Tour Howto

We offer tours twice a day. A tour is the first exposure most prospective volunteers or donors get to our programs. People on the tours should get some sense of our purpose, our 2 programs, and culture, and also get a feel for what they can do for Free Geek. For a more detailed intro to Free Geek, see Staff Orientation Howto.

Every tour is unique, and you are encouraged to focus on the things you like about Free Geek. The important thing is that people feel welcome, and get a sense for our major programs.

Please try to shadow a tour after you've read these instructions but before you give a tour.

Quick Guide

Please, feel free to extemporize as you see fit, as long as you make people feel welcome and get the important points across. At the end of the tour, they should have some idea of what program, if any, is right for them - or if they want to give us lots of money, or lots of food, or just spread the word.

1. Front Doors/Welcome
2. Receiving/Intro to adoption program
3. Testing/Volunteer-driven
4. Card & mobo sorting/Intro to build program
5. System evaluation/Self-paced education
6. Recycling/Environmental aspects
7. Printerland
8. Build area/Cooperative and ongoing learning
9. Post-Build Options (Build Instruction/Macland)
10. Classroom - Education at Free Geek
11. The FreekBox, Open Source, Structure of Free Geek
12. More Post-Build Options (Laptops)
13. Store/Focus on re-use
14. Front desk/Questions and sign-up
15. Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed Instructions

I've paired a thematic point with each location; you may do it slightly differently, as long as the stuff gets covered. There are links to example blahdeblah - and i want to include your example spiels on here, too! This isn't exactly a script but rather a set of talking points.

1. Front Doors/Welcome :
   • Make sure you have everyone.
   • Ask why they're here. Try to reference why they are here throughout tour.
   • Give a quick summary of what we are. [For example, Free Geek formed in 2000 to combat the growing problems of disposed computers and computer parts and the widening technological divide.]
   • Mention 2 main programs. We have 2 programs. 2 Programs. 2 PROGRAMS. Make sure that people know, by the end of the tour, that we have 2 programs. Adoption and Build. Describe the 2 programs.
2. Receiving/Intro to adoption program :
   • Our main program is the "adoption program", where people donate 24 hours of time in exchange for a computer.
   • Many adoption program volunteers work in receiving, processing donations. We don't require any prior knowledge or training; receiving often serves as an introduction to the web interface and to computer equipment in general.
   • Incoming equipment flows through here; donations come from both individuals and companies. Much is still usable.
3. Testing/Volunteer-driven : (Mice, Keyboards, Speakers)
   • We can't keep everything, so we test many types of hardware.
   • This is another place where adoption volunteers often spend their time. The tests are designed to be simple; #*helps demystify. [example]
4. Card & mobo sorting/Intro to build program :
   • The build program is increasingly popular for people for whom earning a computer is not their top priority.
   • We don't require prior knowledge, just dedication.
   • There's a step-by-step process working up to building systems, which starts here, with hardware recognition.
5. System evaluation/Self-paced education :
   • Note the stacks in the warehouse: systems that have been determined to be good by evaluators.
   • System evaluation is a step in the build program, and a first step for systems. Spend as long as you need in these steps. [Some people who have a lot of prior knowledge fly through pre-build. Other people need more time to become familiar with all of the different hardware. Build is self-paced. Take your time and be patient with yourself.]
6. Recycling/Environmental aspects :
   • A major part of our mission is environmental, so if we can't re-use equipment, we make sure it's recycled responsibly. [We ship (weekly): monitors- up to 200, plastic- up to 2000lb, 6000lb of steel, 3-4000 lb of copperbearing material. We will only work with vendors that can give us complete "chain of custody" for the material we send to them, this means we know who sends stuff where, and who is processing it further, (Some of this information is confidential, as is business practice. If we did not recycle, chemicals like Lead, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Beryllium, Cadmium, and Brominated Flame Retardants would eventually be released.]
   • We would rather take a cut in the amount of money we're making on recycled material than send somewhere questionable.
   • This is an opportunity for people to get lots of hands-on experience with computers they don't have to be careful with.
   • Show tourists where the First Aid kit is located in the Warehouse and remind them to let a supervisor know if they are injured in the slightest way.
   • We will find work for you regardless of ability level. We have standing and seated tasks. Show tourists the different areas for different tasks.
   • Show tourists where they check in when they arrive for a shift in the warehouse.
7. Printerland
   • Smaller, specialized repair programs
   • Collaboration with other organizations
   • Dedication to re-use
   • Working printers can be purchased in the thrift store or obtained through a grant.
8. Build area/Cooperative and ongoing learning :
   • People who have gone through eval and taken a basic command line class can join the build workshops, which run almost the entire time we're open.
   • Systems built here go to adoption volunteers, grant recipients, infrastructure, and the store.
   • There's a lot of peer teaching that goes on; volunteers can often learn something, then turn around and teach it to someone else. [Example: Some times your build instructor will be busy helping someone else. Instead of waiting for the Instructor, you may turn to the person next to you and ask your question. Similarly, if you are working next to someone who needs assistance, please try to help that person out.]

