Bridging the Gap
by Bill Crumley

When I was a youngster with a dollar bill I could get a school lunch, a haircut, a bus ride, and a candy bar. And I still had twenty cents left. Several persons have told me: “We were poor then but we didn’t know it. In terms of the amount of money they had, they were poor. In terms of their ability to obtain necessary goods and services they were not poor. That is the truth that “time banks” recognize. One of these “time banks” is the Austin Time Exchange Network (ATEN) in Austin, Texas. The stated goal of ATEN is “to serve as a bridge between people from different economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds by providing the opportunity for interaction through the exchanging of services. All of this aims to encourage systemic social change, economic equality, and community empowerment in Austin.”

The goal of ATEN is not to increase the money supply. The goal is to serve as a BRIDGE between people from different economic, social and ethnic backgrounds. The reason for building the bridge is not simply exchanging services. The Network is founded to help bring about social change. This change is to help create economic equality. The basic unit of exchange is a not a dollar which is a debt. The basic unit is an hour of service which is an asset, not a liability. Rather than a dollar which is created by a central bank, the hour of service is created in the local community by the members of the community. The members create their own currency. This greatly empowers the community.

ATEN and other “time banks” are possible because of rising costs and lower income. In addition to these obvious difficulties people were also aware that they were taking less care of one another. There was a breakdown of families and of neighborhoods. There was less personal contact. Truly they are more than barter networks. They are “time banks”. The time we invest in bettering ourselves and our community is the real wealth of any community.

@ Soma Vida, 1210 Rosewood Ave. 78702

Our last new member gathering, at Peaceful Village Acupuncture, went fantastically.  So many interesting people ready to build community through trading services!  The Creating Commerce Circle afterward was a chance for folks to talk a little more in-depth about what they are involved with, what they are passionate about, and how they spend their time.  Thao Photography was also there, and she captured these photos:

New member orientation is from 2pm to 3.

From 3 until 4, join us for a Creating Commerce Circle – - this is an opportunity to talk briefly (5 minutes) about something you do that you want others to know about!  We all have services that we want to offer for time exchange; it can be this that you choose to talk about, or your business that could use more exposure, a social cause you are working for, or anything else that could benefit from more word-of-mouth promotion. This is a low-stress environment, so it’s a great opportunity to practice talking about why you are excited about what you do (if self-promoting is not your forté).

Thanks to Mary Kraemer of Rosa Milagrosa for starting the Commerce nights in early 2010… 

P.S.  There is a link to a map on the calendar to the right.

Brandi of the AustinEcoNetwork has put together a truly fantastic article listing lots of great ideas and resources for environmentally-conscious holiday gift-giving.  Check it out!  Also, join ATEN today, and stay tuned (to your inbox) for when and where we will be getting together for a holiday service swap!

Did someone say that many new members are joining and becoming volunteers for A.T.E.N. these days?
Why, yes!

That means more engagement for your web-weary eyes, more orientations, more presence at events in our community, and more helpful interactions for us all.  Trust people, not dollars! (Or… at least as much as dollars?)  You, too, can help these things happen and more, just ask info@austintimeexchange.org.

NEXT ORIENTATION+POTLUCK = Sunday, November 13th, 2011 : : Soma Vida,
1210 Rosewood Ave. 78702 ….   4pm (orientation),  5pm (potluck).

Check for updates frequently, as we are definitely feeling a rumbling.

http://loveatx.com/9-11/

This upcoming Second Sunday, the Austin Time Exchange Network will be participating in LoveATX’s 9/11 Day of CommUnity.  The organizers’ stated mission is to “empower the Austin community and support local economy. A Day of CommUnity will feature Austin-local organizations and artists creating a healthy, conscious, and sustainable culture. We believe real change comes when well informed individuals confront their responsibility to develop well informed masses.”

This event will have workshops, local food, music, art, poetry and circus entertainment, as well as representatives from local community organizations sharing information all day. There is a suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away for lack of money.

We will present about ATEN on the stage at 4pm, and provide orientations at a few other times during the day (TBA).  This event will take the place of our normally scheduled new member orientation and membership potluck, which will resume in October at Soma Vida.  Hope to see you there!

Bring your own awesomely unique background and come meet some new people — folks who are aware that there is a kinder, fairer economy available to those who want it — at our next monthly gathering:

Sunday, September 11th : Orientation @ 4;  Potluck @ 5 Soma Vida – 1210 Rosewood Ave. 78702

And what amazing people they are, too.  I have to say that since I have been a member of ATEN, I have come to see the make-up of my adopted town in a whole new light.  The talents and expertise all around me and the wealth of different perspectives residing in my fellow Austinites is truly astounding and inspiring.

Bring your own awesomely unique background and come meet some new people — folks who are aware that there is a kinder, fairer economy available to those who want it –  at our next monthly gathering:

Sunday, July 10th : Orientation @ 4; Potluck @ 5 Soma Vida – 1210 Rosewood Ave. 78702

It wouldn’t be complete without YOU!

–Amanda