Resolutely Local

January 07, 2010

Dear BerkShares Businesses,

The start of a new year is traditionally a time for reflection and
goal-setting on all fronts, and buying habits are no exception. So what does
it take to modify our buying habits and exercise our purchasing power as a
force for social change? In its first three years serving as our local
currency, BerkShares has supported our regional economy by attending to some
essential principles of successful habit changing:

1. Awareness: As the crucial first step in transforming where and how we
spend, BerkShares has successfully brought greater awareness to questions of
local self-reliance and money issuance, birthing a new consciousness around
consumer habits and how they effect one's community. "The bigger effect of
BerkShares is the conversations it's elicited," co-founder Susan Witt told
CNN in 2009.

2. Wanting to Change: Through educational outreach and strong community
presence, BerkShares' vision inspires citizens to think differently about
the goods they buy and the food they consume. BerkShares helps create new
habits by prioritizing responsible production and consumption whenever
possible. The BerkShares values and practices of community, economy,
ecology and sustainability are being recognized as the needed antidote to
the failed promises of exponential growth and big everything.

3. Commitment & Perseverance: Changing habits is never easy, but as the
BerkShares expands and innovates, there are ever more opportunities to spend
your BerkShares into the local economy. From its modest beginnings with 90
dedicated businesses, the currency is now officially accepted by an
impressive stronghold of 376 local merchants, service providers, and
organizations.

We encourage you to take on a BerkShares new year's resolution to change
your buying habits and think more local than ever. We call on all of you,
our loyal participating business, to fulfill your basic needs of food,
culture, clothing, shelter, and energy – locally and with BerkShares,
whenever possible. Please send us your stories and intentions for shopping
more locally in 2010. And keep your eyes and ears open for special
BerkShares deals – like an extra 10% off at Route 7 Grill (route7grill.com)
on Thursdays when you buy with BerkShares.

Best Wishes and Happy New Year,

The BerkShares Team
P. O. Box 125
Great Barrington, MA 01230
413 528-1737
info@berkshares.org