This is much easier to handle than it sounds.
We have had situations in the past where Time Traders have been overwhelmed with demand for their services. Unfortunately, this has led to the loss of those members and their in-demand services.
One example of this was massage. Many people need and want this service, and since massage can be very expensive, using TD$ makes it affordable for our members regardless of their economic status.
Our Time Trader made a living doing massage, and had the usual expenses associated with running a business; rent, utilities, and other overhead costs. While receiving Time Dollars (TD$) for the time the massage takes is fine, TD$ does not pay the rent. (That's why we refer to TD$ as a complementary currency -- it complements the main currency but does not replace it.) It was difficult for this Time Trader to retroactively place limits on the number of massages offered, and so the offer was removed in order to allow massages for U.S. Dollars (USD) to fill her time.
What does this mean for you? Well, we learned some very important lessons that, we hope, make the timebank work better for everyone.
First, YOU set the limits for your offer. You can choose to limit in the offer itself (recommended) or you can limit as you receive requests for your service. If you make your living doing this service, you can offer an introductory lesson, massage, session or whatever for TD$ and ask that continuing customers pay USD. You can limit the number of services you will offer per month for TD$; for example, "I will do 2 photographic sessions per month for TD$. You may book up to 8 weeks in advance." You could limit the number of times a person can use the service in a specified time frame: "You may pay for one massage every 3 months with TD$. Other massages during that time will be for USD." or "You may use this offer once every 6 months to allow for as many people as possible to utilize the service."
In the orientation, we try to stress that YOU as the Time Trader have the control; you choose what to offer, you arrange exchanges at your convenience, and you have the right to refuse an exchange at any time. Time Trader is meant to be an asset in your life, not a burden!
If you have questions about posting offers or how to limit them, please contact the Coordinator and she will be happy to assist in creating a service ad that works for you. And, of course, you always have the right to re-word or remove an offer.
Right now we are in need of massage therapists, handyman/do-it-yourself types, and photographers. Do you have those skills or know someone who does? Remember that you earn 1TD$ for each person you refer who becomes a member. Building this community means more skills and talents to take advantage of, and that benefits all of us. Just tell people you can "give what you want, get what you need!"
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Timebanking and Babysitting Co-ops
Are you interested in starting a babysitting co-op?
They can be a great alternative to spending money on babysitters. A group of friends or acquaintances can form a cooperative where parents trade child care. Various systems can be used to track the hours spent and earned; coupons are the most common.
I started a babysitting co-op when my children were small. We had member agreements, laminated coupons that we exchanged, and an open system where we used the phone and email to let people know we were in need of a sitter or were available to care for someone's children.
It worked remarkably well, but it died off as our children got older and were involved in more activities. Now my children are old enough to babysit for others!
Time Trader can be a part of a babysitting co-op; you can join the timebank along with one or several friends. We do a background check, and if you choose, you can exchange child care only with friends you already know. The beauty of Time Trader is that we already have all of the framework in place; you don't have to come up with member rules or agreements, or create coupons or another system for tracking those hours; Community Weaver does it all for you!
A bonus of timebanking is that it is open to people of all ages. Now that my kids are older I would love the opportunity to care for small kids again, and give parents a break. Within the timebank, as you get more comfortable, meet more people, and develop trusting relationships, your options for childcare expand.
Many of us live far from family members, and a timebank can help you weave a community that can offer support and care -- having a "grandma" nearby can be a wonderful thing for a child, and for that "grandma."
For additional information on Time Trader or on babysitting cooperatives, contact the Time Trader Coordinator. We would love to help you give what you want, get what you need!
They can be a great alternative to spending money on babysitters. A group of friends or acquaintances can form a cooperative where parents trade child care. Various systems can be used to track the hours spent and earned; coupons are the most common.
I started a babysitting co-op when my children were small. We had member agreements, laminated coupons that we exchanged, and an open system where we used the phone and email to let people know we were in need of a sitter or were available to care for someone's children.
It worked remarkably well, but it died off as our children got older and were involved in more activities. Now my children are old enough to babysit for others!
Time Trader can be a part of a babysitting co-op; you can join the timebank along with one or several friends. We do a background check, and if you choose, you can exchange child care only with friends you already know. The beauty of Time Trader is that we already have all of the framework in place; you don't have to come up with member rules or agreements, or create coupons or another system for tracking those hours; Community Weaver does it all for you!
A bonus of timebanking is that it is open to people of all ages. Now that my kids are older I would love the opportunity to care for small kids again, and give parents a break. Within the timebank, as you get more comfortable, meet more people, and develop trusting relationships, your options for childcare expand.
Many of us live far from family members, and a timebank can help you weave a community that can offer support and care -- having a "grandma" nearby can be a wonderful thing for a child, and for that "grandma."
For additional information on Time Trader or on babysitting cooperatives, contact the Time Trader Coordinator. We would love to help you give what you want, get what you need!
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