Support the Dunbar Dollar! Sign the pledge by April 15th!

Dear Dunbar Villagers!

Most if not all of you will have heard by now about the Dunbar Dollar Project, a Village Vancouver initiative to create a community currency for the Dunbar-Southlands neighbourhood. The goals of the Dunbar Dollar are to:

1. Generate additional resources for charities and community groups that find themselves strapped for cash in this age of economic belt-tightening;

2. Boost local economic resilience by encouraging the support of local businesses. Dunbar is a relatively affluent neighbourhood, but many small and independent businesses struggle, threatening the commercial vibrancy of the neighbourhood.

3. Contribute to a greater sense of community. Money influences many of our daily interactions and activities, so why not use a money that better reflects and helps to accomplish our vision for a better, more cohesive community?

The Dunbar Dollar Project began last year, and despite some setbacks has been laying the groundwork for a community currency in Dunbar. The concept of a community currency, previously unknown to most Dunbar residents, is now becoming more familiar thanks to our campaign. We have spoken with many Dunbar area businesses and community groups and the initial response has been positive. Thanks to local artist Aviva Rotstein, the Dunbar Dollar has been beautifully designed (you can see the designs here).

What we now need most if the Dunbar Dollar is to take the last steps into becoming a reality is the support of the residents of Dunbar-Southlands. That is why we are today launching a campaign to collect pledges from at least 100 Dunbar-Southlands residents by April 15th to buy Dunbar Dollars from community groups once the currency is launched. Whether you end up buying 20, 50, 100 D$ or more, you will be playing a crucial role in kickstarting a currency with benefits for the whole community. Remember, by buying Dunbar Dollars from a community group (such as the Pacific Spirit Park Society, see more below), not only do you get to support the great work that group does, but you can then spend your Dunbar Dollars at local participating businesses!

Add your name to the pledge now: http://www.pledgebank.com/dunbardollar

After adding your name, we hope you'll share this campaign with your neighbours and encourage them to add theirs as well!

The other form of support that is crucial for the success and sustainability of the Dunbar Dollar, both for the launch and the post-launch period, is for more Dunbarites and Southlanders to join the Dunbar Dollar stewardship team. We will need people who can do things such as helping businesses get set up to start accepting Dunbar Dollars, maintaining the website, and assisting businesses and community groups once Dunbar Dollars are in circulation. If you would like to learn more about joining the Dunbar Dollar Launch and Stewardship Team, please send an email to Jordan Bober at jordan@villagevancouver.ca.

We are also pleased to announce that the Pacific Spirit Park Society has recently decided to become the Dunbar Dollar's first official community partner - and we hope the first of many! This means that local businesses who participate in Dunbar Dollars will be able to donate D$ to the PSPS, and when you buy D$ from the PSPS you will be helping to support the amazing work that this primarily volunteer-driven organisation does to preserve the Pacific Spirit Park that is beloved to so many in Dunbar-Southlands. Among other things, the PSPS works to maintain trails, remove invasive species, restore and maintain the Camosun Bog, put on educational programs for children and youth, and organize family events such as the popular annual Night Quest, which this year takes place on March 24th. However, the society finds that its success is outstripping its financial resources, and hopes that the Dunbar Dollar will help it continue and expand the great work it does.

Please add your name to the Dunbar Dollar pledge, and help us reach and exceed our goal of at least 100 pledges by April 15th: http://www.pledgebank.com/dunbardollar

Sincerely,

Jordan Bober

The Dunbar Dollar Project (A Village Vancouver Transition project)

jordan@villagevancouver.ca

www.dunbardollar.com