Friday, April 6, 2007

The Middlebury Time Bank Has Launched!

Less than a day after opening the Middlebury Time Bank already has twelve members offering a variety of services! Want to join the bank? See sign-up directions below. Did you miss the Addison Independent article? http://www.addisonindependentonline.com/april/QjhJyg.pdf

Almost 30 excited community members showed up to our informational meeting on 4/5 to learn about time banking, while enjoying some homemade brownies and other refreshments thanks to Susan and Sue. Coordinators Melissa Stiebert and Emily Gowen from Burlington’s Old North End Time Bank explained the possibilities of time banking, and showed a short film clip about the success of the Maine Time Banks organization.

I was very excited about both the diversity and enthusiasm of the crowd. Thank you all for coming! A number of people stayed to join at the end of the meeting. If you missed the meeting but would like to join, see the instructions in the post below. Questions? Email us at middleburytimebank@gmail.com.

Have an idea for the Time Bank? The time bank is a tool for the community, so let’s hear how you’d like to see it used! I encourage anyone with ideas to leave comments on the blog. If you're already a member, help spread the word. And take the time to post all you can on your time bank profile! Let everyone how many skills this community has to offer.
For those of you interested in helping the time bank out, we will be posting volunteer tasks on the blog soon. Keep checking for updates!

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Types of services offered

Here are some examples of services that could be offered within the time bank. This is how the service offers and requests are categorized on the online banking system.

Help at Home

  • Child Care
  • Cooking & Sewing
  • Hair & Beauty
  • Housekeeping/Chores
  • Pet Care
  • Respite Care
  • Miscellaneous

Community Activities

  • Clean Up/Recycling
  • Community Service
  • Fundraising
  • Special Projects
  • Work for Social Change

Wellness

  • Complementary Therapies
  • Counseling
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness & Exercise
  • Medical Services
  • Yoga/Meditation

Arts, Crafts, & Music

  • Classes
  • Crafts
  • Entertainment
  • Lessons
  • Photo & Video
  • Theater

Home Repair

  • Car Care
  • Carpentry/Construction
  • Electrical
  • Garden & Yard Work
  • Painting
  • Plumbing

Transportation

  • Errands
  • Local
  • Long Distance
  • Medical
  • Train/Bus/Airport
  • Worship
  • Miscellaneous

Companionship

  • Clubs
  • Dining Out
  • Email/IM
  • Home Visits
  • Medical Errands
  • Telephone Calls

Recreation

  • Books & Videos
  • Dancing
  • Events
  • Games
  • Sports
  • Travel

Education

  • Advocacy
  • Classes/Workshops
  • Computers/Technology
  • Languages/Translation
  • Personal Finances
  • Tutoring/Mentoring

Business Services

  • Clerical
  • Computer Support
  • Financial
  • Legal
  • Marketing
  • Research
  • Odd Jobs
-Timebanks.org

Core Values of Time Banking

Time Banks exist to promote exchanges that honor five core values.

Assets

We are all assets.

Every human being has something to contribute.

Redefining Work

Some work is beyond price.

Work has to be redefined to value whatever it takes to raise healthy children, build strong families, revitalize neighborhoods, make democracy work, advance social justice, make the planet sustainable. That kind of work needs to be honored, recorded and rewarded.

Reciprocity

Helping works better as a two-way street.

The question: “How can I help you?” needs to change so we ask: “How can we help each other build the world we both will live in?”

Social Networks

We need each other.

Networks are stronger than individuals. People helping each other reweave communities of support, strength & trust. Community is built upon sinking roots, building trust, creating networks. Special relationships are built on commitment.

Respect

Every human being matters.

Respect underlies freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and everything we value. Respect supplies the heart and soul of democracy. When respect is denied to anyone, we all are injured. We must respect where people are in the moment, not where we hope they will be at some future point.

-timebanks.org