About Us

The Dane County Timebank is a network of individuals and organizations in Dane County working to increase efficiency, opportunity and resource sharing through mutually beneficial exchange -- building community ties and community self-sufficiency.

Some effective Timebank models include
Lynn Timebank, Youth Advocate Program, and Partners in Care.

The Dane County Timebank partners with local organizations to develop programs to meet local needs.

Governance

The Dane County Timebank (DCT) is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of between 9 and 20 members. The Dane County Timebank is the umbrella under which neighborhood- and program-based Timebanks operate. A Timebank in a given neighborhood or organization may elect its own Kitchen Cabinet/Steering Team, made up of a representative sampling of members which will make day-to-day policy decisions for that Timebank. While they may have different outreach strategies for their neighborhood, they continue to operate under the broader policy structure provided by the Dane County Timebank and determined by the DCT Board of Directors.

The Northside Neighbor-to-Neighbor Timebank was the first in Dane County and the first to elect a Kitchen Cabinet. The member policies adopted by the Northside Kitchen Cabinet are used by the entire Dane County Timebank.
Click here for a list of Northside Kitchen Cabinet members and their bios.

The Northsiders are graciously helping new Kitchen Cabinets to get rolling in other parts of the county. We now have three additional Kitchen Cabinets up and running and more on the way!

Welcome the Central Madison, Middleton,East Madison, the Stoughton , and the Allied Allies Kitchen Cabinets!
If you're interested in joining any of these folks' efforts in those neighborhoods, or in starting your own in your area, contact Stephanie Rearick, the Dane County Timebank Director, by email or phone, (608) 663-0400.

Core values of Timebanking

Timebanking is based on a philosophy that our communities work better when all of our contributions are valued. It rejects the notion that we belong in separate classes of 'givers' and 'receivers' and establishes a way to value and reward all types of work -- caring for our children, elders, and others who need it, building community, helping out our neighbors.

How does it work?

When you need something like minor home repair, child care, companionship, an exercise buddy, whatever -- look on Community Weaver and contact a member directly, or call the Timebank coordinator and ask. The coordinator will set you up with a neighbor, who has had an interview and basic background check like every other Timebank member, who can help you. After the neighbor helps you they or the coordinator deduct one Time Dollar per hour of service from your account and adds the same number of Time Dollars to your neighbor's account. You can earn back the credit by helping anyone else in the network. You can also accumulate a few debits before you need to pay them back. It's easy to ask for help when you need it!

Want to Know More About Timebanking? Check out these news stories!

US Social Forum: A Retro-Prospective
Blog references our participation in the US Social Forum, June 25 2010, Citizen Action of New York website
by Shanna Goldman, Organizing Director

'Banks' allow members to pay with time, not cash
June 3, 2010
ChicoER.com, by Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press Writer

The Onion blurb about our concert fundraiser.

New York City launches city-wide Timebank! Read all about it.
Time Bank Offers New Yorkers Chance to Trade Services
January 12, 2010
New York Daily News, by Kathleen Lucadamo

City Launches 'Time Bank' for NYers to Trade Services
January 12, 2010
NBC New York by Jennifer Millman

Time Banking: A Totally Cool Concept For a Better World'
Nov 10, 2009
Care2
by Dave Chameides

Save A Buck: Time Is Money:Time banks draw interest as they help people swap services
August 25, 2009
AARP Magazine, by Leah Dobkin

Banking on Time
July 28, 2009
FOX Business News, by Kathryn Glass

Is VolunTourism Ready for Timebanking?
May 5, 2009
VolunTourism Podcast, hosted by David Clemmons

Punished [sic] by Peers
April 15, 2009
NBC 15, Madison WI

Time Banking Takes Off in Tough Economy: Members Pay It Forward Instead of Paying in Cash
March 14, 2009
Good Morning America

Stoughton Community Recreation Group seeks feedback on recreational activities for the disabled
February 13, 2009
Stoughton Courier Hub, Stoughton, WI

