TRADING DAY BUZZ

Didn’t count heads, but our August Trading Day had a great roll-up of prospective and current members, including Alison Bird and her mother Betty. Alison suggested we go around the circle to introduce ourselves and let people know what our offerings are, before sharing our prepared story on the theme, How embarrassing.

Despite the hall’s appalling acoustics, we heard many fascinating and amusing stories. As a result, many said they appreciated the opportunity to get to know others better. Next TD Sunday 16 Sept.

Next storytelling theme: What a surprise!

Josephine Brown BLCE1073, NewsLETS editor

EURHYTHMY DEMO

Member Karen Foster, BLCE1081, who holds a Diploma of Therapeutic Eurythmy, led TD attendees in a relaxing and free session of “moving for health”.

Eurhythmy gestures stimulate the organic functions in the body, leading to healthy rhythm and balance. Contact: 0423 630 0560.

THE ORIGINAL VISION OF THE SHARING ECONOMY hasn’t died

— it just needs more support and protection. Check out this link that Andrew Gaydon supplied:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/transformation/jem-bendell/future-of-sharing-its-still-about-freedom

30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATES HOPE AND OPTIMISM

Celebrations are planned for our 30th anniversary in November. Judith Shaw, Liz Stanhope and Jessie Scott will collate the physical milestones of this period to provide the backbone of a presentation.

But stories from newer members (those who joined in the past five years or so — you?) are needed to build on the history produced for the 25th anniversary. Your personal story can show how BrisLETS changed your life in unseen as well as more obvious ways. Even better, it can be as short as you wish.

By sharing your experience, you will highlight the hidden value of sharing in the community.

Your story, and others like it, will stand in contrast to the devaluing of people, which causes depression and many other societal ills.

We live in interesting times with lots of alternative currencies emerging. So, while preserving BrisLETS’ history, this presentation will show those struggling through hard times — financially, physically or emotionally — that BrisLETS is a proven system already in place; one that brings respect, the knowledge that I am enough, and the realisation that everyone has something to contribute to society, given the opportunity to do so.

Jessie Scott BLCE1422

LIBRARY NEWS

New purchase: To kick off my new role as BrisLETS librarian, I have obtained a book by Jonathan Croall that explains part of the history of the LETS movement:

LETS ACT LOCALLY: Growth of Local Exchange Trading Systems (Gulbenkian Foundation Report)

A picture of the LETS landscape as it was in spring 1997, this book shows how LETS operates in the real world. It describes how goods and services are exchanged using currency created within each LETS, and examines the issues that need to be tackled if LETS idea is to grow in the 21st century.

Your feedback, please: Should our collection policy focus solely on LETS material? Or should it also include other, wider themes?

Should we have a lending or reference library? Please tell me what you think.

Library shelving needed: We have a library venue, the Peace Hall; now we need to contain our collection. Would YOU have suitable shelving? Preferably self-standing library shelves, in a box-like shape. It needs to be moveable so it can be wheeled out on trading days, and put back again. Some railway stations have a similar set-up. If you have something that could suit, please talk to me at the next Trading Day, or call 0499 414 347.

Rosemarie Severin BLCE1352

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

New: Krista Kriewaldt, BLCE1243, offers basic clothes mending.

GET UNDER COVER

Tip from Judith Shaw, Membership: Make sure you have WorkCover if necessary. It’s cheap: I think it’s about $30 for two years, but important to have.

WHAT DO YOU SPEND YOUR LETS ON?

Be clear about what you wish to spend your units on.

In my case it’s mainly massages. I play the senior two- and three-day tennis and golf tournament circuits in southern Qld. So when I do work for BrisLETS members, I think about those wonderful massages after the vigorous exercise involved.

I also spend units on holiday accommodation in Tasmania as I spot offerings on the central exchange network Tasmania website.

List a variety of services. Do a good job. Apart from massage service, any person who lists just one service is unlikely to get many calls.

If I just listed golf and tennis tuition, I’d have earned no units at all, as hardly a person in BrisLETS wants to learn to play either sport.

John Drew BLCE1490

Featured photo courtesy of Alison Bird.

DEADLINE FOR RECEIVING STORIES FOR NEXT NEWSLETS:

25 September 2018          Contact:  Josephine

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