Notes from THM 2011 breakout group on funding and public awareness

Report to the Free Geek Board of Directors

1st Annual Town Hall Meeting, Sunday, October 2, 2011

=Funding and Public Awareness of Free Geek= The small group on increasing Funding and Public Awareness of Free Geek focused on a few main themes. We brainstormed ideas concerning: Fundraising, Public Relations, and community/communications problems.

Fundraising

 * Participate in the combined Federal Campaign
 * Capital campaign
 * Public clinic/computer diagnosis drive
 * Monetize tech support and expertise (expand to non-freekboxen)
 * Make/sell custom or special skins and covers for phones, tablets, etc
 * Offer and teach higher level classes (such as Sys Admin)
 * Connect with IT organizations for donations (ex: make presentations at the monthly meetings of organizations)
 * Follow up with volunteers for monetary donations
 * Can we use other Free Geeks to help with funding
 * Partner with universities for student interns

Public relations

 * Public affairs/Public relations as a dedicated position
 * Coordinated customer-relations or public communications plan
 * Community radio and other media organizations for advertising (newspaper ads, flyers, TV, radio, schools)
 * Follow through with grantees, donors, and volunteers
 * Serious media contacts list
 * Improve customer relations in Receiving and the Front Desk

Community/Communications

 * Communicate with volunteers through phone, email, surveys, etc to communicate current organizational needs (event planning, projects, etc)
 * Keep community and media abreast of goings on (through same channels as above) including also, newsletter, photos, video
 * Use database for outreach efforts, donor thank yous, and messages to other stakeholders
 * THANK DONORS!