Difference between revisions of "Sick Friend Letters"

Latest revision as of 12:42, 11 August 2010

We get a lot of email to the Info@ list. Most of it is pretty much what we see in Volunteer@, but every so often we get some specific kinds of requests.

This page has to do with info@ emails containing questions in the line of "I can't volunteer, can I still get a computer?" all the way to "I have this friend, they can't volunteer, can you give them a computer?"

The short answer to both of these questions is NO--but that's unhelpful. In these cases, having some sort of set response covering the 'high points' is a good idea. Below is a short (slightly modified) example, sent in response to a recent request:

Hi there!

We do our best to ensure that folks of *every* ability level can come in and earn their own computers. Not only does this foster self-worth, but there are some very simple tasks--floppy deconstruction, data entry, battery sorting, label-making--that Adoption volunteers can do for us. Other low-physical-impact stations around here include Keyboard Testing and Speaker Testing, and all jobs need to be done. Plus, there's no replacement for the amount you can learn and people you can meet, just by *being* in the building.

Ideally, we want volunteers to donate hours for their *own* computers. If that's absolutely impossible, though, do you or your friend know anyone that can volunteer in their place? Family members and friends (from school, community groups, social service agencies) are often willing and able to help. Bring in a few at a time, and they can pool their hours! Most people know someone, and they might be willing to help acquire a computer from us. Remember, we're open Tuesday through Saturday, eleven to seven pm--that fits into most folks' standard working schedule. Our only requirement for volunteers, still, is that they take an orientation tour of Free Geek. These are held at noon, and again at five pm, every day Tuesday through Saturday.

Please write back with any questions; we'll do our best to answer.

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+We get a lot of email to the Info@ list.  Most of it is pretty much what we see in Volunteer@, but every so often we get some specific kinds of requests.
+This page has to do with info@ emails containing questions in the line of "I can't volunteer, can I still get a computer?" all the way to "I have this friend, they can't volunteer, can you give them a computer?"
+The short answer to both of these questions is ''NO''--but that's unhelpful.  In these cases, having some sort of set response covering the 'high points' is a good idea.  Below is a short (slightly modified) example, sent in response to a recent request:
+----
 Hi there!
-Though I'm not yet sure why, we've been getting a lot of these lately, so
+We do our best to ensure that folks of *every* ability level can come in and earn their own computers.  Not only does this foster self-worth, but there are some very simple tasks--floppy deconstruction, data entry, battery sorting, label-making--that Adoption volunteers can do for us.  Other low-physical-impact stations around here include Keyboard Testing and Speaker Testing, and all jobs need to be done.  Plus, there's no replacement for the amount you can learn and people you can meet, just by *being* in the building.
-I'll tell you what we've been telling everyone else.
-Ideally, we want volunteers to donate hours for their *own* computers.
-But we also understand that not all bodies are suited to volunteering in
-our building.  Therefore, we can take other measures...mainly, having
-someone else work those hours, and then having the man in question come in
-for the tutorial class in which he learns to work his new-to-him
-computer...but please understand that this offer is by the willingness of
-OUR volunteers only.  If they're not willing to work more than they
-already are, you're out of luck.
-Your other alternative is to find willingness among the man's friends or
+Ideally, we want volunteers to donate hours for their *own* computers. If that's absolutely impossible, though, do you or your friend know anyone that can volunteer in their place?  Family members and friends (from school, community groups, social service agencies) are often willing and able to help.  Bring in a few at a time, and they can pool their hours!  Most people know someone, and they might be willing to help acquire a computer from us.  Remember, we're open Tuesday through Saturday, eleven to seven pm--that fits into most folks' standard working schedule.  Our only requirement for volunteers, still, is that they take an orientation tour of Free Geek.  These are held at noon, and again at five pm, every day Tuesday through Saturday.
-family to donate time for him, or friends of yours might, or you might
-even undertake a twenty-four hour stint in exchange for a computer.  But
-someone, somewhere, has to donate these hours.  We absolutely do not, and
-will not in the foreseeable future, be trading hardware for Freekboxen.
-As far as donating hardware yourself, you're more than welcome to come in
+Please write back with any questions; we'll do our best to answer.
-and donate parts, as long as you understand you're not trading across the
-board.  We accept almost anything electronic--our exceptions are
-microwaves, smoke detectors, televisions, and just about any large
-appliance you put food or clothes into.  Everything else?  Fair game.
-We're open Tuesday through Saturday, eleven to seven pm; we run tours of
-our facility at noon and again at six pm, every day we're open.  Whomever
-ends up volunteering time for your friend, by the way--unless they're
-already one of our volunteers--should come in and take a tour of our
-building.  It doubles as our new volunteer orientation.
-Hope this helped,
-Jeanne
+[[Category: Templates]]
-Outreach Intern
+[[Category: Form Letters]]
+[[Category: Volunteer Desk]]

Difference between revisions of "Sick Friend Letters"

Latest revision as of 12:42, 11 August 2010

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