peace. love. swap - what does it mean???

I have been asked this questions by a couple of reporters that were doing articles on us. I kind of didn't know how to answer on the spot like that - and thought it just boiled down to me liking the sound of it. But due to some recent events at some newer swaps, I have really had to take a hard look at what the swaps are all about. This is what I came up with... I started doing these swaps in Nevada County just about a year ago. I had maybe 20 moms show up - we piled everything on the borrowed tables I had, and used a couple of loaner racks. It was so cool. My idea - my idea of green moms that just wanted to get together and exchange stuff went well, it was so rewarding. I am not saying I came up with the idea of a swap - they have been going on for a long time, I know this. : ) But, it was the response I got from the moms - they were all so happy, asking when I was going to do the next one, giving me suggestions - what an AWESOME group of moms - and pretty much all of them still attend the swaps I do in Grass Valley now - and many of them volunteer. The second swap I did - I swear I must have had almost 70 moms show up - I was totally unprepared, but again, what a great feeling- that many moms, getting together, talking, laughing, getting rid of stuff they aren't using and taking stuff they do need. This is what peace. love. swap is all about - this is what peace. love. swap means.... Moms getting together with other moms, laughing, loving, sharing, and at the end of the day knowing that you are doing good!

We recently had a couple complaints from swappers about 1) volunteers taking and/or hoarding stuff before a swap started 2) swappers aggressively taking items 3) swappers taking things that weren't on the swap floor & not returning them when announcements were made of the missing items - these were just the few that really upset me - there were a couple more I think, but these things were SO far from what peace. love. swap is all about, that I just can't stop thinking about it. The result is that some of our rules have to change - some of which are really going to bother some people but unfortunately are necessary for growth. One rule is that volunteers will not be able to take any items pre-swap, they will still get in free of charge and will be able to preview all the items, but there will be a certain amount of volunteers on the floor, all with certain duties & no one will be allowed on the floor pre-swap. Although this is bummer for those of you (which is about 99.9% of you) that are honest people, it will weed out the people that were volunteering to get the biggest and best items - it's just not fair to the other moms. The other change is that admission is $5 per swapper - what does this mean? It's $5 for everyone that is going to be taking stuff - If you are a husband and wife - that's $5 - mom & grandma $5. Mom and 3 "sisters", 1 "aunt" & 2 mature "daughters".... not $5. We use the money that we make from the swaps to cover our costs - these swaps take a tremendous amount of effort from the moms that organize them and $5 is not a lot to ask for such a large event. If you have an issue, just talk to the mom in charge/swap organizer - each scenario is different - again, we aren't doing this for any other reason to weed out people taking advantage of the system. That's it for now, but other changes might pop up. As it says on the website - everyone is on their honor system & I don't want operate an organization that allows unfair and/or dishonest behavior.

So, that said... let's get back to what we are about.... peace. love. swap - say it, feel what it's about.. I know most of the moms that attend our events know what it's about - so as we grow and reach out into other areas, let's try to stick together to make these events about sharing, caring & exchanging. Please, just take a few moments to review the FAQ page on the website - it only takes a couple of minutes to read (I know I timed it) : ) -- if you invite friends, tell them to read it too~

If you have an questions, concerns, or comments --- please let me know :)

I truly look forward to seeing these events grow everyone growing with them.

happy swapping,

meg