A small group of professionals has begun work to develop a time bank here in Brattleboro. A time bank is a service exchange network based on time dollars, a currency of equality that anyone can earn by using their time, energy, skills, and talents to help others.

One hour of service provided to another time bank member earns one time dollar. Time Dollars may be spent on any number of services, from home repair or housekeeping to web design or health care. Organized through a central web site, members of a time bank are able to list the services they offer, while at the same time posting requests for help with projects or work.

The time bank not only serves the needs of individuals, but also has the effect of strengthening communities through the reciprocal interactions that are established and replicated between and among individuals, formal and informal groups, organizations, and businesses.

Though the Brattleboro Time Trade is not yet fully operational, we will be running a pilot of the project this summer, from June 1st – August 31st. The main purpose of this 3-month pilot is to increase our familiarity with what will be needed to run a full scale Time Trade organization. A successful pilot project will hopefully lead us smoothly into establishing a formal Brattleboro Time Trade beginning in the fall.

We are looking for individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in participating in the summer pilot of the Brattleboro Time Trade. For more information about the pilot, or about the time bank concept, please contact brattleborotimetrade@gmail.com.