NATURE RESERVES AND LOCAL COMMUNITY RE-GENERATION.
The system is self financing and simple to run, even easier with a computer. It is intended to be a fun way of getting people together and of revitalising the area surrounding a Nature Reserve, it would probably work with a minimum of 250 properties.
The scheme gets local people involved in a way which helps the nature reserve and is of benefit to them and their community.
Local people may become members of the scheme by paying subscriptions to the reserve or doing work there.
They receive tokens which are worth 10 or 20 or 30 times either the subscriptions or the rate for the work with further tokens going to their local community fund in numbers you chose from above.
The original scheme had tokens of 30 plus 20 to the community but the choice is yours.
The tokens are only valid in a designated area, an area surrounding the Reserve, you choose the size.
The tokens could be printed out by the nature reserve with either a computer or a printing machine in amounts of 1,5 and 10 and are validated by the local committee with a rubber stamp.
However the best way would be to get a newspaper involved which printed tokens with just the amount say $1 , $5 and $10 with the name of the newspaper on each note the notes may be cut to size then validated by a rubber stamp with the name of the currency e.g. Stones, Beaches, Sands or name of village or street.
COMMUNITY TRADING SYSTEM
Members pay , say, $10 on joining and receive 300* units of named tokens which can be spent only in their community, a further 200 go into a community fund , after 6 months they can pay £10 and receive 300 units as above with a further 200 going into the community fund..
They can also do so many hours work at the reserve instead of paying money.
The members would then pay a small amount, say, one dollar or equivalent to the local; community fund to cover the cost of the monthly newsletter.
Further issues would then be decided by the local committee as necessary, but from the initial issue there should be enough units available and enough funds to produce the newsletter.
The value of each unit in the community is equivalent to $1 but no cash value outside..
The units would be in “notes” of 1, 5 and 10.If required fractions of units could be produced by anyone simply be writing out a certain sized piece of paper with “Half” or “Quarter” written on it and the name of the units.
The 1,5 & 10 units would be validated by using a rubber stamp with the name of the unit and 1 ,5 10.
The paper would be then torn using a ruler or guillotine.
The scheme would be run by a committee of (say) 6 people, a secretary to produce the newsletter, a treasurer to look after the issue of units and the cash received and an events organiser plus three others, one at least being a young person. They would receive units for their time, as would those delivering the newsletter.
The scheme would provide those offering computer services as above with paper and ink cartridges and they would receive units for their time.
A monthly newsletter is produced with items or services offered and wanted. A local shopkeeper, whose shop was in the area could offer surplus stock for units ,trades people could offer services part cash part units. Such arrangements would have to be agreed by the Committee.
A shopkeeper, living in the area whose shop is not within the boundaries could have a van or boot sale at their property for a maximum of 3 hours per week or 3 hours every two days for fruit and veg.
Events such as boot/garage sales, card games, darts, swimming, billiards and snooker, 5 a side football and other sporting and social events could be organised with units as prizes could be arranged within the community..
Environment awards – units could be awarded (say) – Compost bin - 25 : Water Butt – 25,
EXAMPLES
An elderly person may have their windows cleaned for 5 units
may have their garden mowed and hoed 7 units
may have their hair done 8 units
lift to the shops or shopping done 5 units
Total cost per week 25 units or 80p actual.
A small trader may have invoices typed, books done 7 units per hour.
may employ a young person or pensioner 7 units per hour
A mum at home may use a skill e.g hairdressing ,cleaning and helping elderly people units per hour.
Unemployed may do little jobs in exchange for units maximum 60 per week
May buy tools to set up in business e.g gardening ,decorating, plumbing, building Pay in units.
Retired People May pass on their knowledge and skills to businesses , unemployed people and youngsters, and if active help less active older people. Pay in units
Children may have their own units to themselves to buy and sell unwanted toys,
and clothes with the permission or confirmation of their parents if thought necessary but any mistakes would not be costly.
Their initial issue would be $1 for 50 units.
On birthdays and Christmas, parents would be able to buy 50 units for $1, to spend on second hand toys and clothes for presents within the community.
This would be of particular use in poorer areas.
Anyone organising games or pastimes for kids would receive units for their time plus cash or units for petrol.
Goods for Sale – almost anything – computers, software, contents of lofts, clothing, household goods, tools, half tins of paint, part bags of concrete, furniture, toys, CDs, DVDs, ornaments, cooking utensils, china and glass, electrical goods, plants, vegetables, fruit, cameras, you name it, could be bought and sold for units..
Items and services- wants and offers - could be advertised in a monthly newsletter and on a community website.
There could be a Saturday morning clean and tidy up of the area with supervised younger people involved all getting paid in units.
All this can be done to benefit the local people as well as the Nature Reserve.
SEE ALSO - http://www.funbirders.yolasite.com
http://www.ronandhazelprojects.yolasite.com.
Email: randhprojects@googlemail.com
Ron and Hazel Projects January2010
This is a beautiful reserve near Habonara , Sri Lanka, where elephants roamed along with many birds.
