What is a Time Dollar (TD)?
How do I earn or spend Time Dollars™?
Is there a minimum age requirement in Valley Time Trade?
Do I have to live in Northampton to be part of VTT?
And what about going into debt?
Can I save Time Dollars?
Can I give Time Dollars to someone else?
What services are provided?
Can Time Trade members do service for member of my family?
Can I do a service that I am not listed as offering?
I need urgent help. Can I count on the Time Trade?
I need a service that requires tools. Who is responsible for providing these?
Should I tip a Time Trade member for good service?
Do I have to report my service exchanges to the IRS?
Why does the Valley Time Trade need donations if they are a non profit?
What’s the difference between Time Tradeing and bartering?
I want to be more involved with the Valley Time Trade. How can I do this?
I want someone from the Valley Time Trade to give a presentation at my community function. Who should a call?
A time dollar is equal to one hour of service. After the first hour is complete, time dollars may be counted in quarter hours from there on. In the event that a service lasts less than an hour, for record keeping, one entire time dollar will be credited.
≤1 hour = 1 Time Dollar
45 minutes = .75 Time Dollar
30 minutes = .5 Time Dollar
15 minutes = .25 Time Dollar
How do I earn or spend Time Dollars™?
To earn a time dollar, you must do an hour of service for another Valley Time Trade member or member organization. To spend a time dollar, you must have a Valley Time Trade member complete an hour of service for you.
Is there a minimum age requirement in Valley Time Trade?
No! We believe everyone, young and old, has something to offer. Youth can offer services for navigating the computer and internet, yard care, pet sitting, crafting, volunteer projects, and more! Please do take care however to exchange safely: meet in a public space with a parent or guardian nearby!
Do I have to live in Northampton to be part of VTT?
No! We chose the name Valley Time Trade because we encourage members of the communities outside Northampton to be involved as well. We currently have members in Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden County.
And what about going into debt?
Going into debt is 100% ok and even necessary to make our system work. The ideal balance would be ZERO because our members should be providing as many services as they are taking. An exchange happens when one person receives a service (a negative transaction) and the other one provides the service (a positive transaction).
For us, it’s equally irresponsible to rack up tons of credits, as it is to go way into the negative. We’re all programmed to think of debt as bad: Valley Time Trade needs your debt!
Can I save Time Dollars?
Each Time Dollar is traded in your personal Time Trade account, available to be used when you want or need a service from another member. These savings are inflation proof. One Time Dollar will always equal one hour of service. However, saving time dollars without spending hurts our time Trading economy as the cycle of reciprocity ends. With this in mind, we encourage you to try to complete at least 8 hours of complete exchanges per year.
Can I give Time Dollars to someone else?
Yes. If you are aware of a need that member has to receive a service, but they are unable to earn time dollars themselves, you may donate time dollars to them. Call the office to set this up.
What services are provided?
The services that are provided are dependent upon what our members are willing to share with each other, and therefore vary as new members join us and the availability of our members. If there is a service that you would like to see offered, please contact the office to talk to the staff about how recruitment can be done in these desired areas.
Can Time Trade members do service for member of my family?
Yes and No. If the family member shares the same household as you, then yes, we consider them to be members along with you. If your family member lives in another location, we encourage him/her to apply to be a member of the Valley Time Trade to receive our members’ services.
Can I do a service that I am not listed as offering?
Yes. If another member requests a service that you can perform, you are encouraged to do so. If you would like to continue to offer that service, you may add a service ad on your profile on our online time Trades software.
I need urgent help. Can I count on the Time Trade?
Maybe. The Valley Time Trade is not here to provide emergency services, but depending on the service, our members may still be able to help. Ask the Coordinator to send an Alert. It is always best to give as much notice as possible when requesting a service.
I need a service that requires tools. Who is responsible for providing these?
The person requesting the service is responsible for providing all necessary materials. Always check with the member providing the service to confirm what is needed.
Should I tip a Time Trade member for good service?
No. Money and Time dollars can never mix. Instead of giving a tip, “pay it forward” instead by giving excellent service to another member!
Do I have to report my service exchanges to the IRS?
No. All of your services that you exchange through the time Trade are not taxable. See the tax-exempt document on www.valleytimetrade.org.
Why does the Valley Time Trade need donations if they are a non profit?
We have operational costs, which include things like rent, utilities, printing, volunteer insurance, postage, and salaries etc. We want to be able to ensure good service from our office staff. Also, the Valley Time Trade would like to grow and provide new programs and opportunities for our members, which requires funding. If you have any further questions or concerns about this, please contact the office.
What’s the difference between Time Tradeing and bartering?
Time Tradeing is not bartering because:
1. It is not tied to a cash value
2. It is based on the currency of time, so one time dollar = 60 minutes
3. It is not generally an exchange, like barter, between two people but between a network of people. You may not earn and spend with the same person, you might, but you might not.
4. It is not a contractual agreement, but recognized as a friendly favor.
I want to be more involved with the Valley Time Trade. How can I do this?
Exchanging services with other members is the easiest and best way to help the time Trade. If you are interested in helping the time Trade in a leadership role, please contact the office. We are always looking for members to help with organizing social events, fundraising, new member intake, community ambassadors, and clerical support. Talk to the coordinator if you are interested in being apart of any of these teams and earn time dollars as you help to keep Valley Time Trade sustainable!
I want someone from the Valley Time Trade to give a presentation at my community function. Who should a call?
The Valley Time Trade staff is happy to schedule speaking engagements when available; call the office to set a time. We are always looking for members who are willing to be ambassadors to the community and represent us at these functions and if you would like to be an ambassador, please call the office.
Please contact us with questions and to join!
Phone: 413-585-0373
E-mail: vtt@commonwealthcenter.org
www.valleytimetrade.org
