Unpacking Your Financial Ecosystem – Links & Resources

“The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.” `Chief Joseph, Nez Perce leader

By Catherine Austin Fitts

For our webinar Unpacking Your Financial Ecosystem, I asked Dr. Allison Bingham to serve as knowledge manager. See her resume at the end of this post. Dr. Bingham will be joining me on the live webinar to help with documentation. She has helped me prepare this collection of links.

I chose Lewiston, Idaho as the city we would use in the webinar to demonstrate accessing information about the flow of resources in a local area. Consequently, the majority of links below access information about Lewiston and its environment. You should be able to find comparable sources of information for any location in most developed countries.

Below the links on Lewiston, there are also links to other related Solari Reports and information.

A community and a local economy are living systems. There is a dynamic relationship between all the people, living things and natural resources within a place. Living systems perpetually grow and change.

The Valley Quest program is an award-winning, place-based education program based in Vermont that uses treasure hunts to celebrate community, natural history, cultural sites, stories, and special places.

Learning about a financial ecosystem that is part of a dynamic living system is a journey – there is always more to learn. That is why it is so important that you enjoy your journey.

Financial systems are man-made systems designed to govern, own, transact and manage resource allocation. They operate within legal jurisdictions and systems.

One of the benefits on learning “how the money works” around you is to ensure you understand your financial obligations and liabilities as a citizen and find opportunities to reengineer the financial system to better serve you and your local living systems.

When government budgets were under great stress in the 1980’s, a group of Brazilians implemented participatory budgeting in which the citizens took an active part in developing local budgets.

I will never forget the budget director of New York City telling me that the city was spending $150 million on cleaning up litter. If the citizens would be willing to stop littering that money could do so much good in educating children or helping with health care in the poorest neighborhoods. The trade-offs she was managing were truly tragic. She was right – an informed citizenry could have done much more for themselves with the available resources. The person who threw their fast food bag on the sidewalk could not connect that with the fact the local hospital could not afford a treatment for their child as a result.

Thousands of such opportunities appear the higher the financial IQ of a community.

In a time of change supporting the best local leaders with the best local intelligence regarding how to use our resources wisely can make an enormous difference. Indeed, it could rebuild our economy and create millions of jobs. When and where we unleash the group intelligence, miraculous things can happen.

So, let’s dive in and take a look at Lewiston, Idaho!

Please post your questions and comments for the webinar here. All discussion welcome!

Case study: Lewiston, Idaho. Unpacking the local financial eco-system of the City of Lewiston, Idaho

Unpacking the physical environment of Lewiston, Idaho

Data PointLink to Information
Overview: Physical locationhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston,_Idaho
Overview: Geography – prominent featureshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston,_Idaho
Snake River Basinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_River
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston,_Idaho#/media/File:SnakeRiverNicerMap.jpg
Clearwater River Basinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearwater_River_(Idaho)
Natural resources (climate, wildlife, geology) State and Countyhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston%2C_Idaho
https://www.idwr.idaho.gov/
https://www.co.nezperce.id.us/Departments/PlanningandBuilding/ComprehensivePlan/ComprehensivePlanHomePage/NaturalResources.aspx

Unpacking culture, people, and history of Lewiston, Idaho

Data PointLink to Information
Local history and culturehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston,_Idaho
Local demographics and population datahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston,_Idaho
https://www.cityoflewiston.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston%2C_Idaho
Other Interesting Features
Nez Perce Tribal websitehttps://nezperce.org/
Lewis & Clark State Collegehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition

 

http://www.lcsc.edu/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis%E2%80%93Clark_State_College

Churches, temples, synagogues, mosqueshttp://www.city-data.com/city/Lewiston-Idaho.html
Schoolshttp://www.city-data.com/city/Lewiston-Idaho.html
Recreationhttp://visitnorthcentralidaho.org/things-to-do/city-of-lewiston-parks-recreation/
https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/
https://idfg.idaho.gov/region/clearwater
https://idfg.idaho.gov/education/lewiston-wildlife-habitat-area

Unpacking the governance structure of Lewiston, Idaho

Data PointLink to Information
What jurisdiction do I live in?

