Connections
Six years ago a group formed
to discuss the idea of a local currency. There were four, sometimes five, of
us. We’d get together at local cafes and sometimes at each other’s homes. We
were united in our passion for what became a shared vision—a Hudson Valley currency.
We readily spent our time learning, investigating, and working toward this
vision, testing models and vetting ideas.
This informal but steady
group met year after year, occasionally bringing in guests or tabling at events—we
even hosted a large film and discussion event at the Rosendale Theatre. Basically
we were busily educating each other and the community. In doing this work, we
discovered there was a lot of excitement around this concept. Some people liked
the idea of having a local system of exchange as a stable form of local
economic sustainability; some liked that they could exchange surplus goods and
services in exchange for things they need and want through a system that
doesn’t require US dollars; and many people are simply fascinated with
alternative currencies. Well, that seed of an idea, shared among a few people
with a similar interest six years ago began growing into something tangible.
Four years ago, at a similar
time as that currency group first came together, Country Wisdom News was born. I started publishing and following my
creative instincts to serve our community with information that supports
self-sustainability and a thriving local economy. I began working with some
amazing local writers, photographers and designers, publishing about local
economy, transition movements, and food security (among other topics). It was
natural that some of my writing team came from the amazing group of people with
passion and knowledge about the currency. Two of the currency visionaries,
David McCarthy and Maria Reidlebach became core writers for Country Wisdom News.
As it happens in life, these
two initiatives—the currency and the newspaper—have grown and are now continuing
to mature. I am fortunate to be able to do what I love and work on both of
these projects, as publisher of Country Wisdom News and now as executive director
of Hudson Valley Current Inc.—a new nonprofit organization with the mission of
supporting and creating vibrant, abundant local communities, in part through a
local currency. Maria and David join me in this nonprofit as
founders and board members.
You can look forward to hearing
much more about the Current and its nonprofit educational and charitable focus
in the new Livelihood section of Country
Wisdom News that will be launched in May. The section will be owned and
created by the Hudson Valley Current, with all income going directly to the
nonprofit organization.
Posted by Chris Hewitt
on 1:35 PM.
Filed under
Publishers Editorial
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