Co-op Eco Village LOL Bank is coming together!

Collaboration flows like water in the Wanderers End (WE) Network, where our Instant Co-op Eco Village Engine powers a thriving community! We’re excited to introduce LOL—Labor of Love, a system that brings members together to contribute, learn, and grow. Whether you’re looking to rebuild your life, start a trade shop, or mentor others, LOL connects you to opportunities that make a difference. Let’s dive into how this cooperative engine works and how you can join the movement with #WTFU!

Introducing LOL: The Labor of Love System Powering the Wanderers End Network

Collaboration flows like water in the Wanderers End (WE) Network, where our Instant Co-op Eco Village Engine powers a thriving community! We’re excited to introduce LOL—Labor of Love, a system that brings members together to contribute, learn, and grow. Whether you’re looking to rebuild your life, start a trade shop, or mentor others, LOL connects you to opportunities that make a difference. Let’s dive into how this cooperative engine works and how you can join the movement with #WTFU!

What is LOL (Labor of Love)?

LOL stands for Labor of Love, a system where Wanderers (and potentially Villagers) contribute their time, skills, and efforts to community projects in exchange for practical benefits like food, skill development, and a path to greater roles within the network. It’s all about creating a supportive community where every individual has something valuable to offer.

In the WE Network, our members are categorized into four roles:

• Wanderers: Individuals in need (e.g., homeless, low-income, or displaced), contributing LOL to earn benefits.

• Villagers: Shop owners creating goods, potentially contributing LOL while creating jobs and projects for Wanderers to support.

• Pioneers: Business owners offering trades or services, focusing on teaching apprentices and requesting LOL labor when needed for projects.

• Elders: Leaders overseeing key sectors (organization, community events, project management, collaboration, and mentorship), assigning tasks and managing projects.

LOL ensures that Wanderers, and possibly Villagers, can participate meaningfully in our community while Pioneers focus on mentoring the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

How Does LOL Work?

The LOL system operates through the LO.L Bank, integrated into our C.M.S (Customer Management System) app, which tracks contributions and benefits. Here’s a step-by-step look at how it functions:

1. Commitment to Community Events

   
   

   All members—Wanderers, Villagers, and Pioneers—commit to attending 3 Weekend Warrior meetups per month, with each weekend valued at $33.33 in terms of their commitment. These meetups, held every Friday through Sunday, include activities like potluck dinners, skill-building workshops, and community projects. Attendance is incentivized through a fee structure:

   • Members pay a minimum fee of $33.33 per month, which allows them to miss 1 weekend without additional charges (equivalent to one week’s commitment).

   • If they miss more than 1 weekend, they are charged $33.33 for each additional missed weekend, totaling up to $66.66 for missing the remaining two weekends.

2. Contributing Labor of Love

   
   

   During these meetups, Wanderers (and potentially Villagers) perform LOL tasks assigned by Elders, Villagers, or Pioneers. Examples include:

   • Setting up a venue for a community workshop.

   • Assisting with organizing a market stall for a trade shop.

   • Helping with cleanup or setup for a co-op project.

     
     

     These tasks are logged in the C.M.S app, tracking hours contributed (e.g., “5 hours: Set up market stalls”). Pioneers focus on teaching their apprentices during these events but can request LOL labor for specific needs, such as setting up a project space. Wanderers can stay at a campground provided during the weekend while contributing to these tasks.

3. Earning Benefits Through the LO.L Bank

   
   

   Wanderers (and potentially Villagers) earn benefits based on their LOL hours, such as:

   • Food: Access to produce or meat from the community (e.g., “Earned: 5 lbs of beef”).

   • Skill Development: Opportunities to attend workshops and learn trades.

   • Apprenticeship Opportunities: A chance to train under a Villager or Pioneer, earning a wage as a co-op shareholder.

     
     

     Note that our villages are primarily non-residential at this stage, so permanent housing is not offered. However, Wanderers can use the campground during Weekend Warrior meetups while they contribute. The LO.L Bank ensures fairness by tracking contributions and distributing benefits equitably.

The Path to Growth: From Wanderer to Pioneer

One of the most exciting aspects of LOL is its role in empowering Wanderers to grow within the WE Network. Through LOL, Wanderers can embark on a journey of skill-building and advancement:

• Step 1: Contribute as a Wanderer

  
  

   Wanderers start by completing LOL tasks, gaining experience in various sectors like event setup, organizing markets, or supporting projects, while staying at the weekend campground.

• Step 2: Become an Apprentice

  
  

   Wanderers can apply for paid apprenticeships under Villagers or Pioneers. Each Villager (trade shop owner) and Pioneer (business owner) agrees to train an apprentice, offering hands-on learning in trades like carpentry, plumbing, or skilled services like electrical work. Pioneers dedicate their time to mentoring these apprentices, ensuring skills are passed down effectively.

  
  

   Compensation: Apprentices are paid by receiving one-third of the Pioneer’s or Villager’s one-third share of the shop’s total sales. For example, if a shop makes $900:

  • Total sales split: $300 to the community, $300 to the shop (Pioneer/Villager), $300 to the materials provider.

  • Apprentice earns: $100 (1/3 of the Pioneer’s $300), which is 1/9 of the total sales.

• Step 3: Advance to Villager

  
  

   After mastering a trade, an apprentice can become a Villager by setting up their own trade shop in a non-residential village, creating goods to sell within the co-op.

• Step 4: Potentially Become a Pioneer

  
  

   Villagers can later transition to Pioneers by starting a business focused on services, such as electrical work, and take on their own apprentices to continue the cycle of growth.

This progression ensures that every Wanderer has the opportunity to rise, contribute, and thrive within our community, supported by the dedicated mentorship of Pioneers.

Why LOL Matters

The Labor of Love system is more than just a way to get tasks done—it’s a foundation for empowerment, community, and growth. Here’s why LOL is so impactful:

• Empowerment: Wanderers gain skills, food, and a sense of purpose, moving from dependency to self-sufficiency.

• Community Building: By working together at Weekend Warrior meetups in our non-residential villages, members strengthen bonds and create opportunities in sectors like food, crafts, and services.

• Skill Preservation: Through apprenticeships led by Pioneers, trades are passed down, ensuring the WE Network remains self-reliant and innovative.

• Fairness: The LO.L Bank ensures equitable distribution of benefits, with Elders overseeing the process to maintain balance.

Join Us in the LOL Movement

The Labor of Love system is a testament to the WE Network’s commitment to creating a world where everyone has a place, a purpose, and a path to growth. Whether you’re a Wanderer looking to rebuild your life, a Villager crafting goods, a Pioneer mentoring the next generation, or an Elder guiding our community, LOL invites you to contribute and thrive.

Ready to get involved? Join us at our next Weekend Warrior meetup, starting Friday, June 6, 2025, for a potluck dinner, workshops, and more. Follow us on the WTFU Live Chit Chat channel with #WTFU to stay updated, and let’s build a brighter future—together.