MAKING THE SKILLS LISTS

New members are invited to an evening to create their "Skill List". There are never more than 8 women each time. The women are asked to think about their work or professional skills that are incomeproducing. In addition they are asked to remember all those things they do for family, friends and neighbors as well as for their own pleasure. These we call Life Skills. Life skills are often such a part of what we do every day that we take them for granted. They are not usually counted, credited or recorded. The "Wish List" is just as important. They are the services the women would like to have.

In order to encourage full exploration we work in twos, each partner interviews the other and writes down her list for her. Having this encouragement allows each person to discover how many skills she really has and to value them. These lists are copied and sent to all Womanshare members to introduce the new women. The outcome of these lists is a yellow page directory organized so that members can quickly access whatever skill or instruction she may need at the time.

In the early days we found that what came out of the sessions, and what was truly exciting, was that by far the longer lists were the ''life skills'' (often as many as 20). They ranged from the common: cooking, driving, sewing, to the esoteric; astrology, 19th century opera studies, the quirky; handicapping, divining, the supportive and nurturing; companion for a doctor's visit, elder care. Later as the credit reporting cards came in and the credits tallied it became more apparent that the life skills had become the most traded skills, the most valued, needed and appreciated.

And why not! Who wouldn't want the stacks of papers on their desk finally organized. Who wouldn't want a compassionate companion to be a second listener to her Dr.'s diagnosis. Who wouldn't want a friend to help make a gourmet dinner party for a special event. How unexpected to learn how to handicap the Kentucky Derby. Who wouldn't want to be read to while recovering from a detached retina. Who wouldn't want someone to call to find out what drill bit to use to hang a shelf on a sheet rock wall?

Doing the Trades

It is important that each woman's time is taken seriously. Self esteem and respect is developed and realized when trading is conducted in a businesslike way.

The act of doing for another can help you to take care of yourself.

Marion, a professional librarian, helped Jane organize her files in a way that gave her full access to them. Marion said that the energy in the exchange broke through the inertia to go home and do the same for herself.

Exchanging services in Womanshare takes on other dimensions. It is the practice of community. It is the openness to each other, the valuing of each other and the exchange of warmth and affection.