What is timebanking?
Timebanking is where you exchange services with other timebank members. Many of our residents have special skills that may be of value to others. For each hour of service that you provide, you earn an hours’ time-credit that you can spend on receiving services from others.
The Timebank’s purpose is to build and support thriving, connected communities, and are built on five core values of:
- We are all assets – everyone has something to contribute to community
- Redefining work – Some work is beyond price and we need to redefine work.
- Reciprocity - Helping works better as a two-way street. The question: “How can I help you?” needs to change so we ask: “How can we help each other to build the world we both live in?”
- Respect - Every human being matters. Respect underlies everything we value. We must respect where people are in the moment, not where we hope they will be in the future.
- Social Networks: Helping each other, we reweave communities of support, strength & trust.
By using the Te Mātāwai Timebank, you agree to comply with the following terms and conditions. Please read them carefully.
You agree to:
- Respect the values and purpose of the timebank.
- Respect other members' privacy and confidentiality.
- Respect other members’ rights to freedom of thought, political and religious beliefs.
- Not involve friends or relatives in timebank activities. Encourage them to join as a member.
- Not ask for or accept money, or gifts from other members.
- Not eat or drink a member's food and drink, unless invited to do so.
- Respect a no smoking policy in a member's home or venue at the time of the exchange.
- Not use any possessions of the member, including the telephone, unless given clear permission to do so.
- Always treat other members respectfully.
The terms and conditions of the Te Mātāwai Community Hub (Te Mātāwai Platform) also apply to the Te Mātāwai Timebank.
Platform Admin moderates the site and you may be asked to edit or delete your “request or offer” post if it breaches those terms and conditions.
Time is the currency, where one hour helping another person (service) is valued at one time-credit. We all have skills to offer which help create supportive communities.
- Members exchange credits through the Te Mātāwai Platform.
- You are responsible for requesting credit exchange on completion of the service.
- Credits are one hour of service equals one credit regardless of what the task is.
- There is no half or quarter of a credit for 30 mins/45mins of time. Time credits are simply a recognition of the time and effort put in locally. They are not supposed to be an adequate recompense.
- You can still do exchanges of a service if you have not yet earned time credits.
- Members can donate as many or as few Timebank credits as they like to other members. This can be done through the Te Mātāwai platform.
- A credit can be for an hour of service, or an hour for baking a cake (goods), or one hour of using a guitar (resource).
The rights and responsibilities of all members
- Members take full responsibility for participating in timebanking (including using the Te Mātāwai platform and receiving services from, and providing services to, other timebanking members).
- Members must exercise care and caution when interacting with people they do not know. Members engage in timebanking at their own risk.
- Members acknowledge that the platform coordinator is under no obligation to monitor the timebanking exchanges. The Te Mātāwai platform is moderated for content in accordance with the Te Mātāwai Platform terms and conditions. Members are encouraged to notify us of any harmful content or actions.
- Members acknowledge that the platform coordinator makes no promises or representations in relation to the type, skill, qualifications, expertise or availability of persons that become timebanking members; nor the services or advertisements provided by them, including their accuracy or suitability.
- To treat each other fairly and work to resolve any dispute, complaint or misunderstanding promptly by affected members. Where required, a member committee or Platform Admin may provide mediation, support and advice if there is agreement by all parties.
Rights and Responsibilities of the Giver
- To earn one “time credit” for every hour spent providing a service goods or resource.
- To have credits banked and available to be used when the service has been provided.
- To be able to donate credits to another member (who also needs to be a member of the timebank).
- To only offer a service where you feel you have the capabilities and skills to provide it.
- To obtain a clear understanding of the request and expected standard.
- To maintain the receiver’s confidentiality.
- To observe the standards of care.
- To be prompt and keep scheduled times for providing the service and notify the receiver of any cancellations or delays.
Rights and Responsibilities of the Receiver
- To be treated with dignity, care and respect in line with the standards of care.
- One time credit always buys one hour of service, regardless of the nature of the task.
- To take responsible steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of any member that is providing a service to them.
- To provide a clear explanation of the requested service.
- To be prompt and keep scheduled times for receiving the service and notify the giver of any cancellations or delays.
- Young people between 16-18 years of age may apply to be a timebank member. This requires guardianship approval, and the guardian must attend the timebank registration and induction. Approval is given by the Platform Admin on a case-by-case basis.
- No child (under 16 years of age) related work is to be completed through the timebank. If you wish to look after children or require childcare, please do through your own network.
- Family events or activities where guardians are present at all times and organized as part of a timebank exchange may be considered by the Platform Admin.
If any dispute arises between timebank members around timebank exchanges, the members that are in dispute should attempt to resolve the dispute respectfully and in accordance with the terms and conditions and values of the timebank.
If you are unhappy about any timebank service, have not resolved the dispute with the member(s) or need support, please contact the Platform Admin. You can also report issues via the Te Mātāwai platform through “report this activity”.
Process
- We will get back to you within three working days about the registered complaint.
- We will work with you to ascertain the facts of the timebank exchange complaint and agree on next steps to resolution or escalation.
- If the complaint relates to a dispute between members, the Platform Admin will support members on ways to resolve the complaint between themselves first.
- In disputes between members, the Platform Admin team may provide mediation between members or bring in an independent third party like site support services. This will need to be at the agreement of all parties.
- The Platform Admin is guided by Kāinga Ora complaints and disruptive behavior policies and the Te Mātāwai Platform terms and conditions.
- Where there has been a criminal act or there are immediate safety concerns, we may need to inform Kāinga Ora management or/and other authorities and we may have to disclose the complainant's details.
Kāinga Ora accepts no liability for any loss, damages, expenses, costs or charges of any kind, which you suffer or incur in connection with your participation in timebanking (including your use of the timebanking website, and the services you receive from and provide to other timebanking members).
- Members are not to provide a service or goods worth $5,000 or more.
- You are responsible and liable for any tax or other liabilities incurred in relation to timebanking services you provide to or receive from other timebanking members.
One of the best ways to keep safe is to get to know the other timebank members through attending other community events, activities and any timebank events offered by the Platform Admin.
- Place: We recommend that timebank services are provided in public spaces where possible or with support. We have a number of communal spaces at the Te Mātawai complex that can be booked through the Te Mātāwai Platform.
- Health and safety: The safety of all timebank members is paramount. If you have any concerns or doubts when asked to provide a service, please do not do it.
- Safeguarding: Do not put yourself at risk. If you are worried about visiting another member on your own, in the dark or in a particular area, please do not do it.
- Trust your judgement: If anything sets off alarm bells, trust your instinct and position yourself for an easy exit.
- Expenses: We do not have a process for processing or funding members' expenses so, unless you have arranged otherwise, you need to manage and be satisfied with the arrangements and costs before you begin.
- Cancellation: Whether you are a giver or receiver of a service, please give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel.
- Support: Use the Platform Admin for advice and support when you first join the timebank, or if you are not sure about how to do things or something does not go well.