Here are some Frequently Asked Questions we received from individuals and organisations. If your question is not listed below, or if you need further explanation, contact us. More than likely if you have a question or need clarification others will too, so we'll all gain if drop us a line.
for INDIVIDUALS
Q. How much will it cost?
A. SPARC programmes can be paid fully in cash or in a combination of cash and other non-monetary value (SPARC Points). In terms of cash, the quick answer is it will cost a minimum between ₤5 - ₤50 plus SPARC Points (see below) depending on the programme you choose. Let us explain:
We believe there is something broken in today's society -- an over emphasis on money without any attachment or understanding of the 'Value Exchange'. We wish to change this -- starting with SPARC. Value Exchange is a idea whereby other forms of value can be exchanged for a product or service, a type of barter. We have listed items we value and if you can provide these, you can pay a reduced rate or the minimum rate listed for the programme you choose.
We have a minimum cost for three reasons.
First, we have not yet been able to convince our electric, gas, internet, phone and other providers to offer their products and services on a non-monetary value exchange basis. We are working on it :-), but it seems unlikely this will change anytime soon.
The second reason is psychological. When someone takes money out of his or her pocket to pay for something - there is a mental connection of value and commitment to that product or service. What drives us at SPARC is seeing people succeed in life. So, when people pay something, anything, it increases the likelihood of them showing up, participating and taking the programme more seriously. However, if anyone sincerely has a problem paying the minimum costs, do not let that deter you. Contact us and we will see what we can do.
Lastly, we believe as a private enterprise we can provide the best career transition service with no bureaucracy, no political agenda and only with dedication and attention to people's needs. We happen to be a private enterprise with a social mission, aka social enterprise, but that does not lessen our need to pay our bills, our people and put money behind providing an amazing service.
If we did not charge anything, if the programmes were free, our costs would need to be paid by someone in order for us to exist and keep the lights on. Who would this be? The government? Which brings us back to you paying anyway. "Governments do not have money, only people have money. The government only gets money by putting their hand in your pocket." -- as quoted by Milton Friedman. Here are two other quotes by Milton Freedman which ring true in many cases:
"By having responsibility assigned to the government,
we have removed the pressure on individuals to be responsible for themselves."
~ Milton Friedman, Nobel-winning Economist
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A. SPARC Points are our new Value Exchange currency. As noted in the Q & A: How much will it cost? above, SPARC programmes can be paid fully in cash or in a combination of cash and other non-monetary value we affectionally call SPARC Points.
SPARC Points can be earned by providing us with products and services we need to run our business, run the SPARC programmes, support SPARC members with special needs and serve our local community. The items range from computers and web development services to donating or buying from charity shops, community volunteering and activities connected with creating a better greener world.
Go to the SPARC Points Page for a list of items we value and their associated SPARC Points. This list will change from time-to-time depending on our needs, the needs of other SPARC members and the needs of our local community.
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Q. Can anyone participate in SPARC?
A. We so wish we could say 'yes' to this question but unfortunately we cannot. Here is why.
In many parts of the SPARC Programme there are areas involving self discovery. This means exploring who you are and why you are passionate doing some things more than others. In understanding ourselves, we can identify our personal goals and gain a better understanding of our behaviors which make us successful or not. We will explore our individual personal and professional goals, inquire into why we've made certain choices in the past and tap into thoughts and feelings perhaps not explored before.
Therefore, it is very important you are mentally fit and prepared for this type of programme. By participating in the SPARC programme you acknowledge and take responsibility for your own health and well being. If you suffer from mental illness, have any unresolved history of substance/drug abuse, experience any mental distress, of if you believe any member of your family or a trained health professional would be uncertain about your ability to participate in anyway -- please for your own safety and security, do not participate in this programme. If you have any doubt or question in anyway your ability to participate, we strongly advise you to consult a health professional.
If at anytime during the programme you feel as though you are experiencing any distress, you must stop the programme immediately and it is highly advised you consult a health professional. We cannot emphasize enough that you are solely responsible for choosing to participate in the SPARC Programme and at all times are responsible for your own health and well being.
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Q. What time commitment do I need to make?
