Hello Neighbors!

We have enjoyed several Neighborhood Swaps lately and I personally love them. However, a few NO-SHOWS have soured the experience for some of our good Neighbors. So I'm polling for Do or Don't and asking for feedback. Be honest, be nice. Let's find out what we have on our minds. Please answer the poll and leave detailed feedback in a post.

Thanks,
Kaye

I love the Neighborhood swaps! And they are optional, no one has to participate. If you can't commit, don't sign up. We all know life happens, so if you can't make it to the post office or something happens... just post that you didn't forget. There needs to be follow through.


The swaps are sooo much fun!

I've only participated in one swap but I thought it was great fun. I know there are unexpected issues that
can get in the way of someone following through with their side of the swap. I doubt that anyone intends
to "stiff" their recipient. If we can all be realistic about our time and resource limitations and be understanding of
an occasional missed swap (not from the same person ), I see no reason not to continue. Are there other problems
that make these a burden on administration?? If not??? I say GO!

I haven't been here long enough to get in on any swaps, but I think they look like great fun.
I would figure, if I don't want what's being swapped, I just wouldn't participate in that one.
If some stiffs their "swappee" there should be a consiquence, like they shouldn't be allowed to participate in the next one or something.

I've enjoyed the swaps, but do find myself getting frustrated by those that don't get their stuff. I want to make it better, but it isn't something that I can control...thus the frustration!

I don't think that you can stress it any more than you already do about sticking to the commitment.

I feel really bad for the people that don't get their swaps. Seems to me though that the swaps are so much fun that we just need to understand that sometime we will be the one that doesn't receive our swap. I do think that if someone signs up and doesn't send their swap they should be put on a list and if it happens twice they shouldn't be allowed to participate again. It isn't so much that you don't get the swap, it is being ignored that bothers me. Maybe someone else has a better suggestion but I have had a wonderful time doing the swaps and have thoroughly enjoyed every little treasure that I have received.

This is where the problem is for me because I get the PM's from disappointed participants asking me to "fix" a no-show participant. I willingly attempt to "fix" this but it is time consuming and frustrating, even though the commitment is clearly stated at the time of sign-up. With the 2008 LAWLS business plan we have outlined I do not know how much time I can surrender to this...... but I don't want to spoil it (cancel swaps) because darn-it, I've had a fun time with the swaps and really appreciated the Neighbors and things I've received.

I don't mean to sound whiney --- just looking for suggestions or solutions....

Shoot...I can only imagine Kaye!

Sigh.

What to do? The swaps are fun, but it is a promise that people have to make and keep. Perhaps a bigger Font for the disclaimer??? Pinkie swears? Or, we post at the beginning of the swap that all are responsible for following up with their gift giver...and that if a gift is not received, it just has to be accepted as such. Personally, I've received my swap late, but I just figured that my person had a bigger issue in life than getting me my gift...so I let it go. When it came, I was very surprised...honestly, I had forgotten about it. A lovely gift with an even more lovely note enclosed. I think that I like the notes the best!

If it's too much work for you...and that is what it sounds like...then maybe it's best that we end it.

Hi all

Please keep the swaps going.
I have only done one and I didn't receive my swap (and I have PM the person and had no reply) but I loved buying a key chain, packing and sending it.
I am looking forward to the next swap.

Meg

Oh gosh Meg...now see, this REALLY bums me out. REALLY! However, I'd be like you...more into sending my gift off and not caring if I received anything back. I'm sure that you're the same way...if I said that I didn't get mine, you'd be disappointed for me!

Wow, I have been around for one swap but did not particiate in it becuase it stated if you can do it then sign up. I couldn't say for sure it was something I would have time or money for so I opted out... so Ididn't have to feel the strain of making sure it got done.. and then feeling bad if it didn't. I say keep them but people have to be more honest when signing up. If you can't then don't sign up... its that easy!! And if something happens... contact someone so that no on is left hanging. Just my 2 cents!

Hi everyone!

I have always enjoyed the swaps. I have given more than I rec'd back. In the big picture, though, it is in the giving for me. The only reason I mentioned not receiving my swap was just an accountability issue. I will always prefer to give than receive.

The swaps are a time to think of another neighbor and put the focus onto them and not think about ourselves for just a few days. It is in the planning, purchase, packing and shipping that we think outside ourselves. It brings us closer. It spreads good will, it makes the world a little bit smaller and helps us become one. I think that the positive REALLY outweighs the negative.

I vote to continue to share through Neighborhood swaps!

