Sustainability column by the Transition Mount Shasta team, Karen Carty, director
Two weeks ago we introduced Transition Mount Shasta and the goals we wish to achieve. One of our main initial projects was the development of a user-supported website to help facilitate trade within our county, promote local goods and services, and to share information of local interest. With much dedication and hard work, www.shastacommons.org was born.
Shastacommons.org was created as a free community exchange for the public to participate in, posting their own content ranging from services and goods to a community forum and events calendar. The site is for all Siskiyou County residents and businesses who want to participate in a local community network.
Additionally, there will be sections on important topics relevant to a sustainable economy – jobs sought or offered, rentals, rides, garden space, garden skills, the arts, permaculture and any other sections and categories that the community desires.
Shastacommons.org was designed to be easy to use and navigate with the ability to expand and grow into an informative, dynamic economic hub. The user simply creates an account and, upon activating, has access to the service of listing free of charge.
New content is displayed immediately, so it’s a great way to stay updated about what local goods, services or events are offered right here within Siskiyou County.
Additionally, there are opportunities to trade with others who are offering something you might need – list a home for sale or rent, search for jobs or carpooling opportunities, ask for gardening help, ask questions in a forum, post an article of interest – the list is endless.
To list your own endeavors, go to www.shastacommons.org and choose “Create an Account.” Choose a user name and password and you’ll receive a confirmation link in your e-mail box.
Click the link and you’ll be directed to the page that explains how to post on a forum. If you’re just looking, you may browse the listings to see what is available right here in your own backyard. You may be amazed at the variety of what is being offered.
If for any reason you need help getting started, just send the administrator an e-mail. Articles and pictures are also welcome. Send them as attachments to administrator@shastacommons.org
Everyone has something to offer, whether it’s an established business or an individual who wants to give a simple service. The shastacommons.org registry is growing quickly and the more people that participate, the more vibrant and prosperous our community will become, with a wider audience and greater exposure for the content listed.
We aim to make the experience of browsing and posting content as user-friendly as possible. And links can be created to your own business website as well.
Since this is a Transition Mount Shasta project, a link to the Siskiyou County Sustainability Survey is posted on the www.shastacommons.org site and we encourage everyone to take a bit of time to participate. The response has been excellent so far, and the more results we get, the more accurate they will be.
For more information on the Initiatives of Transition Mount Shasta, visit www.transitiontowns.org/MountShasta-CA-USA, www.transitionus.org and www.shastacommons.org
Mount Shasta, Calif. —
