Challenge Toolkit: Share With Others
Below are some inspiration and ideas to help you complete the Community in Action: Share With Others challenge:
INSPIRATION: Why Share With Others?
Many of our closets, attics, and garages are filled to the brim with “stuff.” And when we want or need something, our first thought is to go out and buy it. But does it have to be this way? By prioritizing sharing, we can save money, cut down on clutter, strengthen our relationships with others, and reduce overall resource use.
VIDEO: Share Spray – an exploration of how sharing could transform our lives and neighborhoods
Teaching Kids That "Sharing Is Service"
Learning to Share for a More Cooperative Future
Spreading the Sharing Message on MLK Day
IDEAS: Things YOU Can Do to Share With Others
Here are some ideas for things you can do to share with others, in the three areas of our challenge:
INDIVIDUAL Challenge: Offer to Share a Tool, Gadget, or Skill
What do you own that others in your neighborhood might love to borrow? A stand mixer? A circular saw? Do you have a skill you’re willing to share? From hemming pants to cooking the best samosas in town, we bet you know how to do something that others don’t!
Community Action Kit: Guide to Sharing – explores four Action Ideas to help communities share more: Organize a Community Swap; Lend Locally; Share Time, Labor, and Skills; and Set Up a Co-op
Explore Clever Ways to Benefit from "Stuff" Without Having to Own It
Share Your Skills! Join (or Start) a Time Bank:
- VIDEO: Time Trade Circle
- VIDEO: How to Start a Time Bank
- WEBINAR: How to Start a Time Bank
- Building a More Connected Community, One Hour at a Time
- Being the Change: Silver Spring Time Bank Is Open for Business
- Living the Dream: Kim Knuppel, Community Volunteer
GROUP Challenge: Organize a Community Swap
These days, people are getting together to swap everything from books, clothes, and toys to seeds, crops, and even soups. Community swaps are a fun and cooperative way to share and trade goods. New Dream has videos and step-by-steps to help you get started!
Host a Clothing Swap:
Host a CommunityShare Workshop
EXTRA Challenge: Start a “Things” Library
Do you live in a big gardening or DIY community, or one with lots of young kids? Consider starting a tool, seed, or toy lending library. Like to bike? Start a community bike sharing program, or a project to fix up used bikes for residents in need. Wish you had access to a larger variety of kitchen gadgets? Start a kitchen library! The possibilities are endless.
Start a Tool Library:
- Start a Tool Library in Your Community
- WEBINAR: How to Start a Tool Library
- VIDEO: The Berkeley Tool Lending Library
- Starting a Tool Library: Inspiration and Insights from Baltimore’s Station North
- Power Tools to the People: BORROW THIS IDEA
Start a Toy Lending Library:
Start a Solar Coop:
Encourage Your Local Library to Share Even More: