Movements are created when people make a collective choice about how to use their time, talents, and resources to achieve a particular goal.
For example, you'll often hear people express their lack of money to achieve various objectives. But money has rarely gotten in the way of committed TimeBankers. In their minds, there are unlimited hours to 'pay' for caring, mentoring, civic engagement, social justice, and environmental work. Because money doesn't change the world, people do!
In his book 'No More Throw-Away People', Edgar Cahn listed four values that stand at the heart of successful TimeBanking and have stood the test of time. Later he added a fifth.
Edgar's five values for successful timebanking
- Asset: Everyone of us has something of value to share with someone else.
- Redefining work: There are some forms of work that money will not easily pay for like building strong families, revitalizing neighborhoods, making democracy work, and advancing social justice. Time credits reward, recognize and honor that work.
- Reciprocity: The question: “How can I help you?” needs to change so we ask: “Will you help someone too?” Paying it forward ensures that, together, we help each other build the world we all will live in.
- Community / social networks: By helping each other, we reweave communities of support, strength, and trust. Community is built by sinking roots, building trust, and creating networks.
- Respect: The heart and soul of democracy lie in respect for others. We strive to respect where people are in the moment, not where we hope they will be at some future point.
Edgar believed that global markets rewarded unbridled self-interest, winner-take-all competition, and runaway specialization. Consequently, he argued for an economy that rewarded decency, caring, civic participation, and learning.
His concept was very simple: one hour = one credit, every hour is equal, and every human being and every contribution are of equal value. This was Edgar's legacy and TimeBanks.Org exists to honor and build on this legacy.