Potted History - Revision history

RevampBot: Wiki revamp: restructure & modernise

2026-07-17T12:00:00Z

Wiki revamp: restructure & modernise

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, 17 July 2026
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	Once upon a time (2003~~)........~~ a great idea ~~was developed by Deron Beal~~: 'why not use the internet ~~as a way of putting~~ people in touch with ~~others to~~ pass on ~~items~~ they ~~don~~'t want ~~anymore~~?'. Yahoo! had a great facility (Yahoo! Groups~~) which was~~ free to use ~~and provided~~ a platform ~~for people~~ to ~~place~~ messages ~~advertising~~ stuff ~~to give~~ away. Freecycle was born, the first group opened by Deron in Tucson, Arizona. Then the idea spread.		==How it began==
			Once upon a time, in 2003, Deron Beal had a great idea: why not use the internet to put people in touch with each other, so they could pass on the things they didn't want any more? Yahoo had a great facility, Yahoo Groups, free to use, that gave people a platform to post messages offering stuff away. Freecycle was born, with the first group opened by Deron in Tucson, Arizona. Then the idea spread.

	Skip forward a few years and The Freecycle Network (TFN) ~~has~~ turned into a worldwide movement with thousands of groups, volunteers of every nationality and millions of members. Outside of the US, Freecycle is particularly successful in the UK. But there was ~~a bit of~~ a problem~~. In~~ 2009 ~~conflicts~~ arose between UK Freecycle moderators and the US-based founders of the company. It ~~centered around~~ the lack of freedom for UK Freecycle groups to develop local initiatives and features, and ~~also~~ how volunteers were treated. This culminated in the UK Director Neil Morris and at least 20 local group owners and moderators being dismissed and replaced with US-based counterparts.		Skip forward a few years, and The Freecycle Network (TFN) had turned into a worldwide movement with thousands of groups, volunteers of every nationality, and millions of members. Outside the US, Freecycle was particularly successful in the UK. But there was a problem: in 2009, conflict arose between UK Freecycle moderators and the US-based founders of the company. It centred on the lack of freedom for UK Freecycle groups to develop local initiatives and features, and on how volunteers were treated. This culminated in the UK Director, Neil Morris, and at least 20 local group owners and moderators being dismissed and replaced with US-based counterparts.

	A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started ~~to join~~ our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation ~~started~~ to be drawn up. After the experience ~~of Freecycle~~, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear ~~that~~ the new network needed to be democratic, ~~transparent~~ and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle~~, which~~ first developed a Constitution and got itself a bank account, then moved ~~onto~~ forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, ~~which is~~ an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to ~~provide~~ support ~~for~~ the network of groups.		==Freegle is born==
			A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009, and UK Freecycle groups started joining our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted in to be adopted; the website was put together, and the first set of guidelines for affiliation began to be drawn up. After the Freecycle experience, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear the new network needed to be democratic and transparent, and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle. The organisation first developed a Constitution and got itself a bank account, then moved on to forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to support the network of groups.

	The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wished to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), ~~but~~ exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so ~~that~~ groups could offer a wider range of ~~opportunities to members~~ to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).		==Moving away from Yahoo==
			The legacy of using the Yahoo Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wished to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]). Meanwhile, exciting facilities were developed in-house, so groups could offer members a wider range of ways to get involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc.).

	In September 2016 a new updated website ~~was~~ launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. ~~The~~ Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged ~~with~~ Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant ~~that all~~ local ~~groups were~~ now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those ~~that were~~ on the Norfolk platform. In early 2020, the Norfolk platform groups decided to move to Freegle Direct, so the whole family of Freegle was ~~now~~ together.		In September 2016, a new, updated website launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged from Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant every local group was now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those on the Norfolk platform. In early 2020, the Norfolk platform groups decided to move to Freegle Direct too, so the whole family of Freegle was together on one platform.

	In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be ~~effectively~~ closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups. Yahoo confirmed ~~later~~ it was closing down the whole Groups platform on 15th December 2020.		In late 2019, Yahoo announced it would effectively be closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform. Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible, for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups. Yahoo later confirmed it was closing down the whole Groups platform on 15th December 2020.