• • • At this point, you should show tourists the bathroom, kitchen, and First Aid station in the main hallway.

1. Post-Build Options: Macland. We have a small Mac program. Once you complete Build, you have the opportunity to move into a post-build option. Macland is one such option. Speak to your build supervisor about this option as you near the end of the Build program.
   • The only ways to get a Mac from Free Geek is through a grant or through the thrift store.
   • Another post-Build option is the Education Track. You may become a Build Instructor after completing the Build Program. Again, you should talk to a Build Instructor if this interests you as you near the end of the Build Program.
2. The Classroom and Education at Free Geek
   • Lead tourists into the classroom. Explain the classes that are held at Free Geek and that they are held in the classroom.
3. Lab/The FreekBox & Open Source :
   • Because the FreekBox is often a person's first computer, and because it's using relatively uncommon software, we include a class on how to use the computer when an adopter, builder, or grantee receives one.
   • An important factor in the success of Free Geek is our use of Open Source software. [example] [example w/info on coders]
   • The lab is available for Internet access to active volunteers as long as it's not in use as a classroom.
   • Brief, planned detour to the server room for poignant reminder why we recycle: monitor dredged from willamette
4. Classrooms/Future plans :
   • Although our classes are currently limited to the build, command line and adoption classes already mentioned, we plan to expand.
   • Classes in other user-end Open Source software, on programming, and other similar topics are in discussion. We now have an Education Coordinator, so additional classes are in the works!
5. White Hole
   • That's where servers go to be rebuild and sometimes rejected
6. Other programs
   • Hard ware grants to Non profits
7. Store/Focus on re-use :
   • The store sells equipment that is below or outside the spec of what we need for our other programs.
   • The store is just one of the ways Free Geek generates income to stay open. [example w/good outro]
   • This not only helps us pay the rent but gets equipment back in use.
   • We will be locking the inside door to the store, so we need to enter the store from the outside door to get volunteers used to accessing the store from the street.
   • Active volunteers get a discount in the store.
8. Front desk/Questions and signup :
   • Ask for questions.
   • Volunteer intake !
9. FAQ
   • Q: Yeah, where DO we send stuff that we recycle?
   • A: This is changing right now, and will be posted here: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/PDX_Recycling_Vendors. Total Reclaim and Hallmark will stay the same.
   • Q: How do we know the recycler "Does the right thing", and what IS "the right thing"?
   • A: Asking questions! Researching the company, asking about BAN pledge. Chain of custody of the stuff we send. The "right thing" is proven environmentally safe procedures, no sending over seas, except for commodities like steel or straight copper, no prison labor, no dumping. Ask Liane if you have more questions.
   • Q: Why are the materials separated?
   • A: Easier to further process, better price, the more we sort, the more can be reclaimed.
   • Q: Do the different materials go to different recyclers, or is it for one recycler's convenience, like curbside recycling separation of glass, metal, paper?
   • A: See above wiki link.
   • Q: What happens to the small things separated in Receiving: media, cords/cables, dirty plastic, cell phones, drives, wall warts, etc., etc., etc.
   • A: Send to vendor, shred, sort different material, reclaim material. Then the stuff is considered a commodity that can be traded on the open market.
   • Q: Who recycles circuit boards and such, and what is the metals extraction process? (maybe beyond the scope of this mailing list, but maybe there is a reference somewhere)
   • A: Hallmark Refining, process means lots of chemicals and refining to get wanted material.
   • Q: What is the percentage of revenue from recycled material?
   • A: Maybe 5%, probably less. Richard would know better.
   • Q: What are some typical unit prices for recycled materials?
   • A: Who wants to know? Just kidding:) This changes quite a bit. Ask Liane if you want to know more, too many to list.

See Also

• Volunteer Intake Howto
• Example Tours
• Stats and Testimonials