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Re: [Computerbank] Tasmania

Hi Michael,

As luck would have it one of the Victorian Branch crew, Lachlan (cc above), is moving over to Tasmania soon - and he is also interested in starting a Computerbank branch...so now there are two of you..the start to a branch!

I also have forwarded some contacts to him - so there are some starting points (eg people I have had contact with over the years who have been interested in the Computerbank concept).

What Romana has said - is all true!

Developing a Computerbank branch is a time consuming activity; it means being responsible for quite a lot of things; responsibilities to volunteers, clients, donators, funding bodies, members, consumer affairs, ATO, other government bodies, Health and Safety and more....

These responsibilities are always there - even as a volunteer (with funding or a self sustaining model, you may be able to eventually hire staff) - these things, at the end of the day, will not go away.

You will work from home, lots, you will even work while you sleep! :)

You will need a team of great people working with you so that you can share the workload and the responsibility.It is hard to find volunteers who will take on areas of responsibility and management (although this will wax and wane); so this can mean that you end up doing most of the "responsibility tasks" yourself. While tech volunteers are abundant ...admin/management volunteers are very hard to find. Start looking for them now. ;)

Then there's the cost ... initially in setting up a Computerbank - you will have 0 funds...meaning _everything_ will be inkind... petrol, phone calls, storage...and more.... try your best to get other people to contribute inkind resources... even try your local council, state government. It might be possible that you could get another group to hold a fundraiser for you. Try other groups for meeting space /work space. Approach the government /local council re empty buildings.

Policy and procedures (guiding principles and processes) are very important. There will be legal obligations to meet: eg occupational health and safety, fire safety, privacy, reporting to consumer affairs, ATO and c. Policies /Procedures are tools used to let people know about the "way we do things as a group" - they should be informed by people in the group (computerbank decision making processes) and may also incorporate aspects of your legal responsibilities. An example is - having an OH&S Policy that says volunteers should wear closed toed shoes at Computerbank at all times, is one way of ensuring OH&S obligations are met. Even more important - is to have a way to ensure policy and process is followed by everyone and is known by everyone (reiterate group decision making processes).

With that in mind -the vic documentation - development site (soon to go live)- is at http://axxs.org/computerbank_doc/ - you'll find heaps there! It will give you some idea of whats involved.

While what you ultimately do is give people/groups computers - it isn't as simple as it sounds. :) Trust me...

And it isn't all that bad - there's the rewards; the thanks, the fun you will have and the wonderful people you meet and work with /for. There is also reward in the learning and challenge involved in developing something different and innovative. :)

I imagine that Lachlan in Vic will contact you... upon seeing these emails and your interest in developing a Computerbank in Tasmania...

While Tassie is in development, if it wanted to, it could attach itself to Computerbank Australia Inc - to ensure some legal coverage. Naturally, this would require discussion with CAI members and would probably require membership to CAI in some form.

While doing your 'computerbank feasibility study', I would encourage you to look at any state specific legislation around donated goods / electrical goods... sometimes there can be differences across the states.

Maybe you might lilke to catch up with Computerbank people online - we are usually found on irc.freenode.net in the computerbank channel.

Cheers and looking forward to working with you in the future, :)

Kylie

---
Kylie Davies
Victorian Branch Coordinator
Computerbank Australia Inc


Romana Challans wrote:

On Sun, Nov 16, 2003 at 10:19:21PM +1030, David Lloyd imparted:

Michael,


I was just wondering what would be involved in getting a Tasmanian
(or more to the point a Hobart) branch of the computerbank
happening?

Putting it bluntly, a whole lot of work. Most of it will go totally
unnoticed and it will be mostly thankless. But if you keep the goal "To
create a Computerbank type scheme in Tasmania" in mind and eventually
achieve it, it will fall in place.

Talk to romana [at] timelady.com who is (ir)responsible for the creation
of Computerbank in South Australia and she'll back my claims up big time
;-)


or shaun at pcuse.com, as cofounder of the insanity here, he could tell
a lot...

yes, its a whole lot of work and frustration. but infinitiely
rewarding:)

heres a few learnt lessons:

avoid politics of personality - oddly enough, despite a few rocky
patches, mostly sa is free of that, and as a result, we are positively
blooming:) personality clashes will hold you back - compromise,
compromise

people are frustrating. linux is an unknown. KNOPPIX IS YOUR FRIEND!

talk to other groups - learn from them - cbvics documentation and
experience were great starting points for us, they have been a fantastic
resource in terms of assistance advice and ideas - and templates.

documentation sucks. but dont attempt things without it - its too damn
confusing.

try to get more than one person to do all the work - but understand, in
the beginning, you will be it..

a group is only as effective as the leadership - be that one person or a
team (team is better imho), what comes from the organisers keeps vols
interested and motivated - and thats a constant need

make it rewarding to volunteers - make the process theirs too

tap into our publicity etc - use whats in place to launch yourself

understand there will be recipients who will make you feel rotten. then
there are the other 99% who make you feel amazing:)

FIND STORAGE!!!!!!!!!!!

cheap premises are hard to come by - community centers are a great
start.

dont operate out of someones home. its bloody hard. only an idiot would
volunteer their home;) meetings for vols are fine, but everything else
isnt.

look at the vic model - look at our new model - look at the cbnsw and
computer angels model. now grab all the best bits and work ot what works
for your state.

start small. you wont be able to (DAMMIT!!!) help everyone immediately.

be patient with yourself. miracles take longer.

enjoy yourself!!!!:)

bloody hardware.

we are here for any support we can offer on an ongoing basis mate - i
personally encourage you 100%

besides, ive always wanted a trip to tasmania;)

wit and wisdom bought to you pre caffeine, so mea culpa for any errors
in advance!

r:)


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