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As a side note, I'd like to thank those moderators who have already contributed to this endeavor. We've tried to credit those who have taken the time to put together a detailed challenge. If you have not been credited in any way, please understand that it was not intentional. We do our very best to give credit where credit is due! Thank you!

***Replace all XXX references with your local group name***

ADMIN: End of Summer / Back To School Challenge #1

Hello XXX Freecycle(TM)!

Here we are sitting smack dab in the middle of summer and shortly down the road lies the harsh reality that, YES, summer is over and the kids go back to school. I can hear most of you parents screaming a victorious and collective "YES" amidst the multitude of groans from the youngsters who are returning for another year.

I have a great idea to make the transition easy for everyone, parents and kids alike! Let's all go through our homes and find those clothes/jackets/shoes that don't fit quite like they used to (from all family members), backpacks and/or book bags that are collecting dust, extra office/school supplies taking up needed space, Autumn sports equipment no longer in use, and fall home/garden items that are no longer needed and *POST* them on XXX Freecycle!

You never know what you will find that is no longer in use or required until you look... your items maybe exactly what someone else is looking for! Let's help others while decluttering our homes, workshops or garages and freeing up more time to spend with those we hold near and dear.

Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to seeing what treasures you have found for the rest of the community to reuse and enjoy!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
Group Name-owner@yahoogroups.com

ADMIN: End of Summer / Back To School Challenge #2
(Two Part Challenge)

I just this month started doing monthly "Offer Challenges" on our group. I started with this month's challenge being "Back to School" offers. I'll include my offer below. I posted it in the first week of the month and then half way through the month I followed up by posting a second message that said "Hey, you guys are fantastic, great job, keep it up! Don't stop now!"

It seems to have gone over really well. We've had LOTS of offers with this one. I'm hopeful that every month will be the same, but only time will tell. I have a list of ideas to use for future challenges. I plan on having a "holiday" themed month, a "crafting" themed month, a "household decorating" month, near the spring I'm going to have an "outside toys for young and old" month, and more! I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from it thus far. I also made sure to make an offer or two of my own that qualified to get the ball rolling. My members got pretty creative.

There was a short paragraph first stating that I'd be offering monthly challenges every month first... and then Part I is posted)

(Courtesy of Kat, Rochester Freecycle - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

Part I Challenge: (Don't forget to follow up with a mid month Thank you/encouragement post!)

ADMIN: Back to School Month!

This weeks Freecycle(TM) Special Monthly Challenge is Back to School Month!

Freshmen are getting ready to go off to their first dorm room and the stuff you started out housekeeping with but recently replaced is just right for their needs. Go through the garage and the spare bedroom and see if you can find some dorm basics for a lucky freshman. Got small sets of shelving, microwaves, mini fridges, bulletin boards, clocks, radios, or computer components? Offer them to our future leaders!

Younger kids are getting ready to head back to elementary, middle, and high schools. Look around to see what you might have lying around. Got an old backpack, lunch box, packages of highlighters, an electric
pencil sharpener? Have your children recently outgrown their uniforms, jeans, dress shoes, sneakers? Do you have ten million hair scrunchies? Declutter your home and give these items new life at the same time!

Remember to use your normal "Offer" heading in your posts, but if you want to mention in the body of your post that this is a special monthly challenge offer, feel free. But it's not required! Thank you!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
Group Name-owner@yahoogroups.com

ADMIN: End of Summer / Back To School Challenge #3

ADMIN: What do you have to OFFER today??

Hi Everyone!

Summer is coming to an end, the kids are back in school and it's a good time to think about cleaning out another closet! The start of the holiday season is upon us yet again (it seems to get earlier and earlier every year, doesn't it?) and I know a lot of us probably have a TON of holiday themed junk we'd love to get rid of!

Here's a few ideas of things you may have lying around waiting for a new home:

-Halloween Items: Cauldron's, window decorations, spider webs, old costumes, costumes the kids have outgrown, wigs, party favors, Halloween CD's, black lights, masks, party favors, paper plates and cups w/Halloween theme, fabric and other crafting supplies.