Should we limit swaps to Foudnation Members and Premier Citizens only? That certainly brings accountability to the exchange and eliminates one-time-only fly-by-night posters........

????

I think you may have hit the nail on the head! If we've paid a membership fee, we've made a commitment that others haven't made. You are so wise!

Brilliant Kaye!!!!

Kaye,

That *idea* adds another level of incentive to participate in the extra fun stuff we do as a group. That just may be the answer!!!

I think that is a great idea Kaye !

Lovely summer day here in NZ.....

speaking of that membership topic....I remember you posting aabout a special (2 years) and when I wanted to sign up for it, the process wasn't working. I was then not around for the next week. If this opportunity now gone?

Stephanie

Hey Ladies!!

I do enjoy the swaps as well and I was one of the ppl that didnt get my exchange....but it really IS abou the giving but the fun is giving AND recieving!! SO I vote YES!

And I second the BRILLIANT on Kayes' idea to limit it to Foundation and Premier members! Maybe, just MAYBE this will work!!

I also agree that we all know how crazy life can be...and all we ask is that a "hey i'm late" or HEY, I totally forgot about it till now" or whatever note to the person is all we ask...but instead we get NO ANSWER! And we ALL want to feel important and special dont we?

SO Kaye..>I THINK YOU ANSWERED YOUR OWN QUESTION with alot of HIGH 5's to cheer your idea on!

LET'S DO THIS!!!

I enjoy the swaps.. but I am not a paid member of this web-site and at this time I would not be able to become a paid memeber..

I totally get why you would want to limit to only "paid members" - Just hope I don't have to miss out on the fun.. But you have to do what is best for the group

Well, I was all prepared with my response until I read through all the ones before mine. I'm personally all for the swaps and check periodically to see if there's a new one. Although disappointed that I wouldn't be able to participate if it were reserved for Foundation Members and Premier Citizens, I completely understand. It's unfortunate that people agree to something and don't follow through. Barring hospitalization or death, I really don't understand people not keeping a commitment. I feel the window of time given to fulfull the commitment is more than sufficient. I appreciate being able to express my opinion about this topic. Thanks, Kaye!

Being that I was very late sending out my last gift that I need to send I am not sure if I have the right to add a comment but I understand the feelings on it....Life sometimes gets in the way I had a huge bump placed on my path I did everything possible to get the gift in the mail as soon as I was able I am blessed that the receiver is such a wonderful understanding person that she forgave me but I felt and still do feel bad about it being late sooooo late....Kaye we all enjoy the swaps and I agree we need honor our commitment I hope you can continue them. I truly am sorry because I enjoy giving as well.....

Aloha,

I've been lurking and thinking about this.

"It is better to give than receive"

With that in mind I go for opening this up to all so no one is left out. Right now there are some who are not foundation people who are very active in the neighborhood , more so than some foundation members, for example, myself.

Or you can be elgible to particpate if you reach a certain rank in posting. Which that in itself will show one's activeness in the neighborhood.

If you participate you are to understand that if your giving, you may not recieve and leave it at that.

Send off your swap, keeping in your heart that you are making someone happy and your rewards for your kindness may not be earthly.

Kaye is too busy to monitor who kept their part of the bargain so this be ........ an honor thing.

Also maybe if you did the swap between two people instead of the way it is set up now, one may be more apt to follow through in sending back something to the sender. It makes it a little more personal between two people and I think it makes one more accountable.
As I myself would be embarassed if I did not give back to whom just gave me something.

I also think Kaye you shouldn't worry who gave who last month and all that, just make a system of choosing and stick with it, rotate it and it's only once a month or so, so no big deal if I got the same person in a row or two.

Keep price of exchanges at a minimum amount as postage can be costly especially if coming or going out of US.

Just my thoughts.

Oh Meliss, what a good idea! The number of "pips" a person has...good, good, good! Perhaps it would only take one pip to qualify. That shows that the member has been around long enough for us to all know them. Savanah...better respond to a few more threads!!!

Meliss... {{HUGS}} You radiate GREAT KARMA!
I love your thoughts on this and so many other matters.
I think taking the high road is what we try to be about here in the Hood.
I say... you are spot on baby!
Exclude no one... keep expense to a minimum ... and rejoice in the giving!
PERFECT!

If Savanah has to respond a 'few' more times, I better get typing ALOT more!! Never done a swap, not sure where to find the rules and such, but they sound like great fun, and a wonderful way to really get to know everyone better...you have all seemed to have formed such a great bond of friendship and great 'neighborly' attitudes!

Hear, hear!