 

  • What does jurisdiction mean?
  • What is a municipality?
  • What is a county?
  • What is a state?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewiston,_Idaho
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jurisdiction
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipality
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state
Lewiston governance structurehttps://www.cityoflewiston.org/
Lewiston schools and city serviceshttps://www.cityoflewiston.org/
Community Developmenthttps://www.cityoflewiston.org/content/850/1066/default.aspx
Nez Perce county jurisdiction & governance structurehttp://www.co.nezperce.id.us/
State of Idaho jurisdiction & governancehttps://www.idaho.gov/
https://legislature.idaho.gov
https://www.sos.idaho.gov/elect/stcon/index.html
Judiciary 
Clerk of the Idaho Supreme Court and Court of Appealshttps://isc.idaho.gov/
Idaho State Judiciaryhttps://www.idcourts.us/repository/start.do
Law enforcement /security (city, county, state, federal)https://www.cityoflewiston.org/content/850/888/default.aspx
http://www.co.nezperce.id.us/ElectedOfficials/Sheriff.aspx
https://idfg.idaho.gov/enforcement
National Guard Armory
Federal and state land management/strong> 
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests (United States Department of Agriculture- National Park Service)https://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater/
Wallowa- Whitman National Foresthttps://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/
https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency
https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency
Idaho Department of Water Resources (Snake river and Clearwater river basins)https://www.idwr.idaho.gov/
Idaho Water Users Associationhttp://www.iwua.org/Resolutions/2017%20Resolutions.pdf
US Department of Interior-Bureau of Land Management (Federal waterways)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_the_Interior
https://www.doi.gov/
Other local governing boardshttp://www.iwua.org/Resolutions/2017%20Resolutions.pdf
City Councilhttps://www.cityoflewiston.org/content/848/864/default.aspx
Port of Lewistonhttp://portoflewiston.com/

Debt and Unfunded Retirement Costs as a Share of State Personal Income, 2013

(Click image to view larger)

Unpacking the local economic engine and finance flows in Lewiston, Idaho

Data PointLink to Information
Lewiston Business Developmenthttps://www.cityoflewiston.org/content/856/1157/default.aspx
Comprehensive annual financial report, budget and financial statementshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_annual_financial_report

 

https://www.cityoflewiston.org/

Lewiston schools and city services2015 – https://www.cityoflewiston.org/filestorage/551/615/1356/1416/2015_CAFR.pdf
Lewiston: Strategic planhttps://portoflewiston.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Strategic-Plan-2020-DRAFT-12.07.2020-3.pdf
CEDSComprehensive Economic Development Strategy
https://www.cityoflewiston.org/filestorage/551/601/CEDS_2009_2014_Appendix_A.PDF
State Revenues & State Underfunded Pensions, Debt, Heath Care Liabilities(run query on Idaho)
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2014/fiscal-50#ind0
Bonds – Municipal Filings for State and Local Governments and Public Agencies and Authorities
(run search on Lewiston, Idaho)
http://emma.msrb.org/IssuerHomePage/Issuer?id=4394E555A49F37E097089D46650BCCF9&type=G
Stocks – SEC Filings for Public Companieshttps://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html
Center for Responsive Politics – Official Sitehttp://www.opensecrets.org
Search Campaign Finance Data by Individual Contributorhttp://fec.gov/finance/disclosure/norindsea.shtml
Contributions to All Other Political Committees Except Joint Fundraising Committeeshttps://www.followthemoney.org/
Urban Renewal Agencyhttps://www.cityoflewiston.org/content/848/6585/default.aspx
Financial 
Commercial & Savings banks 
Credit Unions 
Mortgage banking 
Brokerage firms 
Insurance Agencies 
Health Care 
Doctors 
Clinics 
Nurse Practitioners 
Hospitals 
Pharmacies 
Physical Therapy 
Real Estate 
Construction 
Property Owners & Managers 
Home Improvement 
Brokers & Appraisers 
Sports & Recreation 
Gyms 
Sportsplex 
Transportation 
Airportshttp://www.airportflyer.com/lws/
Railroads 
Trucking 
Roads and Bridges 
Transithttp://ridethevalley.org/
Trails 
Spaceports 
Waterways/ports 
Utilitieshttps://www.cityoflewiston.org/publicworks
Water 
Sewer 
Energy 
  
