Winter Virtual Socials

The Silver Spring Timebank held virtual socials throughout the winter. Many thanks to the members who took the lead in organizing and hosting these events.

February 6, 2022

A creative and energetic group met online for the February SSTB Social. Our host -- longtime member Anna Doroshaw -- greeted everyone as they joined. She introduced an easy and fun way to meet each other and learn more about each person with a simple name game.

The group welcomed the SSTB's Newest Member. However, she quickly lost that title when another attendee filled out and submitted her application during the Social! (Plus, a member's mom stopped by to chat, and she's considering taking her turn with that title, too.)

Conversations ranged from specific questions about timebanking and the SSTB to a wide array of ideas for both individual offerings people can provide and suggestions for SSTB group activities, socials and even possible fundraisers. Some participants were excited to learn that they could exchange services with members of faraway timebanks. (Please see this article on Inter-trading for more info: https://www.sstimebank.org/news/2019/11/30/timebank-inter-trading-go-global ) Then there was still time for Anna to share some fun riddles and another quick game that can be used to increase engagement and energy in other meetings as well.

In closing comments, participants said they had gotten lots of ideas, began to think about national as well as local possibilities, learned about applying creativity and play in meetings and gatherings, got to know each other, and even inquired about ways to get involved with SSTB events planning!

That was music to our ears because we always appreciate having more members' help with running the timebank. In fact, they can earn hours for doing all kinds of tasks including writing features for the newsletter, tech assistance, outreach, writing up meeting notes, hosting events, and member support.

If you, too, would like to get involved, please email silverspringtimebank@gmail.com. We can help you find tasks or roles that suit your interests and skills as well as your availability.

A big thank you to Anna Doroshaw for hosting this entertaining event!

January 9, 2022

One of our biggest groups ever - 19 people - attended our January social hosted by long-time member, Madeline Caliendo, assisted by members of the SSTB Events team.

We started off with a toast to 2022 and talked about a wide variety of fun things, including what services people had offered and received via the Timebank. Madeline shared information about a Vision Board workshop she will be offering through the Timebank, as well as some of the Art Journals she makes. Other topics included female empowerment, books for people with dementia, and the practice of "sharing our 'gratefuls,'" as one participant put it. A great time was had by all, and two participants may be setting up a hair-cutting exchange!

Thank you to all who attended, and a special thank you to Madeline for hosting.

December 12, 2021

Two new timebank members joined seven seasoned members at the December social to get to know one another, share holiday memories, and discuss past and possible timebank exchanges. Two children, a dog, and two cats also joined in to keep the gathering lively.

The discussion spanned a range of topics including MS Word vs Excel for creating tables, and a possible forthcoming offer for professional cleaning of fish tanks!

Our host noted afterwards that "the group fell into a friendly rhythm of sharing -- and found many shared values as well."

Many thanks to member Christine Tetrault for hosting this Social.

All virtual social hosts earned timebank hours for their efforts. In fact, SSTB members can earn hours for doing all kinds of tasks to help the timebank, including writing features for the newsletter, tech assistance, orientations, and outreach.

Winners of the Scavenger Hunt!

Congratulations to Susan Alexander, Sharon Englisch, Fred Shuback, Mindy Shuback, and Christine Tetrault --- the five winners of our first SSTB Scavenger Hunt!  Each of them earned a bonus timebank hour!

In December we held a “Scavenger Hunt” where people searched through hOurworld for answers to twelve questions. Most questions asked which SSTB member can provide a certain service.  Sometimes there are multiple members who can do that (no need to list them all!), so naming just one was fine.

Here are a few of the questions the winners answered:

Q: You are trying out for a part in a play, but you need to speak with a foreign accent.  Who could coach you?

A:  Hilary Kacser 

Q:  My potted orchid was lovely when I bought it. But I’ve had it for 5 years (it’s still alive – Hurray!), but I cannot get it to bloom.  Whom should I call?

A:  Anne Hardman

Q: One of our members is known as the “Green Elf” --- can you tell us why?

A: Tanya DeKona. She can help you upcycle and reuse everything in sight.

As you can see, when you go searching through the hOurworld site, it’s amazing the skills and talents you come across!  The Membership Team may very well create another Scavenger Hunt for the summer and we hope you’ll consider participating!

Winter Social Walk

Many thanks to Sharon Englisch for leading a lovely walk in Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Nature Center in early December. Being outside allowed some walkers to remove masks, so timebankers could see full faces of old friends while meeting new friends. The walk lasted just to dusk so the group enjoyed some of the holiday lights in the annual Garden of Lights! 

“What a fabulous time we had at Brookside Gardens! Thank you Sharon and Charlotte for organizing. The weather was perfect and the company was awesome! Looking forward to the next time there is a walking social.” SSTB member Robin Handelman

Winter/Holiday Scavenger Hunt!

