The SHiFT Time Bank _____________________________________________
The Time Bank Concept
Imagine you're part of a startup company. Along with your salary, you'd expect to be compensated with private shares of company stock — which you'd be granted based on your investment of time, energy, and talent as the company grows.
|
Time Bank Q&A
Here are the answers to some common questions.
|
SHiFT's dedicated volunteers make similar contributions. As a non-profit organization, we're not able to compensate them monetarily. Instead, the "shares" they earn are in the form of hours in the Time Bank.
Swapping Skills and Talents
Here's an example. Let's say you contributed 12 hours to the planning of a SHiFT event. Your Time Bank credit balance is 12 hours. Now suppose you'd like to learn to play acoustic guitar. And you're also a whiz at using Microsoft Office. You search the Time Bank, and discover someone who teaches guitar. Another Member wants to learn how to design flyers. The three of you negotiate "payment" to each other using Time Bank hours.
At many non-profit organizations, a volunteer's time contributions are often discounted. Not so at SHiFT. Members can exchange valuable services with each other that they would, in many circumstances, have to purchase with US dollars. And for SHiFT, the more Time Bank activity we can document, the more foundation grant money we can attract.
On the Horizon
Eventually, we may set up an online SHiFT Store, where donated items such as computers, software, discounted tickets, restaurant meals, etc. can be purchased using SHIFT Time Bank credits.
I'm Sold! Where Do I Sign Up?
To get started, follow this link to the TimeBank website. On the first page, key in your Name, Email Address, and a Password. Then click on the Join button at the lower right corner of the page. A Time Bank Coordinator will contact you to complete the process.
Already a Time Bank Member? Go to the TimeBank website, and click on the Sign In button at the top right corner of the page.