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Caister FrogLETS Local Exchange Trading Scheme 124 Yarmouth Road, Caister on Sea, Great Yarmouth Norfolk NR30 5BT Tel: 01493 377877 - Email: laura@caisterfroglets.co.uk Please note we will accept members from Caister and surrounding areas, including Great Yarmouth and Acle |
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What's LETS? ... LETS (Local Exchange Trading Schemes) are about local trading (without the need for money). LETS are open to all, and all kinds of skills are both valued and needed. They are grassroots schemes and need no specialist skills to operate. A group of local people get together, and compile a directory of skills & goods that they have to offer and need. This directory is then distributed amongst members and they exchange skills & goods using a local currency, usually named after a local feature - "Palms" in Falmouth, "Carts" in Redruth, "Pecs" in Penzance, "Buzzards" in Leighton Buzzard, "Shells" in St.Ives, "Creds" in Crediton, "Bobbins" in Manchester etc.... and "Froglets" in Caister. The currency is information only rather than a commodity in its own right. No interest is charged or credited, and there is no stigma about going into debit, as debit represents a future commitment to offer skills to another member, rather than a financial penalty imposed by a third party. Unlike barter you do not have to trade 1 to 1 (e.g - one may do computer work for several members, and get lifts, food, haircuts etc. from others). If you enjoy what you do, whether it is your job or a hobby, someone else on the group will probably benefit from it. Accounts are kept of transactions and are freely available to all in the group. When trading, the "buyer" makes out a LETS "cheque" to the "seller" for the amount of local currency agreed between them for the job. It is then the responsibility of the seller to send this cheque to the LETS group Accountant. Transactions can include a sterling component to cover any cash costs incurred (e.g. petrol, materials etc.) but only the local currency part is recorded on the LETS accounts. The scheme itself is non profit making - most groups charge a few pounds annually to cover external sterling costs (postage, photocopying etc.) and a few units of local currency to cover Admin time and labour. About Caister FrogLETS The Caister scheme was born on 7th April 2005 and was put together by local residents Laura Taylor and Ruth Bond (Caister's Pottery). The group covers Caister and surrounding villages and is open to anyone. Most of us see the community building side of LETS as being a major benefit - it is a great way of meeting new friends and building a sense of self worth and belonging. LETS also offers people the chance to use skills that they have not tested in the conventional economy, thus building confidence as well as a network of able, versatile people. Whenever you have a job done you are offering a member "work", so the "Wants" in any LETS are as important as the Offers. Anyone can join Caister FrogLETS by completing an application form and sending their subscription. Click here to download an Application forms in PDF format which can be printed out. New members can join and trade without waiting for their services to be listed in the next directory or update sheet. For the latest updates please use this Caister FrogLETS website or contact the Membership Secretary. |
