Time Banks UK Weekend Write-Up, 16-18 Feb 2001
by Eamonn Dunne
It all began on a cold Friday night in the middle of the Oxfordshire countryside. People were gathered together from as far and wide as Cheltenham to Glasgow. Why were they there? They were there because of a curious American import that allows people to turn time into a bankable commodity - They were there because of Time Banks!
Time to Start Working...
Having had a very agreeable three-course meal, we sat in a big circle and following introductions from Ria and Martin, We introduced ourselves and said what we expected to achieve from the weekend.
The first thing to hit me was the diversity of settings for Time Banks, along with the enthusiasm and determination of those involved in running them � It was going to be an interesting weekend. The hour was getting late and given the proximity of the seminar to an open bar, we adjourned for the evening.
The Morning After
Following a hearty breakfast, we gathered in the seminar room to begin our work for the day. Ria, our trusty trainer and timekeeper and Martin our passionate inspiration, delicately interlaced time banks information with some invaluable personal development techniques. We discovered our working styles, heard from Joy about the development of Time Banks UK and examined the art of Stroking and giving recognition to each other. We had many opportunities to discuss Time Bank matters in small groups as we completed a variety of tasks including making a poster for a Time Bank, to discussing the contracts we make with people in our work and life. We even had a panel of experienced Time Bankers to answer a whole range of questions from dealing with references to the average number of members.
The working day ended with us being given our Group tasks ... the bit we were all looking forward to (Oh Aye, yeah!). Our task was to produce a presentation on the subject of Time Banks that incorporates an aspect of the Training from the weekend. Being creative on a Saturday night before visiting the bar was a tall order I can tell you, but there was a good deal of activity around the building.
The Night After
All work and no play ... so out comes Colin�s guitar and it�s time for a jolly good singsong. There were still some people frantically scribbling notes as they interrogated fellow Time Bankers with questions like "Just how did you get your insurance company to agree to that?"
And Action!
Sunday Morning - Once we got the boring (but necessary) old question of funding out of way, it was time to do our presentations. The first group tackled the issue of �Too much giving- not enough taking�. Using the format of Stars in their Eyes to demonstrate Different Working Styles, the group where interrupted regularly by the �Hurry Up� Fairy. The second group performed a superb play examining the Change process for a Community Development Worker who saw the light and realised that community involvement means involving the community. The audience was in stitches and Jason from Sandwell almost got a BAFTA.
And Action Planning...
Finally it was time for us to help Time Banks UK help us, to help time bank members, to help themselves (phew!). Ideas from enhancing the TimeKeeper Software to sharing successful funding information and lobbying the Government on Benefit legislation were discussed before we finally said goodbye.
I had a wonderful time and despite 5 hours of fog and heavy traffic � it was well worth it! Thanks to all who came, hosted, helped and gave of themselves and of course Oxfam for footing the bill. Let�s do it again please.
Participants of the Time Banks UK Weekend