14 replies to this topic

[caston]

Hello,

I'd like to make this an official suggestion after reading the topic:

Helldesign, Current Charges

http://www.imminst.o...o...c=31723&hl=

Although it does not seem like they are asking much I would like to put forward a proposal to consider using a
complimentary or community exchange currency for development work on imminst.

Community currencies are far cheaper than federal reserve backed currencies especially in times of economic stagnation and decline. Many community currencies these days also allow you to trade with other communities around the globe.

To earn community currency imminst may sell a limited number of normal or life time memberships as CC, sell a limited number of advertising as CC or even ask for donations in the form of CC.

This would encourage members and sponsors to use CC and would allow them to contribute resources to imminst even if they are under tight financial constraints.

One community currency system that could be used is http://www.community-exchange.org/

There are of course others and we could even setup our own if we decide to.

If you have any more questions or want to poke holes in the suggestion i'll be happy to argue my case.

I should disclose that I am biased as I have recently setup and become the administrator for a new community currency exchange for my city.

best regards,

Chris

[caston]

This may also help us branch out an build closer relationships with other online communities through doing business and trade with them!

Edited by caston, 01 August 2009 - 12:38 PM.

[caston]

I would also like to suggest watching a meta currency introduction followed by open money parts 1 - 3.

http://openmoney.nin...cy-introduction

[caston]

I'm very passionate about this. I totally believe in community currency. Existing markets are a means of deciding the distribution of the worlds trust fund of energy such as oil, coal, natural gas. Community currency markets in my belief consider the sun as the ultimate source of renewable energy.

For more information see the vision statement on the exchange that I administrate called Perth community Exchange:
http://www.perth-exc...slab=our-vision

Credit comes from credo meaning "I believe" and I believe that community credit will allow us to transform our civilization into a type I civilization with a type I economy.



OK the stuff about controlling earthquakes is a bit out there but I tend it to mean we have an economy that sources renewable energy from the sun

Edited by caston, 14 August 2009 - 05:45 AM.

[brokenportal]

So, this is like, exchanging good and services for good and services right?

[caston]

Yes, but using a system of debits and credits instead of direct barter.

It works well in areas hit by economic problems. The workers can still work and still have their tools but there is little to no money around.
Instead of working for less money or not getting any work at all members of communities can develop their own currencies.

I'm putting forward the case that web based communities can benefit enormously from having access to a community system of debits and credits.

Edited by caston, 15 August 2009 - 06:57 AM.

[brokenportal]

Hmmm, and you know how to set up different versions of such a system?

Im wondering if we can offer points to members, that they can save up for merchandise in the imminst.org/store - Over time, as we think of things, we could also offer them other things for points. One thing we could consider offering points for is a "Points Day" system where people come in on say, tuesdays, and answer quize questions about recent things in the forum, and in the cause in general. Another thing, a main thing we could offer points for is a potential action page that is in rough draft discussion here.

[epicureanideal]

Sounds like a good idea to me. Only problem is, I would think the government doesn't like people using anything for trade except Federal Reserve Notes also known as dollars. No doubt if the system drew attention to itself and had a high volume of trade, they would be annoyed. Or has past experience shown that they don't really care about these types of systems?

[caston]

Eric: I like your ideas. How about a live quiz night? one with good questions and that any immortalist worth their salt should know the answer to!

Merchandising is a good idea as well. Not only that but the more t-shirts, backpacks and hoodies we get out there with the immminst logo the more publicity and exposure we receive. Ideally it would need to be done in a way that doesn't cost the institute any cash dollars but actually allows them to save cash dollars (for instance web site design) and progresses the mission of the institute while building up trade relations with other online communities.

epicureanideal:

There hasn't yet been a IRS ruling on trading via CES but time dollar trading has been described as tax exempt.

http://www.danecount...ank.org/?id=FAQ

http://www.danecount...lar_Rulings.doc

1. An hour is always an hour, regardless of what is offered
2. They are backed only by a moral obligation and are not legally binding
3. Their purpose is charitable.

