Time Bank

Conrad Jul 14, 2010 10 Comments

Does anyone know if there is a Twin Ports Time Bank? (Some places know it as time exchange or other terms.) If not, has there been one and it failed? Any info would be appreciated.

Time Bank is a service exchange where a person will do a job for one person and “bank” time for help from another person for people that might not know what it is. I mow your lawn and you re-shingle my roof. That type of thing.

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10 Comments

edgeways

about 15 years ago 

I vaguely remember there being such a scheme at least 6-8 years ago, was around the Hillside I think, more than that I've lost due to various circumstances.

ElPete

about 15 years ago 

I love this idea.  I wasn't aware how structured it is in present time.  Fundamentally, I find that Greed and corruption are two of our cultures greatest downfalls.  Eliminate money and things could be different.  This idea  is actually one of the parts I see, that can contribute to a peaceful revolution.  When speaking to an accountant about trades years ago she stated that it is legal to trade out services as long as it is directly associated to the type of business you do.  I paint a picture for a canvas maker in exchange for some canvases.  There is also some room for fudging on the side of giving gifts.

Patrick G

about 15 years ago 

This a really cool idea. I might suggest trying to use rentalic.com as a way to manage something like this. It's a new website that helps people rent stuff. That could be physical items you own, or your time, etc. I could see it easily helping manage something like this.

Mary

about 15 years ago 

I'm not sure if there's a similar group in the Twin Ports or not, but TimeTraders North covers Ashland/Bayfield/Iron/Price/Sawyer Counties in Wisconsin.  Maybe they'd know of any Twin Ports-based efforts underway? 

http://www.timetradersnorth.org/contact_us.php

edgeways

about 15 years ago 

OK, after percolating in my brain for a few hours I remembered the name -- Barter Bucks.

Looks like it is designed for the East Hillside area, and run by Patch.

Craig

about 15 years ago 

How is Mowing the Lawn = repairing the roof? 

The problem with the barter system is that if I know to repair a roof, why would I trade it for mowing the lawn? The level of skill needed for roofing doesn't match the skill level needed for mowing a lawn.

MaryK

about 15 years ago 

Barter Bucks was a program of East Hillside Patch in 2000/2001 or so.  There were dozens of people signed up with quite a variety of skills offered from cooking to grant writing. The DNT did an article about it at the time. Some people used the program, but for some reason it didn't get off the ground. People seemed hesitant to actually call to ask for help? 

There have been super successful similar programs in the Twin Cities and other communities.

conrad

about 15 years ago 

Thanks for all the info.

The Lawn mowing/roofing thing was off the top of my head and shouldn't be considered a real representation of the system. 

I thought patch was all but gone but looks like that was fairly recent.

MaryK

about 15 years ago 

Actually, the programs I have seen do a 1-1 hr exchange for whatever the skill/ task. There was a woman in the cities who redid her kitchen using another member's carpentry skills. Motivation? Community spirit? Really hating to mow the lawn?

davids

about 15 years ago 

A few years ago some folks in Duluth area had a barter/exchange/local currency thing going--they called their currency "Zukes," (for zuchinni) and allowed exchanges for home made goods, arts, garden produce, work, etc. I don't think it is active anymore--I'll ask some friends who were involved. 

Brings up many complex relocalization questions (for example, if someone uses a barter exchange to conduct business that makes use of roads built using local taxes, are they "free-loading" by not paying taxes on the exchange?)

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