SOLD: Beautiful Happyzine

Young HANDS members - Siti Scholten and Jyoti Balfour

As Golden Bay’s complementary currency goes from strength to strength, the youth of Golden Bay are now being invited to participate as “Young HANDS.”

Starting now, children and young adults may join H.A.N.D.S. as Young HANDS.  They can trade amongst themselves and with other H.A.N.D.S. members, have their own market stalls and activities, and choose a representative for the H.A.N.D.S. committee. Parent and committee member Guinevere Wilde, who’s helping organise the Young HANDS initiative, says, “Young people are our future and it’s fabulous to give them a voice.”

The committee is excited about the launch of Young HANDS and have formulated some initial ideas, but, says committee member and parent Rita Scholten, “feedback and experience will guide its development.” Young HANDS accounts will be free, with limits of 100H above or below zero for under 18’s, to encourage “going through zero.”

Going Through Zero

Unlike the conventional money system, HANDS work best when as many traders as possible trade to bring their account balances through zero as often as possible (go from credit to debit and vice versa!). Approximately half the members will be in credit (which we think of as recognition”) and the other half in debit (which we call “dedication”). Keeping a constant balance, either in debit or in credit, is not helpful for the system or other members and is discouraged. There is no penalty for going into debit (HANDS doesn’t have interest, either way) – on the contrary, only going into debit makes the system possible in the first place. Therefore, trading involves continual earning and spending – it is the act of exchange and the resulting satisfaction that creates wealth, not the keeping of a high balance.

Guinevere interviewed children for their thoughts about H.A.N.D.S.  About the  markets, they said they like the variety of stalls and things to do, the opportunity to earn HANDS, the sense of freedom, and socialising in the safe, friendly atmosphere. Ten-year-old Cherry Boomert said, “I like it because it isn’t all about money.” The children would like more activities for children and teenagers, an art space for all ages and more kids’ products on offer for HANDS.  They said that when they join they’ll be offering services and products such as small animal care, dog walking, pony rides, cupcakes, biscuits, chess help, necklaces, bracelets, badges and design and fashion tips. Asked to briefly express their feelings about the new Young HANDS group, they used words like “awesome,” “great,” “excellent” and “good idea.” Siti Jongkind, also ten, said, “It’s cool that it will be run by kids.”

The committee is encouraging feedback about Young HANDS from all 420 H.A.N.D.S. members, especially parents and children. In response to suggestions already received, there’ll be an activity corner for Young HANDS at the next market.  Ideally in the future they can run their own art space, with people of all ages paying HANDS to participate. “If kids tell us what they want,” says Guinevere, “we’ll support them by supplying the resources they need.”

Meanwhile, members are being encouraged to donate art materials.

Ideas for Young HANDS are unlimited. Rita sees Young HANDS as a great way to empower our children to run their own activities. Some suggestions so far are a kids’ section at markets, kids-only markets, a kids’ menu cooked by kids at the Autumn Feast, kids promoting the Young HANDS with fliers and posters, and a Young HANDS subcommittee with an “older HAND” liaison.

Guinevere says, “The future holds promise, with Young HANDS having their own stalls at markets and running their activity space. I’m happy to leave the future in their HANDS.”

For more information, contact H.A.N.D.S. committee member Joanna Piekarski at [email protected]

Tags: complementary currency, green dollars, HANDS, Youth