Employee Orientation Resources - Revision history

Mkille at 22:39, 16 October 2013

2013-10-16T22:39:06Z

Ryan52: /* Avenues of Communication */ Update email instructions for Roundcube (and more details)

2013-06-27T20:15:38Z

Avenues of Communication: Update email instructions for Roundcube (and more details)

Mkille at 21:28, 5 April 2013

2013-04-05T21:28:52Z

Mkille: /* Organizational Structure */

2013-04-04T18:41:44Z

Organizational Structure

Scrump: /* HR Policies */

2012-07-25T01:22:20Z

HR Policies

Scrump: /* Avenues of Communication */

2012-07-14T22:54:14Z

Avenues of Communication

Scrump: /* HR Policies */ Added link to new Bargaining Unit review page

2012-07-11T19:27:28Z

HR Policies: Added link to new Bargaining Unit review page

Scrump: /* Overview of Programs */

2012-06-22T19:51:31Z

Overview of Programs

Scrump: /* Avenues of Communication */

2012-06-22T18:58:10Z

Avenues of Communication

Scrump: /* Avenues of Communication */

2012-06-22T18:46:47Z

Avenues of Communication

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 16 October 2013
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−	{{~~draft~~}}	+	{{cleanup}}

	This page is designed to provide new staff members with the resources they need to succeed at Free Geek. There is a large amount of information on this page (and in all of the pages linked to on this page), and it is not intended to be digested all at once. Rather, use this page as a hub for navigating relevant wiki pages and finding the information you need to do your job during your first weeks and months at Free Geek. If you have any questions about what you find here, speak with your supervisor or designated trainer (or ask any staff member who has been around for a while).		This page is designed to provide new staff members with the resources they need to succeed at Free Geek. There is a large amount of information on this page (and in all of the pages linked to on this page), and it is not intended to be digested all at once. Rather, use this page as a hub for navigating relevant wiki pages and finding the information you need to do your job during your first weeks and months at Free Geek. If you have any questions about what you find here, speak with your supervisor or designated trainer (or ask any staff member who has been around for a while).

@@ Line 69: / Line 69: @@
 Please review [[Netiquette at Free Geek]], which outlines our guidelines for appropriate email use.
-You can check your email from any web browser using [https://mail.freegeek.org/mail/src/login.php Squirrel mail], but it is recommended that you install an email client on your laptop such as Mozilla Thunderbird (see [[Thunderbird webmail]] for more details).
+You can check your email from any web browser using [https://mail.freegeek.org/ Roundcube], but it is recommended that you install an email client on your laptop such as Mozilla Thunderbird (see [[Thunderbird webmail]] and [[Free Geek Email]] for more details).
 ; Wiki

