title: Freecycle® U.K. Frequently Asked Questions - Contacts
Keywords: files member guidelines yahoogroups


<UL>
 <LI><A HREF='#GOA'>GOA's</A>
</UL>

<A NAME='GOA'></A>

<CENTER><B>GOAs - Group Outreach and Assistance volunteers</B></CENTER>

The Freecycle&reg; Group Outreach and Assistance (GOA) volunteers are available as a resource
 for mods, to offer support to groups and help them over any Freecycle issues (not just any 
  difficulties) they may be facing. There are a number of GOAs for the UK, one for each region 
   of the UK.

If you are unsure of how to proceed with an issue, especially a delicate or confidential one that 
 would be inappropriate to post on a modsquad, then your first port of call should be the GOA.
  Issues may be because of rival/rogue 'Freecycle' groups; misuse of the Freecycle name; questions
   about group splits, problems relating to relationship with local authorities, sensitive issues 
    with fellow mods or neighbouring groups, or just to let them know about something 
     good that has happened within your group etc

They are also volunteers just like everyone else, and may be pushed for time with many complex
 and sensitive jobs on, so do be patient unless you are having a group emergency. They are 
  all experienced moderators and also moderate their local groups.
  
  Regional GOA email addresses are: 

England: 

Regional boundaries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_England


North East: <a href="mailto:%6e%6f%72%74%68%65%61%73%74%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#110;&#111;&#114;&#116;&#104;&#101;&#97;&#115;&#116;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> <BR>
North West: <a href="mailto:%6e%6f%72%74%68%77%65%73%74%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#110;&#111;&#114;&#116;&#104;&#119;&#101;&#115;&#116;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> <BR>
Yorkshire and Humber: <a href="mailto:%79%6f%72%6b%73%68%69%72%65%68%75%6d%62%65%72%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#121;&#111;&#114;&#107;&#115;&#104;&#105;&#114;&#101;&#104;&#117;&#109;&#98;&#101;&#114;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> 

East Midlands: <a href="mailto:%65%61%73%74%6d%69%64%6c%61%6e%64%73%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#101;&#97;&#115;&#116;&#109;&#105;&#100;&#108;&#97;&#110;&#100;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> <BR>
West Midlands: <a href="mailto:%77%65%73%74%6d%69%64%6c%61%6e%64%73%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#119;&#101;&#115;&#116;&#109;&#105;&#100;&#108;&#97;&#110;&#100;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

East of England: <a href="mailto:%65%61%73%74%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#101;&#97;&#115;&#116;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a><BR>
London: <a href="mailto:%6c%6f%6e%64%6f%6e%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#108;&#111;&#110;&#100;&#111;&#110;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a><BR>
South East: <a href="mailto:%73%6f%75%74%68%65%61%73%74%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#115;&#111;&#117;&#116;&#104;&#101;&#97;&#115;&#116;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> <BR>
South West: <a href="mailto:%73%6f%75%74%68%77%65%73%74%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#115;&#111;&#117;&#116;&#104;&#119;&#101;&#115;&#116;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>


Northern Ireland: <a href="mailto:%6e%6f%72%74%68%65%72%6e%69%72%65%6c%61%6e%64%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#110;&#111;&#114;&#116;&#104;&#101;&#114;&#110;&#105;&#114;&#101;&#108;&#97;&#110;&#100;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

Scotland: <a href="mailto:%73%63%6f%74%6c%61%6e%64%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#115;&#99;&#111;&#116;&#108;&#97;&#110;&#100;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

Wales: <a href="mailto:%77%61%6c%65%73%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#119;&#97;&#108;&#101;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

Current names of regional/county GOAs: http://www.freecycle.org/faq/manual/contact 





<UL>
<LI><A HREF='#7'>7. RESOURCES - FOR MODS</A>
<UL>
<LI><A HREF='#7.1'>7.1 Back up co-owner - why do I need one?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.2'>7.2 Firefox Moderation Plug-in - what is it?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.3'>7.3 GOAs - Group Outreach and Assistance volunteers - who are they?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.4'>7.4 Holiday and Emergency cover - how can I get help?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.5'>7.5 Job description for moderators - what is it?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.6'>7.6 Logos (graphics) - general, seasonal or personalised - how?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.7'>7.7 Message Subject Maker - what is it?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.8'>7.8 Mod Manual - where is it and can members see it?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.9'>7.9 Modsquads - where is my local one?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.10'>7.10 Template Admin messages - where can I see some?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.11'>7.11 Template replies to members - where can I see some?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.12'>7.12 Volunteering - how can I become more involved in Freecycle&reg;?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.13'>7.13 Where can I find a list of links and contact details for support and help?</A>
<LI><A HREF='#7.14'>7.14 I've heard that Freecycle are building a new website and moving away from Yahoo. Is this true?</A>
</UL>
</UL>
<A NAME="7"></A>

<B>7.	RESOURCES - FOR MODS</B>
<A NAME="7.1"></A>

<B>7.1	Back up co-owner - why do I need one?</B>

It is a requirement that you have some kind of back-up owner on your group. 

This is because then if anything happens to you they can get onto the group and run it in your absence. 

This back up owner must be someone who does not share the same net connection or computer as you, but lives in the group catchment area It can be a co-mod, or a close friend, etc. (basically someone you trust, ideally who holds a mod position somewhere.

