Raising funds for TH

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wenderlynn Jane Bagnall on October 19, 2010 at 16:56

the Easy Fundraising scheme sounds like a similar thing that Earthpoints do. It's not fund raising for us or for them it's more about people buying things online and gaining Earthpionts which in turn 'make trees'. Basically once you have accumulated enough points you can then donate them to a particular scheme they have on going and help plant a tree somewhere. May be we can do something with them in the future......
http://www.earthpoints.co.uk/

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by don carlin on October 19, 2010 at 23:33

Not sure if I've mentioned this before but relative to a local currency and the need for a higher membership? Most usually the start up point is by implementing a local LETS scheme, of which there are already a fair number in Hertfordshire - as here

http://www.letslinkuk.net/east/hertfordshire.htm

The advantage is that LETS is totally community wide and of course, if HT can find a local business or organisation to fund it (it takes a computer with online access and someone to occasionally check on the interchange of services) we used to install these 25yrs ago with a BBC B, a phone line and a 300/75 baud modem, located anywhere, in a village store, in the local vicarage, guest house, wherever. I imagine it's a lot easier these days . . if it's done as a Hertford Transition initiative it might also be a source of more membership recruitment to our cause? x



carolyn westlake said:

Hi Don,
You make a lot of interesting points...

Firstly, there is a link right at the bottom of the page that should take you to our Constitution and Minutes of the steering group meetings. Unfortunately I tried to follow the link tonight and it just says unavailable. I have no idea why but I know a man who will!!

Anyway our Constitution hopefully deals with some of your questions eg aims of TH and how our decision making process works,particularly with regard to supporting local businesses and our need for transparency. Earlier this year at our AGM the Constitution was on the agenda and gone through (again) and ratified by the majority of attendees. I am glad you have let us know you couldnt find it. Hopefully we can quickly rectify that.

There has been some discussions on how we can support local businesses and efforts have been made to make links with some of them.Of course the Transition model of a local currency is tempting but at the moment only an aspiration, we need many more members to get involved before we could attempt such a large project. And more member involvement is what we are working towards and one of the major aims of the steering group. As you probably know, the Transition model envisages a temporary group to get things started with awareness raising events and community building initiatives etc. Once a momentum amongst the general membership is reached and people start planning their own working groups and contributions to working groups the demise of the steering group can proceed.

My final point is to do with your comment that "bottom up is way better than the eternal top down of our long centuries past". Whilst I agree that Transition is about empowering communities I just want to explain that I see in that aim the need to be as inclusive to as many sections of the people of Hertford as possible. And that means working with our Councils whether at Town, District or County level as well as local community initiatives. The last thing we need is to polarise people- the times are so urgent we need to reach out to each other and recognise the strengths and weaknesses we all share.

Actually thats not my final point! I noticed you said you didnt know where Hoddesdon was and your info says you are from Kent. Just wondering what your connection is with Hertford and if you belong to a Transition Town near you. Are you thinking of moving here? Its a lovely town.....

don carlin said:

Hello Ben & Carolyn, this item seems to be squarely at the core of what TT's are about and what they're supposed to be about. i.e. the ethos that provides the energy and commitment that drives at least the core membership yes? If you question that, perhaps you might refer to either Rob Hopkins, Louisa Rooney or Catherine Dunne, I feel sure they'll try to find time to offer what guidance you may need about supporting local business and endeavours as much as possible, though of course, they are extremely busy. Last I heard Robs still in Totnes from time to time and the others are still busy in Kinsale:-)

In this instance I agree with Carolyn's point of view, as the more local businesses are supported the better - Transition Towns are about a great deal more than alternative energy initiatives and such, though those are of course important - they have a primary focus on rebuilding the local community as a potent force for change. I have absolutely no idea how far Hoddesdon is from Hertford, but I would certainly opt to telephone or better yet email the bookshop there - if that's available, I'm equally sure they'd be delighted to supply, even post it to you if that fits the bill - and if it isn't perhaps a friendly nudge to the bookshop wouldn't go amiss. If I have a title I want (and I often do) I certainly try to obtain it as locally as possible. Further, there are 60 odd members of HTT now, if all local members agree to try the Hoddeston book store when buying a book (or anything else for that matter in Hertford, Ware, Hoddeston or wherever) it would be an excellent bargaining chip if someone went along to that store, got them perhaps to take notice of and do it's best yes? Perhaps they could be pursuaded to offer a discount to members? Perhaps that saving could be passed back to HTT? Who knows. But one thing is for certain. You'll never know if you don't try isn't it. They might even be amenable to a tasteful flyer publicising HTT? And imo that's it, always think community first if you really want things to change yes? Because for sure that's were effective change begins.

Personally I'm certainly not in favour of deals with online big business elites in any way shape or form if it can be avoided. and it's surprising how often it can be so avoided. Big business is a great, some would say the most significant part of what's actually wrong with our world!

It would be even more interesting if there was a straw poll of the membership about decisions like this! And it might be even more interesting if this kind of agenda could be put forward, chatted about, informed about and agreed by all members as the core 'constitution' or agreed aims of HTT? They of course might actually exist, but if they do, they don't seem in any way available. I know this because I've looked so if someone could point me in the right direction?

Just me, responding off the top of my head yes - it really would be interesting if an informed membership got involved in this and other such issues don't you think? Or are we not agreed that bottom up is way better than the eternal top down of our long centuries past?
My very best regards, Ben - Carolyn
don

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wenderlynn Jane Bagnall on October 26, 2010 at 18:57

Idea: Don't know how if this fits the ethos of TH but how would one will feel if we did a TH fashion show to raise money and awareness. Don't ask me how this wold work yet, just literally thought of it. We might even be able to work with Oxfam in Hoddesdon with this. I know the manager there well and have worked with her before. Maybe we could get hold of the castle hall for this? As I said just an idea. xx

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page