Red Stick FreeUse Network
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Safety Tips
It's important for individuals to always keep their personal safety in mind, regardless of the situation. Of course,
some activities are riskier than others, particularly meeting strangers off the Internet. For this reason, it's important
to consider the following safety measures when participating on the Red Stick Freecycle Network (RSFN) message
board.
(1) Do not give out personal information in any e-mails that you post to the Red Stick Freecycle Network's message
board.
When you post an e-mail to the RSFN group, it is sent out to all members of the list and archived (saved) by
Yahoo. So, if you include your full name, home address, and/or phone number in any e-mails you send to the list,
this information becomes public.
It's a good idea to just include your general location (for example, "Broadmoor" or "near Baker") in your original
post (preferably in the subject heading). Only give out more detailed information when someone contacts you
about your post and you're arranging pickup with that single list member. Even then, only disclose as much
information as is necessary, and nothing more. Communicate via e-mail whenever possible.
(2) If you're meeting with another list member, ask a friend to accompany you. Remember the old saying that
there's safety in numbers!
(3) Consider rather than having a list member come to your home to pick up an item, arrange a meeting in a
neutral public place. This way, you need not give out your home address. Again, take a friend to the meeting.
The meeting should ideally take place during the day, in a well-trafficked area.
(4) If a member is coming to your home to pick up an item, make sure that you're present. Don't leave an item
unattended in your yard, on your porch, etc., and tell fellow list members to come and pick it up at any time. After
all, if you're not home, you have no way of supervising what is taken. Members may intentionally or unintentionally
take the wrong item or even cause damage.
(5) If you feel uncomfortable with someone who responds to your post, by all means, don't arrange a meeting with
that person! Ultimately, it's up to individual list members who they give their items to, and you can refuse a person
for any reason.
(6) If a fellow list member acts in an inappropriate manner, please contact the moderators - we're here to help!
Harassment and threats ARE NOT tolerated on RSFN, and all offenders will be banned from the list (at least).
[Feel free to forward to a RSFN moderator (Scott at tampatyger@yahoo.com) the arrangement information (e.g.,
screen name, yahoo ID, email address, etc.) of the member with whom you are planning to make a transaction.
Make them aware that you have done this.]
The RSFN does not assume responsibility for its list members' safety. While we will remove members who act
inappropriately and have ZERO tolerance for this type of behavior, we do not screen potential members or monitor
individual members' transactions off-list. Ultimately, individuals are responsible for taking the proper precautions
when meeting with fellow list members and giving/receiving items. For more information, please refer to our Terms
of Service, of which participation on RSFN constitutes an expressed agreement.