Time Banking
I just started learning about time banks, but I’ve already noticed a big issue… They are not accessible to the chronically ill or disabled. Which is disheartening since their services are especially needed in those communities. The first issue with time banks is that they assume you are a healthy individual when you sign on and therefore can save your time credits for the future when you may become disabled or in your old age. This isn’t always the case and by assuming so, you leave out part of the community you should be including.
This can be changed through putting accessibility guidelines into place, such as the following:
No fractions of an hour. Every bit of work rounds up to the nearest hour. Micro tasks are valued just the same as larger tasks.
Priority / time frame tags.
Assignment of a small amount of starter hours when registering for membership.
Digital services in addition to in person services for time credits.
Digital community services (newsletters, chatroom, calendar, skype meetings, podcasts, apps etc.)
Digital scheduling system for the community.
A possible voluntary one way time credit system. Where volunteers can donate credits back into the time back for redistribution to those who may need them during the month. A simple form could be filled out to apply for extra credits during a month.
Ex.) You don’t have any credits but you need a ride to the hospital. If someone donated credits recently back to the time bank and you receive one, you can use it to find someone to drive you.
However, time banking should never been seen as the end goal for a community. Instead, it should be seen as a transitional tool against our current capitalistic culture that values financial gain over the people it purports to serve. It allows us to reform and strengthen community bonds while also moving away from the illusion of money as the end goal to one of community as the end goal.