and the ability to keep your cool when dealing with irate or irresponsible members.
- You should have an interest in environmental causes. You know that Freecycle isn't about FREE stuff but about keeping stuff out of the landfills and building community awareness.
We don't have anything tangible to give to a moderator - it's all free, right? - but it's rewarding nevertheless. You'll be keeping the Freecycle Network ticking over and ensuring usable items stay out of landfill sites to have a new lease of life.
Setting up a Group
First, make sure there really is no group in your area. If there is, it, of course, has priority. See here for how to check.
Once you're sure there's no local group already, see here for more details.
Other Opportunities
Other regional and national volunteering opportunities are open to group moderators, but also to individual members if they would like to offer time or particular expertise. If you have other skills, knowledge, or experience and time to offer the organization please see below.
