News-Record.com

If you have a couple free hours on Sunday afternoon, check out this community-building opportunity at the HIVE in Glenwood. The announcement:

"The Really Really Free Market is an event with a purpose: to show what the world looks like when we share our resources--when exchange is based on generosity, community, and caring, not on money. (To get an idea of how a Really Really Free Market works you can read about the Markets held regularly in Carrboro.)

WHAT: Really Really Free Market

WHEN: Sunday, March 2, 2:00-4:00 pm

WHERE: Parking lot of the HIVE, 1214 Grove Street (corner of Grove & McCormick Streets)

HOW IT WORKS: The Market is what its participants make of it. It's a little bit like a community yard sale, it's a little bit like a potluck picnic, it's a little bit like a festival. The idea is to bring whatever you want to share--even if it's just your enthusiasm!--and go home with things that others want to share with you. Anything is fine as long as it is FREE!

Some ideas: Clothing, books, household goods, performances, skill shares, workshops, information about other community events and organizations, garden produce, flowers, food, services such as massages, haircuts, and palm reading, toys, tools...and that's just a start."

I see this as the potential for generating interest in a community currency, something promoted by economists and monetary experts, such as Bernard Lietaer and Thomas Greco, for building a hedge against a falling/collapsing dollar and corporate globalization and making local economies more efficient and self-sufficient. Many communities in the United States have alternative currencies, including in Ithaca, NY, and in Berkshire, Mass.

A speech by Greco on Youtube:

And here are print and video interviews with Lietaer:

Time Banks is a national organization that promotes "paying" for services through time, not money, and represents a social change movement occurring in 22 countries:

"Have you ever wished you had someone around to give you a ride somewhere, help you run some errands, pick you up after you’ve dropped your car off for repairs, or just give you a hand when you need it. Someone you really trust?

Many of us have friends, neighbors and family members who help us out, but they can’t always be there in a pinch. In a Time Banking community, someone is always there when you need them.

It is like having an extended family to help out—with rides to the doctor, trips to the supermarket, help with the yard, chores around the house or childcare.

With Time Banking, sharing gifts means building trust.

Time Banking honors the unique gifts, talents and resources that each of us has to share, regardless of age, employment or ethnic background — such as tutoring, yard work, simple repairs, running errands, and storytelling. It’s labor with love."

Perhaps Greensboro residents would have more of a reason to get out and meet their neighbors and develop relationships. Those with useful but unmarketable skills could also contribute and people without a lot of money could receive the services they need. Time dollars or other community currencies can also support local businesses.

Greensboro politicians talk about drawing businesses to the city, but what about developing the "services" that already exist here? What would it take to get this going?