	In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns ~~were~~ eased.		==Coronavirus==
			In 2020, the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this, and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns eased.

	Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all ~~Volunteers~~ form the family of the organisation. Although some ~~Volunteers~~ are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, ~~as well as~~ becoming voting Members of Freegle ~~Ltd~~.		==One family==
			Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves, and all volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, including by becoming voting Members of Freegle.

	~~'''~~Legal changes~~:'''~~ Initially we were governed by elected Reps. We were unincorporated which meant ~~that~~ individuals may have had to take personal responsibility. This made it difficult for us to enter into partnerships with or get funding from other organisations.		==Legal changes==
	A committee was formed to suggest a solution to this problem which resulted in Freegle UK voting to become an Industrial and Provident Society (now known as Registered Societies).Freegle Ltd was formed as a holding company with 3 Reps as Directors. The Company was converted from a Company Limited by Guarantee to an Industrial and Provident Society on 13 June 2014, IPS Registration 32410R.		Initially we were governed by elected Reps. We were unincorporated, which meant individuals may have had to take personal responsibility. This made it difficult for us to enter into partnerships with, or get funding from, other organisations.

	~~We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and subject~~ to ~~Rules~~ which ~~were agreed with them. We were very fortunate~~ in ~~receiving practical help and funds from Co-operatives~~ UK to ~~make these changes~~.		A committee was formed to suggest a solution to this problem, which resulted in Freegle UK voting to become an Industrial and Provident Society (now known as a Registered Society). Freegle Ltd was formed as a holding company with 3 Reps as Directors. The company was converted from a Company Limited by Guarantee to an Industrial and Provident Society on 13 June 2014, IPS Registration 32410R.
	Freegle ~~UK elected 9 Directors in February 2014 and these were appointed~~ as ~~Directors by the Founder Members (the~~ 3 ~~Rep~~ Directors~~) on 21 June 2014~~.
	~~We were granted exempt charity status~~ by ~~HMRC in March 2015, which means that we are entitled~~ to ~~gift aid~~ on ~~donations. This is not the same as being a registered charity~~, ~~which means that you are registered with the Charity Commission. An~~ IPS ~~is exempt from registration (which actually means you cannot register). Nowadays an IPS is called a "Registered Society"~~.

	~~The name of Freegle Ltd was changed~~ to Freegle ~~on 1st June 2026~~ by the ~~FCA, after a resolution was passed at~~ the ~~2025 AGM to make that change~~.		We're regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and subject to rules agreed with them. We were very fortunate to receive practical help and funds from Co-operatives UK to make these changes. Freegle UK elected 9 Directors in February 2014, and these were appointed as Directors by the Founder Members (the 3 Rep Directors) on 21 June 2014.

			We were granted exempt charity status by HMRC in March 2015, meaning we're entitled to gift aid on donations. This isn't the same as being a registered charity, which means being registered with the Charity Commission - an IPS is exempt from that registration (which actually means it can't register). An IPS is nowadays called a "Registered Society".

	~~Useful links:~~		The name Freegle Ltd was changed to Freegle on 1st June 2026 by the FCA, after a resolution was passed at the 2025 AGM to make that change.
	*https://mutuals.~~fsa.gov.uk/SocietyDetails.aspx?Number=32410&Suffix=R~~
	*http://www.fca.org.uk/
	*http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Rules

			'''Useful links:'''
			* https://mutuals.fsa.gov.uk/SocietyDetails.aspx?Number=32410&Suffix=R
			* http://www.fca.org.uk/
			* http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Rules

	Back to [[First Steps]]		Back to [[First Steps]]

	[[Category:~~The_Basics~~]]		[[Category:Getting Started]]

Jacky at 18:21, 1 June 2026

2026-06-01T18:21:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:21, 1 June 2026
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	Freegle UK elected 9 Directors in February 2014 and these were appointed as Directors by the Founder Members (the 3 Rep Directors) on 21 June 2014.		Freegle UK elected 9 Directors in February 2014 and these were appointed as Directors by the Founder Members (the 3 Rep Directors) on 21 June 2014.
	We were granted exempt charity status by HMRC in March 2015, which means that we are entitled to gift aid on donations. This is not the same as being a registered charity, which means that you are registered with the Charity Commission. An IPS is exempt from registration (which actually means you cannot register). Nowadays an IPS is called a "Registered Society".		We were granted exempt charity status by HMRC in March 2015, which means that we are entitled to gift aid on donations. This is not the same as being a registered charity, which means that you are registered with the Charity Commission. An IPS is exempt from registration (which actually means you cannot register). Nowadays an IPS is called a "Registered Society".

