What if I have something no one wants? Or I need something no one has?

There won’t always be a perfect match. Time banks work best when people are patient as exchange develops over time, willing to build the network together (rather than expecting organizers alone to create it), and creative in recognizing forms of value that are overlooked.

This network grows stronger and more useful as more people participate. If community members are invested in helping each other, we can each call on and expand the network to cover needs.

It can also be an invitation to creatively re-evaluate. As you look at what others need, can you be flexible? Are there needs you haven't considered? Many people initially assume they don’t have anything “useful” to offer, especially if those skills are not highly rewarded in the market economy. But we all have so much — listening, translating, teaching, organizing, helping with technology, cooking — that is deeply valuable to others.

To help make those connections easier, we’re creating a shared space or marketplace where members can post offers, requests, ideas, and community needs. Organizers can help facilitate connections, but the network becomes stronger when members actively participate in shaping and growing it together.