If you're not familiar with the concept, check this link: Text
It's basically a system which values each hour of your donated time as one "time dollar". If you have something to offer the community (whether you're a lawyer or a lawn-mower), one hour of your time gets you one time dollar in the community time bank. In exchange, you can spend that time dollar on someone elses services. e.g., a midwife donates 3 hours of her time to a new mother. With her 3 time dollars, she gets 3 hours of electrical work done by a local electrician. The electrician can then use those 3 hours to get legal advice for his small business... etc.
It's similar to money, but different in that it promotes use of local people (local resources), and the lack of direct monetary-exchange fosters a sense of community. A downside is that, as everyones time is valued equally, you're more likely to have manual laborers donating time than doctors. However, I think the idea still has merit.
So, I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with this sort of system, or just what your thoughts are on it in general. I'm thinking of starting a Time Bank locally, however, I think the costs for the Time Bank software are a little ridiculous, considering the philanthropic goals of the organization. e.g., the site linked to above wants $500 for the software, and $1 for every member after the first 35.
It's basically a system which values each hour of your donated time as one "time dollar". If you have something to offer the community (whether you're a lawyer or a lawn-mower), one hour of your time gets you one time dollar in the community time bank. In exchange, you can spend that time dollar on someone elses services. e.g., a midwife donates 3 hours of her time to a new mother. With her 3 time dollars, she gets 3 hours of electrical work done by a local electrician. The electrician can then use those 3 hours to get legal advice for his small business... etc.
It's similar to money, but different in that it promotes use of local people (local resources), and the lack of direct monetary-exchange fosters a sense of community. A downside is that, as everyones time is valued equally, you're more likely to have manual laborers donating time than doctors. However, I think the idea still has merit.
So, I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with this sort of system, or just what your thoughts are on it in general. I'm thinking of starting a Time Bank locally, however, I think the costs for the Time Bank software are a little ridiculous, considering the philanthropic goals of the organization. e.g., the site linked to above wants $500 for the software, and $1 for every member after the first 35.
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