-Thanksgiving Decor: Turkey platters and cooking pots/pans, serving dishes, fall themed items such as ornamental leaves, tablecloths and other serving items.

-Chanukah (Hanukkah), Christmas, Kwanza, New Year's Items: Winter themed decor, window decorations, African decor and fabrics, table cloths, artificial Christmas trees, Menorahs, scented candles, stockings, lawn ornaments, games, stocking stuffer knickknacks, party favors, wine glasses, confetti streamers... you get the idea!

Thanks again for making the XXX Freecycle(TM) such a great group, and remember to keep it FREE, legal and appropriate for all ages!

Thanks and have a great day!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
Group Name-owner@yahoogroups.com

(Courtesy of Michelle K, Kingston Freecycle Group - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

ADMIN: The Return to School Challenge #4

Hello XXX Freecycle(TM) Members!

This month is the re-launch of the “Return to School” Freecycle challenge and promotion.

This is a two fold challenge and promotional ability – of which you can choose to do both or just one.

Have fun. Enjoy – and remember, it’s all for the kids!!!

A. Member Challenge:

Do you have one of those kids who insists on new things every school year?

Is it just “time” to do the out with the old and in with the new?

What do you do with the old, slightly worn but not garbage items?

1) Tell your child that before the official school shop they must complete the following:

Clean their room properly.

Find all their old pens, pencils, pencil crayons, markers, erasers, sharpeners, rulers, tape, paper clips, post it notes, liquid paper, glue sticks, etc. and gather them into one box.

Find all their binders, duotangs, folders, report covers, text books, notepads, ruled paper and plain paper into one box.

Find all their construction paper, craft supplies, paints, glitter glue, pipe cleaners, felt, pompoms, and any other craft supplies into one box.

Okay, you now have 3 boxes to sort through with your child and you make a “Keep It Box” and a Freecycle box.

2) Next you review all the old reader books in your child's room.

What have they outgrown that a younger child would love to read during this next school year?

Make another new Freecycle box.

3) Review your current dictionary, encyclopedias, thesaurus and reference manuals.

Are they ones you use?

Does your child do everything online and these never get touched? Pass them on.

Make another Freecycle box.

4) Next – fling open the closet doors.

What clothes will he/she not wear anymore?

What have they outgrown?

What’s not “cool” anymore (like we all care – not)?

Make another Freecycle box.

5) Next – visit the computer desk (if they have one…)

What programs do they not run anymore?

What programs have they aged out of?

Time for newer more advanced ones…..?

Put the in the Freecycle box with the dictionaries, etc.

6) Proceed onward to the kitchen... and no not to eat!! Maybe a drink at this point though.

Where are the lunch bags, lunch boxes, snack boxes, juice containers, etc.?

If you don’t know – ask Mom!!!!!!!! She ought to know.

Are they going to use the same lunch kit?

No, put it in any of the Freecycle boxes.

Containers getting worn – put it in the box.

7) Onward to the hall closet – or wherever they hid last years knap sack, back pack, carry all.

Will they use the same one this year?

If yes, put it away.

If no, put it in the misc school supplies Freecycle Box.

8) Last but certainly not the least – visit the garage or wherever they throw the old sports equipment.

When did they use that soccer ball last?

Or the old mitt that doesn’t fit them anymore?

Soccer cleats that they’ve outgrown?

Ballet slippers that are now just sitting.

Find all the “not being used anymore” sports equipment and uniforms and put them in a box!!

The end result:

A box of school supplies misc

A box of children’s / teen’s books

A box of reference materials and computer supplies.

A box of clothes.

A box of sporting goods.

Whew!!

And what do you now have – ROOM!!!

PS: Don’t forget that there are also college kids who will be looking for all the essential basics – plates, cutlery, cutting knives, small desks, desk chairs, small dressers, small bookcases, bed sheets, towels, desk lamps, posters. So if you are thinking it is time to get a new set of cutlery, please do – and post up the old uneven set of unmatching stuff cause they will really need them!!