US military installations 

Unpacking the local food ecosystem

Data PointLink to Information
Agriculture/horticulturehttp://www.agri.idaho.gov/AGRI/
http://www.agri.idaho.gov/AGRI/Categories/AboutISDA/Documents/directory/AgDirectory_Staff.pdf
Local Farmers marketshttp://www.localharvest.org/lewiston-farmers-market-M17170
Terminal markets 
Local farm associations 
Local farms 
Local garden clubs 
Local Weston A. Price club 
Orchards 
Local Ranches 
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)http://www.localharvest.org/lewiston-id/
Grocery stores and Cooperatives 
Farm Credit Bureau 
Grangehttp://www.grange.org/idahostate/
Hunting, Fishing, and Wildlifehttps://idfg.idaho.gov/region/clearwater
https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt

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Solari Report: Who’s Your Sheriff?

Solari Report: Rebuilding a Local Economy

Subscription only: Rebuilding a Local Economy: Outline & Links

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Solari Report: Startup Financing for the Rest of Us

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Solari Tool: http://silverandgoldaremoney.com

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Solari Report: Creating Liquidity in Your Neighborhood & Networks

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Follow the Money: A Citizens Guide to Local Government, American Institute for Economic Research

Wikipedia: Participatory Budgeting

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Economics 101

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Karma Means You Don’t Get Away with Anything

The Field by Lynne McTaggart

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Bio

Dr. Allison Bingham is an independent consultant and provides technical and strategic program implementation support to organizations both domestically and globally with a focus on low resource settings. Dr. Bingham provides strategic support to set organization strategic direction, develops, designs, implement and manage evidence -based public health interventions, generates evidence for proof of concept, program effectiveness and feasibility, build processes for decision making, and create feedback loops between key stakeholders. In her work, Dr. Bingham helps to foster a culture of data utilization for programmatic and business decision-making, and for measurement and evaluation. A medical anthropologist and public health specialist by training, Dr. Bingham has worked as a program development specialist and research scientist in the international health and development sector for nearly 30 years with over 30 scientific publications.

Dr. Bingham recently completed a career with PATH, an international nonprofit organization and leader in global health innovation aimed at saving lives and improving health, especially among women and children. Over her professional life, Dr. Bingham has served as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on health and development-related applied research studies and program evaluations aimed at bringing new health initiatives, products and technologies to developing country/low resource settings. Over her tenure, she has been supported by funding from Fulbright- Hayes Fellowship program, Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes for Health, USAID, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Hewlett-Packard Foundation, Buffet Foundation, Exxon Mobil foundation, Glaxo-Smith Kline, and Merck among others.

These team-based initiatives were multi-disciplinary and generally included stakeholders from public agencies, large and small business sector, the media, as well as consumers and other key constituents, often in community settings. She has lived and worked in Latin and South America, Africa, India, SE Asia as well as in urban dense areas of the Eastern United States. Dr. Bingham received her PhD in the Program for Applied Medical Anthropology and Public health at the University of Connecticut in 1998, her MS at Georgia State University in 1987, and BS from Brigham University in 1982. Dr.Bingham currently resides in a very small mountain community in Central, Washington and enjoys mountain sports, gardening, traveling, and raising German Shepherd dogs.

Listen to a Recording of the Live Seminar

You can listen to a recording of the seminar of Unpacking Your Financial Ecosystem here.

Make sure to follow along with the seminar on this page.