Member Spotlight: Making connections and building community

Oswaldo Montoya: Educator and Social Justice Consultant

Oswaldo has been a member of the Silver Spring Timebank since 2015 when he joined with a friend from Nicaragua who was looking for a way to practice his English skills. Oswaldo joined in support of his friend, but he also really liked the idea of finding a group that values local community and provides mutual support for each other. It is nice to have a way to reach out to neighbors for help and to offer help. The timebank makes it easy to do this.

He also quickly learned that being a member of the timebank reduces the feeling of isolation. Even though he lives with his partner and children, his family can feel alone. This is especially true for an immigrant person. Joining the timebank offered a good way to expand his connections beyond his immediate community. His partner soon joined the time bank, and now his oldest child has applied and is planning to attend an orientation.

Soon after joining, Oswaldo participated in some wonderful exchanges. He offered Spanish lessons, provided translation services, and helped with gardening. Most recently (last November), Oswaldo led the timebank’s first Social Walk in Rock Creek Park while honoring the social-distancing required. This was a great experience for all who attended. Oswaldo was also part of the leadership team in the early years the timebank, providing valuable time, energy and ideas to get the timebank off the ground and growing.

In return, he and his family have received tremendous help from the timebank. They have gotten several rides to the airport, the family’s bikes were tuned up, and they got help moving to their new home. Oswaldo worked with a member to revise his professional resume, and he learned how to put together IKEA furniture. His family is vegetarian and a member prepared a meal for them including delicious roasted vegetables. As they shared the meal together, they talked about ways to diversify their usual vegetarian menu.

Oswaldo is grateful for these wonderful exchanges, and he is also grateful for the chance to meet and learn from others. As he says, “It is a very expanding experience. Giving and receiving. I am sure other members have learned from me, especially about my culture and background.”

Thinking of the future of the Silver Spring Timebank, Oswaldo would love to have more diverse members of the community join. Efforts could target more Latinos and also engage more younger people. He’s excited for his son to be a member, and hopes his friends will also join. Oswaldo believes, “The more diverse the group, the more rewarding it will be.”

When asked to sum up his over 5 years experience with timebank, Oswaldo said “it’s been outstanding. It’s all about building community and personal connections. The Silver Spring Timebank is here to stay and will continue to grow in the future. I am looking forward to having more timebank interactions, and learning new skills over time.”

Many thanks to SSTB founding member Connie Bevitt for writing this Member Spotlight.

Member Spotlight: Mindy and Fred Shuback

Mindy and Fred Shuback have been a part of the Silver Spring Timebank for about a year, which is also how long they’ve been in Maryland. They moved to Silver Spring from Detroit, Michigan back in June, 2019 to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. The change was a big one, but being close to family is a huge priority for both of them, and they’ve been able to spend a lot of time with theirs since moving here.

Mindy and Fred found out about the timebank through the treasurer of their homeowners’ association, Connie Bevitt. Connie is a founding member of the Silver Spring Timebank, and she loves talking about it. Right away Mindy and Fred thought the concept was a great one! They did many exchanges when they first signed up, including baking, driving people to the airport and receiving advice about their lawn.

The couple have many skills to share, and hope they can use them to help others after the pandemic is over. Mindy loves to cook and has taken several culinary courses. She is especially interested in keeping kosher, and has a lot of pointers to share. Before retirement, she was a pharmacist, so she knows a lot about medicine. She is willing to help folks clean out their medicine cabinets and can even share some details about different medications.

Fred is a pro at finding unclaimed property. He has helped his son-in-law find a significant amount of money just by pointing him in the right direction. He also is proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, and has taught classes on utilizing the various programs.

Since the pandemic hit, Mindy and Fred have taken a break from time banking. They are in the high risk category and want to make sure they stay safe and healthy during this dangerous time. They still manage to keep busy though while self isolating! They both take classes at Montgomery College. Fred is taking a stand up comedy class and a comedy writing course. Mindy is learning to appreciate art, analyze elections based on current events, and perfect her piano playing. They are also avid bridge players and enjoy exercising regularly. 

Spending time with family is still a high priority for the couple, and they have managed to see them, just at a distance. They’ve had family dinners on the porch and went on outings to apple orchards. There is still a lot they can do together while staying safe. 

Mindy and Fred are looking forward to participating in timebank exchanges again soon. But in the meantime, they will spread the word about the Silver Spring Timebank. They’ve had a great experience and think others would too!

