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How to Walk Away From Freecycle. 
 
Simple steps to freedom.
 
I havent read this page for a few months, and after skimming the latest posts, it seems there is still alot of stress 
coming from the FreeCycle camp.  
If you are a mod and feeling trapped and afraid to speak out against TFN, there is a very simple solution: 
Walk Away, but do so carefully and watch your back as you exit.  
 
Here is some advice on the process:  
 
Before you leave, do NOT have a poll or ask the members if it's OK. Many times before the poll has ended 
TFN will already have your group deleted by Yahoo (Sunnyvale is an example of this). Also do not give Freecycle 
any advance notice of your departure, doing so will give them time to download your membership list and invite all 
your members to their replacement group. They typically spread misinformation in the invite letters as well.
 
Remove/Ban the user Ersatzfriend from your group. This is critical if EF is an owner as he can delete your group directly.  
 
If there are any GOAs or NGAs as members of your group, you should remove them as well. At the very least place 
hem on moderation so they don't post any attacks/flames to your group after you have made the change.  
 
Preferably late at night, change the name of your group to something that does not contain the word freecycle. 
Also remove all Freecycle logos, files, graphics, and so forth. The only mention of Freecycle on your page should 
be "This group is not affiliated with Freecycle". Anything more than that will be used to get your group deleted. 
Varients such as Freecycling have also gotten groups deleted.  
 
Once your new group is 'Clean' create a new group with the same name as your old freecycle group. Lock the membership 
down in the group (meaning don't let anyone join the pointer group), and post in the description that your group has moved, 
and post the link to the new group. This will assist people who miss the Yahoo email notification in finding your group.  
 
At this point you may feel the urge to tell Freecycle that you have escaped and are free. This can have mixed results and I 
would not personally advise 'poking the dragon'.  
 
Once you have walked away, send a note to SharingIsGiving.org and FreeSharing.org so we can list your site in our directories. 
There are over 390 groups in the FreeSharing.org directory, and there is room for many more.  
 
Some mods worry about how the members will react to the changes. In the several transitions that I have witnessed, 
about 98% of the time the members don't even bat an eye, and could really care less if they are an 'official' freecycle 
group or not. In that other 2% the problems are generally started by TFN NGAs or GOAs stirring up trouble, which is 
why it is wise to moderate or remove them prior to the change, and keep a close eye on the messages for a few days 
after the change.  
 
If there is anything I missed, of if you require assistance, please just drop me a note at:  
eb(AT)FreeSharing(DOT)org
 
Have a great day, and keep on FreeSharing,
Eric Burke
http://FreeSharing.org