Cash mobs have been adopted by communities and occupiers alike. Participants organize independently of the store's knowledge and flood it randomly with customers. The businesses that benefit from cash mobs are often agreed on by all participants. They tend to be examples of businesses that do more than sell items; they give back to the community and are actively involved. Each customer typically commits to spending a certain minimum, say 10 or 20 dollars. These micro-purchases, when completed en masse add up to a lot for a local business.

History

This fantastic workshop created by Oxfam Canada and the Vancouver Fair Trade Coffee Network outlines everything a facilitator needs to know to put on an amazing workshop. The guide includes agendas for either one or two hour workshops. Add in multimedia clips to make the session come alive! The workshop covers:

Facilitator tips

Detailed agendas with discussion questions

Multiple handouts

Evaluation sheets

Part two of a two-part story. Click here to read part one.

For two years, community activists in Salmon Arm led the fight against a gigantic Smart!Centres development planned for an environmentally sensitive floodplain. In October 2008, after five nights of emotional public hearings at which hundreds of community members spoke passionately against the plan, the council voted down the development by the narrowest of margins.

With a three-three tie vote, it was a TKO.