Nobody's going to give you much of an argument about the idea that the US currency is in flux. Some people are worried about devaluation; others inflation; and yet others, collapse. In fact, at present, more than a dozen States have proposed reinstating their own silver and gold coin currencies. And, while it may seem like Monopoly money to outsiders, a growing number of local communities across the U.S, too, have started using homegrown local currencies to stimulate their economies and protect themselves from the nation's broader economic woes. One of the most common types of local currencies being used successfully is Time Banks.

Time Banks are local organizations that allow people to use their skills to help others by exchanging hours instead of money. One could earn Time Dollars by, say, transporting a neighbor to the doctor, and spend those Time Dollars on the same number of hours' worth of other services, such as computer repair, massage or piano lessons.

Those wary of the idea raise two points. One is concern that the Internal Revenue Service will swoop in. But while some forms of barter are taxable, the I.R.S. has ruled that Time Dollars are not — because they value all work equally, work is done for a charitable purpose, and the exchange is informal and non-contractual.

A Time Bank is not simply the American economy in all its glory, with hours instead of dollars. Credits get issued by the Time Bank at the same rate for everyone. Time Banks work in large part on trust and goodwill. And, no, the US economy does not run that way! This is the main appeal of a Time Bank.

Time Banking is an innovative way to build a self-reliant, resilient local economy through providing our gifts of time, talents, resources, & training while learning how to graciously receive. Time Banking enables local individuals to dynamically help each other in an organized manner, without using money. Time banking builds a network of support to strengthen the community.

Shasta Commons is sponsoring a free, public presentation on Time Banking at Seeds of Life (formerly The Stage Door, 412 N. Mount Shasta Blvd.) on Saturday, February 18th, 2-4 PM,. The presentation will be given by National Time Bank expert, Linda Hogan, followed by Q & A. When many local people have no jobs, little or no income and/or tangible assets---but they do have time and talent---the facilitation of an exchange of people's skills and goods using standard time units through a Time Bank, with no cash changing hands is an idea whose Time has come!