Aotearoa Timebanks Software Working Group
Administration Systems Toolkit Research Project
Improving the toolkit for Aotearoa timebanks – a step towards solutions
Timebanks across Aotearoa have noticed that out-of-date software is a big barrier to people engaging. In times like COVID-19, the importance of neighbors sharing with neighbors is even more clear; it has also become clear that many more gifts and needs might have been shared if timebanking was more accessible.
On one level we wished that more people could simply jump in, give, and receive, and on another level we saw the opportunity for timebanking groups and their coordinators to spend more time in community and less time in spreadsheets.
We want a platform that reflects our peoples and places, Te Tiriti, and doesn’t get in the way. This is not a small wish, but this project is an opportunity to gain some early wins for timebanking programmes and to take a step that may lead to bigger solutions down the track.
On one level we wished that more people could simply jump in, give, and receive, and on another level we saw the opportunity for timebanking groups and their coordinators to spend more time in community and less time in spreadsheets.
We want a platform that reflects our peoples and places, Te Tiriti, and doesn’t get in the way. This is not a small wish, but this project is an opportunity to gain some early wins for timebanking programmes and to take a step that may lead to bigger solutions down the track.
"Lathrup Village Michigan TimeBank Program" by Michigan Municipal League
Who are we?
The Software Working Group emerged in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington with the support of Alana Kane, a recent and notable Wellington coordinator. Alana has also played a part in rekindling the developing national network, Timebanks Aotearoa, and the Software Working Group aims to serve this network and all timebanks in NZ.
Malcolm Fitzgerald and John Gieryn are shouldering a bulk of this work. Our fundraising efforts have enabled us to resource a six-month push. The broad outline, visualised below, is to document our collective experience and to use the information as a basis for two lines of development. One line is to enable easier administration of the Timebanks. The second line is to determine how we can provided a better user experience for timebank trading.
Malcolm Fitzgerald and John Gieryn are shouldering a bulk of this work. Our fundraising efforts have enabled us to resource a six-month push. The broad outline, visualised below, is to document our collective experience and to use the information as a basis for two lines of development. One line is to enable easier administration of the Timebanks. The second line is to determine how we can provided a better user experience for timebank trading.
You’re now invited...
We hope to talk to as many timebank community organisers, coordinators or administrators as we can in order to bring together the collective needs of as many timebanks as possible.
If you would like to be included in the interviews process please let us know.
You can contact us by emailing timebank-toolkit@businessdatasystems.co.nz.
If your keen to get going you can schedule a time on John's Calendar or Malcolm's Calendar
If you would like to be included in the interviews process please let us know.
You can contact us by emailing timebank-toolkit@businessdatasystems.co.nz.
If your keen to get going you can schedule a time on John's Calendar or Malcolm's Calendar
Newtown Community & Cultural Centre is the fiscal host for this project.
Newtown Community & Cultural Centre is the fiscal host for this project.
Photo Credit: Women collaborating by Hillary Ungson on Unsplash