Belated Thanksgiving Wishes!

Happy Turkey Day everybody! Sorry it's a bit late, but I just want to say that I'm grateful for all you lovely Time Exchangers!

Congratulations Edgar and Jean!

It's just come to my attention that Edgar Cahn (the idea man behind Time Banking) and his late wife Jean have been awarded a National Legal Aid and Defender Association award!

"The 2009 Charles Dorsey Award recipients are Edgar Cahn and the late Jean Camper Cahn. This award recognizes an individual who has provided extraordinary and dedicated service to the equal justice community and to organizations that promote expanding and improving access to justice for low-income people. The award celebrates the accomplishments of the longtime executive director of the Legal Aid Bureau of Maryland, whose many national leadership roles included service as chair of the Project Advisory Group and as a member of the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defendants.

Prior to the development of the legislation for the War on Poverty in 1964, Edgar and Jean Camper Cahn helped to implement the work of Community Progress Inc., developing the first neighborhood-based law firm in New Haven, CT as part of that program. As part of the War on Poverty, the Cahns conceived, designed, proposed and founded the National Legal Services Program, which served as the blueprint for the Legal Services Program. Later, both Cahns helped shape the Legal Services Corporation as consultants to the President’s Commission on Reorganization.

In 1972, through the efforts of the Cahns, Antioch School of Law in Washington, DC, was established as the first clinical law school in the nation broadening access to legal careers and providing free legal services to thousands of District residents. As co-deans of the law school, the Cahn’s pioneered legal programs for poor residents of the District, and, many years later, when the school fell on hard times, the Cahn’s returned to Washington to play crucial roles in mobilizing the community and securing support to launch the UDC David A. Clarke School of Law as a successor to the Antioch School of Law.

In 1980, Edgar Cahn developed the strategy of co-production to empower the poor with a tax-exempt currency initially called services credits and later renamed as Time Dollars. The currency equated one hour spent helping others or building community or fighting for justice with one time dollar, which could then be used to secure computers, food, or clothes for families.

Today, while continuing the work of Time Banking, Edgar Cahn has embarked on a civil rights initiative to address racial disparity by proposing to shift the focus from past to future by formally giving officials a future choice between continuing with present practices that often result in racially disparate impact, with validated, less expensive and replicable alternatives.

“The selfless commitment of each of our award winners has advanced justice for countless people over several decades,” said NLADA President & CEO Jo-Ann Wallace. “Their passionate commitment, zealous advocacy and visionary leadership represent the finest tradition of the equal justice community and hope for equality in the future.” "

To see the article in full, Click Here. There is also a link to a video of an Edgar Cahn interview posted in our links section. Again, congratulations Edgar! And thank you for all you do!

Who likes listening to British people talk about Time Banks? I do!

Hello again everyone!

I thought I'd go ahead and post one of the many time banking videos to be found on YouTube.com. I particularly like this one because it's very well made, it talks a lot about the basics of time banking, and it shows lots of real people making real exchanges. Enjoy!

We have a blog!

Welcome to the Lewisburg Time Bank Blog! We're growing so quickly, we've already spilled over into the blogosphere!

As it says above, this blog will be a vehicle to keep Time Bank members updated on the progress and events of the time bank, a place where members can talk about their experiences, and where everyone, members and nonmembers alike, is free to explore the greater concepts of time exchange and the wonderful effect it has on both individuals and communities. Constructive criticism is always welcome!

So, as promised, here's an update! We currently have 23 members and have had our first exchanges occur in the last couple weeks. Personal note: Mary taught me to knit, and it was lovely. We've noticed that most people who have exchanged time have not recorded their hours on Community Weaver. We ask that if you have not done so, please do! The computer program is what allows us to keep track of everyone's contributions and facilitate new exchanges. It's very important, so please try to keep on top of it. If you're having any trouble recording your hours, feel free to call or email me, I'm more than happy to help.

We've had two community events thus far as well. We had the Learn to Row Day, organized and administrated by our very own Jesse Dondero. It turned out to be a beautiful day and, although I was unable to go, I hear it was a lot of fun. In fact, those who went enjoyed it so much they said they would like to do it on a regular basis, and so we are looking into signing the Bucknell crew team up as an organizational member. More on that as the story develops. We also had the story featured in the Standard Journal! Click here to read it!

We also had a Game Night at the Lewisburg Senior Center. This was another success, with 19 people attending. If anyone has ideas for the next event, please let us know! We'd like to have them be a monthly occurence, and those who help will earn Time Dollars for their trouble.

And don't forget, those of you who have not posted offers or requests (or only posted one kind and not the other), doing so will earn you a Time Dollar, so jump on that! A Time Dollar is also awarded to those who recruit new members, so please tell your friends, family, and neighbors about the Lewisburg Time Bank. The more people we have, the more diverse, interesting, and useful exchanges will be possible.

Thanks for checking out the new blog! Please follow us so that you can receive updates participate in our discussions!