C.E.N.T.s – Community Exchange Network Tasmania ‘makes sense’ as we trade in a community currency called ‘cents’, which is a virtual currency that we use instead of federal dollars.
C.E.NT.s is an online platform which allows its members to trade, buy, sell, barter, swap and gift their goods, services and skills without money. The philosophy is that ‘all time is valuable, and everyone’s time is of equal value’. The standard rate charged for services is 25 cents per hour.
This is how it works:
The C.E.N.T.s exchange allows for cashless exchange of goods and services in a comparatively relaxed way, with no pressure on anyone to trade, or to provide a service simply because they have used a service provided by someone else. There is no pressure to reduce debits as you trade between debit and credit limits. It is a self-regulating system based on co-operation.
At the moment, the Community Exchange Network Tasmania has approximately 580 individual members, plus 30 companies and 15 organisations. C.E.N.T.s is also linked online to 60 other exchanges in Australia, and over 800 internationally. The benefits for individuals are many and varied, as current C.E.N.T.s members provide a wide variety of services, including all kinds of labouring, gardening, computer help and web design, accommodation, cooking, sewing, animal care, domestic services, counselling, childcare, relaxation and stress management. Some say the biggest benefit is the building of community. Business and organisations can benefit as well: for example maintenance and cleaning of premises and grounds, occasional morning teas, lunches and functions catered for, outsourcing of some office tasks such as word processing, courier services and perhaps stress management for staff!
As well as their normal services, CENTs members can attend regular trading events in their area, where fresh produce, preserves, craft items and practically anything else can be traded on the spot. So if you are considering alternatives to cash exchanges, you may like to consider C.E.N.T.s To join, or for more information, visit www.cent.net.au or call 0458078455.
