Summer news from Positive Money network

This is a very busy time for the Positive Money network. Throughout the summer months, our supporters pitch up at festivals, attend conferences and run stalls at local events.

They use these summer gatherings to engage people in conversation. Probing the assumptions of passers-by about where money comes from, who has the power to create it, and what this means for our economy and society. They use these conversations to raise awareness of the Positive Money message: that money can be created free of debt and used in the public interest.

These conversations build our movement.

Already this year, more than 100 Positive Money events have taken place across the country. Below are snippets from some of the events supporters have been to so far this summer.

“The Cheltenham and Gloucester Positive Money team were on home ground for Cheltenham Pride, and four of us had a very happy afternoon discussing matters monetary with a wide variety of people…  I feel honoured to be engaged in this work; and honoured to engage in it with such splendid team-mates, as we come together with our different strengths and particular areas of knowledge’.”

Ingrid Prosser, Cheltenham and Gloucester

“This summer I had my first experience of being on a Positive Money stall… At first, I was a bit nervous. But once you have spoken to a couple of people, and warmed up, you quickly realise it will be fine. At the end of each day I went home knowing that, having engaged with our stall, people had begun to wonder if we could actually have a better money system. It was a great experience.”

Cristina Bancora, Camden and Islington

“At The Ethex Gathering attendees were keen to know what they could do to support good causes and were very interested in the Positive Money campaign. We sold out of books and will be better prepared for that next time. It was very interesting to connect with investment professionals who are interested in social causes.”

Guy Harper, Bristol

“Several members from the Waterloo Local Group, attended the Rethinking Economics annual conference, based in Greenwich. The conference featured some high-profile speakers, such as Steve Keen and Ann Pettifor. We found that people coming out of the conference lectures were keen to talk about what they had just learned, and wanted to take their understanding to the next level. Therefore, it was also the perfect opportunity to highlight Positive Money’s network of local discussion groups.”

Sasha Karim, Waterloo

“No matter if it’s at Glasto or your local village fete, telling people about Positive Money is key to making change happen. Everything starts from somewhere and to repeat the words of William James that were printed on the back of the Speaker’s Forum: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

Amy Coats, Glastonbury Festival

“Robert from the Camden PM group sent an invitation to take part in the Anti Austerity march in London on the 20th June with the loose theme of playing in a marching band. At one point we stopped marching and positioning ourselves on a raised kerb in the middle of the street, we belted out our best tune whilst the masses marched past around us. It was a rare chance of promoting Positive Money that did not require a competent grasp of economic facts and theory, or powers of persuasion.  We were just having fun and sharing it, and in doing so we were also promoting the campaign in a very direct way.”

Ian Chan, Camden

Joining a local group is the best way to get involved with the Positive Money community and help our campaign to reform the money system. Find out if there is a local group in your area here.

No local group in your area? Get in touch with me by replying to this email and we can work together to set one up.