Blog

Timebanking's Core Value of Social Networks

by BJ Andryusky, October, 2021

When listening in on the Town Hall Call by Timebanks.org in October 2021 on the Core Value of Social Networks, I was slightly troubled because I couldn’t think of a story in our timebank that exemplified that particular Core Value. Usually I always seem to have a story or two up my sleeve that support or any one of the Core Values, but in this instance, my mind kept swirling around trying to find a good example and I came up empty-handed.

Instead, what I was thinking about is how some people that join timebanks have a mindset that the situations in their life are going to magically get solved by joining the timebank and when that doesn’t happen, they think timebanking doesn’t work and they are discouraged. Afterall, aren’t needs being met by other members? Isn’t that part of the way we present timebanking? One person’s needs are met by another person’s talent?

My experience has been that sometimes, even I think that my needs will be met magically.

While we do strive to let people know that they don’t have to give before they receive at St. Pete Timebank, it’s not magic. Yes, there is a “bank” of members to exchange with. Yes, there is a storehouse of talents and skills also held in that bank that are waiting to be utilized, but what I have found is that social networks are created one exchange at a time. A network is created when I go out of my comfort zone and ask someone for help for one of my needs. When I’m willing to reach out, that’s when the magic happens. Sometimes it happens fast. Sometimes it happens slowly, but I’ve found that it always happens.

When I reach out to a member to get a need met what I often find is willingness waiting to be ignited. I find a treasure chest of creativity just waiting to be utilized. I find people that are eager to help, eager to share what they love to do with someone who needs what they have to offer. I find a community waiting and wanting to connect, wanting to be valued for who they are, a group of people just waiting to give. It’s like there’s hundreds of little dots on a page that need to be connected together and each one of us are responsible for doing the connecting for ourselves in order to benefit the greater good. That’s how a social network is created. That’s the elixer that causes the change.

Timebanking isn’t magic, but magic happens when we timebank.

In the photo above, taken at a pre-pandemic timebank potluck  held in a member’s home, timebankers demonstrate the core value of Community or Social Networks by playing the “Yarn Game”. This game provides a physical illustration of the magic of timebanking. 

With all members that want to participate stand in a circle, one member holds a ball of yarn in their hands and offers something that they love to do.  Another member agrees to receive what is offered and the ball of yarn is tossed to them while holding on to the end.  That member in turn, offers something they love to the community.  Another member agrees to receive and the yarn is tossed to them.  By continual offering and receiving, a supportive social network is created.