Humboldt Community Currency, In Each Other We Trust!

The Humboldt Exchange Project is sponsored by Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County, which is a local grassroots organization dedicated to building genuine democracy in Humboldt County, California. Humboldt County California happens to be a prime location for the successful operation of a community currency. Some might say the area users are ideally suited for this level of community business and merchants are engaged in the local economy more so than other areas of the State and Country.

Locally there is a genuine sense of community identity. The phrase "I´m from Humboldt" is commonly heard evoking a sense of local loyalty and pride. This determination to know your neighbor, help others and do business locally is a catalyst for the growth and penetration of any successful community currency. Wide participation in the Humboldt Currency shows, "....there is a strong history of folks who work towards self-sufficiency, while still being willing to lend a neighborly hand." *www.humboldtexchange.org

It is said that in regions like this, where both the skills and the resources for healthy communities are in abundance, but the wealth and financial means for generating trade are not available, local currencies have become strong performers!

As a local business person, accepting Community Currency with your neighbors forces the notes to re-circulate within the local region forever. This is the exact opposite of big name chains stores and national currency. National currency spent at stores like Wal-Mart leaves the area and eventually leaves the country.

Using local Community Currency for your daily purchases benefits your neighbors, friends and community. Local currency circulating within the community, will tend to insulate the region from the economic ups and downs which are felt by the larger State or National economies.

The Humboldt Community Currency is not specifically linked to any set amount of exchange for national dollars. They encourage the concept of a 'Minimum Living Wage' at $10/hour and currency users are requested to charge at least $10 (half USD & half Community Currency) for an hour of their services. If you are accepting Humboldt CC in a retail sale P2P exchange, transactions are suggested at a rate of half Community Currency and half USD. However, its not written in stone and there are items listed in the Humboldt Exchange Directory that may be acquired for all Community Currency and no US Dollars.

Designed by local artists and printed on 100% organic hemp paper Community Currency notes are available in - $5, $10, $20 and $50 denominations.

As with all successful Community Currencies, the goal of the participating local merchants when accepting CC's is to never accept more local Currency than can be easily re-spend. Accumulating excess amounts or hoarding of local currency hurts the system. Community Currency, cannot earn any interest as saving since it's not permitted to bear interest (this discounts future earnings in relation to present cash).

Using Community Currency promotes long term vision and growth within a community. The idea is to accept the currency and re-spend it so to keep it circulating.

Since there is no reason to hold this currency benefits are only created through transactions and not saving, Community Currency encourages daily trade between users. As an example you may have never before purchased locally produced honey, but as you notice a local accepts Community Currency, you decide to try out the regional brand. Local currency can build remarkable personal and business bonds within a geographic area.

The Humboldt Exchange provides additional tools which help local merchants and users become comfortable spending and handling their currency. Additionally, they will help with staff training, brainstorm new ways to promote the currency, along with bookeeping, accounting, and even contacting local suppliers you might frequent. If you need help working the Humboldt Community Currency into your program they can and will help you out! If you would like to receive a phone call and/or email reminder before their pancake breakfast they even offer this message service as a free perk to their members.

Each month they produce the Humboldt Exchange Community Currency Directory. The directory lists participating merchant products and services. Several thousand copies are distributed throughout the county. Copies of the Humboldt Exchange Directory can be found at many grocery stores and coffee shops throughout Humboldt County. Other promotional items they offer include brochures, posters, handouts and signage for store windows. Their program even offers some basic advice and information on tax and legal issue surrounding Community Currency (CC). While the Exchange may increase your sales a bit through their advertising and promotions, as the merchant, you are always in control of how much Humboldt Community Currency you accept. If too much is coming in you can always adjust your policies and accept less.

Local currencies help communities to recognize their inner strengths, the gifts of their members, and the value of cooperation. Local currencies inspire people to live in accordance with their values, to follow their inner passion rather than chase after an obsolete notion of "success." They enable people to make a contribution to their community and receive what they need or desire in return. They nurture human relationships and demonstrate how local production for local needs benefits the community, as well as reducing the stress upon distant communities who have been forced into near slavery and starvation to provide resources and services to the world´s wealthy. *www.humboldtexchange.org

The Humboldt Exchange is Humboldt County's own local currency project. They use the specific term 'Community Currency'.