JJJs Hack radio programme had a topic of "Can Money Buy Happiness". There is a  6 min segment on Sydney LETS.

Here is the link to the MP3 of the JJJ Hack program.
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/daily/hack_wed_2008_05_21.mp3
If you don't want to listen to the full 30mins, which is quite interesting anyway, the LETS clip starts at 18min and end at 24min.
You can download the whole file, while you do other things, and then just listen to the LETS part.

BV LETS new Admin Team
After a period of flux following the resignation of all office holders at the AGM in March, the new BV LETS admin team are finally in the harness and pulling. The new team consists of: Angela Keith - Co-ordinator & Mail list administrator; Jennie Smith - Treasurer; Emma Hibbert - Newsletter editor; Carsten Eckelman - Webmaster; Barb Lynn, Jennie Smith and Ana Walker - Area Co-ordinators; Wayne Keith & Sally Cantrill - Data Entry.

Winter Newsletter
The Winter newsletter has been sent out - for one last time by Australia Post to everybody (regardless whether they have opted to receive it by post or email). This is to make sure everyone who wants their newsletter delivered in print in the future has a last chance to let the admin team know they do.

Next BV LETS meeting will be at 10am on the Sat 28th June at the Central Hotel, Bega.

CES Network replaces LETS ASSIST
Bega Valley LETS started in 1989 with a paper based system and in June 1998 progressed to a computer system called LETS ASSIST. LETS ASSIST has served us well and with today’s technology is now outdated.
A new on-line system has been developed called the Community Exchange System (CES) Network, www.community-exchange.org , where all admin functions are done online and from any computer with internet access. Members access their accounts online and enter their transactions on-line just like Internet Banking. Read on ......click HERE

LETS have lunch

CANDELO MARKET
Bega Valley LETS has a Stall at the Candelo Markets on the 1st Sunday of each month. You can sell anything you want for Sapphs or cash or a mix. You can BOOK A GOOD SPOT. To CONTACT BVLETS to BOOK A SPOT or call numbers below. A booking is ESSENTIAL We have 4 Spots available, 2 are taken already ......... "First in, best dressed" To book a Spot or call Brian on 6492 4382 or enquire via the Contact Us form.

LETS go to market

OLD BEGA HOSPITAL MARKET DAY
Bega Valley LETS have a stall at these markets for any member to take advantage of. The Market is on the 2nd Saturday of each month, Princes Hwy, South Bega. Set up time is by 8.30 am.
Sales of general bric-a-brac, books, and poultry has been good for the members attending so far, and there is space for more members to sell.
You can sell & promote to anybody and you are encouraged to offer LETS members a Sapphs component of your products and/or services.
To be part of the LETS monthly stall call Brian Barker on 6492 4382. You can also enquire via the Contact Us form.

The Annual Subscriptions for current BV LETS members are due on the 1st March and so are NOW DUE.
Please CLICK HERE to RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION ONLINE NOW.
You can pay by Credit Card, Direct Deposit or send a cheque.

LETS is an acronym for Local Exchange (or Employment or Energy) Trading System. LETS operate throughout the world. LETS are a means of formalising non monetary trading of goods and services at the local community level.

The trading unit of the Bega Valley LETS is the Sapphire. Sapphires can be traded, saved and used to purchase goods and services.

LETS systems helps you to meet like minded community members and access a network of friendly, generous, caring people who value trading locally in just about anything.

Your local LETS system has over 300 local members and covers the coastal and hinterland between Moruya and Eden. With the advent of internet technology we are expanding into a regional LETS are are interested in establishing LETS Groups in the Cooma & Bombala regions.

Members include :- labourers, cooks, builders, child carers, permaculture designers, natural therapists, computer experts, music/singing tuitors, metal engineers, conflict resolution facillitators, electricians, gardeners, listeners, mechanics, organic producers, yoga instructors, artists, shop minders, pet carers, lifestyle councillors and a trading post/shop.

Administration of LETS, including co-ordination, membership, transactions and accounts is done by LETS members who are paid in Sapphs for these jobs. Regular newsletters are produced and past copies are available here. Account statements are produced and will soon be available to members on this website.

We have a number of information brochures available and these can be downloaded from the Membership page.

Please use the Contact Us form to find out more about LETS.

To join Bega Valley LETS click HERE to go to our Join BVLETS Page.
From here you can complete a Membership Joining Form as a Single, Family or Group/Business Member.
When the Form is Submitted and Approved you will receive an e-mail where you can you can pay your subscription online, by Direct Deposit from your Bank Account, or if you must, send a cheque.

Faced with an oil crisis following the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and then followed by a trade embargo from the US, Cuba faced up to massive energy challenges in the 1990s. As a nation, they are well on the way toward a humane approach of dealing with energy descent. The rest of the world including Australia, now also face their energy descent due to what we now know as Peak Oil. Permaculturists from Australia played an important role in the early planning and transformation of Cuba, particularly toward urban food security. A powerful film with a positive message for humanity to embrace will be shown locally. Click HERE for the brochure.