Hey fellow freecyclers -

Your holiday moderator here, with a general reminder about requests for information and other intangibles. Keep in mind that this email is NOT directed towards any one individual, but rather is being sent to the list as a whole as a general reminder.

As always, requests for “intangibles” – such as information (“Does anyone know where can I buy this widget?”) and services (“WANTED: Ride to Colorado”) – are not allowed on Kansas City Freecycle. Requests that involve money or trading, even if indirectly (again, such as asking where an item may be purchased) are not appropriate for a Freecycle list, either. Copied below are the relevant rules that explain why this is.

When in doubt, please read through the list rules (www.kcfreecycle.org/rules/) and Netiquette (www.kcfreecycle.org/netiquette/). If you’re still questioning whether a post is acceptable, please email the moderators. All our contact info is available on the main Yahoo group page (groups.yahoo.com/group/kcfreecycle/).

And, of course, never assume that something is ok just because you saw another list member do it. Most of the list is unmoderated, meaning that these members’ posts are sent to the board without first being reviewed by the moderators. Rest assured that we handle all incorrect/inappropriate posts as they come to our attention.

Thanks for another year of freecycling. Here’s to a happy, clutter-free 2008!

- Kelly G.
KC Freecycle list owner
kelly [at] kcfreecycle.org

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www.kcfreecycle.org/rules/

2) ALL items listed must be 100% FREE. If you’re trying to get rid of an item, you must be giving it away – do not list it for sale. If you’re seeking an item, please do not post an offer of money, even if you’re willing to pay for it. Trading/bartering is also not allowed, nor are general inquiries as to where an item may be purchased.

As with all the List Rules & Netiquette, this rule applies both on- AND off-list. Thus, members are not allowed to respond to “wanteds” off-list with an offer to sell the poster the item s/he is seeking. Nor are members allowed to “offer” an item on-list and then request compensation for it off-list.

Additionally, members are not allowed to include signatures or “sigs” in their group-related emails. Please just sign your emails with your name (and it doesn’t have to be your full name, either – just whatever moniker you go by), and refrain from advertising your business, linking to your web site, including your children’s names and ages, etc. The former violate our “keep it free rule,” while the latter poses safety concerns.

Basically, Kansas City Freecycle™ should not be used as a venue for list members to make money.

If you want to buy/sell/trade, please go to our web site at www.kcfreecycle.org for a list of local classified forums.

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3) Do not post ads for inappropriate, illegal, or otherwise restricted items (including requests for/offers of live animals, services, information, and intangibles).

In order to be permitted to use the term “Freecycle”™, we have to abide by the following rules (says Deron Beal, creator of the first Freecycle™ group): “Keep it free, legal, and appropriate for all ages”.

Thus, we cannot allow any illegal items (obviously), nor any “adult” items, such as pornography, weapons, and alcohol. We have a comprehensive list of restricted items on our website at www.kcfreecycle.org/restricted/.

We also do not allow members to offer or request live animals. If you need to place an animal (or if you’d like to adopt one), we’ve compiled a list of resources to help you out. The list can be accessed at www.kcfreecycle.org/animals-and-freecycle/, along with other resources regarding animal adoption (and a more detailed explanation of our “no animals” policy).

Requests for OR offers of services (such as “WANTED: mechanic”), information (”OFFER: automotive advice”), and other intangibles (”WANTED: a ride to Wichita”) are also not allowed.

Think of KC Freecycle™ as a parking lot, where members bring items to be recycled; could you bring a ride to Wichita and physically give it to another person? No. The purpose of freecycle is to keep ITEMS out of landfills; a ride to Wichita can never end up in a garbage can. Thus, intangible wants or offers don’t belong on this particular list.

Finally, members may not receive any kind of financial gain by offering items on KC Freecycle™, including but not limited to offering catalogs, brochures, pamphlets, coupons, or gift certificates to any business or company they may own, operate, or be employed by. Kansas City Freecycle™ is not to be used as a venue to advertise your business.

While the moderators of KC Freecycle™ will monitor the board and remove any illegal and/or inappropriate items to the best of their ability, ultimately it’s the responsibility of each individual list member to follow all applicable local, state, and federal laws, as well as KC Freecycle™ Rules.

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Tagged: kcfreecycle admin