			The name of Freegle Ltd was changed to Freegle on 1st June 2026 by the FCA, after a resolution was passed at the 2025 AGM to make that change.

Jacky at 08:08, 27 August 2024

2024-08-27T08:08:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:08, 27 August 2024
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	In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns were eased.		In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns were eased.

			Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.

			'''Legal changes:''' Initially we were governed by elected Reps. We were unincorporated which meant that individuals may have had to take personal responsibility. This made it difficult for us to enter into partnerships with or get funding from other organisations.
			A committee was formed to suggest a solution to this problem which resulted in Freegle UK voting to become an Industrial and Provident Society (now known as Registered Societies).Freegle Ltd was formed as a holding company with 3 Reps as Directors. The Company was converted from a Company Limited by Guarantee to an Industrial and Provident Society on 13 June 2014, IPS Registration 32410R.

			We are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and subject to Rules which were agreed with them. We were very fortunate in receiving practical help and funds from Co-operatives UK to make these changes.
			Freegle UK elected 9 Directors in February 2014 and these were appointed as Directors by the Founder Members (the 3 Rep Directors) on 21 June 2014.
			We were granted exempt charity status by HMRC in March 2015, which means that we are entitled to gift aid on donations. This is not the same as being a registered charity, which means that you are registered with the Charity Commission. An IPS is exempt from registration (which actually means you cannot register). Nowadays an IPS is called a "Registered Society".

	Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.

			Useful links:
			*https://mutuals.fsa.gov.uk/SocietyDetails.aspx?Number=32410&Suffix=R
			*http://www.fca.org.uk/
			*http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Rules

Jacky at 16:16, 28 December 2020

2020-12-28T16:16:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:16, 28 December 2020
Line 5:		Line 5:
	A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a Constitution and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.		A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a Constitution and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.

	The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups ~~wish~~ to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so that groups could offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).		The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wished to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so that groups could offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).

	In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant that all local groups were now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that were on the Norfolk platform.		In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant that all local groups were now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that were on the Norfolk platform. In early 2020, the Norfolk platform groups decided to move to Freegle Direct, so the whole family of Freegle was now together.

	In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be effectively closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups. Yahoo confirmed later it was closing down the whole Groups platform on 15th December 2020.		In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be effectively closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups. Yahoo confirmed later it was closing down the whole Groups platform on 15th December 2020.

	In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns were eased.		In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns were eased.

Jacky at 12:41, 16 October 2020

2020-10-16T12:41:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:41, 16 October 2020
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	In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant that all local groups were now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that were on the Norfolk platform.		In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant that all local groups were now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that were on the Norfolk platform.

	In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be effectively closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups.		In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be effectively closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups. Yahoo confirmed later it was closing down the whole Groups platform on 15th December 2020.

	In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns were eased.		In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns were eased.

Jacky at 09:14, 1 July 2020

2020-07-01T09:14:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:14, 1 July 2020
Line 10:		Line 10:

	In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be effectively closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups.		In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be effectively closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups.

			In 2020 the [[Coronavirus]] outbreak caused us to close the website down completely for a few weeks. We were very relieved that we received enough income to survive this and that freegling continued with enthusiasm once lockdowns were eased.

Jacky at 01:22, 3 December 2019

2019-12-03T01:22:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:22, 3 December 2019
Line 3:		Line 3:
	Skip forward a few years and The Freecycle Network (TFN) has turned into a worldwide movement with thousands of groups, volunteers of every nationality and millions of members. Outside of the US, Freecycle is particularly successful in the UK. But there was a bit of a problem. In 2009 conflicts arose between UK Freecycle moderators and the US-based founders of the company. It centered around the lack of freedom for UK Freecycle groups to develop local initiatives and features, and also how volunteers were treated. This culminated in the UK Director Neil Morris and at least 20 local group owners and moderators being dismissed and replaced with US-based counterparts.		Skip forward a few years and The Freecycle Network (TFN) has turned into a worldwide movement with thousands of groups, volunteers of every nationality and millions of members. Outside of the US, Freecycle is particularly successful in the UK. But there was a bit of a problem. In 2009 conflicts arose between UK Freecycle moderators and the US-based founders of the company. It centered around the lack of freedom for UK Freecycle groups to develop local initiatives and features, and also how volunteers were treated. This culminated in the UK Director Neil Morris and at least 20 local group owners and moderators being dismissed and replaced with US-based counterparts.

