Hour Exchange Portland is a unique social project in Portland, Maine that encourages well-networked communities where your time can be your currency.
Founded in 1997, Hour Exchange works on a system of reciprocity by which one "banks" hours by volunteering a service such as tennis lessons, web design, photography or even pet grooming. Notably, health care is one of the most frequently used categories, which includes services such as dental cleanings.
Hour Exchange Portland currently has over 900 members both individual and organizational partners and functions as a community online. Interest in the social organization has increased as the US economy has declined, from which a scarce unemployment crisis still exists for Maine's largest city.
Contact Information
Hour Exchange Portland website
Hour Exchange Portland on Facebook
Hour Exchange Portland on Twitter
Local Time Banking Communities
Hour Exchange Portland Has Residents Trading Services
Trend Themes
1. Time Banking - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of building time banking networks in other communities to foster reciprocity and strengthen community bonds.
2. Sharing Economy - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a platform that facilitates the exchange of services and encourages community members to use their skills and time as currency.
3. Social Impact - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create programs and initiatives that leverage the power of social networks to address unemployment and economic challenges in local communities.
Industry Implications
1. Community Services - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate time banking concepts into community services to provide alternative means of support and enhance community engagement.
2. Healthcare - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the integration of alternative payment methods like time banking in healthcare to increase accessibility and affordability of services.
3. Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop online platforms and applications that facilitate time banking transactions and enable community members to connect and exchange services easily.