How to Start a Local Freecycle Group

Freecycle is a nonprofit network with groups throughout the world. Freecycle members keep things out of landfills by giving away things they don't want any longer to other local members. If there is no Freecycle group in your area, you can apply to be the owner of a new group.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Look for groups in your local area first. Freecycle's New Group Approvers can't approve an overlapping or duplicate group without consulting with a Group Outreach and Assistance team. Freecycle is strict about starting new groups if there is an existing one nearby, even if the coverage area is large.
2. Decide whether you really want the responsibility of managing a Freecycle group. You'll have to spend some time managing the group, including dealing with members who may break the rules and become angry.
3. Meet the basic qualifications to be a group moderator. You must live in the area served by the group and have Internet access.
4. Check your daily schedule to make sure you'll have time to be a moderator. You must spend time daily moderating the group, removing posts that don't meet Freecycle rules and responding to questions.
5. Evaluate your writing skills. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation are required.
6. Spend time on the Freecycle and Yahoo!Groups sites. You'll need to thoroughly learn the Freecycle rules and get an understanding of how Yahoo!Groups works.
7. Visit the Freecycle home page and click on the "Find a Group" link. The next window will display a link to apply for a new group. Fill out the application and submit it for review.