North Quabbin Time Bank
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Web-based service trades time for time The North Quabbin Time Bank is up and running and looking for members to join. The program allows members of the community to sign up with services they are willing to trade. When someone uses their service they receive credits which they can then use to purchase a service on the site. "It helps people ask people for help," Time Bank Coordinator Karen Werner explains. "Members of the community rely on each other and pay back. It helps the citizens get to know each other." Those who earn hours that they don't want to use or don't need to use can donate them to a common pool to be used by other members. The North Quabbin Time Bank, which is totally web based, started in January of 2007 with 33 members. The group hopes to have 75 members by next summer. A wide variety of services is offered on the site, including babysitting and home repairs, as well as unusual things such as sauerkraut making and juggling. "What's different about the time bank," Werner said, "is everyone helps each other and thus everyone is seen as an asset." Although this time bank serves the North Quabbin area, it has its roots in Amherst. The program began as a result of a sociology class being taught by Werner, who is an adjunct professor at UMass Amherst. The idea began when the class decided to try starting a program where services were exchanged for things people needed, rather than paying cash. "The idea came while I was teaching social welfare at UMass. We were rethinking what it means to create social wellbeing in a community. We used a lot of social service models with one group helping another." The program was so successful Werner decided to try and expand it. Werner was contacted by one of her students, Ashley Sanderson, who had served as an intern at the Young Entrepreneur's Society in Orange, who suggested trying the program in the North Quabbin area. Tim Cohen-Mitchell, director of YES, says he has used the time bank to find babysitting services. "I have received a lot of positive response from members who have used the time bank." One example: time bank members helped renovate the YES building in June for a couple of hours, many using an hour of credit and donating the other hour to the common pool. The role model for the North Quabbin Program has been a similar setup in Portland, Maine, which began in 1995 and now boasts 700 members. Among those offering services on the North Quabbin Time Bank is Athol Town Manager David Ames. "I think anything people can do to help each other out is great. It's a fantastic idea. I hope it continues," he said. Orange Town Manager Rick Kwiatkowski, who is also a member, is enthusiastic. "It's great for the kids to get involved in community service. It can only benefit the people and organizations involved. You give your time and you get it back when you need it." Werner said both town managers have been extremely supportive of the job bank. The group has received a North Central Massachusetts Community Foundations Grant for outreach to the community and membership. Before a person signs up for the time bank they are required to attend a free orientation meeting and sign a code of ethics. To join, a resident must be 16 years old or older. Those interested should list what they can give and what they want. People can access the time bank by going to: Community computers are available at both the Athol and Orange Libraries as well as at YES. Join the North Quabbin Time Bank! |
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