SUPER_SWAP

SUPER SWAP: 13 Frequently Asked Questions

Revised 03-10-02 by Angela Barker Please save this for reference

1. WHAT IS THE SUPER SWAP?

This was intended as an ongoing swap exchange for adults. Many leaders have expressed a strong interest in doing this exchange with their troops. Our trial run with troops has been a success therefore troops will be allowed to participate. Troop leaders, please encourage your girls to submit swaps of their best efforts.

We exchange swaps via snail-mail once a month. Everyone makes enough of the same swap every month to give one to each participant and gets one of each in return. We will keep the maximum number at 30 participants.

2. WHAT KIND OF SWAP CAN I SEND?

There are no restrictions on what you can send in. Many participants send in a holiday theme for that month; a girl scout theme or a swap idea that was too cute and simple and just had to be shared. Attach a small tag to each swap with your name, council, city/state and email. Include 1 set of written simple instructions in your package when you send in your swaps. If you want to be sure the swap you're sending in hasn't been traded already, just look at the swaps on Mary's Troop 74's Cyber Camp Site
http://www.swapaholic.info/swaps.html
Mary scans the swaps received and periodically adds them to her website.

3. WHEN DO I SEND IN MY SWAPS?

Please send the swaps to me in plenty of time to arrive by the last day of the month. I separate them and (try to) mail out the bundles during the first week of the following month. Send them as far ahead as you wish--it's sending them late that complicates things. In fact, if you would like to send in all three months at one time that's great! Send me an e-mail letting me know you've mailed them. I'll e-mail you back to let you know when I get them.

4. WHAT SHOULD I MAIL MY SWAPS IN?

Breakage can be a problem with this many little treasures in one envelope going across the country. Send your swaps in a bubble envelope or padding/bubble wrap in an envelope or small box. The USPS has free small boxes for priority mail use. Consider enclosing each individually in a small bag if it has glitter, beads, or something that could become dislodged. I'll send the best one of yours on to Mary for scanning and inclusion on her swap page.

Please also include a Superswap Submission Form with each bag of swaps you send. This makes it easier to make sure your swaps get home to you safely

5. WHERE ARE MY SWAPS AND REMINDERS SENT?

I send reminders and notices to the e-mail address you give me when you join the Super Swap. I mail your swap bundles to the snail-mail addy you include in your incoming swap box. Please include a return address label.

6. HOW DO I PAY FOR POSTAGE?

When you sign up for the three month block you pick one of these two options:

a) 1 bubble envelope @ $0.85 plus 1month's 1st class postage (8 ounces) @ $2.00 = $2.85 per month, 3 months = $8.55 OR
b) 1 priority box @ $3.50 per month, 3 months = $10.50 plus .25¢ for handling supplies for a total of $10.75.

Please include a check, money order or cash (please use US mail with a return receipt requested if cash is enclosed) for either $8.55 or $10.75 when you send in your first box of a 3 month period. If you do not enclose return postage with your swaps, your swaps will not be returned to you until postage is received.

7. WILL I BE REMINDED WHEN SWAPS ARE DUE?

I send out e-mail notices on the first of the month to remind you to send in the swaps. I send out reminders at about mid-month. I also send out a notice to tell you when the bundles are on their way back to you.

8. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE SUPER SWAP. WHAT SHOULD SHE DO?

Tell her to send a message to awbarker1@cox.net asking to be put on the waiting list. When anyone drops out, a new person is added from the waiting list.

9. WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF THE SUPERSWAPS YAHOO SITE?

The Superswap maintains an email distribution list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/superswap/ . This group provides an easy way for the hostess to quickly contact the entire group. All email is moderated to reduce the amount of email distributed to the whole group. A database is maintained reflecting package arrival and postage amounts.

10. WHAT IF I WANT TO PLAY AGAIN WHEN THE 3-MONTH BLOCK IS OVER?

Your slot belongs to you if you wish to sign up again for the next 3-month block. Please make sure you've sent in all three, 30-swap sets if you want to sign up again. I'll send a message when it's time to sign up for the next block. Just let me know if you want to continue or if you are ready to stop. If you need to drop out before the block is over, just let me know. I will replace you with someone from the waiting list (and I won't get cranky messages from participants wondering why they aren't getting 30 swaps in their bundle). Please let me know before the 10th of that month if possible. That will allow the new person to get their swaps in on time.

11. WHY IS SIGN-UP FOR 3 MONTHS AND 30 PARTICIPANTS?

Sign-up is for 3-months to keep the confusion below the nightmare level. Address labels and e-mail lists changing every month would be more than I can handle. A firm commitment to be involved for more than 3 months is more than some participants can commit to at one time. This could get sticky and people will be terribly disappointed to send in 30 swaps and only get 12 in return. The number 30 was picked out of the air. A reasonable size bundle can be only so big. We all love making and getting swaps but we can't spend all our free time doing it. Had to be some number, so 30 it is.

12. WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE THINGS EASIER FOR THE HOSTESS?

Just make sure your swaps are mailed in time to get to me by the last day of the month. Make sure you have a clearly written Swap Submission form in with your swaps..

13. WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T SEND IN MY SWAPS?

If you run into a temporary time crunch due to family emergency or illness, e-mail me at awbarker1@cox.net and tell me your swaps will be late (or won't be made at all). All of us understand emergencies. On the other hand, if I get no word from you and don't get your swaps for two months in a row, you will be replaced with someone on the waiting list. If you ever want to rejoin, send me an e-mail and ask to be put on the standby list and you'll be able to rejoin when there's an opening.