An introduction to Timebanking

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An introduction to Timebanking

• Arts Factory
• 2002

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content

• what is a timebank ?
• a brief history
• how does it work ?
• core values
• frequently asked questions
• what skills can we exchange ?
• whos interested ?

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what is a timebank ?
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• a way for people to help each other
• deposit time by giving someone some help
• withdraw time by receiving some help from
  someone

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an hour is an hour is an hour...

• adult literacy
• after school care
• baby-sitting
• bereavement visiting
• book keeping
• budgeting
• car maintenance
• car washing

• cooking
• child minding
• coaching sports
• computer skills
• cycle repairs
• Djing
• dog walking
• doing errands

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• driving
• escorting to appointments
• foot massage
• form filling
• foot massage
• gardening
• glass engraving

• healing
• house sitting
• ironing
• knitting
• letter writing
• companionship
• massage
• meeting kids from school

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• metalwork
• site clearance
• painting decorating
• pet care
• photography
• plant watering
• pottery
• desk top publishing

• reflexology
• shopping
• home repairs
• tai chi
• tarot reading
• tool sharpening
• translating
• typing

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• visiting the housebound
• woodwork
• writing articles

• All skills that are currently on offer to members
  of Fair Shares - a timebank in Gloucester

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a brief history..
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• timedollars invented in US by Edgar Cahn..mid
  80s
• now over 200 timedollar schemes in US
• some with thousands of members
• schemes also in Japan, China UK

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• www.timedollars.org
• www.timedollartutoring.org

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in UK.

• www.fairshares.co.uk
• www.timebanks.co.uk
• currently about 30 schemes up running - most
  not more than a year old

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how does a timebank work ?
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• members indicate what skills they have to
  offerheld on a database
• timebroker coordinates the scheme
• when members need help they contact the
  timebroker who puts them in touch with the right
  person

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• members helping other members receive a
  timedollar for every hour they give
• members pay for the help they receive with
  timdollars they earned helping other members
• members receive a monthly statement from the
  timebroker

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core values
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• EQUALITY - everyone has something to offer,
  everyones time is worth the same
• SOCIAL CAPITAL - we need strong communities to
  lead fulfilled lives

• REDEFINING WORK - helping each other is just as
  valuable as paid work
• RECIPROCITY - everyone gives receives

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some frequently asked questions..
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how will I know Im safe ?

• members provide references (often from other
  members)
• the timebroker interviews all potential members
• police checks for members who are offering to
  work with children

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what if I get into debt ?

• theres no penalty
• no-one minds if you owe a bit of time for a while
• the timebroker contacts you to talk about how you
  might pay the time back

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is it just for individuals ?

• organisations can join the timebank trade with
  each other using timedollars
• organisations can buy help using timedollars from
  individuals who may otherwise be outside of their
  network
• organisations can pay their volunteers with
  timedollars

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are timedollars taxable ?

• not taxable
• dont affect your benefits

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is it the same as a LETS scheme ?

• Timedollars
• an hour is an hour is an hour.
• equality

• LETS
• members put a value on their skills (ie a number
  of credits depending on how valuable the skill
  is)
• inequality

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what skills can we add to the menu ?

• Brainstorm !!

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interested ?