Would you like an extra hour to spend on a yoga lesson, a ride, getting that hole in your pants patched, or any of the other services offered by Silver Spring Timebank Members?  Earn a Bonus Timebank Hour by taking part in our Winter/Holiday Scavenger Hunt!

The hunt takes place on hOurworld.  Log in to look for the answers (and also get some ideas for what offers or requests YOU might post).

Most of these questions ask you which SSTB member can provide a certain service. There may be multiple members who can do that --- you don't have to find them all, just give us one. (Hint: Check the Offers tab, search bios under the Members tab, or just use the Search box!)

List your answers in an email and send to slater.tina@gmail.com.  Deadline is TUESDAY, December 21, 2021.

We'll get back to participants mid-January with the answers and how to record your bonus hour.  Let's get started!  

1. You are trying out for a part in a play, but you need to speak with a foreign accent.  Who could coach you?

2. My mother lives alone, has poor eyesight, yet used to be an avid reader.  Is there anyone who could read aloud her favorite book to her?

3. I’ve kept a bunch of beads (from broken necklaces). Could someone make them into bracelets or a new necklace?

4. We’re hosting a surprise anniversary dinner for some dear friends. I’d love to have a floral arrangement as a centerpiece. Who could make one for me --- or even teach me?

5. My potted orchid was lovely when I bought it. But I’ve had it for 5 years (it’s still alive – Hurray!), but I cannot get it to bloom.  Whom should I call?

6. I’m planning a week-long trip.  Is there someone who could look after my bird?

7. One of our members is known as the “Green Elf” --- can you tell us why?

8. Our place of worship is on a mission to reduce food waste.  Can someone offer us advice?

9. An old friend is coming to town for the weekend to visit me.  But I don’t have a spare room. Is there someone in Silver Spring who could offer an overnight stay?

10. Who are the 3 newest members to join the timebank, as of the day you submit your answers to the quiz? Hint: Use the Members tab.

11. Can you find 3 timebank members who live close to you --- not including members of your household! Hint: Click on the Members tab, and filter using the Distance Limit button.

12. Where would you look to find out how many exchanges Mary Campbell has done and how many times she responded when emailed? Hint: the Profile page is the info other members can see about you – so go to Mary’s Profile page and check her Member Bio.

Thanks for participating!!  Mail your answers to slater.tina@gmail.com by TUESDAY, December 21, 2021. 

Summer Virtual Socials 2021

JUNE 2021

The mix of personalities and experiences at a timebank social always makes for a lively event, especially when we touch on a large number of topics.  At the June Virtual Social, the conversation ran the gamut from dog-walking to frugal living; from caregiver support to haircuts during covid; from bike repair to ways to lower the cost of phone plans. We discussed “buy nothing” and “trash nothing” community groups. Oh, and… did someone say there are Singles Nights at the hardware store?!? 

It was a fun time but also with a serious note. One participant shared that she had reached out for help at home following a surgery.  Her recovery was faster than expected, so she didn’t need the help after all.  But she was comforted by the fact that two members she had never met quickly offered to help with meals and other household basics. Though the timebank can never guarantee that a request will be fulfilled, especially on short notice, it’s good to know that we are a community of people who care.

JULY 2021

A friendly, lively group met via Zoom for the SSTB Virtual Social in July.  These socials have no set agenda; they are just a time for timebank members to connect and get to know one another. 

This time, we spent much of the two hours discussing what services we needed, even if we haven’t posted formal requests for them.  These services included computer/printer set-up, repairing vintage knits, dog care, cleaning a car, weeding, painting doors, online sales help, and more.

Live discussion is one of the most successful ways to share and respond to other members’ requests, and we were able to make several timebank “matches” on the spot!

We also discussed how to let the public know about the timebank and how we can show current members all the benefits of getting involved with running the timebank.  

AUGUST 2021

A small but energetic group of members met on zoom for the last virtual social of the summer, on August 21, 2021.  Jonathan Bernstein demonstrated the different styles of immersive “seating” on Zoom, and we opted for the stadium seating so we could see everyone better!  

As in most fun social events, conversations covered a wide range of topics as we shared information about ourselves, our interests, and some of our exchanges.   In timebanking, we don't have to provide a service to the same person who provides a service to us, but sometimes it works out that way. We talked about rides to/from airports; finding someone to teach sewing, and replacing zippers as some recent exchanges. We learned about volunteer editing work, contract tracing for COVID, the return of the hospitality industry, the podcast Club House, and ideas for possible walks.  

