Gift Technologies

This is a list of social technologies which can help us foster community, gift culture and noble friendship. Here Social Technology means tools which help us create those communities and social environments which will allow gift culture to bloom and manifest. We all participate in groups and systems designed for a purpose. Gift technologies help us manifest groups and systems which are more aligned with our values and aspirations. We hope you can use these technologies for the Common Good!

AWAKIN CIRCLES

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Awakin Circles are gatherings offered at people’s homes. There is an hour of silence, one hour of sharing after a reading, and community dinner after that. All creates a wonderful sense of collective wisdom, trust, community and generosity. Awakin Circles started in California around 18 years ago, and now many such circles have spread all over the planet. Find the closest one or create your own!

More info: www.awakin.org

Giftival contact: joserra@servicespace.org

THE SHOP OF THE OPEN HEART

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The Shop of the Open Heart is an experiment of sharing our gifts with the community in a sacred way. Each of the participants brings a gift (could be a good, a service, an intention…) which has a story, a meaning. The Shop of the Open Heart is a ceremony where we share those gifts and the stories behind them. A wonderful experience of trust, openness and community.

More info: www.walkoutwalkon.net, search there.

SMILE CARDS

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These cards invite you to do an act of kindness anonymously. When you do that act, you can leave a card behind. The card invites the person that receives the gift to continue the chain of gifts. It could be paying a meal for a random stranger, it could be leaving flowers at the neighbor’s doorstep… possibilities are infinite. Since 2005, millions of cards have been shipped and printed all over the world, and millions of people have been touched by the unexpected surprises!

More info, download and ideas: www.kindspring.org

GIFT CIRCLES

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Share your needs in a circle. Others can help. Share what you can offer as well. After that, all ends with express gratitude to the circle! Gift Circles help community’s awareness on everyone’s needs and offerings and help to foster the sense of belonging and care for the community.

More info: www.opencollaboration.wordpress.com

Contact: Alpha Lo, lyricalforest@gmail.com

KARMA KITCHEN

Karma Kitchen is a restaurant where food is offered as a gift. Guests are treated as family and at the end of the meal they are offered the opportunity of contributing to the chain of gifts from the heart and anonymously. The atmosphere, the volunteers and the intention behind Karma Kitchen waves a beautiful and transformative experience of generosity and community.

More info: www.karmakitchen.org, Find the closest or start one!

MORE IDEAS IN BRIEF:

FACILITATOR IMPROV

Everyone facilitates the group. Everyone learns how to facilitate in a non-hierarchical way. Facilitator Improv is a tool to practice facilitation without the need of a leader.

More info: www.opencollaboration.wordpress.com, search for Facilitator Improv, FAQ.

FREE STORES

Community stores where everything is free!

More info: www.mediafreestore.com and in your local communities.

Contact: marie@sacred-economics.com

FREE SCHOOL

Free Schools are spaces where people offer classes and workshops for free. There are thousands of free schools around the world. Find the closest on the internet.

DRAGON DREAMING

Dragon Dreaming is a process that helps us dream, plan, execute and celebrate projects that last! A celebrated and worldwide famous system to make our dreams happen!