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TimeBanking. Giving and Receiving For Healthy Communities. TimeBanking. Building community one hour at a time. MI Alliance of TimeBanks.
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TimeBanking Giving and Receiving For Healthy Communities
TimeBanking Building community one hour at a time
MI Alliance of TimeBanks Umbrella organization linking & supporting TimeBanks across the state of Michigan. We help individuals, organizations & communities establish & run TimeBanks.
What is a TimeBank? • Members form a community of caring • helping each other – as persons, groups, associations and organizations • building trust and a sense of community through neighborhood projects and events • making transformational change
Where Are TimeBanks? • 1987—TimeBanks began • 1995—TimeBanks USA founded • TimeBanks have spread to 32 nations and 42 states in the USA • The TimeBank network is expanding and evolving
TimeBanking Core Values • Assets: We all have something to give • Honoring Real Work: Building home, family, community • Reciprocity: Giving AND receiving • Community: We need each other • Respect: Voice and accountability for all
TBing is a powerful idea • One for one • Something for something • A fair exchange – ‘give and take’ • A chance to pay back – and pay it forward
How It Works • New members sign up & post what they will give & receive on TimeBanksoftware • Software helps track the what, where, when of member activities • Members record their completed activities
Practical & adaptable tool • Visiting Nurse Service of NY (VNSNY)—Bronx, NY • Lehigh Valley Hospital Community Exchange, PA—health care • Partners in Care, MD—senior independence • Parent Support Network, RI—families with children at risk w/behavioral, emotional or mental health challenges
VNSNY survey findingsFunded by Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc., 2009 • 100% saw benefit from being TB member • 98% able to use skills to help others • 48% reported improvements in self-rated physical health, 72% in mental health • 67% increased access to community info • 90% increased number of friends
Additional findings • 79% reported felt supported to age in place • 71% increased sense of trust of people from other backgrounds, cultures • 85% increased sense of belonging • 88% feel they are making contribution to community through TB • 82% have improved quality of life through TB
Examples of TB innovations • Dane County, WI—1900+ individual & 130 organizational members • Rural WV church-run TB teaching solar paneling • NY City—network to create 30 satellite TBs • Hour Exchange Portland, ME—dealing with weatherization, healthcare, microenterprise
Large TB flowchart Courtesy of Stephanie Rearick, Dane County TimeBank Founder
Liability and legal issues • IRS ruling that time dollars are tax exempt • Each TB decides what it will do • Some TBs have Board and volunteer insurance with CIMA • Smart planning required
Lessons learned • TBing is a paradigm shift • Paid staff essential for sustainability • A TB is a learning organization • It is not easy, takes 2-3 years to build & isn’t for everyone
More lessons • Ownership of organizing committee is key • Widely applicable tool but must be shaped to fit & weave into organization’s mission • Innovative, fun ways to engage people are key, e.g. group projects & classes
MI Alliance of TimeBanks Umbrella organization linking & supporting TimeBanks across the state of Michigan. We help individuals, organizations & communities establish & run TimeBanks.
What does the future hold? • TimeBanking has potential to join the list of social innovations that have changed the world • No more silos. More patchwork quilts.
Using TBs to rebuild Michigan • What do you see as ways TBs could be used to deal with our challenges? • What are possible first steps for you? • What steps could we take together? • What do you need to move forward?
How you can help • Partner w/MATB—Identify resources & raise funds • Consider a leadership position in MATB (Committee, Advisory Board or Executive Board) • Think outside the box • Spread the word
Helpful links • Lathrup Village TimeBank www.lathrupvillagtimebank.org • TimeBanks USA in Washington, D.C. www.timebanks.org • Dane County TimeBank, Madison, WI www.danecountytimebank.org
More helpful links • Hour Exchange Portland, Maine www.hourexchangeportland.org • TimeBanking United Kingdom www.timebanking.org • New Economics Foundation in the UK www.neweconomics.org
For More Info www.mitimebanks.org www.lathrupvillagetimebank.org Kim Hodge 248-424-7455 or hodgekim@sbcglobal.net