Give a Little, Take a Little with TimeBanksNYC

Volunteering is a lot like working, only no money is exchanged for your efforts: your reward is found in the fuzzy feeling of satisfaction that comes from helping your fellow man.

But good karma isn't everything. It won't, for example, shovel your driveway after a heavy snow, and it won't drive you to the airport for your early morning flight. But with TimeBanksNYC, all your time spent helping others will come back to you, in the form of others helping you.

Sponsored by the city's Department for the Aging, TimeBanksNYC enables members to share their skills with others in their community. Every hour spent doing something for someone else - be it gardening, teaching computer skills, dog-walking etc. - is an hour that another TimeBanks member will help you out, too.

Ellen Lehman, a representative from TimeBanksNYC, told attendees of Tuesday's Community Board 11 meeting that the skill participants share isn't limited to the existing database.

"It’s really up to your imagination," she said.

Getting involved in TimeBanks consists of three steps, Lehman said. Those interested need only fill out an application, attend a 30-minute orientation and sign a member agreement. Orientations are held at three sites in Queens. 

Some audience members voiced concern over whether potential volunteers were adequately vetted. Lehman said that though the organization does not have an official vetting process in place, she knows of no criminal activity ever associated with a volunteer.

"We encourage people to use the judgment they would use for any service," she said. "We found that people interested in the program are genuinely interested in helping each other out."

For more information on volunteering with TimeBanksNYC, click here.