How to start a local currency- article in The Ecologist Magazine (UK)

[Jim]

http://www.theecologist.org/how_to_make_a_difference/culture_change/503558/10_steps_to_creating_your_own_local_currency.html

Reactions welcome, both in the comments section online, and in this space.

I feel like there should be more analysis and sharing of mistakes made
and insights (l)earned.

Jim Barton
Asheville, NC

[Amy Hamilton]

Great article; thanks for posting Jim. There are some valuable insights there. I would also love to talk more about the nitty gritty of what is working and what is not. What is the best paper to print on? What success have people had with import substitution? How do currency projects define "Local"? So many questions to ask. I think it would be helpful at some point to have a message board or some such venue. Until then, I hope this listserv can generate some conversation.

Another point: for the Asheville Currency Project, our method of issuance is different than I think all four of the currencies in the UK and perhaps all of the projects in the US. I'd love to hear from other fledgling currency projects about which currency designs they are considering and what methods of issuance they are considering. I'd particularly like to hear about how currency projects are interacting with the nonprofit sector, and if they have methods for increasing access to all residents (such as volunteer programs, helping to start new projects funded by the currency, etc).

Amy Hamilton

--
Amy Hamilton
Asheville Currency Project Coordinator
Choreographer / Dance and Creative Movement Instructor
Phone: 828.279.6788
Email: bhoire...@gmail.com

[mira luna]

ithaca hours, equal dollars and berkshares give loans and grants in alt currency. banco palmas gives loans in both alt currency and reales (brazilian federal money) for capital expenses. the food currency we are planning here might make both as well. some currencies issue based on membership (fees and posting a service). palmas (and possibly our food currency) allows residents to earn currency directly through work on public/nonprofit projects. our timebank allows this as well. timebank org members do not need a loan or grant as long as they provide services to the community on the timebank. community way donates currency to nonprofits backed by excess business capacity that is donated. the nonprofit then sells the currency to it's fans or pays its workers bonuses in currency. currency backed by $usd can be sold at a discount or dispersed as change at businesses. -mira