|
|
Timebanking is the process of exchanging services or goods for units of time. As a member of a timebank, members can earn one hour of time credit for every one hour of help they give to another person, organization or community. They can spend those earned hours purchasing services or goods offered by members of their timebank.
Timebanking is based on five principles:
The Bay Area Community Exchange (BACE) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit, free timebank available in 146 neighborhoods around the greater San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area, including neighborhoods in Sonoma County. BACE envisions a more resilient, sustainable, and fair economy based on relationships, trust and sharing among individuals and community service organizations. This strengthens community bonds and empowers people living or working in the Bay Area to meet their needs regardless of their income. BACE was created following the 2008 financial crisis. A group of people wanted to create a currency that could not be distorted or manipulated. They explored various currencies and decided upon time as a currency where every member’s time would be equal. BACE has been free to join and use since inception in 2009. It is sustained by an all-volunteer, multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-faith, multi-generational, and gender-diverse team. BACE operationalizes its mission and is one of the few timebanks that pays for 96 percent of operational expenses using time currency. BACE volunteers facilitate use of the timebank by maintaining the timebanking online platform, providing technical support, guiding members on making successful exchanges and facilitating the development and self-management of interest groups within the Timebank. With more frequent use, members will be able to meet more of their needs using time currency, and they will strengthen social bonds in their community. After registering for an individual time account, members post requests for services (and goods). One individual might request a ride to the airport or math tutoring for his child. Another might want help weeding her yard. Members can also offer services (and goods) they’ve developed over the years through their professions, hobbies and interests. One member, a retired taxi driver, offers rides to medical appointments, the ferry, or the airport. Another member is an excellent listener, so she offers reflective listening services. In contrast, organizational members use the timebank to share resources and acknowledge volunteer service. One organization may have a conference room that can be used after regular work hours by another organization. Additionally, let’s suppose an or-ganization has volunteers to answer phones, plant flowers in the courtyard, or write thank you letters to donors. If one of their volunteers spends three hours writing thank you letters to donors, then the organization gives her three hours of time credit. What could be more socially just than reimbursement of volunteered time? Timebanking challenges the popular belief that money is the only currency of value and that one’s quality of life is inextricably tied to one’s income. To learn more about BACE and to access the timebank, go to http://www.bace.org.
|
|