Woodworker's Journal 1983-7-5, страница 37

Working Wood Co-operatively,

(continued from page 35)

This account then has cash on hand to pay all bills due on June 1st. With this method people don't have to constantly remember to pay their dues on the 20th and the money is always available to pay creditors. Should a member leave the Co-op in mid-year, the unused, pre-dated checks are returned along with their security deposit. When the key is returned, so is that deposit. Departing members are also encouraged to find suitable replacements for themselves.

One important agreement 1 made with myself when I joined the Co-op (since it would not be my full-time occupation) was that 1 would unfailingly put in sufficient time each month to construct and sell enough pieces to cover at least the cost of membership. The shop had a free scrap barrel from which I could produce a myriad of small items: lap desks, cutting boards, signs, trivets, stools, boxes and anything else I could dream up. These all turned out to be projects I never got to. The first month after I became a member a local librarian heard about me through friends and ordered $3000 worth of simple plywood bookcases for the library storeroom! So much for minimally covering the cost of membership.

And that's how it's been for more than two years now. One job has consistently led to another. In this time I've learned a tremendous amount about woodworking. I've also expanded my interest and ability in the craft. In addition I've learned a lot about myself and about other people, but mostly I've learned firsthand a lot about co-operation, probably best pointed up by the Co-op experience of Jackie,

Jackie joined the group about four months after me. She

had some woodworking experience, but was primarily a talented artist and designer. For about six consecutive months she spent most of her free time doing small pieces, asking questions and learning all she could. At the end of that time she decided that she was going into the business of making and selling children's wooden toys. Realizing that this fulltime enterprise would be making new and excessive demands on space and machine time in the shop (since it's not really designed or intended to support any single person working there 8 hours a day, five or six days a week), Jackie asked for ideas and for the group's support in this undertaking at a business and clean-up meeting. By meeting's end, a plan was worked out. New storage space was built and an acceptable work schedule for her was agreed upon. Also, a further agreement to re-evaluate the situation in four months was made. However, in three months time, demand for Jackie's toys was so great that she not only attracted a partner with venture capital and new design ideas, bu( she had to hire other employees and buy several additional jig saws and sanders. Needless to say, Jackie soon found a place of her own necessary to successfully set up and operate her new full-time business. Warm Wood Gifts.

Mark Brady is a licensed California general building contractor. Readers wishing to know more about the forms, finances and guidelines of the South bay Woodworker's Co-operative are invited to send SI c/o the author at P.O. Box 1094. Menlo Park. CA 94025.

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