The Freecycle Network has set up a ‘neutral’ system where the larger organisation provides back up ownership facilities for those who choose to use it. Full details of this scheme can be found at:

 http://www.freecycle.org/faq/manual/mod_ersatzfriend  


<A HREF='#top'>Back to list of Contents</A>
<A NAME="7.4"></A>


<B>7.4	Holiday and Emergency cover - how can I get help?</B>

We encourage you to recruit a team of moderators for your group as soon as possible to avoid the need to arrange cover for holidays and emergencies. With your own team in place it is much easier to run your group as it is no longer just dependent on your own efforts. It provides a natural way of having cover for holidays, emergencies and if you just want a day off! It also means there will be cover if you lose Internet connection or have some thing happen which means you have to be away for some time.

If you don’t have a team in place yet the Freecycle Mentor Moderators provide a holiday and emergency cover service. They will arrange for a mentor moderator to join your group for the period of time you need cover. Mentor moderators are experienced moderators who give their assistance to less experienced moderators or to groups who need some short term emergency assistance.
To contact the mentor moderators please contact the Mentor Moderators Team Leader at <a href="mailto:%75%6b%6d%65%6e%74%6f%72%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#117;&#107;&#109;&#101;&#110;&#116;&#111;&#114;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

If at all possible give at a few days notice as it takes time to get set up. Sometimes a member will not show on the members list for a few days and you can't give them the necessary moderator access to run the group if they are not showing. If it is an emergency they will work with you to find a way. Please just contact them as soon as you know that you need cover.

An alternative way is to ask on your local or the UK modsquad for someone to help. People are always very willing to help.


<A HREF='#top'>Back to list of Contents</A>
<A NAME="7.9"></A>

<B>7.9	Modsquads - where is my local one?</B>

In addition to the UKMS, you will find that you fall within the catchment area of an Official Regional ModSquad, and/or of an area, district, or local one. Many individual Freecycle&reg; groups with moderating teams also have their own group-based ModSquads for discussion of issues relevant only to that group. For details of current regional and country Mod Squads in the British Isles, see:
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKmodsquad/files/ModSquads.html 

Important:

All mods need to join the UK Modsquad and their Official Regional ModSquad with at least a "Special Notices" setting. This is in order to ensure that mods do not miss important announcements or the opportunity to take part in Freecycle polls.


<A HREF='#top'>Back to list of Contents</A>
<A NAME="7.12"></A>

<B>7.12	Volunteering - how can I become more involved in Freecycle&reg;?</B>

There certainly are plenty of opportunities. If you are committed to Freecycle and have a little extra time to spare, please send an email to your local GOA or <a href="mailto:%75%6b%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#117;&#107;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>, mentioning your interests and strengths and to find out more about the various voluntary opportunities within Freecycle.

See also: http://www.freecycle.org/faq/manual/volunteering 

<A HREF='#top'>Back to list of Contents</A>
<A NAME="7.13"></A>

<B>7.13	Where can I find a list of links and contact details for support and help?</B>

These are the links and contact details only; further information on these resources can be found in
 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKmodsquad/files/ 

<B>USEFUL LINKS & ADDRESSES</B>

Main Freecycle UK Email address for members/public:
 <a href="mailto:%69%6e%66%6f%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#105;&#110;&#102;&#111;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>
<BR> (for Mods please see GOA addresses below)


<B>FAQs (other than this one!):</B>

1) http://www.freecycle.org/faq/faq/

2) http://www.freecycle.org/faq/manual/ Freecycle Mod Manual - an essential resource


Official Media link  http://www.freecycle.org/faq/faq/faq_contactmedia 

Safety issues  <a href="mailto:%73%61%66%65%74%79%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#115;&#97;&#102;&#101;&#116;&#121;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

Volunteering  http://www.freecycle.org/faq/manual/volunteering (email: <a href="mailto:%76%6f%6c%75%6e%74%65%65%72%73%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#118;&#111;&#108;&#117;&#110;&#116;&#101;&#101;&#114;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>) 

<B>EMAIL SUPPORT & DISCUSSION LISTS</B>

UK Mod Squad (UKMS) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKmodsquad 

UK Modsquad Cafe (UKMS Cafe) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKModsquadCafe

Official Regional Freecycle Modsquads http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UKmodsquad/database?method=reportRows&tbl=8

Organisational Issues Discussion Group (OIDG) - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OIDG/
<BR>
&nbsp; This is the official and confidential discussion group of The Freecycle
Network  for addressing organizational questions about where we are headed
overall. It is for moderators only


<B>Other Contacts</B>

Freecycle Newswire Team <a href="mailto:%6e%65%77%73%77%69%72%65%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#110;&#101;&#119;&#115;&#119;&#105;&#114;&#101;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

Graphics (Logo) Team <a href="mailto:%67%72%61%70%68%69%63%73%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#103;&#114;&#97;&#112;&#104;&#105;&#99;&#115;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

Interim Moderator (iMod) - <A HREF='#GOA'>See above for GOA Email addresses (to request the iMod team)</A>

New Group Approvers (NGAs)    <a href="mailto:%6e%67%61%5f%75%6b%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#110;&#103;&#97;&#95;&#117;&#107;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a> 
 
Mentor Mods  <a href="mailto:%75%6b%6d%65%6e%74%6f%72%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#117;&#107;&#109;&#101;&#110;&#116;&#111;&#114;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

Trademark Team <a href="mailto:%74%72%61%64%65%6d%61%72%6b%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#116;&#114;&#97;&#100;&#101;&#109;&#97;&#114;&#107;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>

UK Freecycle Website Team for http://uk.freecycle.org <a href="mailto:%75%6b%77%65%62%40%66%72%65%65%63%79%63%6c%65%2e%6f%72%67">&#117;&#107;&#119;&#101;&#98;&#64;&#102;&#114;&#101;&#101;&#99;&#121;&#99;&#108;&#101;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;</a>