Freegle Reps Report 2012-02-12

Freegle Reps Report 12th February 2012

This Report is a summary of the Reps’ activities from 13th January until 12th February 2012. There were approximately 940 posts on the Freegle Reps discussion group in that time.

NATIONAL

a. Waste Handling

A reply to an enquiry by Edward to the Environment Agency confirmed that groups and Freegle have no responsibility to register as waste handlers; this information was passed onto Central and put on the wiki.

b. Skills Survey

Julie was asked to look at the skills survey and update it; she was also given moderator status on Central to make compilation of information easier.

c. National Groups and Resources

It was agreed that the links to the One Stop Shop and Freegle Mods Home Page Help group should be phased out of use, and the information checked to ensure that anything still relevant was included on the wiki or elsewhere. A discussion on streamlining the Working Groups is ongoing.

d. National Awards

Awards that Freegle are eligible to enter have been logged on the Reps calendar to ensure we don’t miss submission dates. Cat has submitted an entry for the Climate Week Awards [1]

e. Website and IT Issues

Server: Edward has done some work which has resulted in Freegle having a lot less exposure to lengthy server failure. There is more work to do on this.
Domain Names: We are discussing the best vehicle for holding domain names safely for Freegle.
Monitoring: A server monitoring feature (Server Density) has been dropped after a trial period.
Mobile App: The newly formed group of volunteers are looking into developing a platform to support Android and iPhone. Funding opportunities would still be welcome to enable full development of an app.
Freegle email addresses: A guideline to using Freegle email addresses is being discussed.

f. Twitter

Cat is looking at gathering statistics and information on tweets to help engage people with Freegle.

g. National Reuse Forum and Wrap Report

As mentioned in the last report, we have been invited to join Wrap reuse working groups; Cat should be attending the first one in March.

h. Spring into Reuse Campaign

Cat is continuing to work on this, with a new press release to be released soon.

GROUPS

a. Disclaimer

Following a query on Start about the Disclaimer, it was confirmed that the statement should be on each group home page and sent to members when then join a group. There had been no indication from the Legal Group when they produced the wording that it needs to be sent out to all members thereafter.

b. Pets

For information, the mailbox passed on a complaint about pets being offered on a group. The complainant had been directed to the group concerned.

c. Inactive Group

Another group was brought to our attention that is totally inactive. Contact was made with the owner, there have been personal problems, so help was arranged to get the group active again.

d. Safeguarding Policy

It was agreed that Saira set up a closed group for the task of formulating a safeguarding document for groups and Freegle to refer to should they ever need to - [2]. A request on Central for people with experience in this area resulted in 6 people joining Saira to do this piece of work.

e. Facebook Promotion of Freegle

We discussed the possibility of a live feed of good news stories via our website onto Facebook.

f. Group switching to Freegle

A message received about a group wishing to adopt Freegle as its network was directed to GAT.

g. Switch of Group Owners

A specific case of a group being helped to change owners was discussed with agreement that the Freegle mailbox and GAT should be informed in these types of cases.

h. Freegle Direct

Discussion is still ongoing about the simplest way to explain and promote Freegle Direct to all groups.

REPS

a. Local Big Lottery Application

Following discussions last month, it was agreed by poll that Cat’s local involvement in a potential Big Lottery application should be on behalf of the national organisation of Freegle. The outcome of the bid submission is due by the end of this month.

b. Confidential Information

The ownership of and access to various Rep documents was discussed and consolidated.

c. National Volunteers

Andy Baker, who was approved last month as a National Volunteer as a geek with server access, has stood down.

d. Returning Officer Election

We answered two questions about protocol of elections from the Returning Officer.

FINANCE

a. Expenses

Approval was given to pass the amount given for Cat’s work with Brighton & Hove Community & Voluntary Sector Forum to her once it was cleared. Train travel expenses of £13 were approved for Cat to attend a meeting with Start UK. This is recorded in the accounts which can be viewed at [3]

b. Finance Policy

It was agreed that the policy should be amended to cater for reimbursement of pre-approved reasonable travel costs of any volunteer who attends a pre-approved event which benefits Freegle nationally, funds permitting. It was agreed not to look at other possible expenses incurred until Freegle was in a financial position to consider this. The amended policy was posted on Central for comment.

c. Donations

It was agreed that individuals who have previously donated for IT costs wouldn’t be asked if the funds could be used for other costs. It was agreed that future appeals for funding would be easier to manage within Freegle’s overall finances if we don’t ask for ring-fenced donations.

d. HMRC Registration

The form and accompanying documentation has been sent, we await an answer.

EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS

a. Research Project

Following the request by Mike Foden, a researcher from Sheffield Hallam University, to conduct a survey as part of a research project, we advised on the best method of contacting groups and put a message on Central to explain the project.

b. Start UK

Cat had a very productive meeting with Start UK, who are organising [4] and a series of roadshows around the country. Cat will continue working with them as they are very enthusiastic about supporting us.

c. Yoursquaremile

Edward is talking to this organisation about being included on their site [5]

d. SoTempting

Edward is hoping this website - http://www.sotempting.co.uk/ - will take a feed from Freegle.

Freegle Reps
Alison, Cat, Edward, Jacky, Jane, Ollie, Richard, Saira, Sian

Back to Freegle Representative Group or Freegle Reps Report 2012-01-12