Exchange nonprofit Asheville TimeBank to hold orientation and potluck dinner, Aug. 28

What is Asheville TimeBank? It’s a nonprofit sharing organization where members exchange services for other services. After paying a suggested donation of $10-$20 for a year’s membership, participants can earn and spend credits exchanging services such as gardening or computer work for babysitting or dog-walking.

The organization will hold an orientation and potluck on Friday, Aug. 28 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ for anyone interested in learning more. The full release is below.

From Asheville TimeBank

Press release

Asheville TimeBank has launched and all are invited to join. Organizers are hosting a potluck dinner for ALL members new and old, and an orientation for those wishing to become members. Come on Friday, August 28 at 6pm, to the new fellowship hall of First Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 20 Oak Street. Anyone wanting to join is invited to fill out an application at www.ashevilletimebank.org, bring along their laptop if they have one, and a potluck dish.

What is a timebank? According to Janet Black, one of eight Asheville area organizers: “It’s a nonprofit membership organization that provides a way to exchange services without using money. Everyone has skills to share, and each hour of service is valued equally. You can earn hour credits for something you enjoy doing and are good at—such as dog walking, writing, babysitting, giving rides, playing music, gardening, or computer work. You log your hours online. And you can use those credits to get your needs met by another member of the timebank. The more diverse we become, the more different services will be offered.”

This is the first of many potlucks, which will give opportunities for people to meet face-to-face with folks who give and request services. Connecting in this way is the heart of timebanking.

At the orientation, new members will create their profiles, list at least one skill they’d like to offer, and at least one service they need. A voluntary annual donation of $10-$20 (check or cash) is requested to help with the timebank’s expenses. New members will receive two hour-credits just for joining and attending the orientation, and they are encouraged to go ahead and “spend” these credits. Extra laptops will be on hand for those lacking one. For those without computer access at all, a volunteer can receive credits for assisting.

Every Monday morning, members receive an email with all new offers and requests posted, as well as time-sensitive messages like “I need a ride to the airport on Thursday morning.”

“It’s a great way to get to know your community,” enthused Beth Gilman, another organizer. “I wanted help shopping for ballroom dance attire, so another member took me to a Goodwill where I found some unbelievable bargains, and it was really fun! As a result I feel closer to her.”

“I probably never would have gotten my daughter’s clothes and stuff packed up to take to her in Florida, if not for the timebank,” admits Sheila Maphet, a recent member. “Even though my timebank helper only stayed an hour and a half, we got so much done that I got over my inertia and finished the rest myself!” The helper took home a spaghetti squash from the garden that Sheila insisted upon giving her.

This is not the first timebank to come to Asheville. “In the low income Ukrainian/Latino community of Emma, in West Asheville, the Emma Family Resource Center had a timebank called ‘Emmabucks,’ which helped many members get needs met and forged strong ties within the community,” reminisces Debby Genz, another organizer of the current timebank. That one operated without the members having internet access; a staff member entered all

the data. “One problem was, people seemed to prefer giving services to receiving them,” Debby smiles. “It gave people a boost, knowing they had something valuable to offer.”

Timebanks USA and hOurworld software have linked hundreds of timebanks all over the world. Asheville TimeBank

was initiated by members of Transition Asheville, because they see it as a way to build greater community resilience and connection. The Transition movement started in England with permaculturist Rob Hopkins, to build a new, earth-valuing culture beyond the fossil-fuel based economy. It has spread to several countries.

What about goods? Cathy Scott loves to bake, and Rick Wilkes loves apple pie. So she shopped and baked, and he reimbursed her in cash for the ingredients, while she earned two hour-credits for her time.

—This article was first published on Aug. 5, 2015.