	A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a [[Constitution]] and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.		A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a Constitution and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.

	The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so that groups could offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).		The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so that groups could offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).

Jacky at 13:01, 10 November 2019

2019-11-10T13:01:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:01, 10 November 2019
Line 5:		Line 5:
	A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a [[Constitution]] and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.		A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a [[Constitution]] and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.

	The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so that groups ~~can~~ offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).		The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so that groups could offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).

	In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant that all local groups ~~are~~ now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that ~~are~~ on the Norfolk platform.		In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant that all local groups were now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that were on the Norfolk platform.

			In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be effectively closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io. Archive records were made of all the messages on local and national groups that were accessible for future reference, as Yahoo intended to delete all content on their Groups.

	In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform in late 2018 as Yahoo became more and more unreliable). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io.

	Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.		Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.

Jacky at 00:55, 10 November 2019

2019-11-10T00:55:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:55, 10 November 2019
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	A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a [[Constitution]] and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.		A huge number of emails and a remarkably short time later, Freegle was born in September 2009 and UK Freecycle groups started to join our new network. The Freegle name and logo were devised by those first volunteers and voted to be adopted, the website was put together and the first set of guidelines for affiliation started to be drawn up. After the experience of Freecycle, the volunteers who joined together to make Freegle were clear that the new network needed to be democratic, transparent and that groups should retain their autonomy. Those principles are still a bedrock of Freegle, which first developed a [[Constitution]] and got itself a bank account, then moved onto forming the legal entity of Freegle Ltd, which is an [[IPS]], all the time working collaboratively with all its volunteers to provide support for the network of groups.

	The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group ~~still continues~~, although Freegle is happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities ~~have been~~ developed 'in-house' so that groups can offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).~~<br>~~		The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group continued, although Freegle was happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities were developed 'in-house' so that groups can offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).
	In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This ~~means~~ that all groups are hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that are on the Norfolk platform.
			In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This meant that all local groups are now hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that are on the Norfolk platform.

			In late 2019 Yahoo announced it would be closing down Yahoo Groups, so the final phase of moving away from Yahoo was undertaken. Freegle moved its national groups to the Discourse platform, (fulfilling the AGM vote to find an alternative platform in late 2018 as Yahoo became more and more unreliable). Some national teams and local mod groups also moved their Yahoo discussion groups to groups.io.

	Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.		Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.

Jacky at 17:46, 2 November 2018

2018-11-02T17:46:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 2 November 2018
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	The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group still continues, although Freegle is happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities have been developed 'in-house' so that groups can offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).<br>		The legacy of using the Yahoo! Groups facility as the main platform for running a Freegle group still continues, although Freegle is happy to consider other platforms if new groups wish to affiliate (see [[Norfolk Freegle]]), but exciting facilities have been developed 'in-house' so that groups can offer a wider range of opportunities to members to be involved (Facebook, [[Freegle Direct]] etc).<br>
	In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups ~~need~~ to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This means that all groups are hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that are on the Norfolk platform.		In September 2016 a new updated website was launched, with the capability to directly host groups, free from Yahoo. The Members of Freegle Ltd voted at the 2017 AGM that support for Yahoo Groups needed to be dropped, so Freegle disengaged with Yahoo by the end of September 2018. This means that all groups are hosted on Freegle Direct, except those that are on the Norfolk platform.

	Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.		Freegle is an umbrella organisation for lots of independent groups. We continue to develop ourselves and all Volunteers form the family of the organisation. Although some Volunteers are able to offer more time and different sets of skills to help make it all work, everyone is encouraged to pitch in and help make it happen, as well as becoming voting Members of Freegle Ltd.