Difference between revisions of "Guidelines and Disclaimer"

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(Optional Rules)
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There will be slight variations from group to group, but there are two types of rules:
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# [[#Mandatory Rules|Mandatory Rules]], which apply to all Freecycle groups
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# [[#Optional Rules|Optional Rules]], which may or may not apply on your group.
 
  
= Mandatory Rules =
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# '''KEEP IT FREE, LEGAL & APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES.''' This means, for example:
== Keep it free, legal and appropriate for all ages ==
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#* No alcohol, tobacco, firearms or other weapons, profanity or sexual content, medications (of any kind, including over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, etc.);
 
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#* Never send money for anything offered on Freecycle (R) (this includes money for shipping/couriers);
This is the main Freecycle rule, and you '''must''' follow it, otherwise you might be removed from the group.  This means, for example,
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#* All copyrighted material must be the original media;
 
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#* In local groups that allow resale, full disclosure of intent to resell must be disclosed up front;
* No pornography,
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#* No unregistered waste carriers [UK only].<BR><BR>
* No alcohol,
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# '''WANTED POSTS ARE TO BE USED SPARINGLY.''' Numerical limits on Wanted posts vary by local group.<BR><BR>
* No tobacco,
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# '''NO POLITICS, NO SPAM, NO MONEY, NO PERSONAL ATTACKS/RUDENESS OR PROSELYTIZING.'''<BR><BR>
* No drugs (of any kind, including all medicines, vitamins, creams, etc.),
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# '''NO SWAPS/TRADING PLEASE.''' Go to your local swap/trading organization for this. It can be quite fun.<BR><BR>
* No firearms or other weapons.
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# '''NO PERSONAL ADS.''' Posting oneself or another person from the human species is not allowed. There are many fine Internet dating sites better suited to this purpose.<BR><BR>
 
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# '''NO POSTS ABOUT ANIMALS FOR BREEDING OR FOOD PURPOSES.''' Beyond this, some groups do allow non-breeding-related posts to find new homes for pets, but ask that it be kept legal and lovingly careful. Other groups prefer not to allow pet postings.<BR><BR>
== Get the subject line right ==
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# '''BE NICE.''' A brief note on Freecycle etiquette: we are all volunteers and we've got a great little community here so when you arrange to pick up an item from another Freecycle member, it is basic good manners to accommodate them as much as possible in terms of scheduling, and then be punctual; they are, after all, giving you something you need and asking nothing in return except that you will show up when you say you will. Also, unless the giver tells you otherwise, assume that they would like you to come by as soon as you can to take away the item.<BR><BR>
 
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'''PICK UP.''' Arrange as you like. Generally, you'll wait until you get a handful of responses or maybe overnight, and then you can pick whomever you like! That's half the fun. Consider giving your starving local charity preference if one should respond. Arrange pickup with one person only, rather than "It's on the porch, whoever gets here first gets it." Otherwise you'll become unpopular pretty quickly with your fellow Freecycle group members. Also, only give your phone number to one person at a time or ask for the recipient's phone number. Otherwise you'll get swamped with phone calls.<BR><BR>
Using the right subject makes it easy for others to decide whether to delete or view your mail.
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'''DISCLAIMER.''' FREECYCLE(R) NETWORK MEMBERS USE THE LIST AT THEIR OWN RISK. Please take reasonable measures to protect your safety and privacy when posting to the list or participating in an exchange. By joining the list, you agree to hold neither the list owners, moderators nor anyone affiliated with Freecycle.org responsible or liable for any circumstance resulting from a Freecycle-related exchange or communication.<BR><BR>
 
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'''SAFETY.''' Be aware! It is up to each individual member of Freecycle when arranging for pickup of the item being given away to be appropriately aware of the potential risk of having "a stranger" come to your home to pick something up. Freecycle as an organization assumes no responsibility for this risk. If you, for example, are living alone, you may want to say that you'll leave the item on the front porch while you are not home or arrange for a drop-off at a public place.<BR><BR>
First, the subject must contain the ''type'' of your post.  These may vary from group to group, but the standard ones are:
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<br>
# '''OFFER''', which means you have an item you'd like to give away.
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<br>
# '''TAKEN''', which means that the item you previously sent an '''OFFER''' for has been picked up.  You send this to let people know it's no longer available.
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-----
# '''WANTED''', which means that you're looking for something.  Some groups may have limits on the number or frequency of WANTED mails.
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(C) 2003, The Freecycle Network(R). All rights reserved. Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are trademarks of The Freecycle Network in various countries.
# '''RECEIVED''', which means that you've now got something you previously sent a '''WANTED''' for.  You use this to let people know you don't need another one.
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Second, it must contain the ''item'' you're posting about.  Use a short description of a few words.
 
 
 
Third, it must contain your ''location''. This must be your ''own'' location - not locations you're prepared to collect from.
 
 
 
Here are some examples:
 
 
 
  OFFER: houseplants (Inverleith)
 
  TAKEN: houseplants (Inverleith)
 
  WANTED: deckchairs (Portobello)
 
  RECEIVED: deckchairs (Portobello)
 
 
 
You can put more information in the message itself - for example the condition and age.
 
 
 
== No politics, no spam, no money, no personal attacks/rudeness, no proselytizing/religion ==
 
 
 
None of these are suitable - they don't keep things out of landfill.  If you break this rule, you may be removed from the group.
 
 
 
== No swaps/loans ==
 
 
 
There may be other local groups for this, but it's not Freecycle because it's not a no-strings-attached gift.
 
