Comments on: Reflections on my REconomy Roadtrip – big challenges and big possibilities http://reconomy.org/reflections-on-my-reconomy-roadtrip-big-challenges-and-big-possibilities/ Community-led economic change. Wed, 12 Mar 2014 12:09:08 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.3 By: Simon Carter http://reconomy.org/reflections-on-my-reconomy-roadtrip-big-challenges-and-big-possibilities/#comment-691 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:50:15 +0000 http://www.reconomyproject.org/?p=3887#comment-691 Chomping at the bit here Fiona, & busy swapping emails with Shane. Can I explain briefly, getting on for two years ago now I initiated a marketing cooperative with no other goal than to help expand my window cleaning business by combining my resources with other local businesses. We decided that a combined newsletter would be helpful but did not want it to be dry & boring just about the businesses so we started to introduce some community news. To cut a long story short this got me involved in a world that I had previously been largely unaware of where fantastic people were engaged in all sorts of activities focused on making Tewkesbury a kinder more compassionate place to live, simply because they cared. I cannot deny it was something of an epiphany & is why your part on the REconomy video about the wellness of a community resonates.
Perhaps surprisingly I discovered that many of the most actively involved with the community were also running small local businesses. They appeared to be amongst the most generous & giving both of their time & of their own money. I also became rapidly aware of how important these businesses were to the fabric of the community & how in general they were fighting a rear guard battle against forces that simply did not show any regard for this truism.
This is why I believe the proposed TCE has a future. These businesses need a voice. If we provide it whilst harnessing all the combined marketing benefits that I have identified over the last two years, then we can definitely provide value I believe for £10.00 per month minimum. Everything needs to be paid for & clearly Transition/REconomy needs a budget. We can definitely provide value that will address both our needs & the needs of prospective members of the TCE.

]]> By: Fiona Ward http://reconomy.org/reflections-on-my-reconomy-roadtrip-big-challenges-and-big-possibilities/#comment-690 Wed, 05 Sep 2012 08:18:43 +0000 http://www.reconomyproject.org/?p=3887#comment-690 Hi Simon

Thanks for both your posts, I think your ideas are very interesting and worth exploring further. I look forward to discussing more with you on the 14th.

The ways things tend to work in Transition (from what I have seen so far) is that projects such as the ones you suggest get piloted in a place by a TI. If it works, and appears to be replicable then it will be picked up by other places, possibly with the support of TN Ltd resources permitting and if demand appears to exist.

So I am keen to hear more about your own experiences of getting this underway where you live. Having a real story to share is what will be key in having the ideas replicate.

I love the idea that nationally, 2m small businesses might join the Transition version of the FSB. But I feel we are some way from being able to offer a compelling argument to those that are not already connected with the work of their local TI, and the potential benefits.

So this local business network is also something we continue to explore in Totnes, for new and existing enterprises – what can we offer, why would they join us, how much might we charge, what else might they bring – and so on…

See you in a couple of weeks,
Fiona

]]> By: Simon Carter http://reconomy.org/reflections-on-my-reconomy-roadtrip-big-challenges-and-big-possibilities/#comment-689 Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:25:50 +0000 http://www.reconomyproject.org/?p=3887#comment-689 Hi Fiona,

A lot of your points here you raised also after your visit to Lewes. I wonder have you read my response there?

http://www.reconomyproject.org/?p=3816#comment-677

I believe our funding issues are a lot easier to address than we may currently dare believe. In fact I consider what I am proposing addresses four fundamental issues.

1.) It will fund Transition & REconomy massively including

a.) a network of advocates ‘on the ground’.
b.) a central hub with national & regional representatives, including yourself
c.) provide resources for lobbying at the highest level

2.) It will expand local renewable energy projects reducing carbon emission massively.
3.) It will engage communities by making them stakeholders in shared community assets.
4.) It will fund a community ‘wellness program’ at a grass roots, bottom up level.

I would appreciate your thoughts/any questions you may have, but answers are there, either mine or others. We just have to look & engage in some creative thinking.

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