Secure Remote Technology Can Support Timebank Exchanges

With more people than ever working from home, children learning at virtual schools, and doctors offering telemedicine appointments, the technology in our homes is clearly a critical component of our daily lives. Timebank members have always been available to offer technology support exchanges, usually with someone coming to your home. 

But, there are free remote support options that allow you to get or give technology assistance without leaving your home. These are software packages that allow for a person at a remote location to see and interact with your computer screen to offer technology support you need.

Here are some free remote-control options

• TeamViewer - https://www.teamviewer.com/en-us/

  • Allows for a simple way to remotely support someone’s computer

  • Offers a free version for non-commercial and private use

• Zoom – https://Zoom.US

  • Allows for a remote support via the screen sharing option

  • Share your entire screen and grant a person in the conference remote control rights

Go to the support sections of each website for more details on how to utilize the remote control options.

Here are some best practices for using them securely:

• Do not leave the software running when not in use.

  • Unless you use the software consistently, it’s best to not leave any remote-control software running on your computer all the time. Only run the software when giving or receiving remote support.  For TeamViewer the default security options are configured for ease of use and quick connection, not long term secure use. 

• Use Strong Passwords & Password Managers

  • Strong passwords are ones that are not only hard to guess, but ones you can also remember. Longer passwords are always better, so use multiple words together replacing letters with numbers or special characters. Using a phrase or sentence that is easy to remember helps a lot. Something funny or catchy or important to you personally will help in remembering them.

  • Password Managers are applications that securely store all your passwords and make it easier for you to organize and use those passwords. Many provide a password auto-fill feature for many devices.

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication

  • This is when a code is emailed or texted to you that you must use in addition to your password. This is important to use for anyone giving remote support.  If your password was ever compromised, the account could not be accessed without the secondary code.

• Update, Update, Update

  • No one enjoys waiting for software updates to complete but keeping software up to date is critical component in keeping them secure. The key ones are your operating system, anti-virus/security software and anything used for remote support of your computer.

Using these remote-control options and security practices can help timebank members provide safe technology support exchanges.

What about when your computer doesn’t work well enough to run remote control software? In this case, a drop off and pickup approach for a timebank exchange is best. 

Many thanks to SSTB member Dwight Sowers for writing this article.

Member Spotlight: Dwight Sowers, a true go-getter in the SSTB

SSTB member Robin Handleman interviewed Dwight for this article. After talking with him, she gave him the title, “Dynamic Doer”. After reading this article, you will agree!

Dwight joined the Silver Spring Timebank in 2019, and he’s also been a member of the Columbia Timebank since 2017. 

Robin: Why did you join the Timebank? 

Dwight: I like the idea of timebanking where people are exchanging time, not money, to get jobs done. It might be learning a new hobby,  getting something fixed, cleaning a car - the list is endless as to the services timebanking provides. We are also creating an environment for people who want to age in place. This is an incredible option for our seniors to have things done so they can stay in their own homes. I also see timebanking as a way to motivate people to get involved in their community. I see timebanking as a win-win: people can offer services and get something done for themselves as well.

Robin: Tell us about an experience you have had in the Timebank. 

Dwight: I am currently copying over 150 VHS tapes to digital for a member. I have helped many people with technology and home repairs. I’ve used the Timebank for piano lessons and I still play piano from time to time. I also got some great gardening tips from SSTB member Alan Black who owns an organic farm in Gaithersburg. He gave me some good information on composting and trellising plants.

In addition I have met a lot of people in my local community through the Timebank that I may not have met otherwise. It has also got me involved in the Repair Café movement in Howard County.

The Timebank connects groups of people who share similar social causes like climate change or alternate economies.

Robin: With your experience in timebanking, how can we expand the Silver Spring Timebank? 

Dwight: I think we can start by bringing more young people as active members in the Timebank. The Timebank’s social events can be a great draw for all age groups. Once they come to an event they will see the benefits of time banking - saving money, networking with each other, and giving back to the community. 

Here’s Dwight hosting the SSTB’s first Virtual Game Night on May 30.

A final thought - I feel there is potential for remote support through the Timebank. This will remove some barriers to doing exchanges with members in other Timebanks (inter-trading) through avenues like video chat and Zoom. For example if a time banker had a plumbing issue, they could video chat with someone in another state or country and show them the issue using a mobile device camera. Then the remote person could give them advice or directions on how to fix the issue. This approach could be used for exchanges in many different scenarios where visually seeing the problem in real-time is important.