 
 
== Don't respond to the whole group ==
 
 
 
If you respond to a post, please check that it's going to the person who posted the ''OFFER''/''WANTED'', not to the whole group.  It helps keep down the number of mails.
 
 
 
== No offering yourself or your children ==
 
 
 
It's tempting, but posting oneself or another person from the human species is not allowed.
 
 
 
There are many fine Internet dating sites better suited to this purpose.
 
 
 
== Be Nice ==
 
 
 
When you arrange to pick up an item from another Freecycle member, it is basic good manners to accommodate them as much as possible in terms of scheduling, and then be punctual; they are, after all, giving you something you need and asking nothing in return except that you will show up when you say you will. Leaving someone hanging is never a nice thing.
 
 
 
Also, unless the giver tells you otherwise, assume that they would like you to come by as soon as you can to take away the item; no more than three days after the offer is made is usual.
 
 
 
Be nice to your group's moderators, too - remember they're volunteering their time.
 
 
 
== Safety ==
 
 
 
Use common sense. If you're meeting someone you don't know, or telling them your address, then be sensible.
 
* You might prefer to meet in a public place.
 
* You might want to have a friend with you.
 
* You might want to leave an item outside.
 
* Don't tell people when you're going to be out.
 
 
 
= Optional Rules =
 
 
 
== Repeat WANTEDs ==
 
 
 
Please do not post the same ''WANTED'' posting more than once a month. (There will be variations from group to group)
 
 
 
== Crossposting ==
 
 
 
Crossposting is when you send the same message to multiple groups at the same time. This means that everyone gets lots more mail.  Please try your local group first; if you have no luck, then it's fine to use groups further away, but please leave it a few days, and mention in your post which groups you've tried.
 
 
 
== Approximate Location ==
 
 
 
You can list a more detailed location in the body of your post - for example directions on how to get there.
 
 
 
== Single or Multiple Mails? ==
 
 
 
Got more than one thing to give away?
 
* Some groups ask you to keep it all in one mail, and just number the items for your own clarity. This reduces the overall number of emails we all have to receive.  
 
* Some groups ask you to list one item per mail.  This cuts down on mails saying things like "these two items have gone but these thirteen are still available".
 
 
 
== Pets ==
 
 
 
Whether a group allows posting for pets or not is up to that group.  There are arguments on both sides, and people often have strong feelings one way or the other. Please respect the policy of your local group.
 
 
 
== Phone numbers and contact details ==
 
 
 
Some groups don't allow phone numbers in posts to the group. Think carefully about whether you really want hundreds or thousands of people you don't know to have your mobile number.
 

Latest revision as of 20:52, 14 April 2016

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  1. KEEP IT FREE, LEGAL & APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES. This means, for example:
    • No alcohol, tobacco, firearms or other weapons, profanity or sexual content, medications (of any kind, including over-the-counter supplements, vitamins, etc.);
    • Never send money for anything offered on Freecycle (R) (this includes money for shipping/couriers);
    • All copyrighted material must be the original media;
    • In local groups that allow resale, full disclosure of intent to resell must be disclosed up front;
    • No unregistered waste carriers [UK only].

  2. WANTED POSTS ARE TO BE USED SPARINGLY. Numerical limits on Wanted posts vary by local group.

  3. NO POLITICS, NO SPAM, NO MONEY, NO PERSONAL ATTACKS/RUDENESS OR PROSELYTIZING.

  4. NO SWAPS/TRADING PLEASE. Go to your local swap/trading organization for this. It can be quite fun.

  5. NO PERSONAL ADS. Posting oneself or another person from the human species is not allowed. There are many fine Internet dating sites better suited to this purpose.

  6. NO POSTS ABOUT ANIMALS FOR BREEDING OR FOOD PURPOSES. Beyond this, some groups do allow non-breeding-related posts to find new homes for pets, but ask that it be kept legal and lovingly careful. Other groups prefer not to allow pet postings.

  7. BE NICE. A brief note on Freecycle etiquette: we are all volunteers and we've got a great little community here so when you arrange to pick up an item from another Freecycle member, it is basic good manners to accommodate them as much as possible in terms of scheduling, and then be punctual; they are, after all, giving you something you need and asking nothing in return except that you will show up when you say you will. Also, unless the giver tells you otherwise, assume that they would like you to come by as soon as you can to take away the item.

PICK UP. Arrange as you like. Generally, you'll wait until you get a handful of responses or maybe overnight, and then you can pick whomever you like! That's half the fun. Consider giving your starving local charity preference if one should respond. Arrange pickup with one person only, rather than "It's on the porch, whoever gets here first gets it." Otherwise you'll become unpopular pretty quickly with your fellow Freecycle group members. Also, only give your phone number to one person at a time or ask for the recipient's phone number. Otherwise you'll get swamped with phone calls.

DISCLAIMER. FREECYCLE(R) NETWORK MEMBERS USE THE LIST AT THEIR OWN RISK. Please take reasonable measures to protect your safety and privacy when posting to the list or participating in an exchange. By joining the list, you agree to hold neither the list owners, moderators nor anyone affiliated with Freecycle.org responsible or liable for any circumstance resulting from a Freecycle-related exchange or communication.

SAFETY. Be aware! It is up to each individual member of Freecycle when arranging for pickup of the item being given away to be appropriately aware of the potential risk of having "a stranger" come to your home to pick something up. Freecycle as an organization assumes no responsibility for this risk. If you, for example, are living alone, you may want to say that you'll leave the item on the front porch while you are not home or arrange for a drop-off at a public place.




(C) 2003, The Freecycle Network(R). All rights reserved. Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are trademarks of The Freecycle Network in various countries.