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.

Please try to shadow a tour after you've read these instructions but before you give a tour. Shadow someone who has been a tour guide over three months. Kathie, Michael, and Sophia are most experienced to date.

Quick Guide

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

Detailed Instructions

1. Front Doors/Welcome :
   • Make sure you have everyone.
   • Make sure that everyone has completed a basic information form and given it to the Front Desk.
   • Ask their names and why they're here. Try to tailor the tour to the reasons people give for being there.
   • Give a quick summary of who you are and 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. You may also see supplemental sheet for more detailed information.]
   • Mention 2 main programs. We have 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 throughout the tour.
   • Volunteers may receive one computer from us per year, regardless of the program/programs they complete.
   • Tell people that they will be required to check their bags while volunteering at Free Geek, so they should leave all valuables at home.
2. Receiving/Intro to adoption program :
   • The "adoption program" means: 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.
   • Incoming equipment flows through here; donations come from both individuals and companies. Much is still usable. Receiving volunteers learn about all different types of hardware.
   • Mouse, Keyboard, Speaker Testing in Receiving are seated tasks, and can be requested when signing up to volunteer.
   • There is always a supervisor working in Receiving. Volunteers need to check in with the supervisor when beginning a shift.
   • Show people where the bathroom is!
3. 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.
   • Peer to Peer Learning is a big part of Pre-Build and Build. There is a supervisor present, but the two people in card and motherboard sorting should ask questions of one another, too.
   • Intro to Flow-Charts!
4. System evaluation/Self-paced education :
   • Show volunteers the incoming pile, and explain how receiving and eval work together at that point.
   • System Eval is the point at which we decide if we will keep or recycle the system.
   • 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.]
   • Engage people working in Eval 1 and 2. Explain the joy of opening computer cases, and point out the flow charts.
5. The Warehouse (Storage):
   • Show the systems deemed "good" by Eval 2 on the shelves; explain the chain (incoming, eval 1, eval 2, warehouse storage for build).
   • Show Monitor Testing Area
6. The Warehouse (Recycling):
   • 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 volunteers where the First Aid kit is located in the Warehouse and remind them to let a supervisor know if they are injured even in the slightest way.
   • We will find work for you regardless of ability level. We have standing and seated tasks. Show volunteers the different areas for different tasks.
   • Show volunteers where they check in when they arrive for a shift in the warehouse.
   • Encourage people to wash their hands and to wear the gloves and goggles provided.
7. The Warehouse (Printerland):
   • 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. Advanced Testing
   • Advanced Testing is one of the four main post-build options Free Geek offers. You would need to complete Build and receive permission from a Build Instructor to work in here.
   • This is where we test the hardware that has been donated to make sure it is in good working condition to be reused. That which is not up to snuff is recycled.
   • Security is important to us: every hard drive is either wiped clean or smashed with a sledgehammer and is in lockup in between.
9. Build area/Cooperative and ongoing learning :
   • Before you actually build computers you do card & mobo sort, Eval I & II, and command line class.
   • QC a few systems first, then you are able to build 6, taking the sixth one home with you (other 5 go to hardware grants, adoption program, infrastructure, and the thrift 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.]
10. 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.
    • At this point, you should show volunteers the bathroom, kitchen, and First Aid station in the main hallway.
11. The Classroom and Education at Free Geek
    • 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.
    • All volunteers take a class. Build volunteers take Command Line, and Adoption volunteers take Adoption Class. Briefly explain each class.
    • Other classes are also held in the classroom (Advanced Command Line, Open Office Classes, Super Adopter Classes)
12. 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.
    • The lab is available for Internet access to active volunteers as long as it's not in use as a classroom.
    • If there is a class going on, volunteers may use the terminals in the library as a lab.
    • Hardware grants to Non profits
    • As you walk through the hallway lined with computers, explain the ways computers leave our building: Adoption, Build, Store, Grants.
13. Laptops
    • Another Post-Build option is laptops. Small program; you need permission from a build instructor to enter laptop build.
    • Like macs, the only way to get a laptop from Free Geek is through a grant or through the thrift store.
14. Library
    • Volunteers may borrow books from us. Soon, you will be able to check out a book from the library in a more traditional fashion. You are always welcome to read books while at Free Geek.
15. Lounge: Feel free to relax and take a break in this area.
16. The Meeting Room
    • Explain the Structure of Free Geek
    • Tell Volunteers they may join committees
    • Board, Council, (non-hierarchical) Staff
    • Explain consensus
    • structure mirrors collaborative nature of FOSS - NEEDS A SHORT BLURB
17. 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.
    • 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. (Do NOT say: You only have to work 4 hours to get 50% off of this awesome stuff!)
18. Front desk/Questions and signup :
    • Ask for questions.
    • Volunteer intake!
19. FAQ
    • Q: Yeah, where DO we send stuff that we recycle?
    • A: Posted here:http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/PDX_Recycling_Vendors.
    • 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. We would rather get less money than send to a place we weren't sure of. We do our homework.
    • 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: They go to different places.
    • 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: Approximately 30% before you subtract the fees we pay for recycling (i.e. monitors, printers, etc.)
    • Q: What are some typical unit prices for recycled materials?
    • A: Who wants to know? Just kidding:) This varies in relation to market demand. Ask Liane if you want to know more, too many to list.

See Also

• Volunteer Intake Howto
• Example Tours
• Stats and Testimonials