Members share experiences...

Survey #1:

1. Name/age/neighborhood? (Names will be changed for privacy on blog project)

Suzanne, age 58, North Madison

2. How did you find out about the TB? Why did you decide to join?

Read in Northside News that it was beginning. It seemed like an interesting project and a good way to meet neighbors.

3. What services do you typically provide? Have you had any meaningful experiences providing TB services?

Garden planning, writing stories, recruiting members by tabling, was on Northside Kitchen Cabinet, helped at the International Conference.

4. What services have you received through the TB? Have you received help you might not have found otherwise?

I had my leaves raked, my gutters cleaned, learned how to change oil in my lawn mower, had jumps built for dog agility course, went to a craft class, two dog parades, two plant exchanges.
I met a lot of neighbors that I would not have met. I could have found the services, but I saved money this way.

5. Do you have any concerns about privacy or safety related to your Timebank membership?

I have not had a concern so far. I have chosen to post my neighborhood and not my address.

6. Please share any other comments that are important or special to you about the Timebank.

It has been a great experience, except for those who do not take it very seriously and do not respond quickly and sometimes not at all. It would be great to see everyone in my neighborhood signed up.

Survey #2:

1. Name/age/neighborhood? (Names will be changed for privacy on blog project)

Jen, age 53, Middleton

2. How did you find out about the TB? Why did you decide to join?

found out when a coordinator came to our group and explain timebank
I joined because of the neighborhood nature of the group. The fact that people help people and needs are met and services given that would not even be known about if not for the connectiveness of the Timebank internet structure. I was relatively new to the Madison area but feel now that I have met tons of wonderful people and have built up a support community between that of the bartering nature of the group. I also love that my one hour of whatever I do is equal to another's one hour even if they, in my opinion, have so much more to offer. The idea of equality of work offered is wonderful!

3. What services do you typically provide? Have you had any meaningful experiences providing TB services?

I offer transportation, computer buddy, visits, cleaning, dog doodoo clean-up and repair information and help with group activities. I have had meaningful experiences with many of the people I have meant. The experiences range from one wonderful conversation to an ongoing level of caring for an individual I work for.

4. What services have you received through the TB? Have you received help you might not have found otherwise?

Yes I have received amazing healing which I would never have connected with otherwise. I have also had massage, interactions with differently abled folks, help with my dog's barking.

Yes I would say all of my experiences have been meaningful. Even if there was a problem I feel that the people on timebank are the type that will work to resolve an issue...which I recently did. Others that I have meant on timebank I care about greatly. One woman I clean house for every has become a friend and I have a good time with her.

5. Do you have any concerns about privacy or safety related to your Timebank membership?

No concerns about privacy or safety. There are background checks done and I always have the ability to screen the people I may want help from or give help to. by screen I just mean talk to or check out their personal info.

6. Please share any other comments that are important or special to you about the Timebank.

timebank has become an important part of my life. It is one aspect where I can turn to for help or to meet people or offer some help. It has helped to make me feel connected to the Madison community and to people in general. I absolutely love the concepts of the organization and plan to become more involved in the organizational activities.