Working Together to Build Sustainable Communities
This article was written in January prior to the Level 4 Lockdown. It was pre-empted to highlight our partnership and how we are working to support each other in our effort to build a sustainable community. Now more than ever, we need to collaborate, be kind, and think of how we can contribute to this vision.
Written by Laurie Silver, Coordinator of Taranaki Timebank
Taranaki TimeBank and Sustainable Taranaki are both working towards the same goal: building sustainable and resilient communities through conscious relationships. Our partnership unites us in our goal of creating connections for those who want to grow and learn.
Timebanker Christina teaching NZ Sign Language to TB members at the Pa.
At TimeBank, we use time rather than money as a currency. Recognising that each person, regardless of life circumstances, is of value and therefore has something to contribute, we give to each other without expectation of monetary gain. This changes the relationship we have with each other from one of quantity to one of quality and of conscious exchange. It also sets the wheel of reciprocity in motion.
Likewise, Sustainable Taranaki is reminding us that our Mother Earth gives without expectation. Regardless of our life circumstances, each one of us is an integral part of our environment; not only do we have a responsibility to care for her, but we also know the relationship is reciprocal.
Both organisations, therefore, remind us that the relationships we nurture are the ones that sustain us, whether it’s with our community or with our environment.
Sustainable Taranaki (ST) became an Organisational Member of Taranaki TimeBank (TTB) the year TimeBank was first established in Taranaki, back in 2012. Since then, we have been able to support each other in many mutually beneficial ways. As members of TimeBank, we have an opportunity to meet people we otherwise might not cross paths with. In the same way, by coordinating events through Sustainable Taranaki, we both give our members the chance to meet and interact with others in the community.
TimeBank’s motto is ‘putting the unity back in community’ - and ST helps us achieve that goal. Not only by being a member but also by giving us an opportunity to collaborate on meaningful projects.
Joanne Peacock, Lower South Taranaki Coordinator at Paepae in the Park.
Of the several events we’ve worked on together, the most unforgettable one was bringing the dynamic duo, known as The Rubbish Trip, to Taranaki in 2019. These no-waste nomads are not only inspiring but also empowering. They present a funny, informative, engaging, solutions-based approach to the problem of waste in our country. This issue is close to the hearts of both organisations and its members, so it was wonderful to make this happen, together.
This event was almost six months in the making. The planning and presentation involved working with other professional organisations and individuals as well, making it a great networking experience. Not only did it bring TTB and ST into a close working relationship, but it also brought our members together with the wider community, where friendships were rekindled or made, and personal as well as professional connections were forged. The evening was a great success.
We all share the same planet and must learn how to work together as a community to protect it. This makes our organisational collaboration a perfect fit that helps us both grow and learn from one another.
People who are interested in doing good for the environment are usually interested in doing good for others, too. Sustainable Taranaki and TimeBank give them the opportunity to do both!
Want to learn more about Taranaki TimeBank? Go to their website and Facebook page for more information.
Some of the participants from a Sewing Bee for On The House, making reusable bags.
