You may have noticed that our website refers to participants as "members", not as "volunteers". Technically, the Lynn Time Bank is not a volunteer program, because people who participate in service exchanges are earning and spending Time Dollars. Yes, members DO help other people, but it is a two-way street because all Time Bank members both give and receive help. In most traditional volunteer situations, there is a helper, and a receiver, and the "volunteer" event may take place only once. The Lynn Time Bank seeks to develop relationships among community members, where on-going service exchanges take place and members get to know each other as both givers and receivers of help. We all need each other, and we all have skills to share with others. This brings a sense of equality to service exchanges, because everyone's time is valued the same (one hour of service equals one Time Dollar).
