TimeBanking: The Wealth of Possibilities

[MagickMuffin]

I thought this might interest some of you, so I thought I should post it. I think this concept is a good idea and it is centered around a barter like system.


What is Time Banking All About?

At its most basic level, Time banking is simply about spending an hour doing something for somebody in your community. That hour goes into the Time Bank as a Time Dollar. Then you have a Time dollar to spend on having someone doing something for you. It's a simple idea, but it has powerful ripple effects in building community connections.

Each Time Bank has a website where you list what you would like to do for other members. You look up Time Bank services online or call a community coordinator to do it for you. You earn Time Dollars after each service you perform and then you get to spend it on whatever you want from the listings.

With Time Banking, you will be working with a small group of committed individuals who are joined together for a common good. It connects you to the best in people because it creates a system that connects unmet needs with untapped resources. To see what happens each week when you are part of Time Bank is deeply fulfilling, especially if you are helping to make it run.


http://www.timebanks.org/mission.htm


Guidebook Series for Starting TimeBanks

In response to feedback from aspiring TimeBankers, TimeBanks USA has redeveloped our start-up materials. We are proud to introduce TimeBanking: A Wealth of Possibilities, a new Guidebook series that leads individuals, community groups and organizations on a self-directed journey to a successful TimeBank.

Step 1:
TimeBanks USA Explorer Pack, $35

* Guidebook 1: Exploring the Big Ideas of Time Banking

This guidebook will guide you through the very first (and most important) step: learning about Time Banking and recruiting others to help you get started. Three meeting guides, complete with sample agendas, reading materials and discussion guides, will ensure that you and your team are on the same page from the very beginning. Additional copies may be ordered for $25 each.
* Priceless Money: Banking Time for Changing Times, by Edgar Cahn

A collection of short essays by Edgar Cahn, founder of Time Dollars and TimeBanking. Additional copies may be ordered for $10 each (or $5 per ebook download).

* Time Banking video shorts

Watch these videos with friends and colleagues to gather and inspire your core team, potential members, and champion supporters. These and other great videos are also available for online viewing. Additional DVDs may be ordered for $10 each.

Step 2:
Guidebook II: Visioning Your TimeBank, $35

Once you've been through Guidebook I: Exploring the Big Ideas of TimeBanking, and your group makes the commitment to organize a TimeBank, you won't want to skip this crucial step. Guidebook II: Visioning Your TimeBank will help your team determine the purpose of your future TimeBank. Check out an excerpt to see for yourself how valuable Guidebook II will be to your planning team.

Step 3:
Guidebook III: Planning Your TimeBank, (coming soon)

Now you have a Vision Statement, so it's time to plan and launch your TimeBank! In addition to helping your team create a comprehensive action plan, Guidebook III includes access to an online library of helpful sample documents, such as member application forms and handbooks, policy manuals and more. Guidebook III culminates in the launch of your TimeBank and joining the TBUSA Affiliate TimeBank Network.

Step 4:
Guidebook IV: Managing Your TimeBank, (coming soon)

Guidebook IV contains helpful information about the ongoing responsibilities of managing a growing TimeBank. Topics covered will include: financial sustainability, transition planning, expanding leadership in the TimeBank and working with local businesses and organizations.


http://www.timebanks.org/startup-package.htm


:grouphug:

[OneGrassRoot]

1. I'm a huge fan of time banks...

I have information on several, but this one doesn't look familiar.

Thanks! :hi:

Adding to edit, this organization is saying many of the things I've been rambling about. Awesome. I'm going to follow up with them for sure. Thanks again, MM. :hug:

http://www.timebanks.org/co-production.htm

[MagickMuffin]

2. I was thinking mostly of you when I posted this

A Soror sent me this info several months ago and with recent events I thought now is the time to do something about this.

Keep us posted with more details.

:hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

3. At first glance they seem to be a great resource...

I will definitely follow up on it. There is a program for organizations to start a time bank as a trial (evidently there is a fee if you continue). Granted, the idea is to do this locally, where one lives, but perhaps we can start it as a virtual online group and then implement it in our local communities.

That's been the idea with Wishadoo all along -- give a way(s) for people to connect, then implement these new tools in our local communities. This could be another tool to offer to help people connect and help one another and the community in general; a time bank for the Wishadoo Community, and also help connect people to any existing time banks in their local area.

Cool! :hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

4. If anyone is interested in this, let me know...

Here is a video showing how their particular time bank software works:

http://www.timebanks.org/swf/tour/weaver-demo.htm

It's pretty expensive. If it's a large organization, it's $500 for 500 members plus $1 for each additional member.


As you will see, their program is basically like Wishadoo's Wishlist but adds features to it as it pertains to "time dollars."

That is an element I haven't mentioned yet, but I've always had a non-monetary system to be used to "do business" with the Wishadoo Community members in mind down the road. Especially student-driven ideas in this regard. Having them "do good" within the community and receive compensation in some way...a way that enables them to keep doing good and even pay it forward.

If there is something here that makes more sense than what I've been trying to convey -- because what they're doing is creating the same type of bridge I'm trying to -- and it clicks, please let me know, because this can be implemented, somehow, via the foundation that is already there at Wishadoo. We can brainstorm how, and how to also weave income opportunity cooperatives into things as well.

Thanks again, MM. :)

:grouphug: