the Gifting forward model

Radical change needs radical changers! 

 

The Gifting Forward model is a unique take on the 'pay it forward' model, and a way to manifest a radical spirit of generosity and support in the world. While a need for a different model had been brewing in my mind for several years, in more recent times some of the development process was informed by crowd-funded journalist Caitlin Johnstone, and modern thinker Charles Eisenstein.

 

One of the people in my circle of beloveds, esotericist Jocah le Fay, suggested the lovely name Gifting Forward, which is way better than the descriptive but dry name I had before! (Jocah also designed the RWW logo.)

 

Please read on for the full story on:

 

• The Challenges
• Let's Try Something Radical!
• The Nitty Gritty - How does it work?

 

The Challenges

 

Setting rates is often a tricky aspect of being a practitioner. The concept of payment for spiritual-related services is regarded by some as undesirable commodification of gifts or birthright. Others argue that while the spiritual gifts should be freely given, the practitioner’s time is valuable, and they should be compensated for that. Still others insist that monetary payment is essential for the interaction to have meaning and value. 

 

In many traditional cultures, the service was often given freely, but an exchange of some sort was customary and expected, particularly for teaching – after all, if the practitioner’s time is spend assisting and teaching others, they are unable to use that time for activities that support themselves and their families.

 

In contemporary times, a common practice is not setting prices, but requesting set-amount “donations”, or having a “pay what you want” approach. Then of course there is the market-driven setting of firm, inflexible prices, often out of reach of many people. There is also the concept of the Gift Economy, in which everything is freely given without expectation of return or payment. In my observation and experience, each of these has inherent problems relating to confidence in the fairness of the exchange, and/or embodying dignity, particularly for people with fewer financial resources. 

 

I wrangled with all of the above issues for ages. (Almost literally; it percolated for years before taking form.)

 

I believe that, as a whole, people are generally generous and altruistic, and that most of us want others to thrive. Given adequate financial resources, people generally embrace the opportunity to contribute to helping others and feel part of something meaningful.

 

Considering all of this, I sought to create a model that:

• Keeps my work sustainable.

• Facilitates people of all means having access to my services.

• Embodies a sense of Gift Economy.

• Minimises the awkwardness of wondering and worrying whether the amount paid is fair on both parties.

• Factors in the inherent nature of people to want to help.

• Generates a sense of community support.

• Promotes a sense of being valued in all parties

• Extends grace and respect.

• Maintains discretion and dignity.

• Gives all parties a sense of being part of something bigger in the grand scheme of things.

 

I think I've managed to achieve that with this model! :D

 

Let's Try Something Radical! An Experiment:  The Gifting Forward model

 

With all of the above in mind, I came up with a gifting forward model based on a sliding scale.

 

In this model, the cost of your session is already covered by your community, of which you are an essential part. Fellow human beings value your wellbeing even if they don't know you personally; your life is nourished by people who care for the wellbeing of others regardless of their financial resources.

 

In this model:

• The session is already funded. This makes it accessible to everyone.

• Everyone receives support from the goodwill of the collective via group energy.

• People with few financial resources can pay it forward either via contributing toward the cost of a session for someone else, or in a way of their choosing outside my services. What goes around, comes around. :)

• People with adequate financial resources can contribute to sessions for one or more other people. 

• Discretion and dignity are maintained.

 

The Nitty Gritty

 

To maintain dignity for all, in this system, everyone goes through the end checkout process even if not making a financial contribution (the option is discreetly provided during the process). Checkout is as unsupervised and anonymous as possible to minimise the sense of having someone watch over your shoulder.

 

You arrange a service (in-person or remote). 

1. The service takes place.

2. You privately choose whether to contribute toward the cost of a session for someone else. 

3. For the checkout process, choose either the cash option (only for in-person service) or the electronic option (for either in person or remote). The processes are described below: 

 

The future

 

This model is experimental and may need tweaking or even a shift to a different model to keep the service sustainable. While my compassion and willingness to serve is extensive, living expenses unfortunately can't be avoided, and while doing this work I'm not pursuing other income-generating activities.

 

However, I trust that peoples’ wish to be part of a caring collective and support each other will prove this a viable grassroots model that brings wellness, dignity and good vibes to the broader community!

 

River :)

 

~~~

 Acknowledgement and respect to the First Nations peoples of this land, which was never ceded.