Ready for the NexChange
As WebSpirit developed, over the last five years, it became clear that this region would greatly benefit from a form of locally valued exchange. The WebSpirit announcement system has always been used to advertise goods for sale and skills being offered, but some of our avenues of exchange are unnecessarily limited by the scarcity of the US dollar. Th Rogue Valley is a cornucopia of abundance, and our community has a wealth of skills that could support a local and self-sufficient economy.
New technologies are making it easier to create new forms of complementary currency and track their movement through countless exchanges. On-line user accounts can facilitate exchanges between community members and businesses. An on-line account system can be used track the currency acquired by each individual, make transactions with any other user, and track income for tax purposes.
An automated exchange system is a natural extension of an on-line community that wants to barter, and an internet marketplace full of businesses who want to make online sales. A complementary currency trading system would just be a new way for those groups to interact. The entire process could be tracked, regulated, and facilitated through an online, multi-denominational, complementary currency model.
We’re calling it OurNexChange.
The General Concept
This new trading system will allow community members to make exchanges in locally valued currency. In an on-line swap meet, publicized partially through the WebSpirit announcement system, all NexChange account owners will be able to offer their personal items or their skills to their neighbors in the community. Through trades, personal sales, and volunteerism members will be able to acquire complementary currency. Currency units give our community members buying power in our online commercial Marketplace.
In addition to person-to-person transactions, we will empower local businesses to participate by offering them internet-sales technology in our upgraded Marketplace. WebSpirit Community Marketplace businesses will be encouraged to offer their goods and services in complementary currency. The conversion to complementary currency will not be immediate, but will be regulated with low risk to the business sector, as all transactions occur in a combination of complementary currency units and real dollars. Each party to the exchange must have their own NexChange account and their own PayPal account to transact in both currencies. A minimum ratio of units to dollars will be used in all transactions until such time that the community feels ready to convert entirely to complementary currency.
Finally, community-oriented organizations, non-profits, and cooperatives need assistance to continue their good work. NexChange will offer Focal Organizations a way to mobilize a volunteer workforce by purchasing the ability to be unit distributers. Volunteers can then be for their work in complementary currency units which boost the economy, support local businesses, and develop the strength and solidarity of our community. Using these tools, non-profits and worthy causes will be able to accomplish their imperative work through a community which is simply more mobilized to help.
The NexChange System will have many benefits for individuals as well as the community as a whole. Personal trades and offers of neighborly help will greatly increase as individuals can trade with each other in a virtual Swap Meet. The exchange system facilitates giving, because volunteer work and generosity can be compensated easily through unit exchange. Giving and thanking become much easier in the community, as favors can be rewarded by a quick on-line unit gift. The system also allows us to take up a collection for people in need, or reward community heroes. Finally, a conversion to complementary currency will encourage the self-sufficiency of our community, decreasing our reliance on outside influences in this complex and volatile age.