A Circle of Giving and Receiving: the Asheville TimeBank

by Kathy Holt

A timebank is a means of building a resilient community by connecting people to exchange services, using time as currency. 

With software from hOurworld, Asheville TimeBank (ATB) was launched last August and currently has about 90 members. An hour spent providing a service can be “banked” online, and spent using any of the services listed online by other members.

Unlike traditional barter (where I give a service to you and you give one back to me) services can be given and received among a larger circle. Jane walks Joe’s dog, Joe mows Jenny’s lawn, Jenny cuts Jill’s hair, Jill gardens for Jane, and everyone gets to know their community a bit better. It helps to build up the alternative, cash-free economy: “Skip the ATM, go to the ATB!” asked

Asked about recent TimeBank exchanges, participant Shine Maphet said, “Recently I’ve had help from an electrician; he did wonderful work, really professional, it was like hiring somebody, except I only had to pay in timebank hours! He put in a ceiling light with a fan in the bedroom, and a bathroom light. I was very pleased with his work.

My new raised bed was the result of two different timebank interactions. A man and his wife listed that they offer advice with gardening; he knew just what was needed, and he was going to get boards for himself too, so we went together to Asheville Hardwood. We hauled these cedar boards back in his truck, and he cut them for me.

I had another gentleman, with carpentry skills and tools, come and put together a frame for a raised bed, out of the boards. Took him about an hour. Now I just need to get some good soil to fill it with – it would be helpful to have somebody do that with me. I’m sure I’ll find that on the timebank!

Maphet also offered a friend her “herb witch” service, putting several home-grown herbs, specifically for colds and flu, into teabags ready to brew; she also brought an essential oil that she thought would be helpful.. “She got better really quickly,” says Maphet.

Because “growing the herbs is a joy to me,” she charged only for the time it took to go to her house and back. Maphet also enjoys sewing and has done sewing projects for different people.

Maphet also functions as a “Matchmaker” for the timebank, contacting people if their request has lasted some time; Maphet scans offers to see if someone is offering the service they need and suggests a match.

To join Asheville TimeBank, visit www.ashevilletimebank.org. Tuesday afternoon orientations (donation requested, though no one is turned away) are also held at Firestorm Café; writie to [email protected].