Time Bank
So how does TimeBank work?
First of all, there’s no money involved — only time. It all comes down to time credits and debits, which are recorded on the TimeBank Web site. The site is administered by Thompson.
The idea is that for every hour you spend helping someone, you’ll get an hour credit for something you need help with. The hope is that people will take it upon themselves to keep their time accounts roughly balanced, though Thompson stressed that in this bank, there’s nothing wrong with going into debt.
Services already being offered or looked for on the fledgling Roanoke TimeBank site include editing, yard work, car detailing, Spanish lessons, brochure and flyer design, knitting lessons, home-cooked meals, home repairs and Facebook page help.
“It’s an open-ended, creative process,” Thompson said of TimeBank. “The ideas are driven by the members themselves.”
The payoff is not only in things accomplished, but community building, backers say. The TimeBank motto is: “Weaving community one hour at a time.”
