Presentation Creating A Refurb Program

Editor's Notes

1. Starting a computer reuse program.
2. Starting a computer reuse program.
3. Starting a computer reuse program. Are the specific recipients identified i.e. seniors, students, adults in job training programs? Recommendation: Start simple, with one group. Can I start in a donated space? Recommendation: Find free space in a school, church or somewhere where you don't have to start spending $$$ Can I do everything or do I have committed help? Recommendation: If you are not a technician, make sure you have a committed technical volunteer. Will I refurbish MACs, PCs or both? Rec: Select one. PCs are more plentiful and easier to work on.
4. Starting a computer reuse program. How will I provide training and technical support? Recommendation: create a simple training curriculum and handout and make the class mandatory. This will cut down on technical support later Will I provide transportation or shipping? Recommendation: make sure you have a truck or van How many computers do I anticipate refurbishing a year? If over 20 PCs, sign up for the TechSoup Community MAR Program. Microsoft, through the MAR program, makes all of your operating systems legal. Tough with Macs.
5. Starting a computer reuse program. Determine your funding model. nonprofit or for profit? If nonprofit, start by becoming fiscally sponsored by existing nonprofit. Initial start-up funding and changes over the years. Keep initial costs as low as possible Bruce – OTX-West- grants (60%) and earned income (40%). $100 - $250 for schools and non-profits. Pat – Cost/Recovery basis - currently $90 to $135 for full systems with one year warranty.
6. Starting a computer reuse program. What is e-waste, hazardous materials or universal waste? What are the increasing problems with e-waste? Know the laws that will impact your operation such as: Zoning, Definition of Handler, Collector or Recycler and reporting requirements Proper handling of computers, monitors and universal waste Talk to your local Director of Waste Management Get recommendations for a local Recycler – find one to work with before you start collecting equipment
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8. Starting a computer reuse program. Suggestions for getting volunteers Senior centers A+ certification programs needing experience Opportunity to “earn” a free computer after 50 hours (20 hours at OTXWest) Apple/MAC users’ group College classes – instructors offer credit Read our manuals for more efficient ways of using volunteers so that techs can perform more challenging tasks.
9. Starting a computer reuse program. Make sure your facility is secure. You won’t get donations if you can’t protect data. Treat all hard drives as though they were yours! ALL hard drives must be completely wiped to US Department of Defense standards. Use software programs to wipe the drives either outside the computer or in the computer. Free programs are Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) and Kill Disk. Drives that are too small or don’t wipe completely must be physically destroyed. A small operation may want to use a drill press: a large operation can afford a Degausser.
10. Starting a computer reuse program. Partner with a community nonprofit or school so that you can offer a possible charitable donation. Develop a brochure to tell your story. What are you doing to fill the need in your community? Explain that reuse is 25 times better than just recycling. Talk to schools and governmental agencies and ask for donations to your programs. You can offer to give presentations to your local service groups. Don’t ask for more than you can handle or have space to store. Local business people may store excess for a brief time rather than have you reject the donation. Publicize your successes. Participate with your recycler in “drop-off” events. Look forward to “Earth Month”.
11. Starting a computer reuse program. Receiving donated software can be problematic. You must receive the original media, the license and the donor’s certification that you will own the software. You must also support the software on the recipient’s computer. OTXWest only uses Windows XP, MS Office (both from MAR), open-source programs (Openoffice, the Gimp, Audacity, and more) and freeware. Never trial-ware or shareware. Increasingly we use free web based programs such as aviary.com The MAR (Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers) program is VERY highly recommended. Most recipients want MS Windows and an Office Suite. Schools are not eligible to receive MS Office at the present time so free programs such as Open Office can be installed. Pat uses Linux software on low end laptops that run too slowly using Windows but work well with free programs such as Ubuntu. Standardize computer loads and provide a fixed number of standard “models”.
12. Starting a computer reuse program. Decide on your support model. Drop in? Phone? FAQs on your website? YouTube videos on such subjects as initial install. Refurbished computer systems must be seen as being reliable and given free or low cost tech support. By carefully checking out each system before releasing it, the number of tech calls are reduced. You can offer to replace the system after the year’s time for a reduced price. Re-orders are a key to the longevity of your program. By setting a restore point prior to the release of the system, you may be able to simplify tech support. When clients return for tech support, you can give them one-on-one training about the cause of their problem – like file sharing programs.
13. Starting a computer reuse program. T Tracking records must be maintained for the MAR (Microsoft Authorization Refurbisher) licenses. Collect email addresses of recipients to start a newsletter. Information gathered must include the date, name of the recipient, the recipient type, licenses distributed and level of computer such as Pentium III or Pentium IV. You may want to gather the phone number and email address so that you can survey for satisfaction in the future. Another statistic that might be usable would be the approximate weight of the system. Many of the reporting statistics by governmental agencies want to know both the number of donations and weight. OTXWest estimates 40 lbs per system.
14. Starting a computer reuse program. Develop a brochure about your program. Be sure to include: the history and/or mission statement for your program. the need for what you are doing. the schools, programs and people you are helping. contact information. Offer to speak before local organizations – show a PowerPoint or video Get free publicity from local newspapers, radio, tv spots, web links, local bulletin boards. Develop a Web Site and links with other web sites. Do something special for Earth Day/Month. TV stations need something to talk about. Let them hear about your program. Be sure you can handle the publicity. Create a video . Sample video Or go to www.otxwest.org/gallery.html
15. Starting a computer reuse program.