On a personal note: Dwight has lived in North Silver Spring (Burtonsville area) with his wife Kerry Jo Richards since 2005. He has worked for 20 years in Systems Engineering and Enterprise IT support and is now a small business owner. Currently he splits his time between his IT consulting/support business and his new personal media business called Mem-Brarians. This service helps people digitally organize their family photos and videos. Go to https://mem-brarians.com/ for more information.

During his free time he enjoys playing video and board games, and he has been getting into gardening. He owns probably a few hundred board and card games! Carcassonne, Small World and Dominion are a few of his favorites. He can be found on Board Game Arena under the name Dwight76.

Many thanks to Robin Handleman for writing this Member Spotlight.

Timebanking in times of social distancing: Supporting our community and ourselves

Timebanking was created to connect people in order to help one another, increasing community well-being. But this is an unusual moment in time. The highly contagious Coronavirus has become a pandemic.  How can we stay connected when we need to stay away from each other? How can we support others while keeping to social distancing guidelines, self-isolating, or even when in quarantine?

Many are finding it challenging to adapt to this new day-to-day routine. Not being able to go outside if you are vulnerable is one obstacle. For others, keeping up with schoolwork while their children are at home, while simultaneously teleworking, taking care of others, and doing household chores – including extra sanitizing -- can be overwhelming. These new conditions, plus worry about staying healthy, keeping loved ones safe, and maintaining one’s livelihood may generate a lot of stress.

Timebanking can help relieve some of that stress. For example, Timebank members offer services such as virtual tutoring in a variety of subjects for kids of all ages or even adults. Members may also provide counseling and health/wellness support or guided meditation sessions using online tools. Delivering groceries for vulnerable neighbors who need to stay inside is also an option. Career counseling and resumé writing assistance can help members whose employment has been affected.  Members may even add to their future marketability by using this time – and the help of fellow members – to learn new skills or study for certifications. They can also partner up to navigate public services and benefits. Now that many of our normal activities have shifted to be performed online – and since some members might not be familiar with online video, chat, and meeting apps – tech and computer assistance may be an especially useful and popular service exchange.  But we shouldn’t overlook the most basic ways we can connect, like a quick phone call to reduce isolation.

This year, the Silver Spring Timebank again celebrated International Timebanking Day (expanding it to a week). By that point in March, members were already aware of the need for social distancing, and our exchanges took that into consideration. Members earned bonus time when they helped fellow members to rake leaves from their yards (keeping a minimum six-foot distance), delivered mulch, and helped to keep a book club going by teaching its members how to use online meeting applications. And through inter-trading, a specialist in pet communication gave advice to one of our Timebank members about their pet. Since that time, Maryland's governor issued a stay-at-home order, making remote/virtual exchanges all the more needed. 

Timebanks are not just for exchanging services. When we get to know one another by giving and receiving help, we strengthen the fabric of our communities. We need not feel isolated. With a little creativity, we can stay connected and lend support, from a distance. 

Would you like to take part in our Remote-Exchange Idea Challenge? Let’s inspire one another. Earn an extra 30 minutes for submitting creative ideas for distance exchanges to silverspringtimebank@gmail.com by April 14. We can’t wait to hear your suggestions and share them on social media!

Cindy to the rescue, Car-wise

I was so dreading the search for my next car. My cherished old PT Cruiser of 19 years was, despite consistent maintenance, becoming unreliable. I had been reviewing Consumer Reports and haunting the car web sites. So much information.  So little of what I was seeking. I wasn’t even sure where to start.

Then I saw Cindy’s offer on the Silver Spring Timebank site. She said she loved looking for cars and was happy to help others in their search.

I asked for her help. It was the best decision I have made in a long time.

Cindy helped me to get focused. She had great recommendations and experience. The end result was that I got a great used car priced well below my budget target (even with taxes and fees).

Here is what I learned when I asked Cindy how she came to be the “car whisperer” (my term, not hers):

Question: Why do you like searching for cars?

Cindy: I hated buying cars until I discovered buying through the internet. Or, at least, narrowing the search through the internet.

Q:  Why did you so dislike buying cars before you discovered the net approach?

C: The first car I bought was a Toyota Celica. I spent over 4 hours talking to salespeople and having to play the “car buying game”. Then the salesman left me waiting while he “talked to the Manager.” There was excessively loud music (which I later learned is a tactic to stress out potential buyers). The whole experience was unpleasant and annoying.

Q:  What made you use the internet to qualify potential cars?

C:  The next car I purchased was a Toyota Corolla. I had discovered several sites on the internet that let me narrow in on the features I wanted and the relative prices for the car. I found a range of choices easily without the assault of the showroom floor and the hours it takes to car shop in person.

Q: How did that first internet-assisted purchase go?

