Education and The Sharing Economy www.tradeschool.coop/losangeles | leanne@tradeschoolla.com We do better together.

What is Trade School Los Angeles? www.tradeschool.coop/losangeles | leanne@tradeschoolla.com

What kind of barter? www.tradeschool.coop/losangeles | leanne@tradeschoolla.com

Encourages trust and connection Why barter? Increases access Encourages trust and connection Allows (forces) participants to learn how to ask for what they want + need Can exist somewhat outside of traditional capitalist limitations (greater access, flexibility) Empowers participants to investigate their ideas about worth – in self and others

Let’s try!

“The skills, aptitudes and attitudes needed to industrialize the earth are different from those needed to heal the earth, build durable economies and good communities.” - David Orr

Community Partners + Allies How can a barter or co-operative approach locate hidden resources in our community? Teachers Space Students Assets Teachers – are we limiting our reach by excluding possible teachers? Space – cooperative investment opportunities or work-trade agreements Students – does our current structure impose exclusion? Assets – are we utilizing our non-monetary assets? Can we take a new inventory to save money or better meet our goals by Debts – are there opportunities to “pay” through skill or resource sharing instead of money? Community Partners – Get people to invest by asking them to share their expertise instead of money. Debts Community Partners + Allies

Can cooperative principles be replicated and used in other structures? Values-First Democratic Control Education + Training Social Responsibility Pulled from several documents explaining the 7 principles of Cooperatives: https://www.ncba.coop/7-cooperative-principles Democratic Control Cooperatives are controlled, managed and operated by its members, thus every member's suggestions are accepted and heard for the betterment the services or products being extended. Every member, regardless of the amount of their contribution are treated fairly and whose voice or opinion are also honored and heard. Education & Training Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperative. Social Responsibility While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their memberships. Self-help This is the notion that a co-op is an organization that will directly benefit its members and community by the actions it takes and the decisions its members make. Therefore, a co-op is not a charity; instead it is a tool for individuals and groups to use to directly improve their lives and communities through their own work and effort. Self-responsibility Self-responsibility is a major aspect of cooperation. In a cooperative, all members are in charge; so individuals must be accountable for their actions, responsibilities, and duties. Thus, a co-op cannot function properly if the members are neglectful of their responsibilities to their job, the co-op, their fellow members, and themselves. Specifically, in Worker cooperatives, all members are the owners and the body of the business, and so a worker co-op depends on the actions and accountability of the workers more than any other business. Equality, Equity + Solidarity Self-help + Self-responsibility

Activity – Break into small groups – Spend 5 minutes each describing where they’re coming from, their organization, their assets, their challenges. Encourage writers to be as specific and honest as possible. Tape worksheets onto the wall or somewhere easily readable and accessible. Pass out sticky notes and allow people to walk around and place their brainstormed ideas. Encourage resource-sharing, big ideas, and places where a cooperation, collaboration or barter could address someone’s need. Take break when things have cooled down Allow all to retrieve their worksheets and set a timer – 3-5 minutes to review and reflect / improve on the ideas. Finish with a roundtable wrap-up

Stay in touch! www.TradeSchool.coop/LosAngeles www.tradeschool.coop/losangeles | leanne@tradeschoolla.com Stay in touch! www.TradeSchool.coop/LosAngeles