The hOurworld software allows us to do “Inter-trading” (a.k.a. “Global”) exchanges with members of Timebanks all over the world! Inter-trading widens your audience for your local offers and requests. Inter-trading is also a great way to earn hours if your special talents aren't in demand locally – or to receive services that aren’t offered locally. In addition, inter-trading helps you connect with the broader Timebanking community; it brings the world a little closer.
What services can be exchanged through Inter-trading?
Inter-trading is most often used for services (1) fulfilled from afar and (2) in the areas of language, writing/editing/clerical, tutoring/counseling, tech, or other specialized knowledge areas (by email, phone, or skype).
But with a little creativity, there are untold possibilities!
Examples of “Outside-the-box” Inter-trading Offers and Requests:
· Join me for a foraging tour of New England: I’ll show you edible plants you’d normally overlook.
· Would you be our tour guide in Auckland NZ?
· Seeking home-made vegan meals in these cities on these dates. (Driving cross-country.)
· Help with the oil spill cleanup in the Gulf! I can’t get there, myself, but I can give you hours.
· Send me a photo of your home. I’ll send you a pen and ink drawing of it.
· Is there a book lover near Missoula MT who can visit my grandmother once a week? She likes historical fiction, and she’d love to chat.
Not all offers or requests are appropriate for Inter-trading at a distance, however. For example, an offer to deliver groceries is not likely to be appreciated by members of a Timebank 3000 miles away. So please consider that when posting.
Which Timebanks participate?
Not every Timebank participates in Inter-trading. Each local Timebank has the option to turn the Inter-trade feature on or off for its entire membership. In addition, there are many Timebanks that use software other than hOurworld, and we cannot currently do exchanges with their members. You can view the list of Timebanks doing Inter-trading on hOurworld by clicking on the Inter-trade tab and then “Contact Timebank Locations” in the drop-down menu under “Explore All Offers."
Where can I find Inter-trade listings?
On hOurworld: Inter-trade (Global) listings are not interspersed with Local Timebank listings. After logging into hOurworld, click on the Inter-trade tab to see the categories of Global offers and requests. You may also use the search box. However, be aware that the search box on the Inter-trade page does not connect to Local listings. And the search box for your Local hOurworld page does not bring up Inter-trading offers and requests. Local and Global posts are separate with one exception: A post marked as Global from a member of your Local Timebank will also show up as a Local post.
In the weekly email update: You may also find Inter-trade listings in a separate category at the bottom of the Monday morning email update. If you prefer, you have the option, as an individual, to remove them by clicking on a link in that email (“Remove Inter-trade Offers and Requests from my weekly update”).
How do I post Inter-trade offers and requests?
1. First, decide which individual offers or requests you would like to share beyond your local Timebank.
2. Begin your post the usual way, by clicking on “Add New Offer” or “Add New Request.”
3. Select the category and service, write the description, and set an expiration date.
4. Click the “Go Global” button at the bottom of the post. (This button then becomes a “Go Local” button, allowing you to make that post viewable only to local members again if you wish.)
5. Finally, set the radius of service/distance limit. (Once the post is marked as Global, you will see additional options for radius of service.)
Please note:
· A Global post can still have a relatively small radius of service, allowing only members of your own and nearby Timebanks to view it. Consider this option when you need to meet someone in person for an exchange, but no one in your local Timebank can provide the service.
· Even if you set a high distance limit – or no limit – your post will still only be seen by local Timebank members unless you have clicked the “Go Global” button.
How is Inter-trading different from exchanging services with members of my own timebank?
1. The most obvious difference is that your Global exchange partner may live in a different time zone, and that may make scheduling a challenge. Many exchanges don’t require real-time communication though.
2. There may be language or cultural differences (though that can happen with local exchanges, too). Don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions or get help with translation.
3. There is less information available to you through a Global listing than through a Local listing to help you decide if you want to do an exchange with someone.
What you can see: The name of the person who posted the Inter-trade along with the person's photo, the Timebank’s name and location, the number of exchanges the person has completed, the number as the provider of the service, the number of exchange partners, and the percentage who were satisfied with the service. You can also see all the details of the offer or request.
What you can’t see: The bio of the person who posted, what Timebank groups the person has joined, the person’s other (non-Inter-trade) offers and requests, the dates of most recent login and exchange, and how often the person replies when emailed.
The bio and the person’s other offers and requests paint a fuller picture of the person than only one post can. The dates of last activity and the reply rate may indicate how likely it is that the person will respond. Depending on the nature of the exchange, not having this information may influence your decision to take part.
Note: If you were the one to post the Inter-trade offer or request, you may see even less information about people who respond to you.
4. Local Timebanks have social events and other ways to meet people that may help you decide if you want to do exchanges with them. You may also know other people in your local Timebank that you can ask about potential exchange partners. For Inter-trades, you won’t have this benefit. However, just as with local exchanges, you may certainly ask in advance for references, samples of the person's work, or a phone interview. You will also learn more about the person from advance discussion of details and expectations.
We list some of the differences between Inter-trades and local exchanges not to discourage you from taking part but to encourage you to ask questions and not make assumptions. As many Timebank members will tell you, Inter-trading can be satisfying and even exciting.
How are Inter-trading hours recorded?
For a local exchange, you may record hours either through the Hours tab toward the top of the homepage or through the Hours button at the bottom of the individual post.
For Inter-trading, though, you may only use the Hours button at the bottom of the post. For this reason – even if the exchange is complete – the post should not be removed until the hours are recorded.
For a local exchange, the default is that the provider of the service records the hours.
For Inter-trading, the person responding to the post is the one to record the hours:
· If the post was an offer, the person who received the service must record the hours.
· If the post was a request, the person who provided the service must record the hours.
If you want to refer to past Inter-trades on your Hours Statement in your account, be aware that
· Your exchange partner will always be listed as hOurworld.
· All services will be labeled “Account Management: Misc Service: Inter-Trading."
· It is only in the Comments field that the actual category and service will be listed. The name of your exchange partner should also appear in the Comments field, and you may add other notes about the exchange.
If you want to try your hand at Inter-trading but have questions, please reach out to your Member Mentor. We hope you enjoy connecting with the broader TImebank community!
