WhooHoo! Ron gets his bike fixed and Sally signs him up for Time Bank
[Montrose Mirror | July 17, 2023 | Kathryn R. Burke]
Sally and Ron are standing in front of Stan’s Bike Shop. Ron’s expensive road bike is broken, and he doesn’t have the money to repair it. He’s upset and angry. Sally suggests his bike might be fixed with a Time Bank Exchange.
“Yeah, right,” Ron snarls. “Stan is gonna fix my bike with a clock? I don’t think so.”
Sally smiles. “Not exactly, but he might fix it for a Time Credit.”
Ron hoots and shows her his empty wallet. “What kind of stupid answer is that? I told you I need my bike fixed and I can’t afford it. You’re telling me Stan will fix it for no money?”
Sally says: “Yep, put your wallet back in your pocket.
“Stan belongs to the Time Bank. Members do stuff to help people, but they get ‘paid’ with Time Credits (rather than real dollars) that they can later exchange for something else they need…or want. Like a pizza, a guitar lesson, or snaking a clogged drain.”
“Huh?” Ron is puzzled, and now intrigued. “What’s a Time Credit, and how much does it cost?”
Sally explains. “Time credits are a form of non-monetary currency exchanged by the people who belong to a Time Bank. The one here in the Montrose area is called Time Bank of the Rockies, and it’s been around for over 11 years. Have you ever heard of it?”
Ron shakes his head, no.
Sally grins. She’s a Time Bank Member whose job is recruiting new members. Ron’s a hot prospect. She tells him that Time Banks, also known as time exchanges, are about people helping each other with their special skills, like Stan fixing his bike in return for Time Credits Ron can use for something else when he needs it. “One hour you spend helping another member, Ron, creates a one-hour time credit for you. You use your time credits to get help for yourself, like getting your bike fixed. Or for others, like your mom when she needs a ride to the doctor. She doesn’t have to be a member so long as you are. You can share or give credits for someone who needs them.”
“But I’m not a Time Bank Member,” Ron says. He’s near tears as he looks at his busted bike.
“So we get you signed up now, “Sally says. “It doesn’t take long. Let’s go inside and talk to Stan. See how long he thinks it will take to make the repairs; how many Time Credit Hours will be needed. Once your membership is approved, he can work on your bike.”
“What if he needs to get any parts?” Ron is still worried.
“Parts can be exchanged for Time Credits, too,” Sally says. “But first you and Stan have to agree on the Time Credit value of the part, which he will base on what it costs him to purchase it with actual dollars—unless he traded for it with another Time Bank Member. Even if it costs a few bucks, he might do a Time Exchange with you, or make the part available at a reduced cost.”
“But I don’t have anything to offer in exchange,” Ron says.
“Sure you do,” Sally says. “You can offer to ride with people looking for someone to ride with. You’re good at carpentry and could help one of our members put up a pole barn. You’ve got a cool, well-behaved dog that goes to work with you. You can help someone’s dog, like mine, learn good manners.”
“OK,” Ron says. “I’m convinced. How do I sign up?”
“You can do it online, Sally says, handing him a card with the Time Bank of the Rockies website and phone number. “I also have some sign-up forms which we can fill out when we get inside.” (Sally always carries a membership kit with her.)
Epilogue. Ron got his bike fixed and made new friends to go riding with. Sally’s bad-mannered dog got some training. Stan time-exchanged on the bike part and used his credits to take his wife out to dinner at a fellow Time-Banker’s restaurant. Everybody benefits!
Mark your calendars and save the date. As part of her Western History Series, Kate will be talking about the History of Time Banking, what it is, how it works, and how it can work for you, Monday, August 7, 1pm at the Montrose Senior Center. She’ll have signup forms with her, too!
