October 2009 Poll

Results to Initial Poll on a Proposed Structure for Freegle, conducted in October 2009

My apologies for the delay in providing the results of this poll; we were awaiting verification of eligibility to vote. In the event, after two emails to group owner address and general appeal on FreegleUK-Central, a total of eight votes have been discounted. The reasons these votes were discounted are:

1 vote - group owner responded that email address was unknown to them 1 vote - group owner stated that they had not voted and this was their personal email address 1 vote - group not found and individual not responded to enquiries 1 vote - group owner not responded to verification emails 5 votes - placed using group owner address and group owner not responded to queries as to whether votes were placed by any moderator on that group.

There were 231 individual votes counted representing 150 different Freegle groups. Not all voters responded to every question.

The results for each question are laid out below. This will be made into a pdf document and placed in the Files Section of this (Central) group. The raw data, with identifying email address/group url and IP address removed, will be forwarded to Structure Group to use as they wish. The percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number and relate to the number of votes for that particular question.

1. Should there be a formal document which defines how the Freegle organisation operates?

No 11 votes (5%) Yes 190 votes (88%) Don't Know 16 votes (7%)

2. The aims of the Freegle organisation should be:

- to promote the keeping of usable items out of landfill

No 2 votes (1%) Yes 223 votes (99%) Don't Know 0 votes (0%)

- to promote and support local community groups working in the area of reuse

No 18 votes (8%) Yes 192 votes (86%) Don't Know 14 votes (6%)

- to empower and support volunteers working for local Freegle groups

No 4 votes (2%) Yes 217 votes (96%) Don't Know 4 votes (2%)

- to inform the public about environmental matters related to the reuse and recycling of unwanted usable goods

No 26 votes (12%) Yes 178 votes (79%) Don't Know 21 votes (9%)

- to promote sustainable waste management practices

No 38 votes (17%) Yes 152 votes (68%) Don't Know 34 votes (15%)

- Other 23 other suggestions - listed at Appendix 1

3. What should the role of the Freegle organisation be?

- Run the Freegle website

No 3 votes (1%) Yes 214 votes (95%) Don't Know 9 votes (4%)

- Admit and maintain a list of affiliated groups

No 3 votes (1%) Yes 215 votes (95%) Don't Know 8 votes (4%)

- Facilitate mutual support and technical help for groups and moderators and develop resources for use by moderators, such as handbooks

No 2 votes (1%) Yes 222 votes (98%) Don't Know 3 votes (1%)

- Manage central PR and marketing

No 5 votes (2%) Yes 205 votes (91%) Don't Know 16 votes (7%)

- Speak on behalf of all local Freegle groups within an approved mandate

No 17 votes (7%) Yes 179 votes (79%) Don't Know 31 votes (14%)

- Ensure that affiliated groups abide by the minimum standards to be agreed upon

No 16 votes (7%) Yes 192 votes (86%) Don't Know 16 votes (7%)

- Other

26 other suggestions - listed at Appendix 2

4. In any proposed organisational structure the voters in any elections or polls are the members of the organisation. We therefore need to decide who can be members of the Freegle organisation. Who should be members of the Freegle organisation:

Local Freegle groups (one vote per group) 42 votes (19%) Owners, Moderators and volunteers of local Freegle Groups (one vote per individual) 176 votes (78%) None of above 2 votes (1%) Don't know 5 votes (2%)

5. What basic requirements should be required to be a 'local Freegle group'?

- Promote giving of items that are free

No 2 votes (1%) Yes 222 votes (99%) Don't Know 1 vote (1%)

- Promote gifting items that are legal

No 2 votes (1%) Yes 217 votes (97%) Don't Know 4 votes (2%)

- That swapping is not allowed

No 23 votes (10%) Yes 166 votes (74%) Don't Know 35 votes (16%)

- That selling of items is not allowed

No 12 votes (5%) Yes 207 votes (92%) Don't Know 7 votes (3%)

- Promote gifting items that are suitable for people of all ages

No 33 votes (15%) Yes 161 votes (73%) Don't Know 28 votes (13%)

- Inclusion of Freegle logo on group homepage

No 25 votes (11%) Yes 188 votes (84%) Don't Know 12 votes (5%)

- Inclusion of link to Freegle website on group homepage

No 13 votes (6%) Yes 200 votes (89%) Don't Know 12 votes (5%)

- That the group operates in the geographic area that is agreed with Freegle

No 23 votes (10%) Yes 174 votes (78%) Don't Know 27 votes (12%)

- At least one moderator per group to be a member of Freegle Central (on minimum of special notices)

No 11 votes (5%) Yes 202 votes (90%) Don't Know 12 votes (5%)

- That it be a non-profit group

No 0 votes (0%) Yes 217 votes (97%) Don't Know 7 votes (3%)

6. Do you agree that once admitted into the Freegle organisation, apart from adhering to what is agreed regarding the basic requirements, local Freegle groups should be fully autonomous, independent and self-governing.

No 2 votes (1%) Yes 215 votes (95%) Don't Know 10 votes (4%)

7. Should the Freegle organisation allow more than one local Freegle group per geographic area?

No 140 votes (62%) Yes 36 votes (16%) Don't Know 51 votes (22%)

8. Should special interest groups (e.g. for specific work places, schools or groups for items such as farm equipment) be allowed to join the Freegle?

No 26 votes (11%) Yes 162 votes (68%) Don't Know 38 votes (21%)

9. If such special interest groups are allowed to join the Freegle organisation should it be on the condition that they are acceptable to the local Freegle group?

No 13 votes (6%) Yes 178 votes (78%) Don't Know 36 votes (16%)

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