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Introduction
Toronto Dollars is a non-profit organization whose object is to spread the use of the Toronto Dollar local currency throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Founded in 1998, Toronto Dollars is a unique response to the worldwide local currency movement. Unlike most local currencies which are closed systems, mostly trading services, Toronto Dollars is convertible to the Canadian Dollars and can be used to purchase goods and services from many mainstream businesses in two Toronto Neighbourhoods. Over 150 businesses in the St. Lawrence Market and Theatre District accept Toronto Dollars as well as virtually every merchant in Gerrard Square. Over $250,000 Toronto Dollars have been exchanged since it’s inception.
The Concept
Exchange $100 Canadian dollars for $100 Toronto Dollars at the Toronto Dollar Booth in the St. Lawrence Market. Spend these $100 Toronto Dollars at the Market and/or at most stores and restaurants in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood and get $100 of goods and services. Toronto Dollars deposits your $100 Canadian Dollars in two different bank accounts. $10 i.e. 10% goes into the Project Fund, to be distributed to local projects and grass routes Toronto charities. $90, i.e 90% goes into the Reserve Fund. Merchants who receive your Toronto Dollars have the option of re spending the money at par with other merchants as Toronto Dollars or converting the money back into Canadian Dollars through the Reserve Fund. They received 90% back on conversion, i.e. $90 Canadian Dollars for $100 Toronto Dollars redeemed.
Executive Director Position
The Trillium Foundation has awarded Toronto Dollars a two year grant to cover the salary component of its first full time Executive Director. At present, the organization is in the midst of discussions with the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), the City of Toronto, and the St. Stanilaus – St. Casimir’s Polish Credit Union towards getting the Toronto Dollar local currency established within every business district across the city, in an effort to eventually raise at least $15 million annually for local projects and charities and to stimulate Toronto’s main street economy.
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| Responsibilities: |
- 1. Day to day administration of Toronto Dollars and overseeing of the distribution and redemption of funds, to groups that exchange Toronto Dollars and businesses that redeem them
- 2. To establish contact with and provide backup support to all participating businesses in the St. Lawrence Area and Gerrard Square
- 3. To increase the number of businesses in these areas participating in the programme
- 4. To liaise with the St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre staff and the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association and manage the Count Me In campaign. Count Me In is a pilot project intending to raise $20,000 for the St. Lawrence Community Recreation Centre for additional free after school programme for youth. These funds will be raised if 2000 people in the area exchange $100 Canadian Dollars for $100 Toronto Dollars over the next 12 months. This pilot is meant to be a prototype that can be replicated by every community center across Toronto eventually.
- 5. Meetings with the executive director of TABIA, its board of directors, and BIA members in different parts of the city to educate each BIA about Toronto Dollars and help them sign up their member to accept this local currency.
- 6. Speak with community groups, such as directors of community centers, to facilitate their creating Count Me In Campaigns involving local businesses and residents to raise funds for local projects, by doing a portion of their normal shopping through Toronto Dollars.
- 7. Liaison with the St. Stanilaus-St. Casimir’s Credit Union and other financial institutions, to organize their exchanging Toronto Dollars from their branches and ATM’s, as well as eventually making Toronto Dollars an electronic currency with bank accounts and smart cards.
- 8. Mobilizing volunteers for Toronto Dollars to exchange the currency within communities, by recruiting volunteers through various charity websites and the Toronto School Board.
- 9. Assist with Toronto Dollar Fundraising Initiatives, such as writing grant proposals and organizing charity bingo’s etc.
- 10. Raise the profile of Toronto Dollar and educate and motivate the general public to support Toronto Dollars through media interviews, articles, and by organizing public events in collaboration with local community and business groups.
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Qualifications: |
- You will be an experienced networker, with great communication skills and contacts in Toronto municipal government and/or with Toronto community organizations and/or local main street business associations. You will be organized, entrepreneurial, energetic, and imaginative, with experience in community economic development and/or public relations. You will enjoy the challenge of a multi faceted position and be able to set and accomplish clear objectives, within reasonable time frames. You must grasp the needs of the corporate world, and also have firsthand volunteer and fundraising experience. You must be able to take a leadership role in a consensus environment. You must be able to work with strong personalities, while keeping the orgs stated goals in view. You must be able to motivate people to volunteer (ie. be able to develop interesting chunks of work)
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Salary
This is to be a contract position of one year’s duration, with the possibility of a one year extension. Toronto Dollars Community Inc. is in a growth mode. This position could evolve into a permanent one, if the candidate is able to further our goal of becoming city wide. Hours are a 40 hour work week, including meetings in the evenings or on weekends wherever necessary.
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