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Hi again! I’m thrilled to officially welcome you to The Swap Society family as a location partner! 💛

 

First, I want to thank you for opening your doors to something that means so much to me personally.

 

Before The Swap Society, I spent nearly two decades loosely hosting swaps for my community volunteering my time, experimenting, and learning as I went. I started swapping simply to save money, and it ended up changing my life.

 

Growing up, money was tight, and swapping gave me access, the chance to be a leader, an outlet for my creativity, and community. Over time, I also discovered how powerful it also was for our planet and I became committed to building a model that could make sustainability feel fun, social, and accessible to everyone.

 

Each time a new location joins, it fills me with hope. As someone who’s been self-employed for years and has learned through many ups and downs, seeing partners believe in this vision makes me proud and confident that what we’re building matters.

 

When people walk into a Swap Society location, I want them to feel the excitement of the unknown, that spark of possibility when they find something new, meet someone inspiring, or give an item another chapter. Partners like you make that magic possible.

 

Here’s what you can expect next:

  • Launch support: We’ll share marketing materials and promote your location across our channels!

  • Ongoing support: We’re with you every step of the way but also want your location to be unique!

  • Community connection: Your network is about to expand! And, I’m always available if you have questions, ideas, or just want to connect.

 

Thank you for joining this movement. Your space is now part of a growing network of creative, community-driven places reimagining how we share resources and conduct commerce and I couldn’t be more grateful.

With warmth, excitement and appreciation,

 

Miriam

Founder, The Swap Society

miriam.dorsett.com | @miriamdorsett

Onboarding and Training Plan

Over the next 90 days you will be provided support to become onboarded and trained as a Swap Society location. You’ll get guidance with setting up your space and learning our systems, so that you feel confident selling memberships, and hosting swaps for our community and members.

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You’ll get familiar with how the Swap Society works, connect with members, and start creating a space where sustainable style and community come together. 

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Each phase builds on the last, starting with setup and training, then moving into growth, engagement, and full integration.

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Our goal is to make this process simple, supportive, and inspiring.

You’ll have ongoing access to resources, check-ins, and direct support from our team every step of the way, and your honest feedback is valued and appreciated. Reach out at any time!

Welcome to the Swap Society — we’re so glad to have you in the family!

🗓️ First 30 Days — Orientation & Setup

Goal: Get familiar with the Swap Society vision, and operations.

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🎯 Objectives

  • Understand the Swap Society philosophy and membership model

  • Set up the physical swap space

  • Begin selling memberships and helping members swap

  • Communicate with headquarters for support and clarity

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🧭 Key Activities

  • Welcome Call or visit (Week 1): Intro to The Swap Society, membership system, event submission, documentation, resources drive and partnership expectations.

  • Space Setup: Designate your swap area, deciding your swap flow, description, and signage.

  • Training Materials: Review the Partner Guide and FAQ

  • Practice Swapping: Practice selling memberships, conducting member swaps, Test swap tracking process (with sample or real items).

  • Launch Prep: Soft-launch to a few members or your local network.

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✅ Deliverables

  • Completed partner orientation

  • Swap space organized and operational

  • First swap scheduled

  • Initial feedback shared with HQ

🗓️ Days 31–60 — Growth & Engagement

Goal: Build confidence, streamline operations, and begin active member engagement.​

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🎯 Objectives

  • Begin member outreach and education

  • Host your first community swap

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🧭 Key Activities

  • Check-In Call (around Day 45): Review how swaps are going, answer questions, and troubleshoot any issues.

  • Refine the Flow: Adjust swap area setup based on feedback (e.g., better signage or rack/bin set up).

  • Host a Mini Swap Event: Invite friends and family members to participate in a themed or open swap.

  • Community Storytelling: Share 1–2 success stories or photos for Swap Society social media.

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✅ Deliverables

  • At least one small swap event or activation completed

  • Local community awareness growing

🗓️ Days 61–90 — Integration & Expansion

Goal: Become a fully integrated, autonomous Swap Society partner location.

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🎯 Objectives

  • Operate swaps independently

  • Demonstrate brand alignment and sustainability practices

  • Collaborate on marketing and community engagement

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🧭 Key Activities

  • Quarterly Review (around Day 75–90): Discuss successes, challenges, and goals for the next quarter.

  • Sustainability Check: Review how leftover items are being handled and redistributed.

  • Marketing Collaboration: Partner on a social media or local feature story highlighting your swap space.

  • Local Partnerships: Explore adding a donation or upcycling partner connection, connect with influencers, start to integrate vendors and sponsors to community swap events.

