WELCOME to WEST SOUND TIME BANK
What is a time bank?
A time bank is a form of community currency that is based on time rather than dollars. Requests (withdrawals) are made from a large selection of available services offered by members. All hours are valued equally and earned and withdrawn on an hour-for-hour basis. With neighbors helping neighbors, we all help to build a stronger, more connected community.
Why be part of a time bank?
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Equality: Your time has the same worth as anyone else’s. Everyone has truly human resources that are embedded in their everyday lives – time, energy, wisdom, experience, knowledge and skills. All are valuable and valued at the same level.
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Reciprocity: Each of us has something valuable to contribute, and each of us has occasion to need or want help.
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Connection: Each offer of-and request for-time is an opportunity to meet and get to know others in your community on a personal level. This is about neighbors helping neighbors.
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Caring: Each interaction helps to build the type of community we need to raise our children, care for our elders, nurture our families.
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Value: A time bank can keep needed help affordable – especially valuable in a time when many of us are struggling financially.
How time banks work
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One hour of your time equals one hour of anyone else's time. All hours are recorded on a web-based accounting system: like a bank account using hours instead of dollars! When you need a service (leaves raked, babysitting, advice on buying a car) you consult the time bank directory for persons who provide that service. You make an agreement with your chosen provider. That service provider earns (deposits) hour credits in the communal time bank and the same number of hours are deducted (withdrawn) from your account.
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You are also a provider of services. You start by posting a list of services on-line that you can perform for others (for example: tax preparation, computer repair, yoga). When you provide a service to another time bank participant, you earn hours that are deposited in your time bank account.
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Not taxable. The IRS has not shown interest in taxing time bank activities as income.
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Increasing connection to your community. Beyond the work we do for each other, our aim is to know and support one another. We have fun together and reach out to one another as part of meeting and working together.
About West Sound Time Bank
We are on our way! WSTB launched two weeks ago on February 6. In those two weeks we have gained 25 Active Members. Join us! Become a member.
We are building our member support teams and preparing to reach out to new members. The best way to find out about who we are and what we do is to join us for a potluck. Our next potluck is on March 6 in Suquamish: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Suquamish UCC church, 18732 Division Ave. NE. While the first phase of implementation will be in the Suquamish and Bainbridge Island communities, West Sound Time Bank will serve the greater West Sound area.
YOU ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN US AS WE LAUNCH WEST SOUND TIME BANK!
There is a place for you in our community as we develop the just economic and rich social life that we desire. Join us and see what we are about. Or join our mailing list and we will keep you up to date on our progress.
For more information, join us for our next Potluck and Informational Meeting on March 6th, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m., at the Suquamish UCC church, 18732 Division Ave. NE, Suquamish. Potluck starts at 6:30pm. Bring a potluck dish, a non-alcoholic beverage and your own plate and utensils. The presentation will start at approximately 7:10pm.
How to Become a Member
Telephone registration: If you have difficulty using or accessing a computer, call
206-842-7904. A WSTB mentor will be happy to help you register.
On-line registration: go to WSTB Join and fill in the required fields. We will process your application as quickly as possible but please expect the whole process to take several days. We have to wait for your references to respond.
If you prefer to give your references a printed form, you can download a pdf reference form here.
Once you are approved for membership, you will receive an e-mail (or phone call if you don’t have a computer) welcoming you to West Sound Time Bank and inviting you to attend an orientation meeting.
Annual Membership Fee: tax deductable, suggested donation of $25 + 2 time credits.
Donate
For Member Log-in, click here.
Upcoming Orientation Dates
Once you have become a member, we encourage you to join us for a Member Orientation session where we will cover the main features of the on-line software you will use. Please call 206-842-7904 to register for orientation.
The next orientation dates are:
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Friday, Feb 17, 7:00pm @ Marge Williams Center Conference Room.
Help WSTB Grow
If you would like to be actively involved in helping WSTB development, come to the Core Group meetings that are held weekly on Wednesdays, noon to 1:30pm at the Marge Williams Center in the Conference Room. Address: 221 Winslow Way West, Bainbridge Island.
For additional information about West Sound Time Bank, e-mail us at
or call Mickey at 206-842-7904, and visit our Facebook Page.
More information on time banks:
