LETS Connect at Home | Contents Listing | Previous Page | Next Page

Profit in LETSystems

One major reason, as I see it why LETSystems are being held back - is it has largely been in the hands of the "politically correct" where the word "profit" is regarded as an obscene word and "social justice" is the blazing beacon from the "high moral ground".

Then again one of the largest objections I have heard towards LETSystems has been "it's so middle class".

The sooner that LETSystems are no longer only identified with the "politically correct" the faster it will grow. I don't mean that people within a LETSystem shouldn't stand up and fight for what they believe in, just that an individual LETSystem should be big enough to allow all sectors of a community to participate.

Just as LETS has redefined the words "poverty", "wealth" and "money" so "profit" has to be redefined as well.

Ken Guntar Inner Sydney LETS

CANADA, Comox Youth Internet Project

Up to 40 young people will take part in a locally-funded Internet project this summer.
Participants will receive training and an allowance from Comox Valley businesses in return for helping to produce a 'profile' of the valley, a community information base and an on-line, local business directory.

The main aim of the project is to introduce the business community to 'local money'. It is also hoped that trainees will benefit from skills development and increased employment prospects.

For more information contact:
LETSgo Manchester
23 New Mount St
Manchester
M4 4DE Phone: +44 (0)161 953 4115

LET'S SAY..."NO" TO POVERTY IN LONDON

LETSgo London, the London based LETSystem development association, recently played host to twenty-five local authority workers for an afternoon of seminars and discussion around the theme of tackling poverty through the use of LETSystems.

The event chaired by Les Moore from Hackney , took place on Monday 3rd July at the London Voluntary Services Resource Centre. Presentations were given on the part to be played by LETSystems in bringing about an end to poverty in the capital, and organisers intend this to mark the start of a major initiative, involving all the sections of the community.

Angus Soutar from LETSgo Manchester began by recounting the history of LETSystems from their beginnings in Canada in the early 1980's to the migration of the idea to Britain, Australia and New Zealand, leading to the rapidly growing ground swell of interest in them today. David Williams, a local authority officer, then gave a lively and enjoyable presentation of LETS at work in Hounslow, including a planned role in mental health work.

Mr Soutar then briefly outlined current development patters specifically the move toward the implementation of 'multiLETS', showing how this design evolution provides an enabling framework for effective anti-poverty strategies.
A follow up seminar is planned for 7th November at the LVSRC in Holloway Rd, London.

Contact: LETSgo London Phone: +44 (0)171 704 2444

A QUESTION of MONEY

To add my real two-pennyworth to the current "debate" of "Is a local currency really money"? When you look at whats available for local money on some LETSystems, e.g. food, clothing, firewood, transport, medical care. One cant help thinking that local money is at least just as unreal as cash, in as much as you have to trade it for stuff that is real!
Her Majestys tax inspector however takes a different view, to him local money is just as real as £'s Sterling [GBP].
Aziz

LETS Connect at Home | Contents Listing | Previous Page | Next Page

Last Revised 06 January 1996 by Nigel Stewart