Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about how the Taos TimeBank works. From how to earn time credits to how we keep members safe, find quick answers to our most common questions.
Membership & Participation
You probably have more to offer than you think. TimeBank exchanges can include everyday skills like cooking, gardening, organizing, rides, tech help, repairs, pet care, teaching, or simply lending a hand.
Read You Have More to Offer Than You Think: Building the Currency of a Connected Community.
Trust grows through exchanges, events, volunteering, and getting to know other members.
Members can also join or form Guilds, where people offering similar services can develop shared standards and help recognize one another’s experience. If you’re interested in joining or creating a Guild, email Community Support at help.taostimebank@gmail.com or use our Contact Us form.
No. Time credits need to be earned before they can be spent.
You don’t need a large balance to participate. One exchange or volunteer opportunity can be enough to get started.
Yes, as long as the recipient has a TimeBank account.
Log into the Member Portal, choose Record an Exchange, then Donate Credits, or donate credits directly here.
Our early research showed that TimeBanks relying entirely on volunteer labor often struggle with burnout, gaps in service, and long-term sustainability.
The annual fee helps support software, events, member support, staffing, and ongoing operations so the TimeBank can remain reliable and sustainable. You can also make a one-time or recurring donation to support the TimeBank.
If your annual fee is not renewed, your account may be archived and can be restored once the payment is settled.
If you’re having trouble paying or think there is an issue with your account, email Community Support at help.taostimebank@gmail.com.
Because the Member Portal is online, internet access makes participating much easier.
If you don’t have reliable access or your own device, email Community Support at help.taostimebank@gmail.com and we can talk through possible options.
Taos TimeBank serves Taos County, New Mexico, helping local skills, support, and resources circulate within our community.
New members can join throughout the year. We currently offer onboarding sessions about once a month.
View upcoming onboarding sessions and sign up. We’re also planning a self-paced onboarding option for November 2026.
No. Volunteering with an Anchor Organization is no longer required.
We do recommend it as a great way to serve the community, earn credits, and meet other TimeBank members in a structured and social setting.
Time Credits & Exchanges
You’re always welcome to offer a different skill through the TimeBank.
We also encourage members to consider sharing professional or specialized skills when they feel comfortable doing so. It can be a meaningful way to give back and make valuable services more accessible to others.
The person receiving the service generally pays for materials, supplies, mileage, or other expenses.
Any expected costs should be discussed before the exchange begins. Time credits compensate for time, not out-of-pocket expenses.
No. Taos TimeBank is designed for exchanging time and services, rather than buying and selling goods.
No. One hour always equals one time credit.
That’s one of the core ideas behind time banking. Everyone’s time is valued equally, regardless of what that service might cost in the traditional economy.
Time credits do not have a cash value.
One hour of service equals one time credit, which can then be used to receive an hour of help from another member.
No. Time credits do not expire.
We do encourage members to both earn and spend them so that time and support continue circulating through the community.
Time credits are designed as a non-cash system for reciprocal community exchange and are not assigned a monetary value by Taos TimeBank.
Taos TimeBank cannot provide individual tax advice, so members with questions about their own situation should consult a tax professional.
One member records the exchange through the Member Portal, and the other member confirms it.
The appropriate number of time credits is then transferred between the accounts.
Time credits are how the TimeBank tracks time given and received.
Give one hour of help and you earn one time credit. You can then use that credit to receive an hour of help from another member.
Safety, Conflicts & Responsibility
Exchanges are mutually agreed upon and recorded through the Member Portal.
If a member is reported for serious misconduct, their account may be suspended while the situation is reviewed by TimeBank leadership. Concerns can be reported to Community Support at help.taostimebank@gmail.com.
If you do not feel safe, end or leave the exchange.
Report concerns to Community Support at help.taostimebank@gmail.com. If you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services or law enforcement.
When possible, we encourage members to communicate directly and respectfully with one another.
If the issue is serious, cannot be resolved, or involves inappropriate conduct, email Community Support at help.taostimebank@gmail.com with details about what happened.
Members are responsible for deciding which exchanges they’re comfortable participating in and for discussing expectations, costs, risks, and other important details beforehand.
Think of a TimeBank exchange much like helping or receiving help from a neighbor. Use good judgment and communicate clearly.
Taos TimeBank does not currently conduct background checks, so members should use their own judgment when deciding whether an exchange feels safe and appropriate.
We encourage members to meet at TimeBank events, communicate before an exchange, ask questions, and build trust first when a situation involves entering homes, transportation, caregiving, or other higher-trust activities.
Safety concerns can be reported to Community Support at help.taostimebank@gmail.com.
Philosophy & Core Values
Human time, skills, relationships, and our ability to help one another remain valuable regardless of what is happening in the larger economy.
A TimeBank makes those resources easier to see, share, and access within the community.
Time banking starts from the idea that everyone’s time has value.
By valuing each hour equally, people across different incomes, professions, backgrounds, and levels of privilege can come together on more equal footing and support one another.
It doesn’t mean everyone has the same skills or experience. It means everyone’s contribution matters.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to help—just reach out.