Franchising and the Free Geek Intergalactic Organization

This meeting took place on Saturday, July 29, 2006 from 9:30 am - 10.45 am.

Attendance

From Free Geek Portland: Richard (facilitater), Oso, Matteo, Michael (scribe), Martin

(late) ??? Shawn, Nathan

Also in attendance:

• Scott Merrill (FG Columbus)
• Casey Milford (FG Arkansas)
• John Billings (FG Michiana and FG Chicago)
• Tom, Chris, Rob (Olympia)

Overview of Franchise Process

This is a presentation with Q & A

• caveat: a lawyer may want to tweak whatever we say or come up with

1. Stages:
   • One:
     • Do you understand what Free Geek is (with some degree of detail)?
       1. Mission Statement
       2. Principles
     • Is that what you want to do (really)?
     • Do you have a realistic understanding of what this entails?
     • Can we communicate with you? Are you involved in the larger community?
   • Two:
     • Lots more details about actually getting up and running, business plans, etc. (Way incomplete at this point.)
2. Types of relationships:
   • Official Free Geek -- you can use the name
   • Affiliate of Free Geek -- part of a larger, looser network -- you can't use the name, however.

Free Geek Intergalactic

This is an open discussion.

• Mission of Free Geek Intergalactic (open conversation)
  • What should it be? Early on, vs. down the line?
• Structure (open conversation)
  • How should it work? Starting more informally? And gaining more structure as necessary?

Next Steps

• What do we need to do to make all this happen?