How do we support and vitalize our local community?
How do we increase our capacity to employee people and engage and reward volunteers?
How do we afford all of the dreams that we have for our children and their development?

Community Currency… or “Panchos”

Community Currency is also often referred to as a complementary currency. It is basically a form of exchange other than pesos or dollars. Frequent flier miles is a form of complementary currency, “member points” at the grocery store is a form of complementary currency and there are many others.

Here at entreamigos, “panchos” is the name for our complementary currency. They are basically small certificates that have values attached to them. 10panchos, 20 panchos, 50panchos and so on and at entreamigos and with many of our friends, partners and community members, “panchos” can be used just like pesos or dollars.

Panchos enable entreamigos to support and reward the people who are making a difference in this community. It is an intentional method to create an easy form of exchange among community members and to fill a gap in service needs and the ability to afford them. Panchos are fun and every time you earn one or spend one you will be supporting this community!

How do Panchos work?

People can earn panchos in many ways and spend them in many places!

There are several jobs now at entreamigos that are partially paid in Panchos. This allows entreamigos to keep our cash expenses lower and to hire more and much needed people for our library and childrens programs.

In our new volunteer program, committed volunteers will also be able to earn panchos that they can use towards purchases in our stores or towards classes in the library. Panchos make great tips and great “thank you’s” for staff and friends.

Parents who attend Parent Workshops on their own time also can earn a few panchos that they can then use in one of our Recicla Shop to buy food staples, toys or clothes for their families.

Parents can use panchos instead of money for additional art classes, sports classes and other “paid” activities for themselves or their children in entreamigos and elsewhere.

Who accepts Panchos?

In 2010, entreamigos introduced panchos internally as staff incentives. Now, in 2011 is the first year that we will introduce Panchos to the greater community.

Currently you can spend panchos in the Recicla Shop and the Imaginarte Gallery and Store at entreamigos. You can also use panchos towards the cost of paid classes at entreamigos, such as spanish classes or other cultural classes.

Please check back soon for the expanded list of community members that receive panchos!

For more information

To learn more about the use of community currencies and the ways that they support and build communities, please visit these websites:

http://www.global-community.org
http://www.smallisbeautiful.org/local_currencies.html
http://www.transaction.net/money/community/index.html