Difference between revisions of "Media Kit/Fact Sheet"

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==Boilerplate==
 
==Boilerplate==
−
Free Geek was founded in February 2000 (and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in April 2000) to recycle computer technology and provide low and no-cost computing to individuals and not-for-profit and social change organizations in the community and throughout the world.In the seven years since its formation, Free Geek has recycled over * tons of electronic scrap and refurbished over * computer systems that are now in use by individuals and organizations in the community.Free Geek does most of this work with volunteers (at any given time, about 200 are active). The volunteers disassemble the donated equipment and test the components, which are either recycled as electronic scrap or recycled into refurbished systems. These refurbished computers are then loaded with Open Source Software, such as GNU/Linux, Open Office, and other Free Software.We are proud of being a democratically-run organization, and use consensus in our meetings. Our policy decisions are made by a group of volunteers and staff called the council, and those policies are executed by our staff collective. FREE GEEK is a proud member of the Portland Alliance of Worker Collectives. Our board keeps an eye on our financial and legal decisions.
+
Computers help us in many ways, but two problems remain: obsolete computers
 +
create thousands of tons of waste each year, and yet many, many people still
 +
lack the resources to own a computer so they may take advantage of all this new
 +
technology has to offer.
 +
 
 +
Free Geek points these two problems at each other to solve them both. We accept
 +
unwanted technology, test and rebuild it, and give it to those in need in
 +
exchange for some of their time and energy. This way, a volunteer who works 24
 +
hours to earn a computer from us is also helping to solve the global problem of
 +
e-waste overflow.
 +
 
 +
Our volunteers do much more than work 24 hours to earn a free computer. They
 +
form the backbone of our organization. They build the computers, tear down the
 +
parts to be recycled, teach others, and participate in upper-level
 +
decision-making. They make it so we can cheaply and efficiently work to solve
 +
the problem of e-waste and the digital divide while creating a welcoming, fun
 +
community.
 +
 
 +
While volunteers help make it work, many individuals and organizations benefit.
 +
Since Free Geek's beginnings in 2000, we have put over 7,000 computers back into
 +
reuse through our Adoption Program, Hardware Grants Program, and our Thrift Store.
  
 
==Mission statement==
 
==Mission statement==
 
FREE GEEK is a 501(c)(3) not for profit community organization that recycles used technology to provide computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those in need in exchange for community service.
 
FREE GEEK is a 501(c)(3) not for profit community organization that recycles used technology to provide computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those in need in exchange for community service.
 +
 +
==How To Volunteer and/or Donate Equipment==
 +
* To volunteer: come by for a half-hour tour of our facility and culture, offered every day Tuesday through Saturday at 11am and 4pm.  New volunteers are signed up for their first shifts after the tour.  See http://freegeek.org/volunteer.php for more information.
 +
* To donate: all computers, in any condition, accepted.  Many other electronics also accepted.  There is a $10 fee for each CRT monitor donated, working or not, and suggested donations for other equipment.  Free Geek cannot accept TVs, copiers, smoke detectors, batteries, appliances, or styrofoam.  For more info, visit http://freegeek.org/computers.php.
  
 
==Stats and Results==
 
==Stats and Results==
 +
===Recycling Statistics===
 
Tons of recycled e-waste by type and year.
 
Tons of recycled e-waste by type and year.
 
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==Testimonials==
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Put 2006 stats here. 495 tons recycled.
 +
 
 +
===Reuse Statistics===
 +
Volunteers
 +
 
 +
Grants
 +
 
 +
Sales
  
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* "Thank you so much for the grant of four computers, which are a major upgrade from those we have been using.  A.P. is loading software and putting them onto our network as I write.  I cannot think of a greater boost for our staff morale and cheer than to have good equipment to use!  Sincerely,
 
−
:''Dorothy Jensen, Executive Director, Outreach in Burnside, 207 NW Third, Portland, 97209''
 
 
==Other FGs==
 
==Other FGs==
 
[[category:Media Kit]]
 
[[category:Media Kit]]

Latest revision as of 16:56, 11 June 2011

Boilerplate

Computers help us in many ways, but two problems remain: obsolete computers create thousands of tons of waste each year, and yet many, many people still lack the resources to own a computer so they may take advantage of all this new technology has to offer.

Free Geek points these two problems at each other to solve them both. We accept unwanted technology, test and rebuild it, and give it to those in need in exchange for some of their time and energy. This way, a volunteer who works 24 hours to earn a computer from us is also helping to solve the global problem of e-waste overflow.

Our volunteers do much more than work 24 hours to earn a free computer. They form the backbone of our organization. They build the computers, tear down the parts to be recycled, teach others, and participate in upper-level decision-making. They make it so we can cheaply and efficiently work to solve the problem of e-waste and the digital divide while creating a welcoming, fun community.

While volunteers help make it work, many individuals and organizations benefit. Since Free Geek's beginnings in 2000, we have put over 7,000 computers back into reuse through our Adoption Program, Hardware Grants Program, and our Thrift Store.

Mission statement

FREE GEEK is a 501(c)(3) not for profit community organization that recycles used technology to provide computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those in need in exchange for community service.

How To Volunteer and/or Donate Equipment

  • To volunteer: come by for a half-hour tour of our facility and culture, offered every day Tuesday through Saturday at 11am and 4pm. New volunteers are signed up for their first shifts after the tour. See http://freegeek.org/volunteer.php for more information.
  • To donate: all computers, in any condition, accepted. Many other electronics also accepted. There is a $10 fee for each CRT monitor donated, working or not, and suggested donations for other equipment. Free Geek cannot accept TVs, copiers, smoke detectors, batteries, appliances, or styrofoam. For more info, visit http://freegeek.org/computers.php.

Stats and Results

Recycling Statistics

Tons of recycled e-waste by type and year.

Year Mixed Monitors Steel Copper- Bearing Plastic Gold- Bearing Other Non- Ferrous Total Tonnage
2000 2.22 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.22
2001 59.92 11.13 0 0 0 2.74 0 73.79
2002 20.68 32.78 24.45 6.86 2.14 2.78 0 89.69
2003 40.31 22.50 40.33 19.44 8.92 6.66 0.68 138.84
2004 41.70 38.02 74.65 46.14 11.70 11.56 2.20 225.97
2005 46.20 126.90 140.30 71.70 16.60 13.80 2.20 417.70

Put 2006 stats here. 495 tons recycled.

Reuse Statistics

Volunteers

Grants

Sales

Other FGs

Free Geek Chicago

Free Geek Columbus

Free Geek Vancouver

Free Geek Michiana

Free Geek Arkansas

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