[Cob] anybody need free labor?

[Amanda Peck]

I don't think I do agree with PJ, although I'm pretty ambivalent about it.

And that kind of begs the question about what if the stuff constructed is a) 
in the home territory of the expert, b) a third-world, Habitat for Humanity, 
etc. project.

Can the experts afford to charge for those--for organizing, getting 
insurance, providing camping areas, showers, some food if workshop 
participants don't have to pay to go to a workshop at a private home?

My guess is that I would spend a month of serious work (100+ hours) with 
hired help getting my place ready for twenty people to descend on it to work 
for a weekend.  Not sure I'd be up for that plus a couple of grand for the 
experts.

Are the experts allowed to make money?  I've no idea what royalties from 
books are, but not too many people earn a living from those alone.  (My dad 
wrote a fairly well received memoir, but he ended having to get a grant to 
have it published--it wasn't a "vanity press" deal, but still money headed 
out, not in.  Movie rights were never an issue, and I think that's where the 
money is)

I had a floor party, I provided pizza and stuff to drink.  A few people came 
from nearby.  It was fun.  We got stuff done.  But it kind of was the blind 
leading the blind.

I've been to a handful of "come help us" things--a couple of SB buildings, 
getting a friend's place cleaned up enough for construction, even went out 
of state to work once.  These are fine.  I love them.  I'll continue to do 
them.  But even with a short talk at the beginning of one of the SB 
projects, I don't think I got anywhere near the instruction that I should 
have gotten--or given--from an expert in a for-profit situation.  No 
handouts, etc.

So I am up for both kinds of situations.

.....................
PJ wrote:

IMHO concerning the whole idea of charging for workshops.  If one is 
conducting a workshop to build one's own home/barn/etc.  That person should 
assume the responsibility of paying for the expert(s) and at least some of 
the food and facilities.  That being said, people who attend workshops 
should also have the proper consideration for the people who are giving it.  
Attendees should pick up after themselves, follow the host's lead as to 
bedtimes, etc., not bring children or dogs (unless invited to do so), and 
volunteer to help with chores associated with the workshop other than things 
directly involved in the workshop (dishes, cooking, etc.)  Perhaps this is a 
given, but there are always those who cannot help but take advantage.  
Comments?

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