Help Mercer Island 'TimeBank': City Seeks Volunteers

The Mercer Island TimeBank group, supported by the Department of Youth and Family Services (YFS), is looking for a volunteer to act as a part-time Coordinator for up to three to four hours per week.

Mercer Island TimeBanking is a yearlong pilot project to establish a Timebank on the Island. Timebanking is a means of exchange used to organize people and organizations around a purpose, where time is the principal currency. For every hour participants 'deposit' in a TimeBank, perhaps by giving practical help and support to others (editing, dog walking, organizing, gardening, tutoring, etc.), they are able to withdraw equivalent support in time when they themselves are in need. In each case, the participant decides what they can offer. All time is considered equal.

The mission of TimeBanks is to nurture and expand a movement that promotes equality and builds caring community economies through inclusive exchange of time and talent. Mercer Island is working with TimeBanks leaders across the Eastside and Puget Sound area to strengthen and build community.

The right volunteer to lead the MI TimeBank will be afforded YFS administrative support and that of an active steering committee. The bulk of the volunteer work will focus on working with new members and organizing monthly meetings.

Interested community members can contact the Director for Youth and Family Services, Cynthia Goodwin at 206.275.7749 or cynthia.goodwin@mercergov.org.

(Ed. Note: The information in this article is from a city press release)