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 ===Decision-making===
-; [[Media:DecisionMakingProcess.pdf| Decision-making Process chart]]
+; Statement on [[Media:FG_decision_making_2_13_2013_FINAL.pdf‎ | decision-making at Free Geek]] approved at the Board's February 6 meeting, amended at the Board's February 13 meeting.
-: This document describes the general process for how decisions are made at Free Geek and outlines the basic relationships between the Board of Directors, staff, and all other stakeholders. Keep in mind that not all possible paths for information flow or decision-related actions are printed. Also, note that traditional nonprofits are governed more directly by an Executive Director instead of a Staff Collective; this collaborative management system has been an important aspect of Free Geek since its inception.
+: This document describes the general principles for how decisions are made at Free Geek and outlines the basic relationships between the Board of Directors, staff, and all other stakeholders.
 ; Consensus process
-: Decisions at Free Geek are made using the consensus process. Consensus is a group process in which the input of each group member is considered carefully and the ultimate decision reflects general agreement (not to be confused with majority rule or unanimity rule). It is a good idea to learn about how consensus works as you begin attending meetings and participating in decision-making groups. [[Consensus]] is a good page to look at as you start learning about this process; you also might check out the [[Staff Collective Decision Making Process]].
+: Many decisions at Free Geek are first approached using the consensus process. Consensus is a group process in which the input of each group member is considered carefully and the ultimate decision reflects general agreement (not to be confused with majority rule or unanimity rule). It is a good idea to learn about how consensus works as you begin attending meetings. [[Consensus]] is a good page to look at as you start learning about this process.
 ===Mission Statement===
-Free Geek's [[Mission Statement]] is: ''to recycle technology and provide access to computers, the Internet, education and job skills in exchange for community service.'' This statement serves as a basis for Free Geek programming and decision-making. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we are legally obligated to work in ways that are in line with this mission statement.
+Free Geek's [[Mission Statement]] is: ''to recycle technology and provide access to computers, the Internet, education and job skills in exchange for community service.'' This statement serves as a basis for all Free Geek programming and decision-making. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we are legally obligated to work in ways that are in line with this mission statement.
 ===Principles===
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 ==Personnel Policies==
 ===HR Policies===
-The following is a list of official policies (and less official guidelines) related to Human Resources. Please note that some policies apply to all employees, whereas others apply to only Collective staff or Non-collective (Bargaining Unit) staff. See your supervisor/designated trainer or the HR administrator (Mark) if you have any questions.
+The following is a list of official policies (and less official guidelines) related to Human Resources. Please note that some policies apply to all employees, whereas others apply to only to managers or to bargaining unit employees. See your supervisor/designated trainer or the Human Resources Partner (Mark) if you have any questions.
 ; [[Collective Bargaining Agreement#Article Eleven - Wages|Wages]] (applies to non-collective only)
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 ; [[Collective Bargaining Agreement#Article Twenty-Five - Calculation of Hours|Standard Weekly Hours]]
 ; [[Maternity-Paternity Leave]]
 ; [[Determining Seniority Policy]]
 ; [[Employee Class Attendance Policy]]
@@ Line 57: / Line 56: @@
 ===Collective Bargaining Agreement===
-The [[Collective Bargaining Agreement]] (CBA) is a contract between the Bargaining Unit (all non-collective staff members) and the Management (the Collective), signed July of 2011 and effective until July of 2013. The Bargaining Unit is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA), Local 7901, which is generally referred to as the [[Union]]. All Bargaining Unit staff hired after the signing of the CBA are required to be dues-paying members of the Union, but can decide how actively they would like to participate in Union activities. All Bargaining Unit staff members, regardless of start date, are protected by the agreements made in the contract. If you have any questions about the Union or the CBA, see a Union shop steward (currently Vagrant, Elizabeth, and Liliana) or the HR administrator (Mark).
+The [[Collective Bargaining Agreement]] (CBA) is a contract between the Bargaining Unit (all non-collective staff members) and the Management (the Collective), signed July of 2011 and effective until July of 2013. The Bargaining Unit is represented by the Communication Workers of America (CWA), Local 7901, which is generally referred to as the [[Union]]. All Bargaining Unit staff hired after the signing of the CBA are required to be dues-paying members of the Union, but can decide how actively they would like to participate in Union activities. All Bargaining Unit staff members, regardless of start date, are protected by the agreements made in the contract. If you have any questions about the Union or the CBA, see a Union shop steward (currently Vagrant, Eli, and Liliana) or the Human Resources Partner (Mark).
 ==Tools of the Trade==
@@ Line 73: / Line 72: @@
 ; Wiki
-The Wiki (aka Freekiwiki) is a tool for collaborative documentation and sharing information among the Free Geek community. Most of the wiki is open to the public for viewing, but you must have a wiki account to edit pages.  The Secure Staff Wiki is viewable and editable only by Collective members, as it mostly includes personnel issues and other confidential topics.
+The Wiki (aka Freekiwiki) is a tool for collaborative documentation and sharing information among the Free Geek community. Most of the wiki is open to the public for viewing, but you must have a wiki account to edit pages.  The Secure Staff Wiki is viewable and editable only by managers, as it mostly includes personnel issues and other confidential topics.
 All Free Geek staff members are expected to use the wiki to seek information pertinent to their role and will at least occasionally need to edit/update wiki pages. The wiki is a huge and valuable repository of information--there are currently over 2,000 pages--but finding the information that you need and sifting through outdated pages can be a somewhat daunting task.
@@ Line 115: / Line 114: @@
 Free Geek has a multi-line phone system in place throughout the building, and it is very likely that you will use at least one of these phones. Some phones are for specific people at their desk (staff who are likely to be called directly), and some phones are in shared areas (like the front desk and meeting room). Learn about how to use the phones at [[Phone System Howto]], or ask a staff member (or front desk intern) who is familiar with their functions. Also, check out the [[Phone Extension List]] for a list of staff/areas with phones and their extension.
-; Committees and their meetings
+; Meetings
-As a Free Geek staff member, you will most likely serve on at least one committee or working group. Many of the decisions made and actions taken at Free Geek are result of the work of committees and groups that meet on a regular basis. For an up-to-date schedule of all the meetings that happen (and who attends them), see the [[Perpetual Meeting Calendar]]. We also recently began holding monthly [[All Staff Meetings]] to make sure that everyone on staff is up on the big happenings in the organization.
+As a Free Geek staff member, you will most likely participate in at least one regularly scheduled meeting. Many of the decisions made and actions taken at Free Geek are result of the work of groups that meet on a regular basis. We also have bi-monthly [[All Staff Meetings]] to make sure that everyone on staff is up on the big happenings in the organization.
-Meetings are generally run by a facilitator and documented by a scribe, and these roles generally rotate in a predictable manner through the attendees of that meeting. Check out [[Meeting Tips]] to learn more about the responsibilities of the facilitator and scribe (and [[Scribe]] for even more tips). Your supervisor/designated trainer should do a [[Facilitator/Scribe Training]] with you before you are expected to take these roles on.
+Meetings are frequently run by a facilitator and documented by a scribe, and these roles generally rotate in a predictable manner through the attendees of that meeting. Check out [[Meeting Tips]] to learn more about the responsibilities of the facilitator and scribe (and [[Scribe]] for even more tips). Your supervisor/designated trainer should do a [[Facilitator/Scribe Training]] with you before you are expected to take these roles on.
 ===Budget and Spending===

