At the start of their Exchange City day, sample products are designed
and produced by each shop. At the morning’s town meeting, the mayor
describes the services available through City Hall, and the judge reads
the laws and fines for violations. Each shop owner/manager makes a brief
presentation that includes the shop’s name and location, the goods or
services that are available, costs and, where applicable, what goods are
plentiful and which are available in limited quantities. The town
meeting ends, and Exchange City begins to hum with activity.
At
the bank, each shop owner/manager submits their loan application and
opens their business bank account. In the shops, students begin
producing goods. Sales representatives call on prospective clients. News
reporters sniff out story leads, while the police patrol Exchange City’s
streets, looking for lawbreakers. In the Multi-Service Center, the staff
begins entering payroll information for each shop, and prepares for the
first payroll period. Raw materials are delivered, and shop signs are
hung.
The first employee breaks are scheduled to begin right after payroll
checks are delivered. The first stop for the students is the bank, where
they deposit their paycheck, keeping enough cash for planned purchases
at the Snack Shop. All other shops accepts checks or debit cards. As the
first wave of consumers washes through Exchange City, the economy shifts
into gear. Student citizens visit other shops, and return to their own
place of employment. A second pay period occurs after lunch, with
additional breaks scheduled in each of the shops.
As
the day wears on, the owner/managers keep their fingers on the economic
pulse of their business and the town. Working with the bookkeeper, each
must assess their shop’s financial position. Are goods and services
being sold at the projected pace? Will we be able to pay off our bank
loan by 2:00? Who is late returning from break, and what are my
employees doing? How do I deal with a disgruntled customer? How can I
collect from the shop owner who keeps saying, “Come back later.”?
The day’s schedule includes regular shop group meetings. Workers
review their progress against their business plan, and make adjustments
in strategies as necessary. The parent volunteer assigned to each shop
helps the children define their problems and successes, and to focus
their problem-solving efforts. The parent works most closely with the
bookkeeper, assuring the proper posting of accounts. Parents consult and
advise, but it is up to the students to carry out the day’s
activities.
The
Exchange City visit closes with another town meeting. Shops who paid
back their bank loans on time are recognized with certificates.
Recognition is also given to those shops that finished the day “in the
black.” The newspaper staff distributes the latest edition of the
paper, and students prepare for their bus ride home.
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