Here's how it works

The Sit Request. 
The secretary is no longer part of this process. If you want to request a sit, go to this website, click on the calendar, and then make an event for the time you want to request a sit. An e-vite style email goes out to everyone in the Babysitters Club. Check the "event details" for accuracy and thoroughness before sending. 


The Sit.
Once the sit request has been made, an email is sent to everyone, and they can answer yes or no if they want to accept the sit. At that point, the secretary assumes ownership of the event, and assigns the sit by updating the google calendar entry.

The Sit Report. 
After the sit happens, the sitter reports the sit via the Sit Report form. The information from the form is entered automatically into the Secretary's Book.

Monthly Reporting. 
At the end of the month, the secretary goes into the Sit Log to transfer the automatically calculated points to the correct sitter (I would like to automate this step in the next phase.)

As a last step, the secretary assigns points for being secretary.

Pros of this system:
1. Utterly transparent.
2. Fairly automated, maybe 75%
3. Front end and back end reasonably intuitive.
4. Free.
5. Flexible, google-powered.

Cons:
1. There are still some manual processes should be automated.
2. Daunting first time log-ins. 

Sit Report

Other Babysitting Co-op Softwares and Websites

I spent a fair amount of time evaluating each of these options very carefully and listing what I thought are their pros and cons. They are arranged from my most to least favorite. I've included login info so that you can check out the differences between the sitter view and the regular view (where appropriate.)

After I checked all of them out I tried the Google version, which, though unfinished, is still my favorite potential solution.

1. Smart moms 
https://www.babysittingcoop.com/index.php?page=60
login as
member1@gmail.com, pw: member1
member2@gmail.com, pw: member2
member3@gmail.com, pw: member3

Pros: Very nice guy who runs it, will help us. I will forward my emails with him to you.
Cons: Not super-intuitive, but will work with our system w/out too much signal to noise. Not auto-notices to users, though Gary might be able to fix that.

2. The babysitters exchange
http://www.babysitterexchange.com/
bootsy.boutwell@gmail.com, exchange1
mike@equatorial.tv, babysitters1

Pros: Very customizable, reasonably intuitive (but not great)
Cons: Too many options.

3. Swap exchange
Awaiting evaluation login info
http://www.integratisinc.com/swapkeeper.html
check out the video demo link

Pros: Easiest, simplest interface
Cons: Software based, not web-based. Doesn't calculate number of points (I think, haven't found a way yet; customer service is not responsive.)

4.  Helping Hero
Helpinghero.com
Pros: Potentially  nice interface
Cons: Seems very crashy. Terrible calendar.

December point standings

On Jan 4, 2010, Celia corrected the mass accumlation of error over the last six months to come up with our current standings:

Joanna/Eric, +9
Celia/Eddie, +3
Laura/Mike, -2
Karen, -3
Kevin, -13
Jen, -15

Bank, +22

CORE RULES

These would be our core rules.

Technology Study for our group.

 In addition to this blog, we have been discussing other technologies/websites. 

We are considering discussing the smart moms' website at our next meeting, which is on Jan. 18, 2010.

Test Co-op:
member1@gmail.com (secretary view) password member1
member2@gmail.com (regular) pswd member2
member3@gmail.com (leader) pswd member3

Our co-op:
When you join and pay your 9 bucks, you'll need to supply this info:
Your Cooperative Name: BabysittersClub2010.
Cooperative ID Number: 27KF3VYH

laura@equatorial.tv (smartmom1)
bootsy.boutwell@gmail.com (___need to find)

Test Post

This is where we would put our core rules.