Our Culver City Time Bank

There was a time and a place—real to some, only a dream to others—when every community operated like a well-oiled machine. Families looked after one another. Every mother knew every kid who ran up and down their street, and knew who to talk to when someone got out of line. And when someone needed something, there was always someone to supply a helping hand, a hot meal or assistance when hard times came knocking.

Unfortunately, these days that kind of community can be hard to come by. With the exception of churches, there seem to be too few organizations that foster the kind of cooperation and generosity that used to be expected in any small town or neighborhood.

In order to remedy this contemporary sense of isolation, Melissa Minkin founded the Culver City, Palms, Mar Vista Time Bank in November 2009. Known simply as “Our Time Bank,” the organization is designed to implement the principles of “time banking” as put forth by founder Edgar Cahn.

According to Cahn, a Time Bank works like any other bank in that it’s based on a foundation of deposits and withdrawals. But instead of cash, members deposit hours helping other members and volunteering for the organization (or other member organizations). They then withdraw hours in the form of reciprocal assistance. In essence, a time bank replicates the sense of cooperation and sharing that is the strength of any functional community, except that membership is voluntary.

I learned about “Our Time Bank” through a friend—who has expanded her own sense of community through The Echo Park Time Bank—and recently attended an orientation. Admittedly, a Time Bank isn’t for everyone, but for families like ours—who are always seeking to become more involved in our community—it feels like a wonderful way to get involved and meet people.  In fact, after the orientation, the whole family attended a potluck to meet the members and enjoy some delicious food—much of it locally grown.

As “Our Time Bank” grows, members continue to implement more ways  to nurture the sense of community. Upcoming events include a pickling workshop and "urban hikes" downtown. In fact, Melissa reports that members frequently coordinate their efforts informally rather than through the site’s “official” trading board. I believe this is a sign that “Our Time Bank” already functions less like an “organization” and more like a bona fide community—something that Culver City has always excelled in, a plus thatmy family looks forward to being a part of in the future.

Go to Ourtimebank.com for information about membership and an upcoming orientation schedule.