LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Time Bank of Thrive Lake County has been recently been cited as “one of the fastest growing time banks in the hOurworld network of time banks both by member growth AND increasing the amount of exchanges between members in the network,” according to Terry Daniels, an hOurworld spokesperson.
Daniels relocated to Lake County last year, drawn to the various community groups that are involved with this time bank at such an early stage of its development.
His previous membership and experience with Portland, Maine’s time bank make him a welcome asset to the Lake County organization.
“I am inspired by the way the Lake County community is connected,” said Daniels, “particularly the way some of the other community economy organizations, such as the Lake County Co-op and Transition Lake County, have been networking within the time bank here.”
“We started the time bank in 2011 as the quickest and most effective way to build an alternative economy that leveraged Lake County’s strengths – its abundance of time,” explained Carol Cole-Lewis, project coordinator for the Time Bank, and Thrive Lake County. “We needed a way for our community to come together to solve our economic problems from the inside out, and a successful time bank is an important element towards this solution. Looks like this approach is working.”
A noticeable improvement this year was changing the software that the time bank uses. Switching to the hOurworld software, called Time and Talents, offered measurable results. The initial software was not so user-friendly, had no technical support, and was costly.
hOurworld offers Time and Talents free of charge to 140 time banks across the country. It can be accessed via an easy-to-use internet interface, as well as through a mobile app that runs on both Android and iPhone.
Also, financial support received from North Coast Opportunities this year was used to increase its visibility, infrastructure, and growth.
Members make regular exchanges with other members, recording their transactions as time spent, rather than assigning monetary value. Exchanges run the gamut from yard work tasks to haircuts, art lessons, cooking, transportation, and mending.
One ambitious exchange this year was a house-painting project. Work parties of time bank members were scheduled. Some had skills, some provided tools, and some were mentored.
Over several workdays, various members prepped, primed, and painted the exterior of a house, then bonded further during a meal served up by the host member. Many hands make light work, and many new connections were formed. Another member-couple is making steady progress on their fence-building project.
Time bank monthly meet-ups take place in different Lake County locations each month. They provide a valuable opportunity for people to get to know each other, identify their needs and talents, and begin making time bank exchanges.
December’s meet up is at Spring Valley Community Center, Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon to 12:00. It includes a potluck and white elephant gift exchange. This month earn time bank credits for attending, bringing a new guest, bringing a potluck item to share, and bringing a wrapped gift to exchange.
Formed by community members in January 2011, the Time Bank of Thrive Lake County is made up of members helping members, exchanging time credits for services.
The Time Bank has two office locations, where someone can answer your questions and help you sign up. Lakeport’s office is at 301 Main St., Mon 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clearlake’s office is at 14832 Lakeshore Drive (in the NCO building,) Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information or to join, visit www.timebanklakeco.org . Click on the calendar for detailed meet up information, and for office locations and hours.
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