su LETSystem -
Run by the community for the community....
LETSystems are designed as a tool to serve the community and which is run by the community. The operation of a system provides chances for people to work for their community and for themselves in a productive and optomistic fashion.
suLETSystems Registry is good but since it is currently being operated by one individual it could be much better ! In order for this to happen the Registry requires a firm commitment to help from a number of forward thinking people (students or otherwise) from around the Salford Area. We do not discriminate.
To run suLETS efficiently the following key participants are required;
Steward
Advisors
Coordinator
Directory Producers
The following are extracts from section 3.2 of the LETSystem Design Manual written by Michael Linton of Landsman Community Services Ltd and Angus Soutar of Robert Soutar Ltd.
The extracts contain descriptions of the roles of key players in operating a LETSystem Registry.
Steward
The stewardship role is about looking after the LETSystem as a whole and maintaining its integrity. A Steward (sometimes called the trustee in other countries) is responsible for:
- setting charges in consultation with the Recording Co-ordinator and Advisory Group
- acting in the best interest of account-holders in general to:
- suspend accounts or
- instruct the Administration to refuse to record a transaction (in cases of anti-social behaviour which is damaging to the operation of
the system).
- working with the Advisory group to resolve complaints about stewardship
- monitoring development and liaising with other groups.
The idea is to keep intervention to a minimum. This job is generally unpaid, and should stay so until there is good reason for a change.
Advisors
A self-selected Advisory Group is composed of account-holders who are not involved in other aspects of organisation. They put themselves forward at an early stage to act as sounding boards and to advise the Steward or the Recording Co-ordinator.
This role is one of observing and communicating. As with stewardship, the advisors are unpaid.
1) The Recording Co-ordinator takes responsibility for keeping the accounts. Since this function is performed by the Registry Co-Ordinator (see Section 3.1), any systems attached to a Registry can do without their own Recording Co-Ordinator, and rely on the Steward for liaison with the Registry. The tasks are to:
- ensure that all entries are made according to the instructions of the account holders
- make available accounting information when it is required by the account holders
- keep the administration account in balance
- levy charges (after consultation with Advisory Group and Stewards) to recover costs of accounting administration
- carry out valid requests from LETSystem Stewards (see next section)
Coordinators
Note that this is a co-ordinating role and the accounting work can be shared amongst other participants. Both the co-ordinating and the
accounting work should be rewarded in local currency and charged at cost to the account holders. (A flat fee per transaction is the fairest way.)
Directory Producers
The directory is a separate function which does not require the involvement of anyone outside the directory group. Once a
system is up and running, the directory can be provided by this independent group as an offer through the system. Costs are recovered
from users of this service as they are incurred and are transferred to those who operate the directory.
Landsman Community Services Ltd Paper No. 3.2 Version No 1.3 17 August 94
Written by Michael Linton of Landsman Community Services Ltd. and Angus Soutar of Robert Soutar Ltd.
If anyone out there is interested in helping then please contact Rob Squires;
E:Mail R.K.Squires@chemistry.salford.ac.uk
Telephone 0744 612778 (evenings only please).
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Pages compiled 01/03/95 by Rob Squires of Manchester CTC Ltd
E:mail comments to R.K.Squires@chemistry.salford.ac.uk