The Compact
Encyclopedia
USA
'The Compact is a social and environmental movementSocial movement
Social movements are a type of group action. They are large informal groupings of individuals or organizations focused on specific political or social issues, in other words, on carrying out, resisting or undoing a social change....
whose members promise not to buy anything new for a year. It was started in San Francisco. The movement began as a challenge among 10 friends in 2006.
Goals of The Compact:
- to go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socio-economic impacts of U.S. consumer culture, to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc;
- to reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er);
- to simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)
Members of The Compact are only allowed to buy underwear, food, and health and safety items such as brake fluid and toilet paper. During their one year vow the Compact members must shop only at second hand stores. They can also barter or simply share with each other for goods they want. One's trash is another's treasure. Compacters use Freecycle.org or freegle http://www.ilovefreegle.org/ where they post what they want and what they are giving away so that they can avoid buying new and still get the goods they want. Craigslist.org is another source of used goods.
Members of the Compact frown upon material consumerism
Consumerism
Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods and services in ever greater amounts. The term is often associated with criticisms of consumption starting with Thorstein Veblen...
. However, they are allowed to use services such as movies, theaters, museums, massages, haircuts, and music downloads. There is a difference between wanting and needing and Compact Members know the difference. There are currently thousands of members and about 100 new members join every day. In San Francisco local Compacters also enjoy the Really Really Free Market
Really Really Free Market
The Really, Really Free Market movement is a non-hierarchical collective of individuals who form a temporary market based on an alternative gift economy. The RRFM movement aims to counteract capitalism in a non-reactionary way. It holds as a major goal to build a community based on sharing...
(RRFM). RRFM gathers in Dolores Park
Dolores Park
Mission Dolores Park is a San Francisco, California, city park located in the neighborhood of Mission Dolores, at the western edge of the Mission District, which lies to the east of the park. To the west of the park is a hillside referred to as "Dolores Heights" or considered a part of the Castro...
to give away material goods they no longer want and what they want or to share skills and talents. Compacters prefer to shop at local food markets rather than supermarkets because they wish to support the local community.
England (United Kingdom)
In England, The Compact is an agreement between the Government and the voluntary and community sectorNational Council for Voluntary Organisations
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is the umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector in England. NCVO works to support the voluntary and community sector and to create an environment in which an independent civil society can flourish...
made in November 1998. It aims to improve the relationship between the two sectors for mutual advantage.
The Compact is made up of five codes of good practice:
1. Funding and procurement
2. Consultation and policy appraisal
3. BME voluntary and community organisations
4. Volunteering
Volunteering
Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be...
5. Community groups
Established in April 2007, the Commission for the Compact is an independent public body responsible for overseeing and promoting use of the Compact. The Commission is sponsored by the Office of the Third Sector (part of Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom....
) and by the Minister for the Third Sector. The Commissioner for the Compact is Sir Bert Massie CBE.
Almost all local authority areas have now developed a Local Compact in partnership with the voluntary and community sector. The national umbrella organisation supporting Local Compacts is called the Compact Voice.