Since Jacqie Wallen will host the September virtual social, she was eager to learn about the responsibilities and made a point to attend in August. She will earn timebank hours for her efforts. You too can earn hours by hosting one of these socials (that will remain virtual for the foreseeable future).  No experience is needed, just an interest in spending time getting to know and socializing with other timebank members.  

SSTB members earn hours for all kinds of timebank tasks, including tech help, writing event announcements and summaries, promotion on social media, orienting new members, etc. We’d love to have more members involved!  

Please contact silverspringtimebank@gmail.com to discuss opportunities to help, whether for a single event or a recurring task. If you like, you can even join one of the timebank leadership teams and work on an ongoing basis on event planning, outreach, communications, or member support.

Thank you to Dale Brown, Robin Handleman, and Laura Kranis, for hosting this summer’s socials; Jonathan Bernstein, for coordinating registration and tech; and Charlotte Cook and Laura Kranis, for writing the event summaries.  

More Virtual Socials are on the way!  Put these on your calendar now, and be sure to check the Announcements in the weekly hOurworld email updates for the links to register.

Sun., 9/19/21, 3pm-5pm

Sun., 10/24/21, 3pm-5pm

Sat., 11/13/21, 3pm-5pm

Member Spotlight: Robin Handleman

Robin joined the Silver Spring Timebank soon after it opened its doors.  She had just moved to Silver Spring and was able to get help through the timebank to hang artwork to make her new apartment feel like home. Right from the start, it was a great way to get things done without cash and to meet new people. Soon after, she found herself helping with the timebank’s annual Holiday Social and brainstorming offers to help others. Since her first exchange six years ago, Robin’s life has taken many exciting twists and turns, but throughout her journey she has remained connected and involved with the SSTB. 

With many years of teaching experience, mostly in her home state of Connecticut, Robin came to Maryland and taught 6 years of ESL here before she retired.  She then decided it was time for an adventure, and applied to an organization in Asia to create educational videos. After completing that project, she met a colleague from Malaysia who assisted her in finding work in a soup kitchen. She then worked in Bali for several months teaching children with varying abilities.  

Robin had never before traveled solo and found it to be an eye opening experience. She has since been splitting her time in Connecticut with her two grandsons, in Maryland with her friends, and in Asia with her now “extended family”. 

As soon as she returned to the US, Robin immediately reached out to the SSTB and got involved once again with exchanges. Her offers include taking people to the airport (masked, of course), helping people to sell items on Facebook Marketplace, and hauling discarded electronics for recycling. She has recently joined the SSTB leadership team as the secretary for monthly meetings. 

Robin also spends a great deal of time fundraising for her local Kiwanis club. And, she is spreading the word about the SSTB to the members! She also continues to offer support to children in Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia) by raising money to ship donated books to the schools where she has volunteered. She has also created language libraries in individual schools. 

Robin is always delighted to do exchanges and meet timebank members. Send her a message via Hour World to see how she can help you.  You’ll definitely enjoy the experience of getting to know her!

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

robin handleman

Robin’s first library in Nepal.

Robin teaching simon says in nepal.

Exchange story with a twist

From Laura Kranis

I ordered a specialty medical gizmo for dogs from a company in California, and I needed it fast.  Too many days later, it was still "In Transit" (per the tracking number).  Then, I got a message from another of the company's customers. She tracked me down because she had received my item instead of her own:  My item, my name, but her address (several hours away). She kindly offered to mail it to me, but I didn't want to wait. 

I considered driving there, but maybe an SSTB member would want to earn a bunch of hours in one day by picking it up? I wrote to a few members who had posted transportation offers and quickly heard back from Christine Tetrault who was game to make the trip. We agreed: She would earn hours, of course, and I would reimburse her for gas and tolls -- and let's throw in a Starbuck's Venti for each leg of the trip. 

I called the woman who had my package to let her know a friend from my community timebank would come the next day. 

"Great... Wait. What is this 'time bank' of which you speak?"  

I gave her my usual timebank "elevator pitch."  

"Why haven't I heard about this before?!" she asked. "I need to do this." 

So we checked the timebank directories for the ones closest to her. There were three -- all just a little too far north, east, or west to be practical for her to join. I told her she could start a new one, not expecting much of a response, but she said, "I can get my neighbor to help me do that."  I sent her all kinds of resource links and told her to hang onto my name and number for questions or support. 

The next day, she welcomed Christine and invited her inside (masked and socially distanced) to play catch with her dogs. Before heading back out, with my package, Christine did yoga stretches on the living room floor as the dogs looked on with great interest. She made one quick stop on the way back: the new Shiatsu massage chair available for use at one of the rest stops. That and audio books made it a more pleasant trip.

After her long day of driving, Christine brought the package right to my door. I'm so grateful. And who knows? Maybe someday there will be a whole new timebank community, thanks, in part, to Christine's willingness to help.