Exchange and barter in the not so distant past were common occurrences in New Brunswick. At times, it enabled people to subsist during financial struggle, and contributed to a sense of community and solidarity. Fredericton maintains this sense of community, and exchange continues outside of the money economy between friends, families, community food producers and neighbours.
Time Bank Fredericton is aiming to formalize these practices, to allow wider public access to the skills and services that those in our community can offer. It acknowledges that many of the everyday skills we possess are undervalued or unrecognized and that people should not be defined by how or what they contribute to the money economy.
Through the website, offers and requests can be made and members can document their exchanges. Each hour of a skill or service shared is equivalent to one time credit, as everyone’s time is considered to be of equal value. These time credits can then be spent on any other offers within the Time Bank.
Anna, Meranda and Rebekah began the Time Bank as part of a social action project through St. Thomas Social Work. The intent is to find three or four committed core members by the end of December, who are willing to continue outreach, event planning, and website/social media maintenance. They have participated in community outreach with the goal of increasing awareness of the project and how it can be of use to the citizens of Fredericton, with a particular focus on developing and encouraging a diverse and inclusive member group.
If you are interested in more information, feel free to contact the Time Bank at tbfredericton@gmail.com, visit the website at tbfredericton.timebanks.org, or on Facebook under TimeBank Fredericton.
