Agenda for Orientation
• Eat, meet, and enjoy
yourself!
• SWEL Timebank Overview
• Core Values
• Membership Process
• Community Building Game
• Orientation
What is SWEL?
• Transforming a vision of a vibrant Timebank into
a reality.
• SWEL stands for Shoreline, Woodway, Edmonds,
and Lake Forest Park.
• Based on a well proven modelwww.timebanks.org
What is a Timebank?
• Neighbors helping neighbors, one hour at a
time.
– If you help someone, that hour goes into your Timebank
account as a Time Hour.
– You spend that Time Hour by having someone else do
something for you.
• All hours are valued equally.
What is a Timebank?
• Timebanks use a low overhead, self-organizing
system to match unmet needs with unused
resources.
• Using a password-protected, web-accessed
database, members
– list what they want to give and receive
– arrange the exchanges via the website and emails.
SWEL Timebank Core
Values
• WE ARE ALL VALUED CONTRIBUTORS
• Everyone’s time is equally valuable
• Reciprocity is key--we all have something to
give, and we all have needs
• Communities strengthen individuals
Exchanges create community
Services are varied
Note: You don’t need to be an expert in something
to offer it - think of what you enjoy doing and then
imagine that a neighbor might benefit from that.
Membership Process
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Anyone can join.
Attend an orientation (you are!).
Complete an application (hopefully tonight!).
We complete the criminal background check
and personal reference checks.
• You will then receive an email when your
account is activated!
Membership Dues
• SWEL’s annual membership dues help sustain us!
• $75 for household
• $40 for individuals
• $15 for college students and seniors
• $15 for people with income < $25,000
• $5 for high school students
• Become a founding member and get an 18 month
membership!
Game
• Who has a skill to share with the Timebank?
• Who wants to receive that skill?
Orientation Agenda
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Taxes
Criminal Background Checks
Key Items from the Member Policies
How to Use the Software
Questions and Answers
Distribution of Applications
Sign off Applications/Check ID
Taxes
• The IRS has ruled that
Timebanking is not taxable.
• Why?
– no contractual obligation
– no monetary equivalent of a
“time hour” (all valued equally)
– Timebanking is volunteering
Background Checks
• We run a criminal background check, and check at
least one personal reference.
• However, each member is responsible for
determining if they are comfortable interacting with
another member prior to arranging the exchange.
• We encourage members to meet each other in a
public location (at one of our monthly potlucks, etc.)
prior to meeting privately.
Key Items from the
Membership Policies
• The SWEL Timebank is a coordinating agency ONLY.
• We cannot guarantee the performance of anyone who
is referred.
• Prior to receiving a service, you will want to ascertain
the competency of the server to deliver the service to
the extent that meets your level of comfort.
Key Items from the
Membership Policies
• Expenses for any materials used will be the responsibility of
the recipient.
• Expenses should be agreed upon before the service is
delivered.
• Please let us know if there are any disagreements or concerns
related to an exchange.
• Respect your exchange partner’s privacy and confidentiality.
• Don’t give your password to the online database to others.
Key Items from the
Membership Policies
• Respect your exchange partner’s home, property and
valuables.
• Refrain from smoking, or bringing pets to your exchange
unless invited.
• Post and maintain at least one offer and one request on the
website.
• Try to check your account regularly to see if there are
requests.
• Note that goods can’t be exchanged, only services. (The
website does have an area for goods, but this shouldn’t be
used)
Individual Debt Limit
• There are times when
your needs are greater
than your contribution.
– It is okay to have a
negative balance.
– If you accrue a -10 hour
balance, staff will check
in with you.
Youth Participation
• There is no age restriction.
• Parent/Guardian approval is required
for those under 18.
• The parent/guardian is responsible
and determines whether the child
– will have his or her own account or
– share the parent’s account;
– determine if sufficient supervision is
provided,
– what exchanges are appropriate, etc.
Using the Software
• Once your application, criminal background check and
reference check are complete, we will activate your account.
You will get an email with instructions for using the software.
– We will credit your account with one Time Hour for completing this
training!
• Once your account is activated, you can log on, and click on
“give and receive”, and fill out what services you would like to
give and receive.
• Then you can start exchanging services!
Last Slide!
• Questions?
• Did everyone sign in?
• Application/Photo ID
Check
• Thank you for your time!