The new Time Bank mascot?

Last week I was working from one of the Time Bank's satellite offices...my front porch. It was gorgeous outside, sun streaming in, hot mug of coffee next to me while I was clicking away on the computer (gettin'er done fer 'merica). My new kitten, Japhy Love Nugget Ryder, kept me company as I schemed and brainstormed and sent out well-worded emails asking for member support in the time bank.

After showing Melissa the picture I had taken of Japhy hanging out in the office she said that this is the kind of storytelling she wants to see more of from the Time Bank...and not just from me! Any time you have a good experience POST IT! The directions can be found on the community page of the ONE Time Bank (page that shows up after you sign into the system). So, share your Japhy stories. Or your couch-lugging stories. Or your massage stories. Or the story of your crazy neighbor who you finally had a decent conversation with because you told them about the time bank.

peace,

Annie and Japhy

Buddy system in place!

It's official!

This past week the first buddies were set up for the time bank. The buddy system is something that the time bank set up to help those who may not have access to the internet or who aren't "computer savvy". A time bank member signs up to be a buddy through the ONE Time Bank Team's request and is then set up with another member who needs assistance. Typical tasks that the buddy would help with would be calling the member when: they have a reply to their postings, need help posting something, getting their picture put on their profile, browsing the marketplace to see what is new, a new event is coming up, etc.

Buddies are paid in time dollars by the Time Bank Team, up to five hours per month. As the time bank expands we will be needing more buddies. Please contact the time bank if you are interested. Also, when you are talking to your friends about the time bank and they think they can't join because they don't have access to the internet you can let them know about the buddy system!

Happy time banking!

annie

One Hundred Members Strong!!!

This past Wednesday I had a new member orientation with Elana Dyer at Radio Bean. As I activated her membership I noticed that she was number 100! How exciting! She was also excited, but only because I mentioned she might get a prize. :)

The bits I know about Elana are because she is also a VISTA in Burlington, serving at Shelbourne Farms this year. She grew up in New England (not sure where), went to Green Mountain College (for what I don't know), moved to Burlington some time before I did (August 2007), lives on Decateur Street and plays a mean banjo (it's actually a service she's offering if you'd like to learn how to play). Hmmm...I guess I don't know all that much about Elana's life. But I do know she's crazy cool and lots of fun...also very good at getting things done (especially for America).

Welcome Elana! Congrats on being the one hundredth member!

Donate TODAY to send your VISTA to a national Time Bank Training!!!

Any amount donated will help send Annie the VISTA to the national Time Bank Training in Portland Maine in January. We are trying to raise at least $500 which is the cost of training for one person, $1,000 means both Annie and Melissa will be able to go! To donate you have to have a paypal account (if you don't already have one it is really easy to set one up) or a credit/debit card. Simply click on "chip in" in the box above and donate as much money as you feel comfortable with (even $5 will help). Thank you for your support!