Timebank Open House - video
February 8, 2009
WKOW Channel 27, Madison, WI

The Future of Money?: With the Economy a Wreck, Alternative Currencies Could Gain Traction
February 4, 2009
by Jeff Ignatius
River Cities Re@der, Davenport, IA, Quad Cities

Dane County Timebank is growing
January 30, 2009
WKOW Channel 27, Madison, WI

Time is Money
January 27, 2009
by Rick Brooks
Forte Madison (a sister publication of In Business magazine), Madison, WI

Timebank Store Set to Open Friday
November 26, 2008
by Sandy Kallio
The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI

Timebank Store Set to Open Friday
November 26, 2008
by Sandy Kallio
The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI

Dozens of groups grateful for Kids Fund grants
November 18, 2008
by Mike Miller
The Capital Times, Madison, WI

Allied Drive store aims to show residents time is money
November 12, 2008
by Pat Schneider
The Capital Times, Madison, WI

Dane County residents learn the true value of time
October 12, 2008
by Vanessa Shipley
WKOW Channel 27 TV, Madison, WI

Time Saver
September 15, 2008
by Barclay Pollak
NBC channel 15, Madison, WI

Time is Money: In these anxious days of faltering financial institutions, it's comforting to know there is a solid bank in Madison generating unusual amounts of wealth
August, 2008
by Leah Dobkin
Madison Magazine, Madison, WI

Timebank idea travels to Allied Drive: Goal is to locate the county's first 'time dollar' store
July 31, 2008
by Vikki Kratz
Isthmus, Madison, WI

New Time Bank Initiative Helps People with Developmental Disabilities
Thursday, July 24, 2008
WMTV Channel 15, Madison, WI

Dane County Expands Timebank Program: Falk Announces $55,000 For Program
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Channel 3 TV, Madison, WI

Swapping An Hour Of Time: Timebank Gives People A Chance To Help Others And Also Receive Help In Exchange For Time Given.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
by Anita Clark
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI

Time is Money at the Dane County Timebank
Part I & Part II
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
by Claire Herbst
Neighbors, in WI State Journal and Capital Times, Madison, WI

Getting the Community Involved: Youth Court offers creative alternative to juvenile court
Thursday, March 22, 2007
by Emma Lierly
Isthmus, Madison, WI

Youth Courts Give Kids A Second Chance
Thursday, May 26, 2007
by Pat Schneider
The Capital Times, Madison, WI

Dane County Timebank Surpasses Expectations
Monday, October 23, 2006
by Patricia Simms
Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI

Doing the Barter System One Better: I'll teach you to throat sing if she teaches me to crochet
Friday, May 19, 2006
By S.L. Wisenberg, The Chicago Reader

Dane County Timebank: Adding Value to Time Well Spent
April, 2006
George Zens, Sustainable Times, Madison, WI

Dane County Timebank Jumps into Local Economy
Spring, 2006
Rob McClure, HOUR Community: The Participant Directory of Madison Hours

Dane County Timebank Growing
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Justin Ware, Channel 15 news

Brisk Business at the Timebank
Thursday, January 19, 2006
James Mills, The Wisconsin State Journal Madison, WI

Timebank Values Volunteers
Friday, August 26, 2005
Natalie Swaby, Channel 15 News

Timebanking Called Priceless
Thursday, August 4, 2005
Judith Davidoff, The Capital Times, Madison, WI

Do a Good Deed and You Might Bank Time
Monday, April 18, 2005
Andy Hall, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI

When 14 Hours of Help Equals Some Heavy Lifting
November 14, 2005
Bonnie DeSimone, The New York Times

Timebanks around the world: The Timebanks USA website

Listen to an interview with Dane County Timebank Director Stephanie Rearick on Wisconsin Public Radio's Ideas Network. Interviewed by Joy Cardin on April 20, 2005.

How You Can Get Involved

Live on the Northside?

Got a talent, skill or time to share?

Want some help?

Interested in an internship or research? Contact Stephanie Rearick, the Dane County Timebank Director by email or phone, (608) 663-0400.