Time Bank News and Numbers

To date a total of 453 hours have been exchanged through the time bank. Exchanges have included sewing, transportation, martial arts lessons, cleaning, massage, babysitting, tiling, hemming, gardening, computer help, mowing, and home repair. The time bank currently has a total of 55 members. Time Bank member Carolyn Kuebler will be helping to create a time bank newsletter and will be looking for announcements from members. If you have any news (service announcements, requests, etc.) you would like to include in the newsletter, email her at ckuebler[at]middlebury.edu .

Saturday, June 23: Potluck and Social

We are holding our second time bank potluck! Once again the potluck will be held at the Ilsley Public Library Community Meeting Room. Here is a great opportunity to learn more about the time bank and share a meal with other members of the community. Friends, family and all ages welcome! We'll be happy to answer your questions about time banking or help you sign up at this informal event.

4/28 Potluck & Social

On Saturday, April 28, over thirty people attended the first Middlebury Time Bank potluck social.

It was a great way for the time bank community and those interested in joining to meet one another, share ideas and enjoy a good meal. We will be having potlucks on a regular basis and encourage all members to attend, as well as anyone who would like to find out more about time banking.

Beth Diamond was the lucky winner of five time dollars in our first Time Bank raffle.

Although this was an informal event, Susan Gowen presented an example of the wonderful resources already available in our now 39 member time bank. Members also shared what exchanges they had participated in and how helpful they had been.

Susan's Time Bank Wedding...

If you or a family member wanted to have a nice wedding and couldn't afford to spend a lot of money, you could organize it cash-free with all of the services provided by your time bank community! We have:

• A justice of the peace to provide the ceremony
• A Harpist to provide the music
• A floral arranger
• A cake baker
• A photographer
• Many people who like to organize and cook, and who could help with the reception
• Computer savvy folks to create your invitations
• Many willing drivers to help with last minute errands
• For the bride to be, a seamstress to help with the dress, a massage therapist, makeup artist and hair stylist
• A 12 person pontoon boat ride for the wedding party!
  

All of these services are already listed aand available in the time bank.

We will continue to keep you posted on upcoming social events. If you have any questions please contact one of the coordinators:

Susan Gowen: 388-0402
Sue Liberty: 388-7460
Chris Kirby: christopherkirby@yahoo.com
or email the time bank account at middleburytimebank@gmail.com

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!

Join the Middlebury Time Bank!

1: Go to http://community.timebanks.org/findtimebanks.php

2: Scroll down to the Middlebury Time Bank, and click ‘Join’

3: Enter your name, email address and password.
Remember your password so you can sign back in!!!!!!!!!!!!

4: You will be sent an email asking you to verify your address. Follow the email directions.

5: At this point your application will be pending. Before we activate you we ask that you send a $5 check made out to cash to 35 Green Mountain Place, Middlebury, VT 05753. Once we receive your check you will be activated. The turnaround should be no longer than a few days.

Thanks! Let us know if you have any trouble: middleburytimebank@gmail.com.

Questions about joining the Time Bank:

Why the sign up fee? And what if I can't afford it?

While the Middlebury Time Bank is a grassroots, member run organization, we do have to pay an annual fee for the use of time banking software. If you cannot afford this fee, just let us know! Everyone can join the time bank!

How do I use the site once I’ve signed up?

For some brief instructions click here. If you ever get stuck just send your coordinator a question at middleburytimebank@gmail.com.

What if I (or someone I know) doesn’t normally have computer access?

The Ilsley Public Library has many public computers available which people can use to search and utilize the Time Bank website. Instructions for using the site and for joining the bank can be found in the library’s community information section on the first floor.

What if I (or someone I know) doesn’t even have access to public computer services? Can I still be part of the bank?

Yes, you can still be a part of the Time Bank! We have a buddy system set-up to give access to those members of the community who do not or cannot use the Internet. If you know someone in this situation who is interested in joining, please email middleburytimebank@gmail.com to get a list of those who are willing to act as a liaison for them and Time Bank. These 'buddies' will search the site for you and help you make connections. If you are interested in being a buddy, let us know!

Time Banking in Middlebury

A Time Bank is a complimentary currency system through which community members can exchange their time. Local organizations, non-profits, medical practices and faith based groups often participate as well. There are over 300 time banks worldwide working to create social change and rebuild communities.

Middlebury is working on starting a time bank this spring. In Burlington this fall Melissa Steibert from the Burlington Currency Project gathered a group of excited vontuneers to start a time bank in the Old North End. We plan to start more this year in other neighborhoods. The O.N.E. time bank, through our timebanks.org community website, already has 64 members who have exchanged 150 hours. Members have received and given child care, oil changes, transportation, computer repair, housecleaning, guitar lessons, and even marketing advice. There are endless possibilities for how time banking can enrich a neighborhood or town.

Everyone has skills they can contribute to a time bank, and everyone has services they would like to receive, even if they may be difficult to recognize. Have you ever wanted to learn how to make great homemade bread? Have voice lessons or language lessons? Get a professional massage? There are many services we would like to receive in our lives that we never consider because of their monetary cost. With Time Banking you can receive those without having to save extra money- just by helping out a neighbor for a few hours doing something you enjoy.

Each community’s timebank reflects the needs and interests of its members. Have a great idea for the Middlebury Time Bank? Post a comment below or email us at middleburytimebank@gmail.com.

Valuing the Core Economy

Many of us have difficulties succeeding in our current market economy, where only a fraction of the work that takes place in our world is accounted for and valued- where everyone's time and skills are not considered equal.

What would happen if the core economy was valued? This term, coined by economist Neva Goodwin, represents the work that we do to keep our families and neighborhoods healthy and functioning. It includes the skills we use on a daily basis, including child care, cooking, household maintenance and construction, or growing food in your yard.

Time Banking, as a complimentary currency system, empowers individuals by acknowledging this work and placing an equal value on everyone’s skills and time. By encouraging exchanges between neighbors and among community members, everyone can realize what important assets they have as an individual. Additionally, through embracing the core economy and exchanging your time and skills with neighbors, you can simplify and enrich your life while becoming more successful within our current economic system.

For more info, read a brief essay on the Core Economy from Time Banks founder, Edgar Cahn