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✅ Deliverables

  • Fully functioning swap station

  • Smooth communication and membership sales

  • Increased member satisfaction and engagement

Onboarding Training

Swapping 101

1. When a swapper arrives that you do not know,

  • Greet them warmly. A simple “Welcome! Are you here to swap?” works perfectly.

  • Direct them to scan the member check in QR code to verify that they are a member, or if not yet a member direct them to purchase a membership using the script

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2. Receiving Items

  • Review the items to make sure they are:

  • Clean and in good condition

  • Something you’d feel comfortable displaying or passing along

  • You may refuse any item that doesn’t meet quality standards  

  • Place accepted items in the designated swap area or inventory space, most swappers bring a bag, so they will need that back for their “new” items

  • Let the member know how many items are being accepted for swapping so they know how many they can take

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3. During the Swap

  • If able assist the swapper

  • Remove hangers from items they choose and place them in a pile (you keep hangers)

  • Let them know items they’ve selected are good choices (be genuine)

  • Encourage them to experiment, select and suggest items for them

  • Talk casually about all the member benefits and your location

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4. At swap “checkout”

  • Put swappers items back in their bag

  • Take a photo for social media of their cute finds!

  • Thank them for coming and remind them of any important events coming up or member benefits like guest passes, new perks

Swapping 101

Swap Society Event Standards

1. Event Format & Flow

  • Duration: Standard event length 2 hours

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  • Schedule:

    • Check-in / Drop-off is ongoing throughout the event. Attendees do not need to arrive at a specific time

    • Vendors, sponsors, raffles and add on activities need to be approved prior by the Swap Society and should arrive 30 minutes prior to each event

  • Number of Items Allowed: The minimum number of items suggested is 5 for non-members. Members can bring 1 item as a minimum. Items that are not swappable, (not clean, slightly damaged, stained) are not part of the swap limit

  • Swap Currency: Items swap 1 for 1 unless it is a double day or open swap event

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2. Item Guidelines

  • Suggested accepted Categories: Clothing, shoes, accessories, small home goods, books, plants, art supplies

 

  • Condition Requirements:

 

    • Gently used, clean, no holes/stains

    • Laundered and ready to wear

 

  • Prohibited Items: Underwear, broken electronics, recalled items.

  • Donations and types of items accepted are at the discretion of the venue location. The donation program should be outlined prior to the Swap event and approved by The Swap Society. In general we donate to women support organizations, youth non profits, and artists who upcycle the materials

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3. Sustainability

  • Eco Materials: Avoid bags and plastic; encourage BYO bags including for sponsors and use laminated, easily cleanable, reusable signage​

 

4. Vibe & Experience

  • Inclusive & Welcoming: All body types, gender identities, and styles are welcome, and efforts should be made to build participants confidence authentically

 

  • Music & Ambiance: Create a curated playlist or have a live DJ, activate the other senses when possible by providing snacks like, chips, cookies, water tea, aromatherapy diffuse, and clear signage

 

  • Optional Activities: Implement educational vendors, DIY repair station, style swap contest, photo booth, color analysis, life prep support etc.

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5. Promotion & Marketing

  • A Social Media Kit will be provided, you are encouraged to create graphics and promotional materials of your own that fit your venue

 

  • Use standard hashtags combined with your own #SwapCommunity, #SwapWithUs #SwapSociety #GotItAtTheSwap

 

  • Event Description Template with key info and mission will be provided. We are always available to support event listings. Events need to be listed with The Swap Society 45 days in advance

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6. Volunteers & Staff

  • Minimum Crew: Swaps can be run with 1 person, ideally venue location has two available for each swap, a greeter running check in, and sorter reviewing items

  • Training Guide will be provided​

 

7. Ticketing & Access

  • Pricing Structure is flexible and decided by the venue location for each event: Tickets should not be free unless approved by the Swap Society for special circumstances like a growing community or non profit event, a minimum ticket cost should be $5. Members are always free, two for one tickets are great, or social share exchange tickets

  • Optional Member Benefits (if applicable): Early access or free entry, sponsor stacks, raffle tickets, complimentary beverage

  • Accessibility Notes: Wheelchair access, gender-neutral bathrooms, should be made available whenever possible​

 

8. Clean-Up & Impact Tracking

  • Clean-Up Checklist: Return space to original condition or better

  • Data Collection when possible should be reported through Event Recap Google form:

    • of items swapped

    • of attendees

    • Estimated pounds diverted from landfill

 

  • Post-Event Follow-Up:

    • The Swap Society send a weekly email with thank you’s and recaps, it is suggested you send a follow up email as well but not required

    • Please upload all photos and video footage from the event to your folder on Google Drive for a social media recap video to be created

Event Standards
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