Start Group Report 2010-12

FREEGLE START GROUP
December 31st 2010
SUMMARY OF POSTS FROM MESSAGE 1711-1853
This group currently has 64 members, and is open to any member of FreegleUK
Central .
Anyone who would like to be involved just go to: http://freegle.in/start and
click on the join button.
The spokesperson for this group at present is Sue. (Walsall)

Who’s Who

A mistake in the Who’s Who entry for the Start team was pointed out and Jacky promptly amended it. We discussed and agreed that sending a special notice on the Working Groups for each poll was good practice. However it requires input from the group owners/moderators so please keep the Who’s Who spreadsheet up to date if you pass your privileges on.

Rejection of new groups on the basis of applicants unsuitability.
‘Rejecting applications for a new group on the basis of unsuitable applicants’ was brought back to us for discussion as the Reps wanted more elaboration on what would be considered suitable grounds for refusing an application.
.
After much discussion a list was drawn up and the new criteria was accepted . The group members were polled and approved the document.. The results were then sent to and approved by the Reps, These were published on Central post number.18009 these have now been incorporated into the GAT procedures and the Reps remit.

Wiki

It was decided that we should change the title of the wiki pages from GAT Remit to GAT Procedures which has now been done. http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/GAT_Procedures
Jacky also tidied up some of the wording on the existing procedures after asking approval and clarification of some points. The Wiki should now be up to date and an easy reference for anyone interested. http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/GAT_Procedures
We also now have moved away from just putting Working Group reports in files on Central and they are now all listed on wiki : http://wiki.ilovefreegle.org/Category:Group_Reports

Allowing groups to fill in perceived gaps in neighbouring areas.

Should current Freegle group mods/Group Owners be able to apply to fill in (what appear to them to be) gaps in neighbouring areas etc.’
This item, which was brought up again was discussed in July and had been settled after input from Central. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreegleUK-Central/message/14145
However it was not incorporated into any files.
This thread has now been summarised, put into the Start files and entered onto the Wiki..

Gat working document

We next discussed as requested by Structure the GAT document (link here) confirming the role, remit, membership policy, review process and working practices which was felt ready to go back to Structure in readiness for a full poll of Freegle Volunteers.
Changes were made to the recruitment section after discussion and some minor alterations.
The finished document was voted on and accepted.
However it was realised that the local group consultation procedure was not included. This
has now been written by GAT and is with the Reps for approval. (See below)

Start Task List

A start group task list has been drawn up. It is envisaged that we will shortly have someone to monitor and keep it updated, prioritise and introduce topics needing discussion in the near future. In the meantime anyone may ask for something to be included or discussed.

Local group Consultation

It was pointed out that the present GAT_Procedures say:
GAT will consult with owners and mods of local and adjacent re-use
groups as far as possible to establish the situation regarding groups in
the area and whether the criteria for becoming Freegle affiliated as set
out below are met or not. This consultation will include non-Freegle
groups, but only reasonable efforts will be made to find them (e.g.
quick google and check on reccyclinggroupfinder)."

There is no mention in the Procedures section of the
consultation process with local groups which does in fact occur. This has now been written up by Gat and sent for approval before inclusion.

Specialist Scout Group.

GAT has received an application to open a specialist group for scouts.
The applicant has asked if they can open a group under the Freegle umbrella so they can have their own specialist group whilst promoting local groups to parents and scouts etc.

Whilst we all feel it would be a good thing, there is debate over them offering services, and the loaning of items.
These activities are not recommended for normal groups. Some feel they should run a parallel cafe group, others that Specialist groups should be allowed their own criteria, within the free and legal framework.
Have an opinion? Then why not pop over to Start and give it.

Back to Freegle Start or Start Group Report 2010-11, or forwards to Start Group Report 2011-04