From AshevilleLETS

by Citizen-Times Staff on 08/06/2007

Asheville LETS (Local Exchange Trading System) is a community network in which members can exchange services without the use of cash. There are currently 113 members doing an average of nine exchanges daily. Listed today, for instance, is someone offering day care in the Weaverville area.

There’s an orientation at 8 p.m. tonight at Bobo Gallery, 22 N. Lexington Ave., for people interested in learning more and possibly joining. The evening will be followed by fresh funk, electro, and sexy house grooves by DJs Olof and Joshu. There will be free finger food, and a $5 donation is suggested.

Upon joining LETS, participants receive an account and access to the network directory which advertises members' offers and wants. Members contact one another to arrange trades and transactions are recorded as credits or debits, eliminating the need for both members to have something the other needs. System credits (called "LETS") represent service provided to the community while debits represent service received – and a commitment to provide future service of equal value.