My exchange isn't actually based on hours it is an completely independent measurement called Cx or community exchange points but the other two points are still valid.


From the FAQ I my exchange:
-
Q. How does Perth Community Exchange work with paying taxes?

To the best of our understanding Cex cannot be converted to the national currency and if we are not dealing with the national currency it is difficult to see how cex transactions can be taxed. Money can be described by our society and legal system to mean money that can be used in all transactions and in the repayment of all debt. This is a cruical description because CES currency cannot pay off your home loan or your credit card debt and money under the federal reserve is only created when debt is created and because of this we do not consider CES transactions to be taxable.

The best way to describe this system would be a system for recording the exchange of gifts and favours and this system is backed only by moral and not legal obligation.

If you have more questions about this please speak to your accountant or seek independent legal advice.

-

I think we are most likely to remain out of any legal trouble as long as it is small, charitable/ non profitable, actually helps solve problems and crisis' facing nations and potentially even saves governments money by reducing public dependence on social welfare and works to slow or reverse escalating international debt by encouraging a return local sourcing and manufacture.

Edited by caston, 15 August 2009 - 12:49 PM.

[brokenportal]

Sounds great. Now one key peice of info that could make this happen is, it seems to me is, do you know how to tailor some kind of program to handle a points system effectively? If so then can you link us to an example or tell us about it?

[caston]

There is some software called cclite:

http://sourceforge.n...rojects/cclite/

http://www.hughbarnard.org/?q=node/3

It must be installed on a Linux server though.
I have installed it up on a old P4 machine but haven't played around with it much yet. I will when I get back from my trip to europe.

You can also join an existing group such as the community exchange global or your local group (if one exists for your region).

Their website is http://www.community-exchange.org

Of course this is a big thing and if imminst were to do something like this it would need to be discussed and voted on according to the procedure in the constitution.

[brokenportal]

I dont think we use linux. Im not very familiar with programing lingo. I know we work with ipb, drupal, and I forget the others, I dont know what is compatible with what. Can you find something that is compatible with what we run, find out if linux is, I dont think it is, and then update us here?

I dont know for sure, but the system at that link looks pretty complex. Can you give us some more good examples of how we could directly make good use of it? Maybe we could use that, or maybe something a bit simpler if you know where to find it or make it. Something like, a way for us to create a list for people to check off tasks. Then there could be a verify button for administrators, when the verify button is clicked then it would tally the points for that person some place, maybe in a web page for it, maybe in the persons profile, maybe in a drupal page, etc... Do you have any idea how to possibly set something like that up through these kinds of community exchange concepts you know about?

[Normal Dan]

I really like this idea. If I could get points for helping out around here, then spend them on a membership or other trinket, that would be awesome. My advice is, however you do it, stay away from terms like money, coins, currency, etc. The government won't like that very much and will try to tax it. Even though the government has no reason to be involved it probably will.

But yes, the idea is good, it's something I've been thinking about doing on a local level to help with the economy.

[caston]

Thanks Dan,

When I get back from europe i'm going to get started on it again. I'm think about registering rejuvepedia with it's own account on the community exchange global group. I'll need to work on the buiness plan but the idea is to fund as much of the website as possible with community currency. To begin with the only way it can gain cx points is from donations and I will donate what I earn from PC repairs.

Soon after that I will put together a document to help convince other online communites of the radical notion they could have their own means of exchange and trading with other online communites.

From here I will build a list of online communities that have goals that coincide with some of rejuvepedias goals.

From here I will need to find ways that community exchange could benefit their community while releasing requests for articles to be written with payment in community exchange points.

[caston]

Here is a video on the Wall Street Journal website entitled: The Community Currency Revolution.

http://online.wsj.co...AE9A1BA158.html

Edited by caston, 14 September 2009 - 02:48 PM.