BACE Timebank groups are really mini timebanks within BACE Timebank. In March 2024, BACE Timebank and some of our newest members helped to create five new timebanks: Advocacy & Justice, Amateur Radio Operators (Hams), Building Business Communities, Pet Care, and Writers. Members first join BACE Timebank, and then they can join a mini timebank to do exchanges with members in that group. Membership in a mini timebanks doesn’t interfere with members’ use of the larger, BACE Timebank.
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New Member Launches Hams Timebank
Building community is one of the principles of timebanking. BACE members create community by creating mini timebanks within BACE Timebank. In March 2024, a new member of the BACE Timebank created a timebank for amateur radio operators or hams. Radio operators/hams build community every time they get on the air. Our newest member says, “They may share knowledge and skills for emergency preparedness, resiliency in business communications, and general survival skills training. If you listen to “The Morning Coffee Break net” you’ll hear ham-folks who just want to share anything useful under the sun.” He adds that they “are over 700,000+ strong hams in the United States alone, and Japan has over 1.2 million hams active on the air.”
2023 Member Survey Results
BACE Timebank leaders rely on membership surveys to make programming and outreach decisions. Here is summary of results for our 2023 BACE Membership Survey:
- 58 members responded
- 90% of members plan to timebank in 2024
- Nearly 60% of members plan to timebank in person for half of their exchanges.
- Members believe that it is at least somewhat important for people in their neighborhoods to have access to a timebank, but not as many members believe that they personally need access to a timebank.
- Members want to keep the timebank free to join and free to use
- Members want a platform that is easy to use
- Members were diverse in age, gender identity, race, and languages spoken
Findings suggest that BACE Timebank leaders needs to (1) increase outreach to younger people, BIPOC, and bi-lingual people, (2) improve messaging around mission-driven membership, (3) improve messaging for timebanking as a regular practice, (4) explore ways to improve the timebank platform
Note: Participants were not randomly selected to participate, so results of this survey may not represent the needs and interests of all members.
New in 2024: Timebanking in Jamestown, CA
BACE Timebank is expanding into Tuolumne County by pilot testing timebanking in a small mobile home community in the mountains of Jamestown, a historical Gold Rush town and landmark since 1949. It is three square miles, has 3423 residents (2010 Census), and 40% of residents live in rental housing. If you know someone living there or nearby, tell them that BACE Timebank is up and running in Tuolumne County!
Giving Tuesday 2023
Join the global generosity movement on Giving Tuesday and donate to the BACE Timebank on Nov 28, 2023. While we use time as a currency, some of our operating costs can only be paid with dollars. Your donation helps pay for technical and promotion services which keeps our timebank free to join and free to use. We’re helping people increase their support networks for obtaining services such as rides to the doctor, pet care, and home-cooked foods. We’re introducing communities like the East Canyon and Montclair in Oakland to timebanking so they can timebank those volunteers who devote time to gardening, developing local newsletters, and doing other projects that build resilient communities in Oakland. Please donate today!
