Conversations 1: part Collaborative Giving vs Collaborative Consumption

another point that came out of Darin the bossman’s share at our recent Simple Way Conversations day was the idea of ‘Collaborative Giving’ vs ‘Collaborative Consumption’:

there are already some ideas out there on Collaborative Consumption – a concept like Philly Carshare where you buy membership into the group and then get use of a car for a certain fee whenever you need one – so having the availability of a car when needed and not one that sits around not being used by anyone when you don’t… i think of church buildings that are used for AA meetings and exercise classes and scouts meetings and after school programs during the week [as opposed to those which have a one day a week usage – which i can find a lot let ways of getting my head around in terms of the acceptability thereof]

and how we can bring that closer to home: what is a really good book that you read and really loved and is now sitting on your shelf being unread and unloved and who has a book that you have really been wanting to read and might really benefit from reading the one that you have? it is that simple [and book clubs do it all the time] – i have a habit of simply passing books i really love on to other people because i know that i seldom go back and read a book again and can always get hold of one if i need to anyways.

part of how our intentional community plays out is that we have a washer and dryer in our house that a couple who live down the road organise times with us that they can use it and one of our student friends at the end of the block does likewise… saves the need for three washing machines AND invites relationship…

when it comes to Collaborative Giving there have been many creative ideas about how we can collectively use our money and things to benefit the wider community – one of these is something called ‘Relational Tithe’ that Val and i have been a part of for a few months where a group of about 70 people tithe money to this group [RT is a collection of a whole bunch of these types of groups which all manage themselves and are built strongly around relationship] and then anyone in the group can email the group with a request for someone they know who is in a bit of a financial [or other] need and as the group we decide how we will be able to help them [the question is usually that of HOW as opposed to IF] – sometimes we help financially but other times there might be people in the group who have the resources or the connections to bring the help in a different way…

Darin was part of creating and running Relational Tithe and the move is happening towards a new group with similar concept but different name called ‘Common Change’ and you can read some of the idea behind it here [and go check out the website]:

‘Common Change is a utility designed to help connect you and your resources with people in your life. Compelled to action by my faith, I founded Common Change – an opportunity to imagine (and hopefully realize) a world where we are actively eliminating personal economic isolation. Like Gandhi, I believe that there is enough for all our need but not enough for our greed. I believe we are isolated mostly, not because the rich and poor don’t care about each other but because we don’t know each other.

I believe we are pioneering a new way. A new way based on relationships. The bottom line is: many people want to give and know people that need help. Common Change is a way to connect those two together, and provide an experience that is rewarding for all.’ [Commonchange.com]

whether it is your group of friends or your small group at church, your youth group, or even your whole church congregation, what are some ways of Collaborative Consumption and Collaborative Giving that you can get creative in to see wider and more effective community, and ultimately kingdom, being built..?

for a redefined or maybe realigned definition of poverty, take a look at this