Author: KKinCville

For many of us, asking for help is hard. I see this difficulty manifest often when timebank members tell me they can’t find the help they need in the timebank.

Here’s a recent example:

Me: What do you need?
Member: I need four post holes dug.
Me: Have you asked for help with that?
Member: I looked at the current offers, and didn’t see it offered.

I’m happy to report that this conversation has a happy ending: hole-digging is scheduled! It’s also a perfect opportunity to talk about how to make the ask. It’s impossible to know what kind of help people need, and it would never occur to me to post a separate offer for each and every little thing that I was willing to do for another timebank member. Who’s got time for that?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at the weekly member email that lists recent requests and said “Wow, I never thought about offering that particular service, but I could totally do that!”

If you dismiss the thought of getting the help you need through the timebank by a cursory glance at what’s currently being offered, you’re missing an opportunity. Here are some suggestions to try:

• SEARCH!
  Use the search box at the top of every page in hOurworld. Try a few different words or versions of your search. Go ahead and noodle around in there. You won’t break anything! You may find a member bio or offer that turns up in your search, and we encourage you reach out directly to that member with your request by emailing them: use the email they have listed in their profile or use the envelope icon in their profile to send an email.
• Post a request!
  It may be hard to ask for help, but members are standing by – and they’re reading their emails … not your mind! Plus, members who see your request can help you make a connection if they’re not able to fulfill the request themselves. Go ahead and put contact information right there in the request, which makes it easy for them to respond!
• Post it in the Facebook member forum 
  It’s a great place to pose a question or make a request, and it allows a conversation thread to unfold, members to be tagged, and activates the hive mind. Remember that not all of our members are on Facebook, but many are.
• Keep your member profile current
  Make sure your profile information is up-to-date, friendly, and inviting. After all, the first thing a potential responder will do is look you up on the member software. Increase your chances by having a photo and welcoming bio, and make it easy to contact you.
• Don’t take it personally if a request is unfulfilled. Maybe it isn’t something that others are able to help with, or they’re not available, or maybe they didn’t read their email. OK, that’s a topic for another post. The point is: please don’t be disheartened. Keep at it, and perhaps the next time you’ll make a fabulous connection.

So — what do YOU need that you haven’t requested? 😊

-Kathy

I am currently writing from among a couple dozen unpacked cardboard boxes, a junky pile of miscellaneous items that currently make up my dining room, furniture that looks like it was arranged by a drunken crew of pirates, and – oh look! – a basket of clean, unfolded laundry. (Don’t ask me what’s in there.  I just keep wearing the same clothes to work as well as some outfits that are better suited to other occasions, but which I can at least locate.)  

The aftermath of moving. It may sound bad, but I’m actually happy about my new home and how my move went. And TimeBank really helped.   

For me, the most stressful part of moving is packing, hands down.  I connected with a TimeBanker (Ruth) who came over on 3 occasions and helped me stay on track with packing.  She was a godsend since I’ve been known to stand for long periods of time with a single item in my hand, trying to decide which box to put it into, all the while my blood pressure rising.  With Ruth there, I was able to keep moving forward. A dear friend, Theresa, who is also in TimeBank, came over the night before the move as well. Between the 3 of us we finished the packing and kept me calm.  

On moving day I had an amazing and unusual crew made up of a paid mover, a teenager, my daughter’s dad, my daughter (9), some friends who dropped by briefly, and a TimeBanker (Todd) who was willing to dive into my life and stuff for a full 6 hours on a super hot day.  Todd was amazing. We finished unloading hours before I expected even after the required pizza break.

I had also invited folks over for what I was calling #Cathy’sFlashMove and had hoped to meet a bunch of folks, especially neighbors. This did not work out as planned but I did meet one close neighbor (a TimeBanker) who arrived in time to help with a cleaning task that has made my first days here much nicer.  

So… help before, during and after my move, saving money, stress, and time.  Wow.  But just as valuable are the new connections I’ve made.  I really like all of the folks who helped with my move and have already been in touch with or spent time with 2 of them. I hope to see the others soon.  That’s not something I generally expect to get out of a move!  With TimeBank you never know if what you need will line up with what someone has to offer, but it worked out for me this time and I am incredibly grateful.  So despite the chaos in my house, I am very happily living in my new home with some new friends to boot!                         

– Cathy B.

What would you like to have done?

Check out the TimeBank FAQ, “What Services Are Exchanged?” to get an idea of what offers and requests you might typically find in our member software.  The list is a snapshot of the skills within the membership, including things like home repairs, anything having to do with your garden, pet care, child care, even chicken consultation (yes really!). But don’t be discouraged if what you need done is not listed. As long as it’s legal and won’t get anybody in trouble, ask for it.  There may be someone out there who can do it. A pretty nice camel saddle was fixed up at one of our fabulous repair cafes. You won’t find that kind of match-making in the Yellow Pages!

I wish the TimeBank had been around when I lived in the country and had a daily supply of fresh llama manure. I bet I could have found plenty of takers for that perfect garden fertilizer. As a matter of fact, I wish I had some of that llama poo for my city garden now —I’d be happy to drive out in the country to shovel it.

Need something unusual or have some rare but useful skill or resource to offer? This could be the place to get your needs met. And while you’re thinking about it, take a look at the latest requests. Share an hour or two of your time and—I promise—you will be rewarded with far more than TimeBank hours. You will make someone’s day—and you might find that you made your own day too.

– Gail South

I sometimes get caught up in work and family and taking care of all the crap you have to take care of in life, and forget to reach out to people.  And I absolutely HATE to ask for help.

I joined the timebank because I thought it would be cool to get some of those hard-to-find-help-for chores done.  Like when the strap on my purse came loose and needed a skilled seamstress before I left town the next day.  Happy to say an amazing timebanker stepped in and took care of it – while we talked about jobs and gardens and traveling.  I also found help for my garden, got some lights repaired, and got all my garden tools sharpened.  I’ve done some photography, writing, rug moving, and drove people to the polls to vote. But the bonus, the thing I didn’t expect and the BEST PART of the timebank, is the community.

I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this dynamic group of like-minded folks who want to help each other with whatever comes up.  It’s great having someone help mulch the garden or clean out the basement – not just because the work goes faster, but because having someone to talk to, to share with, to learn from, makes a tedious job fun.  I love having someone water my garden while I’m out of town, or knowing that I can quickly find someone to feed and pet my cat when I’m away – but mostly, I love being part of this generous group of people who joined a community for the sole purpose of helping each other.  A community whose riason d’etre is to be generous and kind to each other is a rare gift indeed.  Thank you, timebankers!

– Gail South