Does Your Organization Need Volunteers?
The Hudson Area TimeBank would like to help
We can help! The Hudson Area TimeBank will match organizations in need of assistance with people who can provide it. TimeBanks have helped organizations like yours to:
- transport participants
- fundraise and design promotional materials
- clean, paint and repair facilities
- provide help at home and companionship to clients
- landscape and maintain building grounds
- answer phones and do other office work
- staff and organize events
By using TimeBanks, organizations have been able to:
- connect with the community
- save money
- access a diverse, pre-screened database of helpers
- meet goals more readily
- reduce the work load for volunteer coordinators and other staff
The Timebank catalogs individuals’ and organizations’ strengths, skills, and willingness to help others, and then links these organizations and individuals together to help meet their respective needs.
Timebank members receive time dollars for their service. Any member who helps another member earns one time dollar per hour, which can then be spent on needed services from individuals or organizations in the network.
Every member's time is equal and there is no monetary equivalent associated with time dollars. We’ll help your organization be creative in earning time dollars, and organizations can spend time dollars before they start earning them. It’s common for Timebank members to fluctuate between positive and negative time dollar balances.
Organizations receive time dollars in various ways; for example, in exchange for use of spaces or equipment; sharing expertise; publicity; when TimeBank members work for you; or from donations from the TimeBank Social Capital Fund.
Here are some reflections from organizations working with other Time Banks
“Belonging to the Dane County TimeBank has really added value to our organization. It's an incentive to volunteer at our organization, when volunteers know they'll get TimeBank hours for their efforts. Volunteers at our organization truly want to give of themselves - AND it's nice they get something concrete in return, in the form of TimeBank hours. And it creates such a wonderful web of support, everyone helping each other out. Viva timebanking!”
– Maureen Brady and Cheri Maples; Center for Mindfulness & Justice
“The Dane County TimeBank is a great addition as a community partner to the Madison Senior Center. Besides introducing TimeBank members to the Senior Center, our volunteers can accumulate hours and exchange them for TimeBank credits. It's another way we can recognize and give back to our volunteers. We are also excited about the prospect of exploring the talents and developing relationships with other TimeBank members as a means to enhance our program offerings at the Senior Center. Being a member of the Dane County TimeBank gives the Madison Senior Center another way to contribute to the broader Madison community. The leadership and involvement of TimeBank staff has made this all possible. We are very happy to be a TimeBank member.”
-- Rick Orton; Volunteer Coordinator, Madison Senior Center
“I have been involved with TimeBank’s operations in the Allied neighborhood for several years, and have seen how the concept of volunteer exchange has not only provided important resources for this high needs neighborhood, but has done so in an empowering way.
The premise of TimeBank is that everyone has skills and internal resources they can share to benefit other members, it is an asset based perspective.
In this time of economic cutbacks, the emphasis of self-help and peer support will be vital to ensure the wellbeing of people who traditionally depend on public services to help manage the demands of their lives. TimeBank provides an infrastructure so that a broad pool of resources is available to people through its wide membership and assortment of skill sharing. I applaud their approach that conveys help as a mutual activity, as this shifts a mindset of dependency and entitlement to one of capacity and generosity.”
– Susan Corrado; Project Coordinator, Allied Wellness Cooperative
United Way and local physicians join Maryland Partners in Care to offer seniors companionship, transportation, repair & emergency response programs, plus emergency kits and a time bank boutique. http://www.partnersincare.org/.
Partners In Care is a private non-profit organization offering programs and services that support the independence of older adults in our communities. We accomplish this through a unique culture of service exchange where members volunteer their time and talents to help each other with neighborly services such as transportation, handyman repairs, person-centered support, and social engagement. In exchange, members ask for assistance when needed.
An organization that provides the opportunity for all generations to support the independence of older adults, empowering them to be an active part of the community while aging in place. Through our collective efforts, we will meet the growing needs and build financial sustainability.
Partners In Care now has 3500 active seniors as members.