New
Zealand LETS Conference (Day 1)
I
got up after 10am. One of Dave's jobs was photographing greyhounds
after the events, and he'd already left before I'd got up. Sharon
and her daughters were preparing to take a carload of things down
to the Conference, so I parked myself in front of their computer
to prepare the summary notes for my presentation. Dave had promised
to pick me up at 5pm and take me with him to the conference. This
gave me plenty of time to complete my notes and photocopy 30 sets
for the expected delegates.
I
also had time to update my diary entries and check my forever-bulging
email folder.
Dave
arrived late (a pattern that became disturbingly consistent), and
so we arrived at the conference much later than planned, and missed
the 6 o'clock Conference opening by the mayor of Invercargill.
Dinner
was already being served, so I joined the queue and had my first
decent meal for the day.
The
Conference began at 8pm, and soon we were hearing reports from all
the LETS groups in attendance. There were no volunteers to start
off, so it was decided to start from the northern-most groups and
work down southward. Rather than giving a full and complete report
here (I'm sure this will be available from the Conference organizers)
I'll just mention some of the items which caught my attention …
Thames
LETS - a healthy group of 160 members, crediting its control of
inter-trading problems to the adoption of 'Zero Trading', where
inter-trading is no longer allowable to members of other Green Dollar
groups unless they can provide credits equivalent to the debits
created.
Wairarapa
LETS - a strong group of 100 members and 30 associate members which
has trading an amazing G$500,000 since its formation 12 years ago.
Wellington
LETS - a large group of 110 members which had seen trading stop
recently due to internal problems. But since, and because of, my
presentation on March 25, had cleared their groups G$4,500 debit.
Thus solving one of their major headaches.
HANS
- over 200 members with 50% of them trading. Has a business member
who accepts 20% of purchases in G$ once a month. This increases
business for him on his slowest day of the month, and is a great
promoter of G$ to the community.
MOSS
- down to only 18 members (had peaked at 80), and in the process
of merging with Nelson LETS.
Nelson
LETS - 134 members making about 50 trades (G$3,000) per month. Moving
to new premises within the Senior Citizens Hall. Had a successful
2-day trading experience at the Festival of Opportunities where
they recruited 6 new members.
Blenheim
LETS - 22-26 members trading only G$2,500/yr.
PLEBS
- no report available.
Timaru
LETS - 40 members with 50% trading. Having success with market days
by displaying 'I am a local Green Dollar Member' sings.
HamLETS
- Only Co-ordinator and Treasurer in committee. Attempts to get
markets going didn't kick off.
TEES
- believe they can get funding to train G$ managers.
IBES
- 30 members, currently hosting the New Zealand LETS Conference.
Just like
going on a school camp!
Sharon
was foresighted enough to bring a sleeping bag and pillow for me
… and another 2 water bottles. And just as well. Those cabins we
were sleeping in were very much 'bare essentials' accommodation,
with no bedding or heating provided.
This
article is taken from the ebook,
Land of the LETS Green
Dollar
About
the book
|
James
Taris web sites
JamesTaris.com
LETS-Linkup.com
Rich-Bastards.com
Honey-BeeBooks.com
TheGloryOfAthens.com
TravelWithoutMoney.com
ChineseArt-ChineseArt.com
ShanghaiPhotoGuide.com
ShockProofMaterial.com
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