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Orillia Packet & Times -
The idea of trading goods and services for other goods and services has, almost literally, been around forever. Barter systems date to 6000 BC and can be traced to Mesopotamian tribes. This speaks to the fact trading among individuals and societies to meet basic needs is very intuitive. It is part of how we survived and continue to survive.
The first metal currency did not show up until about 1000 BC in China, which means for about 5,000 years, trading was how people secured what they needed. In modern times, currency has become dominant in our lives and the barter systems of long ago are almost forgotten.
Bartering has benefits we do not get with currency and there is a global movement underway to reinstate the trading of goods and services. This modern barter system blends technology and the ancient practice in a seamless way, and a local group spearheaded by Annalise Stenekes called Lake Country Time Trade is making this possible in our area.
Meggan Masters is a fourth-term social service worker student at Georgian College in Orillia. After hearing about the idea of time trading, she was interested in starting something locally to fulfil her final placement requirement for school. As with many great projects, her ideas aligned with a group that was just getting underway and Lake Country Time Trade became her official placement.
The group is off and running with a great vision.
"Our goal is to continue to increase the number of members and create an initiative with a strong network where members consistently engage one another," Masters said.
The concept is simple and technology makes it user-friendly. Those interested in sharing a skill register with the group and earn credits based on the skills they share with others. So, for example, if people were skilled at tutoring and did three hours of it over the course of a week, they would then have a credit to apply to something they want.
The time and skills traded can include almost anything: computer repair, landscaping, cooking and much more. This approach is inclusive and based on the idea everyone has something valuable to offer to others.
"Lake Country Time Trade is unique as each member is provided with two free hours to get started," said Masters.
And the benefits of the group are as diverse as the skills offered.
"A time trade can meet so many people's needs on so many different levels," Masters said. "A time trade also brings neighbours and communities together and by working together, helping and supporting one another, we make our community stronger."
The idea is a great example of community building and it, or a version of it, has been field-tested for thousands of years. At the core, Lake Country Time Trade is a win-win situation.
"It allows people to give and receive without spending money," Masters noted.
The Lake Country Time Trade launch event will take place April 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Centre, 62 Peter St. N. It will be an opportunity to speak with members, sample some of the skills offered and sign up. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit lctimetrade.ca, call 888-887-8347 or email lctimetrade@gmail.com.
