Sigue: Barter: Kindness without borders

Sigue: Barter: Kindness without borders

IN LESS than two months, the Bacolod Barter Community (BBC) group's page on Facebook grew to more than 223,000 members. This is not a new type of group because many barter groups are already on Facebook for many years. But the engagement is quite unique and telling in the midst of this pandemic. At an average posting by members of more than 1,000 per hour and a total comment and reactions of 6 Million in a month, BBC broke some social media record.

About two weeks after BBC, I started the Global Barter Communities (GBC), feeling the influx of so many requests for guidance from others to start their own barter communities. To formalize the idea, GBC comes with a mission and a vision, and of course a manual. GBC envisions a world where kindness is without borders and humanity is defined by the extent with which every race can help one another to survive the global impact of the pandemic and adapt to the “new normal.” We stand in solidarity as different barter communities established by local stakeholders in common mission to promote barter as part of our way of life as Filipinos.

GBC will strive to establish and redefine the traditional barter system as a new norm of helping one another and shall not in anyway, promote commercialism and materialism but positive values such as generosity, determination, honesty, patience, integrity, gender sensitivity, equality and ecological awareness. We commit to promote these values as the cornerstones of our respective barter communities.

Barter is exchanging goods and services based on the mutual and voluntary decision of two persons. It is not selling, for the good are not exchange based on price but value. It is not also donating for the good are not given without anything in exchange. It The price of the item or service is never equal but the happiness and feeling of satisfaction should be equal. We commit to encourage the members of our community to embrace these values.

Barter communities shall be accepted and recognized as affiliates of the Global Barter Communities. Our goal is to ensure the highest standard of character and reputation of all the founders in their respective areas. Interaction between all the communities and community founders shall be one of solidarity, honor and respect.

There is no fee or consideration to affiliate except the full commitment of the founders to devote time and talent to managing a healthy barter community. Any barter community that manifestly digresses from the values of the Global Barter Communities may be disaffiliated, subject to due process. No affiliate shall grant any recognition in behalf of the Global Barter Communities at will.

A barter community is a private group where our medium of exchange is items and services. No cash shall be allowed to be requested or offered. Strictly no buying or selling in this group. Only members using their name and details and are willing to abide with group rules shall be admitted. Any member proven to be violating any rule shall be removed automatically. Any member can post the item they want to exchange with anyone subject to approval of moderators. Each community shall enlist the help of professionals of good standing in the community as volunteers subject to a commitment not to disclose all data belonging to the community. Character references may be requested from volunteer moderators.

Then other members can offer an item and you can choose which one you like from the ones offered. No member shall be allowed to send via private message his or her offer or shall offer cash. No one shall offer cash or force anyone to accept any offer. No indecent or vulgar offer is allowed.

The offers can go on in the thread until the one who posted selects from the thread by replying “deal” to the choice and restating the goods exchange. Everyone is assumed to have mutually and voluntarily entered to the agreement with sound mind and freedom.

Once the choice has been made the barter is now deemed completed. Both parties must agree by expressly stating “deal.” No one is allowed to steal any closed deal. No one is allowed to offer anything to take what is being offered in another thread.

No one shall be forced to make a choice immediately. Anyone badgering a member to make a choice shall be removed. A member can also delete his post if he has not found any offers he wants unless he has already made a deal. However, a member who consistently post without choosing an offer, shall be subject for removal. The group page shall also exercise right to remove unresponsive posts after a minimum of 3 days since posting to give way to new posts.

Strictly no minors allowed. Each member shall be responsible and consenting adults dealing with one another in good faith. It is presumed that all the one bartering possess full ownership and right of disposal of the items being bartered.

The group page will not be liable or responsible for transactions between parties in this page. No fees shall be collected for posting or participation in this page. All members shall support to help keep the group fun, dynamic, useful and inspiring in this time of pandemic.

Through the GBC, the founders of a barter community shall continuously connect with various founders to exchange best practices and learn from one another. They must also keep abreast with laws and policies to improve their community. Activities that allow various communities to collaborate are highly encouraged. The barter community may undertake programs to raise funds for the community or prizes and resources for programs and activities but not for the monetary gain of any founder, unless the same is an authorized and recognized work provided for the management of the community, subject to proper accounting procedures.

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