TTC DOs and DON'Ts

The Time Trade Circle is based on the Core Values of Timebanking, and these principles inform the guidelines for how to be a good member. Since not everyone is familiar with the culture of our community, we've outlined some of our rules and conventions here.

1 Timebanks Hour = 1 Actual Hour

One of the core principles of timebanking is that everyone's time is valued equally, no matter what the service is. Therefore, members do not receive more Timebanks Hours for more desirable or more difficult services. The time they earn is equal to the actual time they spend.

Trading Objects

• One of the core principles of timebanking is that there is no dollar equivalent to time. Members do not earn hours for trading objects they have and want to get rid of, because to do so would be assigning a value to a tangible object.
• Members do earn hours for trading objects if they put time into making that object, such as painting a picture or building a table.
• Members don't generally post want ads for objects or sell objects for money. The TTC is focused on trading services, and there are other online communities that are more appropriate for buying and selling things.

Posting Services on the Site

• Members do keep their offers and requests current, removing any that have been filled or are no longer relevant.
• Members don't post their services in more than 3 categories. We understand people want to maximize visibility and searchability but we don't want the listings to be flooded with repeat posts.
• Members don't write text in all-caps because to many internet users this is considered yelling, and there's no need for one person's post to be more visible than other members'.

Communication Etiquette

• Members do respond as soon as they can when someone asks if they're interested in trading. If the answer is no, it's fine to say so.
• When members contact others, through the site or otherwise, they explain their needs/skills. That makes it easier for both people to see if it's a good match.

Group Classes

Small group classes are a great way to share skills in the Time Trade Circle. The teacher should receive as many Timebank Hours as the time spent on the class and preparing it. Each student should give the amount of time they spent in the class. Clearly with more than one student, there are extra Timebank Hours in this situation, and they would be donated back to the Time Trade Circle. The TTC can then use those hours to donate to a member in need or to use for administrative needs.