H.A.N.D.S. - local economy
NEWSLETTER
The H.A.N.D.S. newsletter is published quarterly, one or two weeks before the quarterly markets, in months having solstices and equinoxes. It's available by email or hard copy. The newsletter contains information and updates about H.A.N.D.S., new members, member updates, next market, articles, members’ ads, etc.MARKETS
H.A.N.D.S. markets are held at least quarterly at different venues. Stalls are encouraged and are free. Stall holders get a 3H discount on the quarterly fee.WEBSITE
H.A.N.D.S. has a website at www.community-exchange.org Online members can access their accounts, browse and search the H.A.N.D.S. directory, update their skills list and contact details, enter transactions, write recommendations and place ads.EXCHANGE VOUCHERS (EVs)
Exchange vouchers obtained from H.A.N.D.S. admin are debited from the member's account. EVs returned to HANDS admin will be credited to the member's account. These are done at a market or during office hours. Credit & debit limits continue to apply. Trading with EVs is not also recorded within the system. Anyone can use the EVs, but only members can withdraw and credit them against their accounts.SKILLS
Employment can be available to anyone who wants to work and has skills or goods that someone else needs. Everyone has skills they enjoy. These can be used for trade. Members can also trade skills and goods not previously published in the directory. If you have additional services or goods to offer, let our HANDy Messenger know about them.Some Sample Exchanges:
Jesse is a DJ and does a job for Di. Perle offers Thai Massage. Jesse wants a massage but has no money. Perle doesn't need a DJ, but needs her gardening done. Pounamu needs some computing done. Di does gardening. Bruce works with computers and does some work for Pounamu.Transactions are negotiated - credits are given to the agreed value and also debited.
GOING THROUGH ZERO
Unlike the conventional money system, HANDS work best when as many traders as possible trade to bring their account balances through zero as often as possible (go from credit to debit and vice versa!).Approximately half the members will be in credit (recognition) and the other half in debit (dedication). Keeping a constant balance, either in debit or in credit is not helpful for the system or other members and is discouraged. There is no penalty for going into debit (HANDS doesn’t have interest, either way) – on the contrary, only going into debit makes the system possible in the first place. Therefore, trading involves continual earning and spending – it is the act of exchange and the resulting satisfaction that creates wealth, not the keeping of a high balance.
DEBIT AND CREDIT
A member's debit is referred to as dedication. This implies the amount of products and services s/he has accepted to give back to the community of members as a whole. A member's credit is referred to as recognition. This implies the amount of products and services s/he can anticipate to receive from the community of members as a whole to balance goods and services provided earlier.Members join with a 0 HANDS balance in their account; if they leave, they are expected to bring their HANDS balance back to zero. The Committee can advise members how to close their accounts.
