Welcome!

Introductions

name

pronouns

aspects of your identity you feel relevant to share

Feminine Economy Exchange

from the guide by Ainsley Wagoner

A feminine economy is an economy rooted in feminine values

A feminine economy is an economy rooted in feminine values

The economy that we know is build upon patriarchal, masculine ideals.

You must be aggressive to get what you need. Always be selling yourself. Fake it till you make it. No pain no gain. Every man for himself. Only the strong survive. Transactions are an exercise in getting the most from someone while giving away the least of your own.

A feminine economy is an economy rooted in feminine values

Patriarchy sets up a dichotomy in which the masculine is powerful, rational, and dominant and the feminine is passive, irrational, and best suited to supporting roles. Likewise, patriarchy has taught us to associate those masculine values with leadership.

What is a feminine economy exchange?

We all have everything we need (resourcefulness)

There is plenty to go around (abundance, interdependence)

Sharing our abundance is a way to give things that we can easily give and receive things we want or need in exchange.

My proposal:

lets try this out!

Please make notes of things that you are excited about or are concerned about! We will take time to discuss this.

Organizers' Guide

• Think about who you want to participate

• Send an email to gather interest

• Figure out timeline

• Set up documents

• Invite people via email

• Let the exchange happen

• Send check-ins and reminders

• Checkin with individuals

• Prepare a gathering to wrap up

• Gather, reflect, let it wind down, get feedback

• Step away - give yourself time to see how you feel about it, send thanks to participants

Participants' Instructions

1. Take inventory

Make a list of what you have in abundance.

ex. I love pottery and have too many bowls. I am an herbalist and can create tinctures, elixirs, tea blends, and beautiful medicine. I can make kombucha, and love cooking for lots of people.

Participants' Instructions

2. Decide what to offer

Choose 1-3 items that you would like to share. It should be effortless and fun for you.

ex. I will bring a few of my extra pottery pieces. I will offer a tutorial on how to make kombucha and share my "scoby".

Participants' Instructions

3. Share out!

Add your items to a list (shared spreadsheet?) with any caveats, descriptions, amounts, contact.

Participants' Instructions

4. Exchange

Try an exchange with 1 or 2 people by (some end date)

Mark your name on items you may be interested in. Coordinate the exchange, either during a gathering or another time.

Participants' Instructions

5. Reflect and Gather

Come on (end date) to exchange or share any remaining goods, stories, and proposals.

Brunch picnic in park at noon, I'll bring (yumthings)

FAQs (example)

• You can change your mind and opt out anytime

• You can just receive, or just give

• You can invite friends

• If you sign up to receive something, it's your responsibility to make contact with the person offering.

Feedback survey

• How did it feel to write down what you had in abundance

• Did you notice any resistance or doubts in the process of deciding what to offer? Did reading other people's offerings change what you decided to offer?

• How did it feel to exchange with someone you already knew? With someone you'd never met?

• What did this process make you want more of? Less of?

• How can we make this process better?

• How did this project change the way you thought about economies?

• How do we dismantle the patriarchy?

Readings mentioned

• Feminine Economy Exchange by Ainsley Wagoner - out of print, but Emily has a copy
• Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks
• sister.is - Jennifer Ambrust's work
• Dialectic of Sex by Shulamith Firestone
• The Master's Tools Will Never Dismantle The Master's House - Audre Lorde
• Chalice and the Blade - mentioned in circle
• The Power

Let's talk about this!

What are some things about these ideas that are

exciting / make you feel good?

• reduce participation in capitalism, maybe stop working day job, creating consistent trade partnerships
• this sounds easy / achievable
• you can just receive, there is no lack or scarcity mentality, no feeling like "you owe me"
• opt in opt out at any time, no one is disposable in communities, be a part of this however you are in needs
• everyone has a purpose, foundation of generosity
• can this be a shop? cubbies in telluride? free little library stands, mobile popup

Let's talk about this!

What are some things about these ideas that are

exciting / make you feel good?

• company, meet people, coffee with neighbors project, choose topics that you can offer, receive and be matched with others
• a person who has difficulty seeing their own value could have a very healing experience receiving and being in this kind of environment

Let's talk about this!

What are some things about these ideas that

make you feel uncomfortable / unsure?

• contingency - I have feelings about "strings attached"... maybe that is because I don't have an abundance
• coordinating it all seems big, responsibility of coordinating
• masculine vs feminine words seem divisive
• "Feminine economy exchange" might need to be de-gendered
• what about people without computers?
• how does our sense of personal value impact what we are able to give or receive?

Workshop

Lets make a list of what we have in abundance.

What do you love to do that you wish you had an opportunity to do more of?

What can you do endlessly, without getting tired?

What do you wish you got paid for?

What would be easy and fun for you to give to others?

Present

Read your original list

As you are inspired with new ideas, add new possible offerings to a new list.

Present

Read your original list

As you are inspired with new ideas, add new possible offerings to a new list.

On the second round,

read new items you were inspired to add.

Keep these lists to possibly offer in an exchange!