Exchanging Neutrally & Neighborly

When we track hours with positive and negative numbers, we can find ourselves assigning judgment to those values. We are socialized to do this in a cash economy, but in timebanking we want to exchange neutrally! Everyone has something to offer, and everyone has something to receive. There are straight-forward, practical exchanges such as yard work or transportation, and there are creative, high-spirited exchanges like crafting or themed skill shares. The seasons of our lives may affect which side of an exchange we find ourselves on. In timebanking and other mutual aid efforts, we can forge paths of openness about our needs, wants, skills, and weaknesses. There is honor in meeting our fellow community members where we are: in transition, in settlement, in sickness, in health. Importantly, the giving and receiving done within a timebank would not exist without the community we exist in. Therefore any exchange is a net gain of neighborliness in Indianapolis! Thanks to neighbors near and far, and cheers to mutual aid efforts everywhere!

Welcome to "Indy Time Bank" (or at least, that's what we're calling ourselves right now)!

A Non-Cash Alternative Exchange Building Community in Indianapolis

So what is a time bank? A time bank is a system where individuals exchange services with each other using time as a unit of currency, not money. Each hour of service given is credited to a member's account, and they can then use those credits to receive services from other members. This fosters community building and reciprocal support.

Our time bank is guided by Edgar Kahn's Five Core Values of Time Banking:

Asset Everyone of us has something of value to share with someone else.

Redefining work There are some forms of work that money will not easily pay for like building strong families, revitalizing neighborhoods, making democracy work, and advancing social justice. Time credits reward, recognize and honor that work.

Reciprocity The question: "How can I help you?" needs to change so we ask: "Will you help someone too?" Paying it forward ensures that, together, we help each other build the world we all will live in.

Community/social networks By helping each other, we reweave communities of support, strength, and trust. Community is built by sinking roots, building trust, and creating networks.

Respect The heart and soul of democracy lie in respect for others. We strive to respect where people are in the moment, not where we hope they will be at some future point.