A. The length of commitment time is determined by the SPARC Programme you choose. Please do not choose a particular programme if you are uncertain if you have the minimum time commitment necessary.
SPARC Programme Minimum Time Commitment
Introductory Monday one day from 10am - 2pm; see calendar for specific dates
Workshops one day from 10am - 2pm; see calendar for specific dates
Part-Time Programme minimum commitment 5 hours per week
Full-Time Programme minimum commitment 20 hours per week
PLEASE NOTE: The minimum commitement for working on a SPARC Teams projects will vary. We will use our best efforts to identify the minimum time commitment needed for each project and post this information prior to the project starting. However, llike life, things change and we cannot guarantee the minimum time commitment estimated prior to the project starting will remain the same through the entire project.
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Q. Who will I work for?
A. Even though you will be participating on a SPARC Team to create value for another organisation, you will be working for You, Inc. In other words, you will be your own Sole Proprietor or Independent Contractor. When compensated in any form, you will be responsible for your own taxes, payments to social security, etc. We highly advise becoming familiar with your personal obligations in order to comply with any and all laws in your area.
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Q. Will I get paid?
A. Each SPARC Team project will list the agreed upon total team compensation to be paid for specifc results achieved (see below 'Why pay only for 'results'?). We will do everything in our power to make sure the compensation organisations offer are fair for the results they request. Prior to applying for a particular SPARC Team, be certain the form of compensation is appropriate for you.
Remember, companies are feeling the pinch as well or else they wouldn't have had to make part of their staff redundant in the first place. We are working closely with organisations to assist them in offering what they can for SPARC Teams. Sometimes they might have money, sometimes products or services to offer as a barter. The compensation will be noted upfront; therefore, only apply to be a part of a SPARC Team if the specific compensation offered works for you.
Since the total amount of compensation is offered to the team as a whole, who better than the team itself to determine what each individual will receive -- as each team member will see first hand the value each team member gave towards achieving the result. We have a fair and anonymous team-based Peer Review process. Each member of the team will complete the Peer Review at the end of each month, at the end of each project or when certain milestones are met (achievements made). The Peer Review will determine the percentage of the total amount of compensation for each team member as well as offer feedback for each member based on their individual performance -- highlighting areas in which team members excelled and challenge areas they can each work on.
If anyone at anytime feels as though they have been compensated unfairly, a panel of SPARC members will listen to you and arbitrate a solution.
Q. Why pay only for 'results'?
A. We believe there is something broken in today's society -- an over emphasis on money without any attachment or understanding of some type of value needed to be created in order to earn It.
What if we all saw money only as an acknowledgement of the fact we created value for someone else?
"I want to have a lot of money when I grow up," my daughter claimed the other day. It was obvious her ideas about money were only about what it could buy her. I answered, "How wonderful that you will create so much value and joy for others that they will pay you so much. What do you want to do or create for others that will bring them so much joy?" Ah. It was clear she hadn't thought about that -- but she was thinking now. She was now thinking of a bunch of things she could do and create which others might value.
We do not believe money is a necessary evil. We believe it is a gift; a gift from others as a thank you for value and service to others. Money is not bad, perhaps our thinking just needs to shift a bit about it. Therefore in all we do we follow this rule -- first: create value for others (results), second: receive compensation (money, products/services or other goodies) as a thank you for a job well done.
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Q. Who will be on my SPARC Team?
A. Anyone can apply to be on a specific SPARC Team. Individuals are chosen by an unbiased team of SPARC members. Criteria for team members will be posted with the project. Please make sure your passions, skills and areas of expertise fulfill what is posted before you apply. As you could imagine, in order to have a timely decision for the creation of all teams, all decisions made by the team will be final.
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Q. Do you have any jobs at SPARC?
A. Any and all jobs at SPARC will be listed as a SPARC Team Project. If you are interested in being a part of the solution to EndUnemployment or specifically for SPARC please look at the SPARC Team Project List. We would be honoured to have you be part of the team. As with all SPARC Team Projects, compensation is in the form of Value Exchange. If you have read anything about who we are and what we stand for, you can be assured we will work very hard to provide some cash compensation whenever we can.
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