Organizations as TimeBank Members

If your organization needs volunteers, the Cape Ann Time Bank (CATB) can help!  As budgets shrink and expenses grow, the CATB can help organizations match unmet needs with unused resources, the people of Cape Ann.

The CATB is a network of people who exchange services. An hour of service is valued at one time dollar, regardless of the skill level required.  There is no monetary equivalent associated with time dollars. Members advertise their services, find each other and “bank” the time dollars they earn on simple-to-use software called Community Weaver. The CATB rewards people for giving their time, expands trust, promotes reciprocal relationships and creates a means for us to take care of each other.  Time banks offer a new kind of value to the work people do for others in the community.   When local people give and receive their skills, they create community.

The CATB is an effective recruiting and retention tool for "volunteers".  In Portland, Maine, where time banking has been going on for nearly ten years, half of the members had never volunteered before. Nationwide, volunteers generally burn out at the rate of 30-40% per year.  In contrast, time bankers tend to leave at the rate of 3-4% per year. That's a 10x increase in "volunteer" retention stemming from recognizing volunteer labor with time dollars.

By joining the CATB , organizations can:

• Strengthen their connections with the community
• Access a diverse database containing over 125 potential helpers
• Meet goals more readily
• Reduce the workload for volunteer recruiters and other staff

The Cape Ann Time Bank, established in September 2006 now boasts 128 individual members.   We are affiliated with TimeBanks USA, an international organization that supports local time banks all over the world.

The CATB matches organizations like yours with people who can provide the following services:

• Transport participants
• Assist in setting up, breaking down and staffing events
• Design promotional materials or a website
• Teach computer skills and/or repair computer problems
• Clean, paint and repair facilities
• Provide help at home and companionship to clients
• Serve as chaperones on field trips
• Prepare mailings
• Answer phones, file documents
• Network with other organizations

We’ll help your organization be creative in earning time dollars.  Some ways that organizations can earn time dollars are by

• Hosting an event, e.g., one of our monthly potluck suppers and information sessions.
• Placing a link to the CATB website on your organization’s website.
• Printing a time bank ad in your organization’s newsletter.
• Providing a service that the time bank itself needs.
• Providing a service that an individual or organizational time bank member needs.
• Receiving time dollars as a donation from a time bank member.
• Offering a movie or a class where people pay time dollars to participate.

Organizations that join the time bank are given $50 time dollars as an introductory bonus.

To join the Cape Ann Time Bank or to learn more, visit www.capeanntimebanks.org or contact Harry Keshet at hkeshet@yahoo.com or 978 281-7545 or Nancy Goodman at ngoodnan52@yahoo.com or 978 546-9551.