You'll be amazed to see what Baltimore is doing with their local currency - the BNote. Check out the pics, check out the benefits.

You'll be amazed to see what banks in the Bershire region of Massachusetts are doing with their local currency - the Berkshare. Check out the pics, see what kind of community service they are providing to their communities.

We use different forms of currency everyday. Each of us is involved in loyalty programs that include everything from frequent flyer miles to coffee punch cards, all of which are forms of community currency. Sonoma Jacks is merely a shared loyalty program for Sonoma based, independently owned businesses who want to not only expand the market segment that "Buys Local," but reinforce it as a ethic. Sonoma Jacks are essentially gift cards, only in the form of local currency. Just as
you cannot use a Starbucks gift card at Barking Dog Roasters, you will likely not be able to use a Sonoma Jacks at Starbucks. Sonoma Jacks simply reinforces the "Buy Local" ethic because now people can "buy local with local money."

Cittaslow is working with community banks in Sonoma so that, if a merchant has excess Sonoma Jacks, these may be cashed in for US Dollars. However, because the currency denominations that are circulating are small bills ($1, $5, and $10), we feel that, if a merchant receives payment in Jacks, that s/he can give it away as change fairly readily. Because these are going to be beautiful representations of Sonoma's history, agriculture and lifestyle, we believe that people will welcome receiving them.

So, in summary, Sonoma Jacks is a community loyalty program that
allows people to now buy local with local money. Because of this, small, independently owned businesses in Sonoma will see an increase in new customers, more repeat business, and may even use Sonoma Jacks as a unique marketing vehicle, offering discounts or other promotions if people pay using Sonoma Jacks, increasing their sales even further. Here is a complete list of benefits.

Sonoma Valley was designated the first Cittaslow in the USA on November 28, 2009, in Abbiategrasso, Italy. A community-wide celebration took place in Sonoma on January 27, 2010, with Cittaslow International President Gian Luca Marconi, and Director Pier Giorgio Oliveti presenting Cittaslow certification.

Cittaslow Sonoma Valley’s mission is to be a catalyst for sustainable well-being for all. Because currency facilitates many of our economic transactions, we believe we can claim the system as our own and use it to reinforce our values. With Sonoma Jacks as our prefered currency, we look to celebrate Sonoma's heritage, reinforce sustainable agriculture practices in Sonoma Valley, and inspire people to embrace Sonoma's unique lifestyle.

Sonoma has seen many different types of currency used to facilitate economic transactions in its markets and places of business. At the time of the founding of Sonoma, there was very little currency in circulation, so bartering was common. Over time, different coins were introduced by either the Mexican or American governments. Paper currency, called "greenbacks," were first issued as Legal Tender in 1862 and discontinued in 1971. Nowadays, many people use corporate branded credit cards, or even complementary currency in the form of frequent flier miles, to pay for goods/services in Sonoma Valley. Cittaslow Sonoma Valley is introducing a new form of currency, Sonoma Jacks, that, eventually, will directly stimulate demand for sustainable agriculture products in Sonoma Valley while celebrating our rich heritage.

* Baltimore BNotes
* Berkshares
* Brixton Pound
* Brooklyn Torch
* Calgary Dollars
* Columbia Gorge region RiverHOURS
* Community Exchange System – Public Domain Money
* Crom Alternative Exchange (Croatia)
* Ithaca Hours
* Kilowatt Cards
* Lewes Pound
* LOAVES – New Zealand
* New Earth Exchange
* New Orleans Crescent
* Nimbin LETS Notes
* Pittsboro Plenty
* Potomac Dollar
* Roanoke, VA "Nokies"
* Salt Spring Dollars
* Seattle Local Bucks
* Toronto Dollar
* Traverse City, MI Bay Bucks