ACE Annual Members Meeting – Minutes

Adirondack Cooperative Economy – Minutes – Annual Members Meeting January 17, 2013, 6 PM

Location:  Our Simple Life Farm, 870 Alden Ave, Warrensburg (Thank you, Todd and Flo!)

Present: Anna Busser Erik (Wbg), Flo & Todd Olden (Wbg), Carol Bram (Wbg), Barbara Boggia (Chestertown), Teresa Whalen (Wbg), Linda Marcella & Cliff Gates (Wbg), David & Brenda DeLozier (Saratoga), George Goodwin (Bolton), Bill Campbell (Bolton) Tiffany and Eric Millington (Wbg), Helen Hayner & Lynn McDonald (Chestertown), Arthur Watkins (Wbg), Diane Collins (G.F.), Patty Campbell (G.F), Jane Bouder (G.F.), Rocco Antonelli & Sheri Hewson (Schroon Lake)

Not Present:  Terrilyn Jamison, Colleen Combs

• Greetings and blessings – Today is the Mayan day of 5 Deer (kej). The Deer Buck is our currency symbol. Five is the energy of collection and synergy for common intention. Deer represents compassion, of linking the world of humanity with that of the earth and the heavens through his four legs, hoofs and antlers. Together it represents the “energy of common passion”. How appropriate!  Anna read the traditional Mayan ceremonial opening.

• Introductions: Anna – initiator, Diane – from Transition Town Movement which incorporates many of the same values of alternative currency, self reliance, community support, Patty – Transition Towns, Jane – outdoor maintenance, Sheri – media consultant, tax law, Rocco – chef, farmer, music, jewelry, promotional materials, George – Transition Towns, photography, design, Lake George history, Adirondack sustainability (mentioned ANCA meeting Jan 23 at Wild Center), David – publishes EcoLocal Magazine, member Sustainable Saratoga which is considering cooperating with ADK Bucks, permaculture, consulting on small scale farming, Linda – Wbg. Town and School Board, Economic Development Committee, Real Estate, Gardening, Baking, Beekeeping, Crafts, Teresa Whalen – Beautification Committee, historic preservation, Wbg. Community Garden, Adirondack Harvest, Brenda – permaculture, seedsaving, Lynn – OT, gardening, sewing, button making, Helen of Troy (NY) – old Lithuanian skills, Barbara – has farm, interesting in teaching youth farming skills, Carol – gardening, cello playing/teaching, Wbg farmer’s market, Bill – gardening, music, biodiesel, transition town Bolton, solar installation, Flo & Todd – farming, woodwork, crafts, teaching old ways, logging with mules, travelling sawmill, Cliff – hunting, monuments, funeral home director, Tiffany & Eric – childcare, cooking, painting, insulation, moving rocks, Arthur – farmer 
• Anna’s Proposal –  meet once/month.  Seconded by Flo. Passed. We will meet at each other’s homes and businesses.
• History of ADK Bucks: March 15^th, 2012 – foundation meeting at Rock Hill: Anna, Barbara, Linda, Colleen form founding committee – meet on a weekly basis to decide:Mission Statement: to create a system that will enhance the local economy by encouraging trade with local businesses in order to keep money local and by increasing the buying power of local residents. Consensus model for decision makingDollar model rather than hour model Unredeemable in US Currency or silver – Intention: to remain circulating locally

  Back currency by trust in each other – in goods and services we each have

  Name of organization: Adirondack Cooperative Economy

  Name of currency: Adirondack Bucks

  IRS EIN # as a “not-for-profit banking service” on June 14, 2012 – 501(c)6 form considered

  DBA and business names filed witth County

  Bank Account opened at GFNBank

  PO Box opened: Box 252, Warrensburg, NY 12885

  Email address: AdirondackRegionalCurrency@aol.com

  Use of paper currency, with on-line trading system (to be created)

  Briefly tried 4^th Corner Exchange as on-line trading system, decided to create our own

  Terrilynn designs and prints currency

AdirondackCooperativeEconomy Facebook Page begun June 22, 2012

AdirondackBucks.com homepage opened with WordPress August 20, 2012

Adopted Currency Guidelines from Tom Greco, author of “ The End of Money and Future of Civilization”

– practice reciprocity (giving and receiving equally)

– create proper basis for issuance of credits or currency, clarify who issues money, (agent/issuer)

– balance supply and demand of currency

– create individual account limits (credit must reflect productivity of business vs demand)

– create clear agreements between issuer and users of currency

– keep money circulating (avoid pockets of stagnant money and those with none)

– be accountable, transparent, with clear management procedures and controls

– prevent over-reliance on volunteer administrators, prevent volunteer burnout,

– develop business plan, budget, paid positions soon

– create confidence in the system

– create critical size of participant base,

– gain wide enough assortment of goods and services

– attract participants from all levels of the supply chain from production to the distribution circuit

– gain acceptance from mainstream business community

• Financial Status – 2013 Budget presented

  – 38 members

  – Bank Balance – US $743.75

  – 4,045 ADK Bucks printed in 1’s, 5’s, 10’s, 20’s

  – 1,011 ADK Bucks in circulation

  – 3,034 ADK Bucks available

  designers need to come up with a design/symbol for our currency
  

• Anna hands out “Complementary Exchange Guidelines” for future reference in creating on-line trading

• George suggested, as a publicity/education endeavor, that the group offer to the community a monthly skills training – how to plant, look for seeds, at a place like the Chamber of Commerce, maybe free to members and a dollar for non-members.

• Today’s task:  Creating a Board and Committees:

  – Proposed and accepted:  term on board shall be for one year – proposed and accepted

  – The following were nominated, seconded, and voted for one year appointment:

  – Chair Anna Busser Erik

  – Vice Chair Linda Marcella

  – Treasurer             Colleen Combs

  – Secretary            Barbara Boggia, Sherry Hewson (Backup)

• PR/Marketing/Membership Committee:         

  Sheri Hewson, Dave DeLozier (representing Saratoga), Yvonne Miller (will be asked to represent Wbg businesses), Patty Campbell (representing Glens Falls), Gail Brill (will be asked to represent Saranac), Linda Marcella, Jacobs and Toney’s (Jennifer) will be asked for support. However All members need to be part of this with contacts and getting the word out. Questionnaire proposed to ask businesses whom they buy from and sell to – must be kept confidential! This will give us guidelines on whom to approach to build up the trade network.

  Design and Printing: Terrilynn Jamison, Rocco, George

  Legal Advisor: looking for candidates

  The following have been advising us on:

  Non-Profit Administration: Michael Tracy-Ireland

  Economics: Tom Greco

  Accounting: Bob Leroy

• Future Meetings will be 3^rd tues each month. Next meeting: Tuesday, Feb 19, 6-8 PM at Willows Bistro
  

      Respectfully submitted,     Barbara Boggia

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