Going off the money grid

The ultimate sustainable community network create owns barter system. These folks have a group of people who decided to be localvores with a twist. They have worked to create renewable resources and fair trade systems and have gotten very proficient at it. Not only do they support their local economy where they live but have been thinking globally as well. They share knowledge resource bases and train apprentices who can return to their own community or relocate to a community in need of their abilities. Most of the people in this network started out looking to create sustainable lifestyles, then they started networking and everyone eventually met each other. It started out with a few fanatics ranting on the network about pooling together, getting off the grid and and not supporting the entrenched corporate regime that is "ruining the world." This fanaticism was a bit over the top for the majority of the members but the ideas stuck. Eventually people started to trade amongst themselves and kept track of their affairs by their own means and record keeping. Some one them started getting involved in time banks and used them well. The members created a committee of think tanks from different parts of the world that have been communicating this idea for some time and have finally worked out a functioning system. They have decided not too use any money for commerce within the community members. The currency they use is based on a pool of renewable resources, artisan trades, labor and service hour credits. They have found a way to value their products and services based on the needs of the members. With technology they created "broker programs" that can track goods and service, communicate instantly to members and estimate productions schedules and availabilities. This system allows communities to match up resources, determine needs and create logistic plans. What makes this system work is the large member base. Members with larger companies use their resources as much as possible to support the movement. Over time they have used their buying power to gather supplies and eliminate "retail" costs. Due to widespread information technology consumers have gotten better knowledge to make informed decisions on have they spend their credits and thus transparency has become a source of pride as companies in the community want their clients to know what they are doing and the processes involved. Much of the transportation costs are covered with biofuel vehicles dedicated to the network and people traveling carry goods with them.