Time Banking comes to NWA!
Sunday, September 20th, 2009Fayetteville Community Exchange informational meeting:
Sunday Sept. 27, 2:30-4:30pm,
Walker Community Room, Fayetteville Public Library at School and Center St.
Join the local Time Bank that is forming to strengthen our community and economy through reciprocity and cooperation.
For more information contact Mary Lily 479-466-5641, or email marythornton0@lycos.com or learn more about Time Banking at www.timebanks.org
I want to let you know about a community building project I am involved in and to invite you to our first public event. We are starting a Time Bank in Fayetteville. Time Banking is a really interesting way of bringing people together to tap underused resources to serve unmet needs. It is a pay it forward system of exchanging help. When you spend an hour doing something for another time bank member you earn a time dollar that goes into your time bank account. You can then spend that time dollar to have someone do something for you.
You can offer any services that you wish–household help, giving rides, childcare, lessons in crafts, sports, music or other hobbies, pet care, gardening, professional services, mentoring–any skill that you would like to share. Everyone has something of value to offer. You can also earn time dollars by putting on group events for Time Bank members–classes, outings, social events. Group events are an important part of time banking. They allow everyone to get to know each other and be introduced to the skills the sponsoring member has to offer.
We will be using a web-based software to arrange our exchanges and to keep track of time dollars earned and spent. Someone will always be available to make matches for members who do not have access to or are unable to use the internet. You could earn time dollars for helping in this way! There will be a very small annual membership fee to cover the expenses of administering and growing the time bank.
I have had a great time learning about time banking and I am excited about creating a time bank in Fayetteville. In the words of TimeBanks USA, “Each [time banking] interaction is like a thread that weaves a safety net, built locally, funded locally and not subject to the whims of government.” Reweaving the web of connection and caring–sounds like fun to me!
If you want to learn more, especially about timebanking as a social change movement. TimeBanks USA has a great website at www.timebanks.org. There are many videos about time banking on youtube as well.
We will have an informational meeting on September 27, 2:30-4:30 in the Walker Community room at the Fayetteville Public Library. As soon as we have 20 members signed up, we will begin time banking! Please rsvp to marythornton0@lycos.com if you plan on attending. If you are interested but can’t come to the meeting email or call me with any questions or to find out how to get signed up.
Lots of great opportunities for youth, elders and people with disabilities in time banking, if the idea captures your imagination, contact me and let’s talk about it!
I would be very grateful if you would forward this announcement to anyone you know who might be interested. Thanks!
I hope to see you on the 27th.
Mary Lily 479-466-5641
