... from a dear client and friend...

Hi Friends,

Please (consider) a local, ethical investment with a pretty decent return with Grand River Car Share (better than most GICs currently).

You can invest up to $1,000 in the co-op and this year will earn 3.5% interest on a 3 year term, compounded annually. New investments are raised this way because they offer an investment opportunity for members that is usually higher than a GIC or savings account, because the co-op saves on interest payments versus a line of credit, and because co-ops work best when debt is owned by members and not by outside financial institutions.

You do not have to be a member of the car share to invest - but you will need to become an Associate Member and there is a $10 fee for that.

Thanks and please forward to your contacts!

Tanya.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Matthew Piggott
Date: Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Subject: [Carshare-members] Debentures 2011: Time to Add A New Vehicle to the Fleet!
To: carshare-members@listserv.grandrivercarshare.ca

Dear Grand River CarShare and Hamilton CarShare Members,

As many of your will remember, last year we achieved a great result from our debenture campaign by adding a Mazda 5 to the fleet. This year the co-op wants to do even better. That's why I'm writing to you with the exciting details of your co-op's 2011 Debenture Campaign.

As a quick refresher, this is how debentures work. All co-op members (even associate members) can invest up to $1,000 in their co-op and this year will earn 3.5% interest on a 3 year term, compounded annually. New investments are raised this way because they offer an investment opportunity for members that is usually higher than a GIC or savings account, because the co-op saves on interest payments versus a line of credit, and because co-ops work best when debt is owned by members and not by outside financial institutions.

Now here's the good part. Over the last year the co-op has listened very carefully and kept a record of your feedback with regards to what new vehicles you would like to see in the fleet. That's why I'm excited to announce that for 2011 the co-op would like to add a cargo van or pick-up truck to the fleet!

The co-op has created a final survey for members only that will have the most weight on the final vehicle decision. If you would like to have your feedback heard then please fill out the following survey.

In order to achieve this goal we need to raise $30,000 in investments and to do so by the deadline of October 31st. Based on feedback from the action committees we are asking members in both Hamilton and Waterloo Region to invest in this project.

Because we've set an ambitious goal this year, here are a few tools you can use to reach out to your networks. First the co-op has drafted a letter you can send to anyone you know who might be interested in investing in the co-op. Please feel free to adapt this letter and send it to all of your contacts. You need to be an associate member to invest (a $10 refundable deposit is required) and investments can range from $250 to $1,000.

As well, this year we've made it easier for associate members to sign up, by having an online sign up form available on the website. Also be sure to check back to our website frequently for debenture campaign updates, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more details.

I'm excited about the new step forward our co-op is taking and I hope you'll join myself and other co-op members by investing in your co-op this year. Because I continue to see the value of the great work being done by Grand River CarShare, as well as a financially sustainable investment opportunity, I have once again decided to invest $1,000 in the co-op (so only $29,000 is needed to reach our goal!).

I hope to hear from you soon and thank you once again for considering an investment in your co-op.

Sincerely,

Matthew Piggott
Member Services Coordinator

Grand River CarShare & Hamilton CarShare

290 King St. E., Unit 203
Kitchener, ON
N2G 2L3
Tel: 519-578-1895
Tel: 905-543-4411
Fax: 519-579-2195
www.grandrivercarshare.ca
www.hamiltoncarshare.ca

facebook.com/GrandRiverCarShare
facebook.com/HamiltonCarShare
Twitter: @GrRiverCarShare / @HammerCarShare