A BCU spokesperson said when the credit union learned about the forum, it jumped at the opportunity to become involved.

“The theme Going Local ties in perfectly with everything BCU stands for, even down to our Vision that is at the heart of everything we do – To be the best people locally, to talk to about money,” the spokesperson said.
Vice president for enterprise development with the Training and Development Corporation based in Maine, Michael Shuman will speak at the event.

Shuman has written two books on the topic and is the co-founder and an active participant in the Business Alliance for Growing Local Living Economies.

“By presenting Michael’s ideas to the people who are the leaders and drivers of our local business community, we are hoping that they will act as catalysts within their own networks to get the message out that by spending and saving locally everyone can make a difference,” the spokesperson said.

“Next year will mark BCU’s 40th year providing grassroots community banking on the north coast of NSW - this is something we have done passionately for many years and even as the credit union has grown,
maintaining economic sustainability on a local level is something we have never lost sight of.”

“With the way things are in the world at present, I think the time is right to show people how they can make a difference and how it is possible to move away from the global economy.”

The spokesperson said in the past, campaigns run by the community to promote local spending had been expensive to run, draining on resources and short lived.

"This forum is all about developing sustainable initiatives,” she said.

“That means looking at people’s behaviour and re-educating the way people spend, bank and the way people think about their local community so we end up with long-term benefits.

“It’s about showing people that as long as they are passionate and enthusiastic enough about something, they are never too small to make a difference,” the spokesperson said.

The Going Local – Creating New Economies forum will be held on June 26 2009.