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REA-4 How to start a LETSystem. January 8th, 1986
How to start a LETSystem.
You need friends.
You can't do a LETSystem on your own, so you will have to find
some other people.
If there is a LETSystem already operating in your area, check it
out.
If it is doing well, join and enjoy yourself.
If it could use help in getting going, give it some help and
enjoy yourself.
If there isn't one operating in your area, look into starting
one.
If you have ten friends you can do it from there.
If you don't have ten friends you can probably find someone who
has.
An initial membership fee of $5 should be sufficient to cover all
costs.
In addition, each member should provide a current cheque for $10
to initiate the Guarantee program.
A social contract.
Contracts have to be simple, because fine print will never hold
water.
If a basic willingness does not exist between parties no
regulation can guarantee anything.
The essential social contract is to refrain from jeopardizing the
survival of a friend by taking conventional money when the local
currency is appropriate.
I won't take money out of you and please don't take money out of
me.
It is important to establish the meaning of this contract for the
early development of the system to proceed quickly and smoothly.
If it is not clearly defined then some confusion is likely until
players find their balance.
Landsman Community Services Ltd. REA-4 Page 1
REA-4 How to start a LETSystem. January 8th, 1986
While it is prefered and recommended that all players fully
recognize and act on that understanding, it must be recognized
that some will feel it necessary to have some cash flow and they
should be encouraged to participate, even at that level.
It will still be to the advantage of all.
Definition and Constitution.
The existing files on LETSystem structures and constitutional
options.
Roles and Procedures.
The Trustee, Staff, Advisors.
Each ultimately responsible to his/herself.
Cycle of service and recognition.
Temporary positions.
Right from the start.
Since you are proposing to start something based entirely on your
own word, you had better be properly committed.
There is no great possibilty of any damage, but if your intention
is not particularly well defined, then the LETSystem may tend to
reflect that origin.
This points to the value of starting small and getting it right
from the word go.
Landsman Community Services Ltd. REA-4 Page 2
REA-4 How to start a LETSystem. January 8th, 1986
Smart and wise.
Short cuts can have long consequences.
There are many well proven techniques for the hyper-stimulation
of a growth process, from bonus offers and multi-level
discounting, to sales on commission and toasters and Cadillacs.
All have their place and it is not in the promotion of a
LETSystem.
Each new member of a LETSystem is being offered the opportunity
to use their personal word as money.
This may take some time to become clear, particularly if the
circumstances of their early experience are confused by marketing
and promotional techniques.
Furthermore, it is inappropriate that anyone should take personal
advantage of this situation, and extract profit from a community
thereby.
The organisation and direction of marketing the LETSystem in any
community should be approached with the greatest respect.
A sales team should be compensated in relation to the development
of the system rather than in relation to the mere number of
accounts they enroll.
Sales commissions where considered appropriate must be in green.
If you are in it for the money, it had better be green.
Landsman Community Services Ltd. REA-4 Page 3
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