[Computerbank] Tasmania

[Kylie Davies]

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:)
>  
>