Time Banking with Mike Strode of the Kola Nut Collaborative - Ep 4
Howdy folks,
I am excited to announce that our guest for the Aug 15 episode of Redneck Gone Green will be Mike Strode, founder and organizer with the Kola Nut Collaborative in Chicago’s South Side. We will be discussing “Time Banking” with Mike. We will broadcast live at 6pm Eastern 3pm Pacific. You can join us here on Youtube. To watch on Rumble, please subscribe to our channel and keep an eye out for when we post our livestream 24 hours before our broadcast. Please share the broadcast with your friends and on your social networks!
Onward to the world we deserve,
David Cobb (he/him)
Why I put my pronouns in my email signature
The Kola Nut Collaborative Approach to Time Banking: A Paradigm Shift
Introduction
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and globalization, the concept of time banking has emerged as a unique way to foster local community connections and meet needs. At the forefront of this movement is the Kola Nut Collaborative approach, which seeks to redefine traditional notions of currency and value by emphasizing the exchange of time and skills rather than money. Their approach offers a new and transformational approach to the notion of buying and selling.
Time Banking: Redefining Value
Time banking operates on a fundamental principle: every individual possesses unique skills, knowledge, and experiences that can benefit others. Instead of relying solely on monetary transactions, time banking encourages community members to exchange services and expertise through a system of reciprocity. Participants earn "time credits" for the hours they spend helping others, which they can then use to receive assistance from fellow members. This approach shifts the focus away from traditional economic models and emphasizes the inherent value of each person's contribution.
The Kola Nut Collaborative: Principles and Values
The Kola Nut Collaborative takes the concept of time banking to a new level, incorporating principles deeply rooted in community, culture, and sustainability. The name itself draws inspiration from the Kola nut, a symbol of hospitality and connection in many African cultures. This approach aims to promote social cohesion, empower marginalized communities, and foster a sense of belonging.
Cultural Exchange and Celebration: The Kola Nut Collaborative approach recognizes the importance of cultural diversity in building strong communities. By encouraging the sharing of cultural practices, stories, and traditions, it creates a platform for intercultural exchange that enriches the collective experience.
Asset-Based Community Development: This principle shifts the focus from problems and deficits to the strengths and assets within a community. Each member's skills, talents, and passions are seen as valuable resources that can contribute to the well-being of the community as a whole.
Resilience and Sustainability: The collaborative approach also emphasizes the sustainability of local economies and ecosystems. By fostering self-reliance and reducing reliance on external resources, it creates a more resilient community capable of facing challenges with creativity and adaptability.
Ubuntu Philosophy: Derived from African humanist philosophy, Ubuntu emphasizes the interconnectedness of all humanity. The Kola Nut Collaborative embodies this philosophy by promoting mutual support and recognizing that the well-being of one member is intricately tied to the well-being of the entire community.
Transformative Potential
The Kola Nut Collaborative approach to time banking has the potential to revolutionize the way communities interact, share, and support one another:
Strengthening Social Fabric: By placing a strong emphasis on interpersonal connections, the collaborative approach strengthens the social fabric of communities. It creates spaces for meaningful interactions, fostering a sense of trust, empathy, and belonging among members.
Empowering Marginalized Communities: The Kola Nut Collaborative approach is particularly powerful in empowering marginalized groups. It provides them with a platform to showcase their skills and talents, enabling them to overcome systemic barriers and actively contribute to the community's growth.
Promoting Local Economies: Through the exchange of goods, services, and expertise, the collaborative approach stimulates local economies. It reduces reliance on distant markets, fostering a more sustainable and self-sufficient economic ecosystem.
Fostering Innovation: The diversity of skills and perspectives within the community leads to innovative problem-solving. The collaborative approach encourages members to think creatively, adapt to change, and address challenges collectively.
About Mike:
Mike Strode is a writer, urban cyclist, facilitator, and solidarity economy organizer with the Kola Nut Collaborative residing in southeast Chicago. The Kola Nut Collaborative is Chicago’s only time-based service and skills exchange (otherwise known as a timebank) providing an open platform for mutual aid, community organizing, and network weaving. The Collaborative recently launched an initiative to develop a network of Chicago-based facilitators trained in the Offers and Needs Market. Mike enters facilitation through the pathway and for the purpose of organizing towards a solidarity economy. When holding space for groups within the Collaborative or elsewhere, his North Star is skill sharing, the free exchange of resources, and deepening the possibilities of a more just future through cooperation. He is a Program Manager at Open Collective Foundation and serves on the boards of the US Solidarity Economy Network, South Deering Manor Community Association, and Dill Pickle Food Co-op.