RO Election June 2013

Returning Officer Election 2013

Candidate Statements

Sian Dunstan Woking Freegle

I am co-owner of Woking-Freegle and was one of the first elected Reps, serving from 2009 – 2012. I was a founder member of GAT but left in late 2011.

Since I retired from being a Rep, I have manned the Freegle insurance mailbox, contributed to Structure discussions, posted business cards to groups and fulfilled a number of ad-hoc tasks at the request of Reps.

My professional life has ranged from being an international investment banker for 15 years followed by 11 years as an adviser to the public sector on major infrastructure projects, and then 2 years as a commercial specialist within HM Treasury. I have designed, managed and analysed and presented results of nationwide surveys using Survey Monkey software so have no doubt that I could manage that part of running elections.

I believe I can be a reliable and competent RO. I have a strong sense of fair play, am a good organiser and give strong attention to detail. I have appointed auditors before so am confident with that element of the remit.

I am not naïve enough to assume that the status quo will remain for three years with the polls and elections that are currently anticipated. For instance if the trading subsidiary working party reports that a different governance/organisational structure is required in order for some or all aspects of Freegle to be more commercial, there will be significant work for the RO to ensure fair and appropriate polls and elections to discover, facilitate and implement whatever is wanted. I am also up for that challenge when it arises.

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Paul Thompson Ascot Freegle

Hi, my name is Paul. I have volunteered with Freegle since its inception in 2009. I’ve served in a variety of roles over the years including as a Freegle Geek and an elected Freegle Rep.

When I noticed the impending Returning Officer election, I decided at the prompting of a friend to stand as a candidate. In my day job, I work as a computer programmer in a role in which processing, analysing and managing data is key. I believe I am an excellent fit for this office with its requirements for handling data, confidentiality and organisation.

If I am elected, I promise to run elections and polls with clarity, accuracy and attention to detail regarding schedule and procedure. Those who have worked with me know I care deeply about doing things well and will always strive for excellence.

To get to know me a bit more personally, my wife Andrea and I founded Ascot Freegle in 2008 after moving into the area and finding it without a local reuse group. We have three awesome kids including a few daughters just into secondary school and a younger son still in primary. Originally from America, we now consider England to be home and will apply for British citizenship later this year.

Thanks for your time and for voting in this election. It is great that 4 years on, Freegle is still a grassroots organisation representative of the volunteers on the ground who get the job done.

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