Historical March 1984 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Co-op is not a new idea. Cooperatives can not only save money, but can be the means of providing goods and services that might otherwise be out of reach. Food Cooperatives We have become used to the term ,”Co-op” in relation to food.
The food cooperative. such As the Kingsbury Co-op operated out of Grace and Peace Fellowship, provides its members with lower food prices by buying in bulk. Babysitting Cooperatives A group of parents in Lafayette Square have a very successful babysitting cooperative.
Each member is given twenty tickets.
Each ticket is worth 1/2 hour babysitting for one child.
Each additional child is 1/2 ticket per 1/2 hour.
One hour babysitting for two children “costs” 3 tickets.
The parents negotiate days and times on an individual basis.
When a member leaves, they return the twenty original tickets. Parents nights out no longer carry the burden of paying a sitter. Time/Equipment Sharing Time sharing is commonly used in association with computers.
One computer is frequently used by a number of businesses. Time or equipment sharing can be applied to other situations.
Two or more neighbors with large lawns might agree to share the expense of a riding mower with a snow plow attachment. Several parents might chip in to buy a sturdy swing/gym set for their children.
Two apartment dwellers who need a vacuum cleaner might jointly purchase one.
In each instance, each group must work out an agreement that will cover maintenance, expenses and termination of the agreement.
The possibilities for cooperative action are endless and can be beneficial to a strained budget.
If you and your neighbors have the same need, form a Co-op.
Originally published in The Paper, March 1984.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1984_03.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
