Volunteer

Volunteering with FreeGeek Columbus is easy: just show up any time we're open! There is no need to sign up in advance, and you can come as many times per week as you want. We require that all children under 16 bring an adult with them. For more details, see the Under 16 Policy. While you volunteer at FreeGeek, you'll learn all about computers and computer recycling, and after you have completed 10 hours of volunteer service, we'll give you a computer to take home with you!

If you're a first-time volunteer, you will likely start work on our disassembly bench helping FreeGeek Columbus recycle computers and computer parts. This is an easy task to master, and there will be other volunteers working with you to answer questions and provide assistance. This is a great way to develop "insider" knowledge of computer hardware.

We have a large number of possible activities for volunteers. Some people can't wait to get their first computer, while others are more interested in learning about computer hardware or open source software. We encourage new volunteers to choose the activities that most closely match their interests. Some of the tasks that you can choose to do include:

• Disassembling computers for recycling
• Sorting computer components so that we can find them when we need them
• Testing computers to make sure they are ready to be adopted
• Building computers from spare parts
• "Nuking" hard drives to protect the sensitive data of our donors
• Installing and configuring the Ubuntu operating system
• Greeting donors and helping them unload their donations from their vehicles
• Helping welcome new volunteers and teaching them the skills that they need to participate at FreeGeek!

If you can't make it to the warehouse during the times we are open but you'd still like to help out, then have no fear! There are plenty of ways that you can help out from home! Some ideas include:

• Tell your friends about us!
• Respond to inquiries from interested donors and volunteers
• Help maintain the website
• Transport materials to the recycler
• Print and distribute flyers to local organizations
• Prepare teaching materials for classes or teach a class
• Help us with legal stuff
• Help us with accounting stuff

Whether you want to volunteer to learn new skills, perform community service, participate in our computer adoption program, or just support the cause(s), we have room for you! Forget all that equipment we handle, our volunteers are our greatest assets.