The process is easy, and it is FREE. 1. You join online - both mobile app and desktop website are available; step-by-step details on how to do this are below. 2. You post an offering (or offerings) on the Tucson Timebank/CES exchange site, any legal good or service - and great ideas on what you can start off sharing are also given below. 3. Once you are approved, look at the other offerings listed, and start engaging with other members to buy and sell what’s on offer. It is that simple!

This is NOT barter, and does not rely on a medium of exchange or currency. Buyers and Sellers record their transactions with the Tucson TimeBank whenever a service or good is bought/ sold, creating credits or debits owed to the community. For the Seller, with every sale they receive credits (LoveNotes) that can be spent with every other member. For the Buyer, with every purchase they now owe a debit to the community, which is repaid when others use their offerings.

Sellers and buyers first agree on the price; the transaction takes place – the buyer getting the good or service; a LoveNote is then exchanged (this is the receipt or ‘trading slip’ given by the Seller to the Buyer) and the Seller registers the transaction with the TimeBank, no muss, no fuss. The Seller’s account receives a credit, and the buyer’s account receives a debit. 1 LoveNote = $1 USD. Everyone starts off with 100 LoveNotes worth of credit in their Tucson TimeBank account. This jumps to 1000 LN's in account credit once the first 100 LN debits are repaid, and so on, jumping to 10k LN's.

Usually the Seller registers the transaction, but either member may do so. Log in to your community-exchange.org account; choose 'Trading' from the Menu bar. From the drop-down menu, select 'Single Transaction'. In the pop-up window that appears, enter the buyer's account number, a description of the trade, the amount of love Notes charged, and then hit the green 'confirm' button. That's it !If you don't have account numbers, jkust hit the 'List Names' button and the names of all members with account numbers will appear.

Use either the mobile app (this link is for Android; an Apple version is also available) – mobi.community-exchange.org or, Register online at:http://www.community-exchange.org
Click on the ‘Join’ in the top menu bar (English and Spanish available). Choose ‘Sign-Up Form’ in the drop-down menu. Next, select your language, then choose your country (the United States) from the bar that says ‘select country’. After selecting the U.S., a chart showing every CES member exchange in the country appears. 

Scroll down to #114 – TUTB (Tucson TimeBank). Click on the Tucson TimeBank text highlighted in blue. A page to register will appear. Choose your account type by clicking on the ‘Registering as’ bar - individual; shared – for families sharing one account; company, or organization. Fill out the contact details; confirm your email, and make an offering, then submit. And you are done ! The administrator generally gets all new accounts approved within 24 hours or less. If there’s a delay longer than that – just email us ! We are chill.

You can add or delete as many offerings as you like, but you must have at least ONE active offering to maintain your account as a registered member. Here are some ideas for offerings (it doesn’t have to be anything special ): dog walking in your neighborhood; offer to do check-ins or visits with seniors; help someone with a ride or take them shopping. Offer fruit, flowers, or veggies from your garden. Teach a skill you have – sewing; tech skills, how to make jewelry, and so on. There are many MANY different kinds of needs that are unmet. Volunteering any kind of helpful action WILL connect you to others who value and appreciate your efforts.

The Tucson TimeBank website is also a clearinghouse for local resources – nonprofits, government assistance and helpful agencies and programs; and Internet-wide resources collected over years of diligent searching for cool goodies and freebies. Not to mention all the wonderful stuff available for FREE via Freebie Alerts, Nextdoor, and other free-cycling sites so that nothing goes to waste. In addition, we encourage all members to get involved in things that interest them. Community gardening and farmer’s markets; co-ops; skill sharing workshops and craft and maker faires and centers; artists collectives; the list is LONG and fascinating.

Lastly, the Tucson TimeBank, in cooperation with the University of Arizona Community Engagement Office, Tucson Toolbox, Community Care Tucson, and other local entities sponsors a variety of ways to help others (while helping yourself). Disaster preparedness, climate change and environmental restoration and mitigation efforts, working with grad students on research, outreach and support projects – again, there are MANY opportunities to get involved in incredible, life-changing experiences. Visit our website at: Tucson TimeBank for these resources and more info. If you have a question you can’t find an answer to on the site, email us or text us – we are quick to respond. Hope to see you participating soon !