POST OIL SOLUTIONS. A Community Organizing Initiative.

Local Economy. We encourage everyone to "Buy Local."

As we enter the post petroleum age, it's important to become increasingly self-reliant as a region to produce the basic goods and services we require for daily living, and to reduce our vulnerability to the volatility of the global market. Post Oil Solutions will attempt to do its part through either our own initiatives, or by supporting those of others, to help make ours a stronger local economy.

What is a time bank?

A Time Bank is service exchange network based on Time Dollars, a currency of equality that anyone can earn by using their time, energy, skills, and talents to help others. One hour of service provided to another time bank member earns one time dollar. Time Dollars may be spent on any number of services, from home repair or housekeeping to web design or health care. Organized through a central web site, members of a time bank are able to list the services they offer, while at the same time posting requests for help with projects or work. The time bank not only serves the needs of individuals, but also has the effect of strengthening communities through the reciprocal interactions that are established and replicated between and among individuals, formal and informal groups, organizations, and businesses.

Why the Brattleboro area? Why now?

Time Banks place an equal value on all work, leveling the playing field so that time given by one member is no more important than time given by another. Using time, instead of money, as a medium of exchange, allows individuals to put energy into aspects of their lives that may not generally be valued by a cash economy. While it’s often difficult for people to spend money on home cooked meals, child supervision, or companionship, a Time Bank network encourages the provision and purchase of such services that are vital to the health of the community. Though populations with limited incomes (seniors, students, low-income families) are marginalized by the cash economy, Time Banks find value in the unique skills and knowledge of each member, so that people can interactively share the wealth of skill and experience with other members of the community. The Time Bank system emphasizes that everyone has something to give. This concept of reciprocity—a core value of Time Banks—engenders in members a sense of gratification of being of service to others. In this sense a Time Bank can be the very foundation of a healthy, sustainable community.

Brattleboro Time Trade

The Brattleboro Time Trade is a project that Post Oil Solutions has supported through fund raising and financial donations, as well as consultation.

For more information please visit their website and see how these important concepts were put into use right here in Brattleboro!

http://www.brattleborotimetrade.org/