Bank decides to accept ‘PLENTY’
by Bill Wilcox
first published in the Chatham Record, April 23, 2009
Capital Bank has thrown its support behind the PLENTY, a local currency that has been used in Pittsboro for several years to support local businesses. The bank is offering an exchange rate of nine U.S. dollars for 10 PLENTYs, beginning in May.
By Tim Keim
first published in The Chapel Hill Herald Sun
Where is the bottom to the current economic crises? Many of us have been asking this question for months. The simple answer: we don’t know. As unsettling as that might be, it can be seen as a supreme moment of opportunity, our chance to step off the economic treadmill.
And just how shall we do that?
With PLENTYs!
The meeting was attended by:
BJ Lawson
Camille Armantrout
Glen Estill
Jaime Chandra Kozlowski
Jennifer Benefield
Lyle Estill
Phil Lyons
We reviewed the by-laws. Lyle moved to adopt and publish them. Jennifer seconded the motion. All voted in favor. They are posted here: http://theplenty.org/about/bylaws
The group reviewed and edited the membership application. Jaime Chandra will publish an online form with payment capability to theplenty.org site.
Printing – BJ reported that Barefoot Press needs 2 weeks to print currency.
Financial Report – Camille reported the program balance after we pay the printer. The group discussed prospects for donations.
Re-launch Timeline – Jennifer wants to make sure the Pittsboro branch of Capital Bank has a seamless process in place before we announce the official re-launch of the currency. We agreed upon an official re-launch date of May 12 with a couple of weeks to practice in ’soft launch’ mode. At that time we will publish a press release
Chatham Marketplace Local Cooperative Membership Directory – Phil is compiling online and for print versions of a directory. He will note whether businesses in the directory take Plentys. We talked about placing an advertisement for the Plenty in the directory.
BJ moved to adjourn the meeting. Jaime Chandra seconded the motion and everyone agreed that the meeting was over.