Time Banks UK Weekend 16-18 Feb 2001
Write up 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
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