Missoula Time Bank Business and Nonprofit Organization Information.

 

A time bank member can be an individual, a business, or a nonprofit organization. Members earns hours by providing services to other members and can then spend those hours to receive services. Time banking is a service exchange system based on the currency of time rather than money.

How might organizations be involved?

• When an organization becomes a member of Missoula Time Bank, it can get help from individuals in the community who are individual members. A member organization’s members do not automatically become members, but they may be encouraged to become individual members.
• When time bank members exchange with an organization they learn about it if it is new to them, or they help an organization they already support earning hours in the process. This can grow and strengthen the organization’s base by engaging new people in the organization’s mission and work.
• A member organization can put out a request using the Time and Talents software to access help for the volunteers they already have. An organization can request specific assistance in areas such as graphic design, computing, building upkeep, mailing, or something else.

How does an organization benefit from being a Missoula Time Bank member?

• Save money while meeting organizational goals more readily.
• Strengthen connections with the community.
• Have access to the time bank member database with potential new helpers and volunteers.
• Reduce work load for staff members.

How do organizations earn hours?

• Offering space – empty desk space or a meeting room space for use by MTB or an MTB member.
• Offering workshops or events to MTB members where there is normally a fee. For example, if an event runs three hours, an MTB member can give three of his or her hours to the organization to attend.
• Receiving time donations from individual members. A member can to do a benefit and earn hours for an organization.

Can an nonprofit organization spend more hours than it earns?

• Yes, a nonprofit organization may spend more hours for volunteers than it earns. An organization does need to offer services to earn time hours and uphold the principle of reciprocity.
• We know that nonprofit organizations offer a great deal to communities by their work and the time bank and its members wish to support this.

How does an organization become a member of the Missoula Time Bank?

• Contact Missoula Time Bank at info@missoulatimebank.org or call 406-210-9805.
• Invite a representative from the MTB Steering Committee to visit your organization to discuss what MTB members have to offer and the needs of your organization.
• Choose one person from your business or organization to apply, make donations, attend orientation, sign a release form, and make transactions with the time bank.
• Apply for membership on the Missoula Time Bank website.
• Sign a Missoula Time Bank liability release for organizations and attend an orrientation meeting.
  

What about membership donations?

• Membership donations are an important part of the Missoula Time Bank’s budget. Our suggested organizational donation range is $35-$75 per year. The amount of the donation is determined by the organization.
  

The Missoula Time Bank believes that time banking is a way to:

• Value the work we do for each other and our community.
• Connect people and unmet needs with untapped human resources.
• Increase community interaction, foster mutual respect, and promote awareness that all services are necessary and equally valuable.

Contributing to a prosperous Missoula community.

Contact: info@missoulatimebank.org

Return to Home Page / Return to Membership Information Page