Time Exchange
A community time bank where everyone's time is valued equally
What is a Time Exchange?
Common Current Time Exchange is a time bank system where members exchange services with one another using time as currency. One hour of your time equals one time credit—regardless of what service you provide. These credits can then be used to receive services from other members.
Unlike the traditional economy where certain skills are valued higher than others, in our Time Exchange, everyone's time is equal. An hour of legal advice is worth the same as an hour of garden help, childcare, or home repairs.
How It Works
Our Time Exchange operates on a simple principle: give an hour, get an hour. Here's how you can participate:
Join the Exchange
Sign up to become a member of the Time Exchange. Fill out your profile listing skills you can offer and services you'd like to receive.
Offer Your Services
List what you can do for others. It could be anything: teaching a language, helping with gardening, providing tech support, cooking meals, giving rides, or childcare.
Earn Time Credits
When you provide a service, you earn time credits. One hour of service equals one time credit, regardless of the type of service provided.
Spend Your Credits
Use your earned time credits to receive services from other members. Browse available offerings and request help when needed.
Build Community
As you exchange services, you'll build relationships and strengthen our community. The more people who participate, the more diverse services become available.
Benefits of Participating
🤝 Equal Value
Everyone's time is valued equally, regardless of the type of help or service provided. This creates an inclusive economy where all contributions matter.
🌱 Community Resilience
Build a network of support that makes our community stronger and more self-sufficient.
🔄 Reciprocity
Asking for help becomes dignified because you know you're giving back to the community in other ways.
🧠 Skill Building
Learn from others and develop new abilities through exchanges and relationships.
💡 Skills Recognition
Discover that you have valuable skills to offer, even if they're not valued in the traditional job market.
💰 Conserve Money
Receive services without spending cash, making it easier to access help during financially tight times.
Ready to Join?
The Time Exchange grows stronger with each new member. Everyone has valuable skills to share, and everyone has needs that others can help with. By joining, you become part of a community-powered alternative economy that values all contributions equally.
Time Exchange Policies
Materials & Supplies
The person providing the service must clearly communicate if materials are needed before the exchange takes place. Unless otherwise agreed upon, the person receiving the service is responsible for providing or paying for necessary materials.
Cancellation Policy
If you need to cancel or reschedule a planned exchange, please give at least 24 hours notice whenever possible. Emergencies happen, but consistent last-minute cancellations have a negative effect on the network.
Responsiveness
Members should respond to service requests within 48 hours, even if the response is to decline. Maintaining clear communication helps build trust within our community.
Active Participation
To keep the Time Exchange vibrant, we ask that all members participate in at least one exchange every six months. Members who haven't been active for over six months will be contacted to confirm their continued interest.
Service Quality
All members are expected to provide their best effort when offering services. While professional certification isn't required, honesty about your skill level is essential before agreeing to an exchange.
Safety & Respect
All members deserve to feel safe and respected during exchanges. Any harassment, discrimination, or unsafe behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the Time Exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone has something valuable to offer! Skills that may seem ordinary to you can be extremely helpful to others. This includes transportation, cooking, computer help, pet sitting, gardening, organizing, tutoring, or simply providing companionship. During orientation, we'll help you identify skills you might not have considered valuable.
We use an online platform that allows members to log their hours, search for services, and manage their time bank accounts. After each exchange, both the provider and recipient confirm the hours spent, which are then credited accordingly.
Yes, new members can begin with a small negative balance to get started. We understand that sometimes you need help before you've had a chance to provide services. The expectation is that you'll provide services to others over time to balance your account.
Time credits cover only the service time, not materials. If materials are needed (like ingredients for cooking or parts for repairs), members should discuss this before the exchange. The person receiving the service typically covers the cost of materials, or members may work out another arrangement.
The Time Exchange is free to join. Donations are accepted on a sliding scale basis. We suggest a small annual contribution to help cover administrative costs, but no one is turned away due to inability to pay. Any excess funds will go toward our future projects like the Tool Library and Repair Cafe. Please see our membership page to see a fully transparent view of our finances. You can also contribute time instead by helping with Time Exchange operations.
We encourage open communication between members. If there's an issue with a service, first try to discuss it directly with the provider. If that doesn't resolve the matter, our Time Exchange coordinators can help mediate. Our goal is to ensure that all exchanges are satisfactory for everyone involved.
To maintain active membership, we ask that members engage in at least one exchange (either providing or receiving) every six months. This keeps the network active and ensures that everyone remains engaged with the community.