So you've joined our co-op...

Now what?

You start with zero points, so you might want to start sitting before you start requesting sits.  Your first step should be to get connected to the other co-op members by making an account at 30boxes.com and then adding each co-op member to your buddy list. Our blogmaster can assist you in identifying us; you'll need our email addresses. Make sure you add each member or you will miss out on receiving all sit requests. 

Once you are connected via 30boxes, ask the facilitator if there are any open, unassigned sits; if you would like to take one, let him or her know so they can invite you to the open sit. All future sit requests from other members will come to you via an email generated by 30boxes. The email will allow you to “accept,” “decline,” or note that you are “not sure” about a sit. Please reply to 30boxes emails in a timely fashion so that the sit requesters know the status of their sit requests!

Here's the evolution of a sit request:

Requesting a sit

To request a sit, go to 30boxes and used the Detailed Entry feature at the top of the page to make your sit request. It is helpful to get the most relevant details into the event title (is it for a set date/time or are you flexible, how many kids is it for, is it a day/night sit, etc.). Be sure to include a start and end time, even if you are flexible. The “notes” section is where you can specify if you are flexible as to day/time, have a specific request as to location, or anything else you need to communicate.

Now, before you click “Add Event” you must be sure to add all co-op members in the “Invites” section. In this field, if you type “+”, up will come your list of all co-op members you have added. You must add each member individually (you can’t add the full list in one move). If you leave someone off, they will not get your sit request, and if you leave everyone off, well, your request will simply float along in cyberspace. Here's a demonstration (one note, I forgot to mention in the demo about the Plus sign, but you'll see.) 

Once people have responded to your sit

If more than one person has said yes, see who is more negative on our sit log. The sit should go them. You assign the sit by noting it in 30boxes and contacting to them off-line to work out the details and confirm that they got the sit. The facilitator can help you assign the sit if need be, but it's really quite simple. 

If you got no takers, write "NO TAKERS" somewhere in your sit request. (Look back into our calendar to see previous examples.) 

 Please remember, you are expected to use the co-op at least once a month OR make at least two sit requests to demonstrate a good faith effort to use the co-op. Without activity, the co-op withers.

The "edit" button flashes when you mouse over the name of the sit "PM Sit for Laura." Click in either the the Event title or Notes to edit. You could also add new invitees at this time. 

Making Yourself Available to Sit

If you find that you are not being able to take any of the sits people are posting, or if you simply want to be proactive in racking up points, you can also use 30boxes to let people know when you are available to sit. Try to make this very clear in your event title; for example “Celia wants to watch your kids Saturday night!”

Recording a sit

Once you have completed a sit for another co-op member, it is your responsibility to “pay” yourself by going to the co-op blog (link) and complete the Sit Report Form. This sit is fairly self evident—just read carefully and you should be fine! Top tip: just do a sit report right there at the end of the sit. The sittee (the person you sat for) can answer your questions if you have any.