SWEL Timebank Community Potluck

SWEL Timebank launched here in November, 2011 to serve primarily the residents of Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds, and Lake Forest Park. 

Timebanking started in the 1980’s, and now Timebanks are found around the world, with over 100 in the US, and the number is growing in the current economy.  Articles in the NY times, AARP Magazine and coverage on PBS, Good morning America, and NPR have sparked interest.  Our local Patch also published a very good article.  Interest is building in this region with groups forming in Central and SW Seattle, Auburn and Vashon.  Here’s why: 

Timebanks

• offer an effective means for strengthening and sustaining communities by facilitating people helping each other. 


• expand circles of family, friends and neighbors.  


• value equally the contributions of skills and talents of all individuals.  


• ease pressures on family budgets.


• help seniors remain engaged in the community offering skills obtained over a lifetime.


• allow those who may be left behind within the monetary economy feel valued through participation in a type of gifting economy. 


• offer a ready-made network for those new to the area. 


• leverage reciprocal networks - building community capital – by matching community residents’ needs with local resources.

SWEL coordinates exchanges of time through a web-based system connecting members, allowing them to list, exchange, and track services, while having the comfort of knowing all members have passed a basic screening process.  Time hours have no monetary equivalent, are non-taxable, and exchanges are for services only.  SWEL also holds potlucks where members can meet or arrange exchanges, and potential new members can get involved.  SWEL’s policies are all on the website:  sweltimebank.org.

The types of exchanges within a Timebank are determined by the members’ offers to help with things they enjoy doing, and their requests for help with things they don’t enjoy, or may be unable to do.  One might help a neighbor by running her errands while she recuperates from surgery.  She earned her time hours by giving music lessons to someone else, who earned time hours by training another person’s dog.  The dog owner may have earned his time hours by preparing food for someone else’s party.  Some of SWEL’s current offers and requests include house cleaning, pet care, bicycle tune up, knitting, sewing, coaching, music lessons, sailing, handyman services, child care, cooking, and a range of gardening services.  The possibilities are almost limitless.

Everybody needs community.  Timebanks are great vehicles for calling forth people’s strengths and bringing neighbors together.  To learn more about SWEL and how Timebanking can strengthen the Community, come to the potluck and orientation event on Thursday, October 18^th at 6:30 PM being held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.  All are welcome to this event, which is being hosted by the Briarcrest Neighborhood Association.