B. Promotion Challenge:

Okay group, we know how awesome you all are and how generous you all can be, but here’s the next piece of the puzzle.

We really want to get School District # XXX aware of Freecycle and what it can accomplish for all the teachers out there. Heck, our forums are a way for them to reach out and say, “I want to do this craft with the Grade 3s but I need 30 empty film canisters!!” What better way for them to get the help they need to accomplish goals with our children.

So, I am challenging everyone out there who is involved in their local school PAC/PTA/PTO to contact me within 48 hours. I will work specifically with one person from every school to help them with posters, handouts and information sheets for the school principal, teachers and ultimately the students.

Obviously the principle will need to be educated first… but once you have him or her enrolled into what the Freecycle Network can offer the teachers, then it will not be hard to enroll the teachers. Every teacher I have ever spoken to loves our network and what they can accomplish with it.

I am also challenging each school rep to become an advocate to talk to classrooms about Freecycle, or to have me invited to do so. Teaching the children about what can “also” be done with their parents “garbage” is the quickest way to influence the future for Mother Earth. I am available to visit schools in my school district anytime between XX and XX, Monday – Friday (Note - change as you need to obviously).

Come on parent – it’s time to Clean the Clutter, Get Creative, Get Feisty and Get those kids “Returning to School”!!

Have fun using The Freecycle Network.

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
Group Name-owner@yahoogroups.com

( The Return to School Freecycle Challenge and Promotion is courtesy of Karyne Baily, CV Freecycle Moderator - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

ADMIN - Monthly Mystery Room

(Note: This is the 'Monthly Mystery Room' that I do in my home group. It has been well received and we do see an increase of OFFERs from those particular areas during the second week of the month.
Courtesy of Michelle K, Kingston Freecycle Group - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

Hello Members,

Each month has been assigned a room or area of your home. Now depending on what type of home you live in, you may not have all the areas mentioned. If not, choose another area that is in need of deep de-cluttering.

For the Month of XXX your mystery room is: (fill this in based on the list below)

Now look on your desk, in your drawers, on shelves, what is hiding under that pile over there? Check cabinets, bookcases, closets and anything that might be applicable to the room picked for the month. Keep this in mind while looking - 'If I don't use it, I don't need it'. This should be your mantra as you go digging through your unneeded items. Declutter your home and allow others to reap the benefits of your cleaner house.

The following locations can be used for different months of the year. Edit your post according to what you might find in each area. Be creative!

Jan - Master Bedroom
Feb - Basement
Mar - Bedroom Closets (clean out the old/never worn clothes)
Apr - Living Room
May - Kitchen
June - Child(ren)'s bedroom
July - Office (or computer area)
Aug - Garage or shed (outside area)
Sept - Storage room
Oct - Dining Room
Nov - Playroom (or just toy boxes)
Dec - Closets (Linen/hallway)

ADMIN - General Group Challenge - Clean Up Your Clutter!

ADMIN: Clean Up Your Clutter!

Hello Freecycle(TM) Members!

It seems like we're getting more active lately, and that's great!

I'd like to challenge you all today. As you go through your daily routine at home, take a really good look around. Is there a set of hot rollers in your bathroom cupboard that you never use anymore? A kitchen gadget that you bought but doesn't really fit your needs? Toys your kids played with once and forgot? A broken clock that you keep meaning to take in for repairs but now has a 1/4" of dust on it?

Try to find just ONE thing to part with and post it! You may just make someone's day - and the more items we have posted, the more it will jolt your memory ("oh, I have one of those too and it's just gathering dust, I should give that away").

Some ideas:

Magazines
Books
Toys
Clothes
Extra appliances (irons, vacuums)
Duplicate pots and pans
Extra craft materials

If your item isn't in great shape or maybe doesn't even work, just say so. There may be someone who likes to tinker with broken or non functioning items out there, or a family would prefer that little Junior actually dismantle something that's already broken instead of the new DVD player.

