Help Shape the ASECO Community Revolving Loan Fund!

Community Meeting: Sunday, January 12th, 2014

Join us for a round table meeting as we shape the community criteria and loan approval process for the ASECO Community Revolving Loan Fund!

This meeting is open to all interested Arroyo S.E.C.O. Network of Time Bank members but will be most relevant for those whom:

• are considering applying for one of our community supported micro-loans

• have questions about how the fund will work

• are interested in shaping review policy

• are interested in serving on one of our Review Panels


Please join us for a very hands-on meeting in the New Year!

Sunday, January 12th, 2014
11am - 1pm
Armory Center for the Arts
Community Room
145 N. Raymond Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103

Space is limited to 25 people. You must RSVP to Sarah at asecolocaleconomy@gmail.com if you'd like to attend.

Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/1401790446733541/

THANK YOU!!!

www.asntb.com

By Sarah McGowan Dear
Community Revolving Loan Fund Project Developer

Today’s mainstream economy leaves so much to be desired, and undoubtedly its failings are likely one of the many reasons we embrace and value our time banking community as much as we do.

Many of us have already come to the conclusion that money can’t buy happiness. And in fact, much research shows that it’s the quality of our relationships, sense of connection and engagement in community, and access to resources that will determine whether we feel like we’re living the life we want instead of the one allowed us by mainstream paradigms and systems.

In large part, the extractive economy asks us to bear the hefty burden of its machinations - as laborers making less than a living wage, as hopeful entrepreneurs who believe in the “American dream”, as people saddled with far too much predatory debt in the pursuit of education, happiness and an elusive quality of life. But time bankers are people of great agency and the tool we use to create community – the exchange of our time – is proof alone that by looking through a different lens, we can wrestle a great many beautiful things into being just by turning some of these parasitic systems on their heads.

It is in this spirit of innovation that the Community Revolving Loan Fund was created and particularly in partnership with the Permaculture Credit Union. In truth, it would be wonderful to have a local credit union working with us to administer our loan fund, but in our search for a local partner, we were met with blank stares. When asking local banks what they do for the community, we were told, “we give to the United Way.” Though charitable, it’s a strategy that doesn’t directly benefit the community in which they operate. That’s just one example but it says a lot about how little the financial world understands sustainability, community enrichment and human-scale economics.

The Permaculture Credit Union not only understands these principles, but is willing to participate in a loan fund for us that quite honestly is peanuts compared to their other programs. They understand why “small is beautiful” (E.F. Schumacher) and how even a small fund can make a very big impact over time if stewarded thoughtfully.

This week I’ve been working with the PCU’s president, Bill Sommers, on our Memorandum of Understanding that spells out the roles and responsibilities of our loan fund and their credit union. When I asked if we could have a 60-day grace period between signing and repayment, Bill answered, “yes.” When I asked if we could extend the default period to 120 days, Bill answered “yes.” And when I asked if we’d be allowed to get creative to help a borrower in trouble, Bill answered, “of course – you can design this program however you want.” And that’s the beauty of our particular loan fund – we are building it in a collaborative world of yes’s rather than the usual extractive world of patent no’s.

We’ve already done the hard part to give our members access to invaluable resources by leveraging those already present in our community. And by doing so, we’re able to stand together and make many small voices become loudly unified.

L.A. Eco Village: 20 Years as a Model of Sustainable Living By George Villanueva | KCET on December 19, 2013

Born in 1993, in the same 90004 zip code where I was born and raised, the Los Angeles Eco Village (LAEV) has embodied what cooperative living can be when a collective of people commit to ideals of community and sustainable urban space. Last week the LAEV celebrated its 20 year anniversary with a fundraiser event, marking their enduring pledge to sustainable living. LAEV is nestled within a two block stretch of Bimini Place and White House Place, off of First Street, just east of Vermont Avenue. The space includes cooperative affordable housing, native landscape, on-site food growth, micro social enterprises, a community land trust, pedestrian-friendly streetscape, bike-friendly amenities, and a host of democratic community-building activities. To visit is to not only feel the history of community transformation, but also be inspired about what a more livable L.A. can exemplify.

Read full article...

Join us for a Holiday Craft Fair, potluck and Fundraiser for the Arroyo S.E.C.O Network of Time Banks on December 14th, 2013 from 12-5PM! Hand made gifts made by local artisans. Tea towels, aprons, tote bags, jams, hand salves, bar soap and much more! Hosted by the West Adams Time Bank and the Time Bank Craft Club at the L.A. Eco Village 117 Bimini Pl L.A., CA 90004. See you there!

"It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." —Charles Darwin


Join us for a Consensus Training with Yuki Kidokoro at the L.A. Eco Village 117 Bimini Pl L.A., CA 90004 on Thurs, Dec 12th, 2013 from 7:30-9PM. Munch on delicious tamales while you learn! Everyone welcome.

Consensus is a group decision making process where everyone's opinions are heard and understood, and a solution is created that respects those opinions. Valuable for Time Banks, Transition Towns and any other groups that collaborate and share resources. Learn the art of consensus from L.A. Eco Village resident Yuki Kidokoro. Yuki has over 20 years of experience facilitating groups and group processes. She has a background in community organizing and has worked extensively with non-profit organizations. Yuki draws upon her experiences and analytical skills to recognize common intergroup and interpersonal dynamics in order to help individuals and groups with solution oriented facilitation and conflict mediation. After graduate studies in Urban Planning at UCLA, Yuki worked as an organizer and program director at Communities for a Better Environment for over 14 years, engaged in community organizing, waging environmental health and justice campaigns, movement building, and supporting leadership development of members. She has been an active member at the Los Angeles Eco-Village since 2000.

Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/558930760866608/

How to Make Better Decisions Together on Shareable: http://www.shareable.net/blog/how-to-make-better-decisions-together