Office Reorganization/Cleaning

[chris68]

I am trying to spend some time cleaning out office supplies that we don't need and possibly mentioning to the boss when he returns from vacation about moving some things out of here and getting something else for storage purposes.  Our office area consists of the bosses office, my area and another separate office with a door just for sorage, printer and a fax machine.



We have two black cabinets, one is a storage with doors on it that holds laptops and digital camera along with some office supplies I use on a frequent basis.  The other black cabinet is a bookshelf with a bunch of outdated material in it.  There is also a bunch of file cabinets and a tall (almost floor to ceiling) steel cabinet filled with boxes for storage.  Ideally I would like to get that steel cabinet emptied and ready for new stuff, maybe this year.  The file cabinets are getting full quickly.  I don't want to take out something that he will want put back in next week when he returns, but I would like to get a jump start on this while he is on vacation.



Also there is an empty desk in there that is just wasted space.  I was wondering how someone might propose getting rid of that for more shelf space somehow?  



Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  



Chris68

 

[yankeestarbuck]

Any furniture that you may not want can be donated to the Salvation Army.  They'll pick it up and it's a company tax deduction.  The other stuff, I think you'll have to wait for a more knowledgible poster to help you there. I'm an all or nothing woman, keep it or dump it, and I'm not sentimental.  I dump A LOT of junk every year, just because it's taking up space.  I figure this way, if it's not used in 6 months, no one wants it, out it goes.  But that's just me.

[countrigal]

If your company doesn't want the tax write off, there are some companies that will buy (very cheaply) old desks and such if they're in good condition.  Then they resell them to small businesses who want office equipment but don't have the budget to pay full price for the stuff.  Also, check with your company because some companies re-use equipment.  Your office has an extra desk and someone else might be wanting or needing another desk.



As for the rest...I understand wanting to dive in while bossie is away but not sure if you were asking for advice on how to get started on that or not.  Might be my brain working on a Friday level.    Either way, good luck and when you're done there you're welcome to come to my office and do the same thing.    

[chris68]

CountriGal,



Guess I was trying to figure out the best way to get started while he's away.



I've decided that Spring cleaning is the best start, and I've started a stack of things for him to look at when he returns that may need to be destroyed.



I think I'll have to wait til' Monday on the desk, I'm sure our Property Dept. will want to take a look at it first and go from there.  He may know someone that may want it, if the boss is willing to part with it.  And, maybe some of our other locations may need it too.  Don't know about that.  But I will keep the other suggestions in mind.



Thanks & TGIF!

Chris

 

[kknisley]

Non-profit organizations such as homeless shelters, inner city schools, youth organizations, community centers, etc. can also benefit from old office equipment and supplies.  They are in desperate need.  The company I work with donates old computers, furniture, office supplies, paper, notebooks, etc. to any 501(c)3 non-profit organization and we get the tax credit.  



For instance, our office recently coordinated the donation of several computers and monitors to Directions For Youth, a non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth referred to them by Juvenile Court and school counselors.  



We've also "adopted" a local school that is in the Columbus inner city.  This school is in the poorest section of Columbus and quite often forgotten by the school district.  Nationwide stepped up to the plate and we donate everything from school supplies and warm hats and gloves for the children to office supplies and little "goodies" for the teachers.  Each department adopts a classroom and helps with tutoring and mentoring.  Sometimes the only time these kids talks to an adult is during the mentoring sessions.  The kids just want an adult to listen and pay attention to them for a little while.  We hold bake sales and raffles to pay for class room parties and field trips.



I hope this helps on how to get rid of unwanted office items.  They are so appreciated by the organizations.