By Monica Johnston | Director of BACE Timebank
Dear Donors,
On behalf of Bay Area Community Exchange (BACE) Timebank, we have been truly honored to be the first recipient of Edgar Cahn's legacy award, the Seeds of Change Grant. I'd like to share some of the immediate and lasting impacts the grant has had on me and the BACE Timebank.
The grant made it possible for us to introduce timebanking in Sonoma County. We promoted timebanking in the most prominent bilingual news source in Sonoma County, La Voz, and our Seeds of Change intern was able to work with other timebankers to develop bilingual flyers. We worked with one of our timebankers to secure a radio interview at KBBF.org. We met with leaders from neighboring timebanks as a way to bridge communities and share resources. The grant helped us lay the groundwork for engaging more people in the years to come.
Expanding timebanking was a rewarding challenge that made both the college intern, Alexis, and I acutely aware of the timebanking principle of redefining work. Alexis, like I, needed to work (for dollars) at our day jobs and use our spare time to do time-paid work for the BACE Timebank. Seeing first-hand how we differentially prioritized dollar-paid work and time-paid work was insightful and led to developing leadership guides that I’m currently using to develop future timebank leaders.
The grant helped me reinforce BACE's commitment to promote timebanking around the world by supporting timebank coordinators. Through Timebank.Org’s TimeForAll Timebank and Chats on the Bench, I advised various timebank coordinators during the grant period and continue that effort today. During the grant period (i.e., during the pandemic), I developed and shared 30 no/low-contact ways to exchange services for time, and I continue to promote this list. I created and shared ideas that dually promote and fundraise for timebanks, both of which are top concerns of timebank coordinators I advise.
BACE Timebank is operated by three staff who must daily balance their demands of work and family with their desire to fulfill the mission of the BACE Timebank to build community and be a source of support for people regardless of their economic situation. When membership is less active than desired, when the website needs updating, etc., it can feel easier to leave a leadership role than to persevere. Grants mean more than just the ability to keep the lights on at a timebank. Grants are often the only source of motivational support we receive to persevere.
We are grateful recipients of Edgar Cahn's legacy award, the Seeds of Change Grant, and will continue to strive to promote timebanking principles through the act of timebanking.
Sincerely,
Monica Johnston
Director of BACE Timebank
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