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 ==Overview of the Organization==
 ===Organizational Structure===
-; [[Media:Standard-orgchart.odg‎| Org Chart]]
+; [[Media:FreeGeekOrgChart032813.pdf | Who's who by department]]
-: This document is the standard organizational chart of departments, areas, and workers at Free Geek. It is periodically updated as staff members and structures change. This chart will be helpful in understanding the overall structure of the organization, along with learning who works where.
 ; Non-profit Status

@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 ; [[Formal Complaint Procedure]]
 ; [[Staff Discipline Policy]]
 ===Collective Bargaining Agreement===

@@ Line 50: / Line 50: @@
 ; [[Sexual Harassment Policy]]
 ; [[Collective Member Review Policy]]
-; [[Collective Bargaining Agreement#Article Twenty-Four -- Performance Reviews|Non-Collective Staff Reviews]] (See also [[Regular Review Form]])
+; [[Bargaining Unit Review Process]]
 ; [[Formal Complaint Procedure]]
 ; [[Staff Discipline Policy]]

@@ Line 131: / Line 131: @@
 * '''[[Build Program]]''': A step-by-step program in which you learn the process for evaluating and refurbishing computers. If you build 5 for us, you can build the 6th for yourself (within [[FreekBox]] specs) to take home.
 ** '''[[Laptop|Laptop Build]]''': An Advanced Build (or post-Build) program in which volunteers evaluate and build laptops for Hardware Grants and the Thrift Store. Only volunteers who have completed the regular Build program can request to work in Laptops.
-** '''[[MacBuild]]''' (or MacLand): An Advanced Build (or post-Build) program in which volunteers evaluate and build Macintosh/Apple computers, mostly for the Thrift Store or Online Sales. Only volunteers who have completed the regular Build program can request to work in Laptops.
+** '''[[MacBuild]]''' (or MacLand): An Advanced Build (or post-Build) program in which volunteers evaluate and build Macintosh/Apple computers, mostly for the Thrift Store or Online Sales. Only volunteers who have completed the regular Build program can request to work in MacLand.
 * '''Volunteer Internships''': Regularly scheduled volunteer positions (usually once or twice a week) in which the intern takes on some heightened level of responsibility as compared to a "normal" volunteer, generally designed to help people develop job skills. We have internships in many areas, including Tech Support, the Front Desk, Hardware Testing, Recycling, Hardware Grants, etc. See program description and currently available internships on the [http://www.freegeek.org/volunteer/internships/ website].
 * '''[[Hardware Grants]]''': Our program for giving out computers and other hardware to qualifying organizations (generally community service/social change organizations). Learn more about the process and who qualifies on the [http://www.freegeek.org/about/grants/ website].

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 22 June 2012
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	; Talon		; Talon
		+	Talon is our current Application Server. Every staff member has a Talon username and password set up so that you can log in to your "virtual desktop" from any computer on the network. This is a great way to store data on a central server that you can access from anywhere in the building; there are also shared folders on Talon so that working groups can access and edit collaborative documents/projects.
		+
		+	On a diskless terminal (a computer with no hard drive--it boots from the network), you can sign into Talon on the initial sign-in screen. From any other computer (such as your laptop), you can connect to Talon by doing the following:
		+	# Go to '''Places >>> Connect to Server...'''
		+	# Change "Service Type" to "SSH".
		+	# For Server, type in "talon"
		+	# For User Name, type in your username
		+	# Click Connect
		+	# You will be prompted for your password, and then you should have a Talon file browser pop up, which includes your home folder and all shared folders.

	; Database		; Database

@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 All Free Geek staff members (and some interns) have a Free Geek email address ending with ATfreegeekDOTorg. We rely on email heavily to communicate a wide range of information, and it is best to check your email at least once or twice a day.
-You can email individual staff members (see [[Handles]] for staff emails) or, as is more common, you can email a list. Email lists (see [http://lists.freegeek.org/list.html the list of lists] here) have been set up for various committees, floor areas, and other groups to facilitate easy sharing of relevant information between the appropriate parties. During your first days here, you should be subscribed to the lists that are relevant to your job description, which will include your floor areas and committees, along with the lists that all staff members are on (such as paidworkers, which includes all staff).
+You can email individual staff members (see [[Handles]] for staff emails) or, as is more common, you can email a list. Email lists (see [http://lists.freegeek.org/list.html the list of lists] here) have been set up for various committees, floor areas, and other groups to facilitate easy sharing of relevant information between the appropriate parties. During your first days here, you should be subscribed to the lists that are relevant to your job description, which will include your floor areas and committees, along with the lists that all staff members are on (such as paidworkers, regulars, minutes, etc.).
 Please review [[Netiquette at Free Geek]], which outlines our guidelines for appropriate email use.
 ; Wiki