Re: [Computerbank] coming to terms with the Catch 22 puzzle/conundrum

[Jo-Anne <jo_bianchi@dingoblue.net.au>]

Some great points and suggestions Bruce,
Do we make regular appeals to the Tafe colleges for volunteers? Surely
there are a number of budding geeks out there who would love to be
putting together computers etc. I'm  willing do some promotion via
letters and phone calls.
Jo-Anne




Bruce McCubbery wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone,
> 
> There is a constantly occurring problem that can cause us to "pull in our
> horns" -- go slow -- when any piece of what must be done is wonky.
> 
> In Melbourne at least, getting publicity about Computerbank has not been
> much of a problem. Regular spots are available on ABC radio but it's a
> scary prospect.
> 
> Why?
> 
> Because, it seems, we cannot properly field all of the requests for
> donations refurbished ... and a lot of the donations are junk ... and we
> don't have the logistics.
> 
> Logistics?
> 
> The whole process
> 
> .. call to donate being received
> .. pickup being done
> .. the throughput (refurbishment) being done
> .. recipients being trained
> .. computers being delivered and installed
> .. backup help being available
> 
> has not yet been satisfactorily evolved.
> 
> I believe the only answer to achieving what we can eventually, a constant
> flow from donors to recipients that works well, is to advance on all fronts.
> 
> Advance on all fronts?
> 
> Other organisations doing this have got themselves knotted up because of
> pieces in their mix not being in place or not working well enough. No
> criticism of them or of us in the past but this can only be solved by a
> whole-ball-of-wax (advance on all fronts) approach.
> 
> If we allow ourselves to seize up because of fear of (whatever), momentum
> in each facet of falls off.
> 
> SCENARIO (for anywhere but from my knowledge of Melbourne)
> 
> A regular weekly spot on a popular radio show
> 
> Results
> 
> Continuing contacts from corporates and the public wanting to donate
> computers.
> 
> Continuing applications from disadvantaged individuals and groups.
> 
> Problems arising
> 
> ~ a lot of donations turn out to be useless
> ~ not enough people to field the telephone/fax/email contacts
> ~ not enough volunteers to pick up the donations
> 
> Answers
> 
> ~ go with the flow, pick it all up, but comment on the radio show
> ~ ask at the next weekly slot for more volunteers to answer the contacts
> and pick up the donations
> 
> Further problems arising
> 
> ~ getting rid of the dud stuff in an environmentally sensitive way
> ~ getting enough people to do the refurbishment of the computers
> ~ throughput is too slow
> ~ there aren't enough trainers and training times for the approved recipients
> ~ there aren't enough volunteers to deliver and install the computers
> 
> Answers
> 
> TALK ABOUT EACH PROBLEM IN THE SUCCEEDING WEEKS, ASK FOR:
> 
> ~ people to come to the Garage Sale (held once a month?)
> ~ discuss the disposal of what can't be sold
> ~ discuss how monitors in particular are an environmental problem
> ~ discuss the extra people needed for refurbishment, times they can come
> in, etc.
> ~ continually appeal for the volunteers needed, in particular the ones
> needed most right then
> ~ the flow of knowing/donating/refurbishing/delivery/backup has to be honed
> ~ but this is best done on the job, reporting to the public, involving
> everyone openly
> ~ getting their involvement to help us make it work well
> ~ hold up ... where? ... explain it on the radio, appeal for volunteers
> 
> I hope you get the feel of what I'm suggesting? Please say why it won't work.
> 
>   :-)
> 
> Happy Sunday all! Bruce
> 
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