Just one thing - it's not too much to ask!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
Group Name-owner@yahoogroups.com

(Courtesy of Andrea, ParkerCOFreecycle Co-Moderator - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

ADMIN - Friendship and Sharing Day - Inter-group Challenge

ADMIN: Friendship and Sharing Day - Beat the Neighbors!

Hello XXX Freecycle(TM)!

On February 14th (Commonly know as Valentine's Day) we would like to create a special "Friendship and Sharing Day". On this day we will ask out members to post as many OFFERs that they can. Our goal would be at least 3 OFFERs per member. Starting at 12:01 am and ending at 11:59 pm, I will track the number of OFFERs posted. This is a great opportunity to declutter your home, car or office and give to another person what you cannot use yourself. Use this opportunity to meet some great people through these transactions and possibly make a new friend or two.

Please join us on XXX Freecycle's 'Friendship and Sharing Day' and make someone's day happier with an item you no longer have a use for!

*As a extra challenge we are doing this in conjunction with the XXX group. Lets show them that XXX is better and get more Offers on the board then they can.*

Thank you for your participation!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
Group Name-owner@yahoogroups.com

ADMIN: Holiday / Halloween Challenge #1

Hello Freecycle(TM) Members!

It's that time of year for Trick or Treaters of all ages. Lets all dig into our clutter/closets/attic/garage, and see if we can find some of the following items to post as Offers in our group for a seasonal Halloween Challenge!!

*Old Sheets for our Little Ghost Trick or Treaters
*Old Pillow Cases (make Great Candy Bags!)
*Unused Halloween Decorations
*Unused String Lights (Christmas Lights, etc.)
*Unused Candles
*Clean, Reusable "Clear" Plastic Milk Containers (for candles and sidewalk lighting)
*Usable Shoe Polish
*Old, Usable Clothes (for costumes)
*Unused Wigs (Clean and Sanitary)
*Hay, Straw, or Corn Stalks
*Unused Black Garbage Bags
*Decorative Bowls (that can be used for passing out candy)
*And... any other Creative Items you can come up with!!!

Thanks so much for supporting our group, and our challenges! We appreciate your participation!

Have a Great Day and Have Fun on Freecycle!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
Group Name-owner@yahoogroups.com

(Courtesy of Tony, Sylvania Ohio Freecycle Moderator - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

ADMIN - Challenge for Special Days in September

September has several special days - get creative and post one or several to your local group:

September 8: International Literacy Day
(http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/literacy/index.html)

- look through that desk, on the bookshelf, and under the nightstand. Got a book you won't read again? POST IT!! some people don't get enough daily reading just through email.

September 10: Grandparents Day!

- Lets see those unused knitting supplies, cookie sheets, woodworking plans, and golf clubs hit the list! I'm not saying offer them *for* the
Grandparents, I'm saying the Grandfolks should offer them up to make room for the stuff they really enjoy!!

September 16: International Day - for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
(http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction/events/ozoneday/main.html)

- Wow, that's a mouthful... Do what Freecycle does best - keep stuff out of the landfill. For everything that gets reused, that's one that won't be manufactured, wasting resources and polluting our air.

September 21 - International Day of Peace
(http://www.un.org/events/peaceday/2006/index. shtml)

- You don't have to win the Nobel Peace Prize in order to promote peace. Just be nice to somebody. Even better, dig out a 'treasure' that is sure to give somebody warm fuzzies.

September 28 - World Maritime Day

- As much as we'd all love to go fishing for the day, maybe we could just go through our tackleboxes and give away those odds and ends we'll never use - the chipped lure that nobody has touched in 5 years, the spare scale that we're not sure how it got there, or the old fishing line that probably isn't strong enough to bring in a Perch, but that crafters would give their teeth for.
- Remember, fish (and the rest of us) need clean water to live. Please do everything you can to keep our waterways clean.

We hope you all can meet at least one of these challenges this month.

(Courtesy of Vikki, Regina Freecycle Moderator - adapted/edited accordingly for use)