Freegle Reps Report 2012-06-16
STRATEGY
We discussed a variety of issues over the course of month –
- What media tasks would fulfil the strategy.
- Our dependence on a small number of geeks to provide the IT back up in order for us to function and Edward’s plan to reduce his paid employment to three days per week.
- How our structure affects our progress.
- The difficulties of obtaining grant funding for ongoing running costs.
- The difficulties of recruiting volunteers who can give sustained amounts of time.
Cumbria Action for Sustainability Big Lottery Bid
Edward explained that CAFS are making a Big Lottery bid, part of which is aimed at encouraging people to hand on food surpluses and grow more stuff. Chris (Penrith Freegle) has been asked to bid for a proportion of the budget for this with a view to providing the IT development to enable the scheme. Chris and Edward agree that this is technically possible by making changes to Freegle Direct to allow specialist sub groups.
We talked about the issues that Freegle has with dependence on a small number of volunteers, minimal financial resources and our problematic structure and how such a scheme might enable Freegle to gain income. We agreed that we would approve the extension of Freegle Direct by Edward to provide the subgroup function for the CAFS bid and the financial benefit of this to Freegle. If the bid is successful we will need to further discuss payment details.
PUBLICITY
People’s Monarch Exhibition, Eastbourne
Cat was invited to attend this photography exhibition in Eastbourne on 25th May.
Social Innovation Index
Cat was informed that her entry had been accepted for the Social Innovation Index – “Ten Ideas to Fix Broken Britain” produced by Give What You’re Good At, the proceeds to be given to Children in Need.
Tech4Good Awards
Edward was entered for this in the category of IT Volunteer of the Year Award and Freegle is entered in the Community Impact category. Unfortunately, we were not shortlisted. http://www.technology4goodawards.org.uk/
Waste Producer Exchange
http://www.wpesoutheast.co.uk/ They are an online waste and materials trading platform. Cat has contacted them and they have agreed to put a link to Freegle on their website. Cat is continuing to talk to them.
A Sharing Economy
Jacky let us know about this blog http://warrenhatter.wordpress.com/tag/freegle/. Cat said she has spoken to Warren Hatter at the Sharing Economy launch at Nesta in April.
National Sharing Day 20th June
Cat suggested running a Freegle at Work day in conjunction with this campaign. We agreed that she should attend the launch on 20 June. Cat prepared publicity for local groups to use.
A Good Week
We agreed that Cat should attend the launch on 18 June. http://www.agoodweek.com/what-s-on/events/a-good-week-the-launch/
Digital Democracy
Cat let us know about this website http://www.digitaldemocracy.org.uk
Local Skatepark Project
Cat told us about a local project for a skatepark. Cat successfully initiated discussions between waste contractors and the skatepark directors in order that waste products can be reused for the benefit of this community project which is backed by Norman Baker MP. The waste contractors have offered financial backing for a potential project which could be used as a model for other parts of the UK. They also agreed to offer 150 tonnes of hardcore and other waste for the project. Freegle nationally will benefit from the publicity.
Green Waste Schemes
http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2012/jun/06/live-discussion-green-waste-schemes Cat was on the live Guardian Q and A panel for this.
Green Alliance Event
We agreed that Cat should represent Freegle on 18 June.
Printed Publicity Material
We discussed recommending a variety of suppliers on the wiki page.
FUNDING
www.freegle.it/accounts
Virgin Money Giving
Jane confirmed that the ability to donate via them was now set up.
Charities Trust – Payroll Giving
We have received £50 as a result of setting this up. http://www.charitiestrust.org/content/individuals/index.html
Donating via the Website
The exact details of how this would be presented on the website were discussed and put into place.
Missionfish
Edward looked into the use of Missionfish as a potential source of funding.
HMRC
Sian confirmed that we don’t need full charity registration unless our income exceeds £5,000. Jane reported that £324.31 in gift aid claims had been received from HMRC.
OTHER
We approved an increase of £10 per month to cover an increase in the memory on the main server. This will save some time for Edward.
Freegle Direct
Edward reported that the Invite feature was being used to spread the word about Freegle
Website Editing
We agreed to adopt the procedure recommended by Structure. We’re also in agreement that keeping the website primarily aimed at members and the Wiki for volunteers works well.
Naming New Groups
We agreed that this policy should be adopted http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Group_Affiliation_Team_-_Naming_New_Groups
Local Group Rules
We discussed local rules and how some of these are proving to be barriers to the growth of groups as well as sometimes resulting in complaints to the mailbox. We also discussed the issues around how newly approved groups will grow if they wish to only have Yahoo Groups as a platform.
Abandoned Groups
The mailbox reported an email from a concerned member about a group which appeared to be abandoned. In the light of previous discussions about our emphasis on helping groups rather than delisting them and other reports of abandoned groups we discussed what procedures should be used when we receive reports of abandoned groups. A group and owner issues log is being kept by the Reps and shared with GAT and the mailbox. We have made initial contact with 3 groups.
Reuse Exchange Activity
We were contacted by LRS consultancy about a project they are undertaking on behalf of DEFRA on reuse exchange activity. They have been asked to validate the research findings from a survey conducted by a market research company. LRS wanted to survey key stakeholders to get an estimate of the scale of activities and success rates of exchanges versus advertised opportunities. They had identified Freegle as a stakeholder Edward and Cat agreed to talk to them using Taken/Received statistics from Freegle Direct as a minimum success rate.
GAT
Jane reported that GAT were very busy with an influx of Freecycle transfers.
Co-op Funding
This is a funding option for local groups http://www.manchestercommunitycentral.org/news/co-operative-community-fund and http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/servlet/Satellite/1196151412586,CFSweb/Page/Business-CommunityBanking?WT.svl=copy which is suitable for groups with a Coop bank account. Jacky said that Norfolk Freegle had received £500 from this scheme.
Norfolk Freegle
Jacky updated us on progress with the arrangements for launch of the new website.
Back to Freegle Representative Group or Freegle Reps Report 2012-05-16
