Work Exchange

I have been very interested in the idea of work exchange for a number of years and have worked out a number of informal agreements with friends and family. I have met a few people who subside completely on work exchange and I find that fascinating.

I would like to incorporate it further into my life however, I am at a loss as to how to approach strangers about work exchange. Anyone have experience with work exchange? How do you find and work out these arrangements?

Re: Work Exchange

intention, passion and synchronicity!

practically speaking, a cafe in my town has a barter notebook that is hot! you could start one at a hot spot near you! you put out what you have to offer and what you are looking for. (for example, i provide childare in exchange for acupuncture)…you'll be amazed with the results, (i shall be hoping this for you)…

make offers, carry flyers about it with you everywhere you go. see if  there has been a  barter movement in your area, seek the leaders (or former leaders) of that out.

hope this helps the wheels a spinnin'! let us knwo how its going!

Re: Work Exchange

I totally dig that idea! So, in an ideal (?) situation, would there be a notebook at various places and does the type of place influence the type of barter exchanges that get logged in and agreed upon? I wonder if businesses would be into that? I have two experiences to relate on barter exchanges. One, was after the Loma Prieta earthquake. I was a student at UC Santa Cruz and bartered my time at Long’s Drugs restocking in exchange for food. The manager let me work there two days and each day I pushed a shopping cart of stuff home! I still have two bowls and a flashlight from that time. Another instance is more recent when I was feed for a week in exchange for teaching natural building at a friend’s place - a cob structure for her mother. So, possibilities are out there.
DB