Premeeting

[Toast]

Hello all,

My name is Toast, and I wanted to introduce myself before the timebanking meeting tonight. Some of you know me from meetings and parties, some from earlier quests to make connections between individuals and co-ops in the SD area. I've been on the east coast for the past two months, and am glad to see a time banking network forming. I have some familiarity with LETS, the local exchange trading system used in Asheville, NC, and am excited to get a system going in San Diego that diverges from the national cash standard.

This past year I helped create a twelve members co-op which runs on consensus. Three of the hardest things I've learned are that
a) most (small) systems take about a year to get up and running
b) having a small, dedicated, and well informed group beats having a bunch of people who don't know what they're doing
c) diversity is key to fresh ideas - what can be seen as opposing beliefs can often bring out facets of an idea that would otherwise be left unconsidered

This timebanking group is about two months in. Structural elements are being laid, and people are into it. My best advise is not to get caught up in how quick or slow it's moving, but rather to focus on the people you will be timebanking with - they are the ones you will be trusting with your faith, jobs, and property in an initiative that subverts socioeconomic oppression.

Here's some things to muddle over before the meeting tonight:

What should be in the central database? (People, points, offers, experience, etc)
What is the structure of meetings? Of notes and continuity?
Individuals, groups, and businesses - group interest and legalities
The issue of entanglement
Unlimited points vs. cap system
How do we merit labor? What about products?

Using the web can help expedite meetings, so throw your thoughts out here. I'll see you all at six tonight!

Toast