C:  I narrowed my choice to the best combination of features and pricing. I called the dealership and negotiated on the phone. I asked them to fax me the Purchase Order (same as buying invoice) so I could review it without the face-to-face pressure. I signed it and faxed it back to the dealer. Then I test drove the car and bought it.

Q: Weren’t you concerned about signing the purchase order without first seeing the car?

C:   Not at all. You have 3 days to change your mind on a car purchase (federal law).  If I had test driven it and found problems, I would just have cancelled my order and walked away. Buying through the internet, phone and fax just let me avoid all the “buying games” so I could focus on the car I really wanted at the price I was willing to pay.

It is just like on-line shopping for consumer goods. You find the item and the information. You can experiment with seeking similar cars in different locations and kind of dealers. It made the car buying process less hassle and more fun. It’s like a treasure hunt.  

Q:  What internet sites do you find most useful?

C:    KBB, Cars.com, Car Gurus, Auto Traders (especially for used cars 3 years old and older). Of course, starting with Consumer Reports gives you an unbiased assessment of a car’s capability and the owner’s satisfaction with it. I have also used these sites to sell 6 cars myself.

Q:  I had many hours to use for my search.  If a timebanker has a limited number of hours to use for an exchange, how would you recommend they work with you?

C:  It depends on whether they wish to buy or sell. Here is a sample of what I would expect it would take in hours for various levels of assistance:

1.    Refining your buying focus (narrowing your target to Make, Model, Year, Features) would take about 3 hours

2.    Coaching session on how detailed use of the net for car purchases, about 2 hours

3.    Researching for you and consulting on Financing, about 2 - 4 hours

4.    Decision-making: new vs. used cars  between 2 -3 hours

5.    How to negotiate the purchase – detailed approach, about 2 hours

6.    Test Drives:  accompany you on the test drive, take notes, review reactions,  1 hour (plus time to and from car location)

7.    Produce search spreadsheet that the buyer can use to evaluate and compare multiple potential cars and buying sources, about 3 hours per model of car for comparative evaluations or 5 hours if the potential buyer wants a sheet with links to the various listings

Q:  This all is very helpful, but what if the potential buyer doesn’t know what they want?

C:  I recommend a 1 hour exchange where we discuss the scope and timeframes of the car purchase. Then the timebanker will know enough to get started on their own. If they want more help, then we can determine just what help they want and work from there.

Thank you, Cindy, for your help with my car purchase. I can certainly echo that it is like a treasure hunt. I hope not to have to look for another car for a long time.

Thanks to SSTB member Connie Bevitt for sharing this member spotlight about her terrific exchange with Cindy Shay. Photos of her new car included.

Sharing knowledge and building community at the same time!

The Silver Spring Timebank hosted its 4th annual Skill Share event on Sunday, January 19 at the Silver Spring Civic Building on Veterans Plaza. The event ran from 1:00-3:00pm and attracted a wonderful crowd of curious individuals looking to learn something new for 2020.

The Skill Share is an opportunity for timebank members to share their interests, expertise and passions with the community. The event is FREE and open to the public. This year it was held in the Civic Building’s Great Room, with half of the room offering 15-minute presentations by different speakers, and the other half of the room offering different Ask the Experts tables. As one attendee commented, “There’s something intrinsically interesting about the variety of themes presented at this event.”

Individuals moved from table to table learning about budget-friendly ways to re-decorate, traveling in the developing world, making smart decisions about money matters, building mindfulness through gardening and more. Especially popular tables offered aura readings and tips on buying your next car.  One timebank member offered a hands-on activity for SoulCollage(R) which was described by an attendee as “almost like making your own tarot deck. It’s a fascinating project!”

Timebank member Beth Gingold was on hand to answer questions about recycling. If there was a question she couldn’t answer, she promised to find the answer and get back to the person with the question. Her goal was to make sure people know what and how to recycle with the goal to get closer to zero waste.

Presenters shared their expertise on yoga for healthy aging, making a living working remotely, raising your credit score, creating YouTube tribute videos and even reducing your cat’s carbon footprint. One very pleased attendee said that she "met a lot of really accomplished – and generous – people” at the event.  Another person described the Skill Share as “what community is all about.” 

Members of the Silver Spring Timebank exchange services without exchanging money. As members connect with other members to get the services they need, those connections build a sense of community which is an extra bonus of timebanking. The Silver Spring Timebank’s annual Skill Share is an opportunity to share that sense of community with others. For more information about timebanking and how to join the Silver Spring Timebank, go to www.silverspringtimebank.org .