The Time Bank: Better Than Barter

They stand over the table like surgeons, white masks over their noses and mouths, latex gloves covering their hands. Terrie Anderson is stirring a tub of gray grout powder while Sherri Shokler pours in what looks like milk from a thrift-store cream pitcher. Anderson, an educational consultant, is learning the art of mosaicing at a class taught by Sherri, an artist, and Jeff, an archaeologist turned university administrator. No money changes hands, however -- she and the Shoklers are participants in a new local venture, the Dane County Timebank. The concept is simple. Each member of the bank donates time doing something he or she is good at -- be it installing a sink, baby-sitting, dog walking or driving -- and in return can receive the same number of hours of services from any other member. The bank keeps track.

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