A wonderful, helpful member recently contacted me to say she was over-committed to several groups, causes, non-profits, and family issues and could not help with time bank concerns right now. I assured her that this is a common issue that I have heard from almost EVERYONE! We all have to balance things. Generally, people in the CSTB are concerned about all kinds of issues: political, environmental, social, etc. But one thing can help us: community!
I urged her -and I'll urge us all- to think about ways the CSTB can help YOU. Can you post an announcement about an interesting event being held by your non-profit that is open to the community? Can you post a request or announcement to ask others for help/to inform others about a worthy cause? MANY folks in the CSTB would love to help immigrants, feed the unhoused, help with literacy, protect animals, etc. Here is your chance to get others involved in a cause, expand awerness of an issue, give others the opportunity to join, and EXPAND OUR COMMUNITY!
By inviting others in, not only can people see that there are things going on around town, but there REALLY IS (for many people) a personal sense of accomplishment/personal gain in helping others! Your posting an opportunity can actually help another person! We connect with like-minded people by sharing the work toward common goals.
Posting announcements/requests related to your other group/cause could also help you; you might feel supported, find people with fresh energy or fresh insights, find others to share the work, and even make new friendships and connections! I've received SO many rewards this way -it's incredible!
Posting announcements/requests is also one HUGE thing you and others can do to help the CSTB! It is another way to give the CSTB relevancy, as people turn to it as a sourse of knowledge about things happening in the area. I hear from people all the time saying the they would like to help such a fantastic organization -actively posting stuff is VERY VERY helpful!!!!!!!!!!
And, if you desire, you could even post things to the Facebook Chat Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/508376542518372 It's great for posting things that might not be great for actual CSTB stuff -like if you want to sell something.
Another way to help the CSTB and reward yourself is to attend any of our CSTB events. You get to meet people, see some interesting things going on in the area, and support the CSTB. We have had meetings at the Four-C, The Hedron Hub, Sunbury Urban Farm, and our next event will be the picnic/potluck at the Maize Manor shelter house on Sept 24th. I hope to see you there!
OFFICE HOURS-office hours are open to new and long-term member, and EVERYONE in between! (Plus people thinking of joining who want more information!)
The office hours are held every 2nd Tues on Zoom. Check back for the link! If you have any questions now, ask csgeneral27@gmail.com
****************************************************
Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend to support the community?
Paint the Fire station sign. Check out the fire truck! Tend to the pollinator gardens. Learn about bugs! Meet your neighbors. Support our firefighters. Support CRC. Talk to FLOW! And more.
When: Saturday 9/2 Labor Day Weekend 12-3pm
Where: 3601 N High St. Fire Station 19 in Clintonville, just south of Whetstone Park across from Wendy's. (the fire station)
Thanks. See you on Saturday 12-3pm.
Clintonville GreenSpot
Find and share our event post on social media!
Great event for kids, if you're in town this Saturday.
https://www.facebook.com/
https://www.instagram.com/
Specifically,
All the above links are courtesy of SWACO.
Here is a GREAT one that Michael Greenman sent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8ifVJ34JU
OTHER IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
I am thrilled to announce our contest winners for ideas to increase membership in the CSTB! There were some EXCELLENT ideas submitted -I couldn't just pick one winner. We have FIVE winners! They are:
Bill Cohen-Offer to appear on the local TV morning shows to talk about the CSTB, offer to speak on the two local radio stations
Lily Spontak- Offer to speak on the Ann Fisher NPR program
Susan Closson -include info on CSTB in the library newsletter
Rita Haider- promote Gatherings to friends with a similar interest
Donna Brooks- have 'information' meetings to offer info about Time Banks to people in groups that are NOT already interested in the CSTB, seek out those groups, and then, find out their specific needs and interests.
These 5 individuals have been sent their prizes...but, why stop now? There were so many good ideas, I want to keep this contest open! Do you have ideas about increasing our membership? Would you like to try for a $25 gift card? Send your ideas to csgeneral27@gmail.com!
I've also thought:
Vilvi -start a Meetup account
Vilvi- form anonymous surveys to get input from people in different groups.
Vilvi-contact the Free Press with info about CSTB.
Did you know we have a Facebook page? Go to https://www.facebook.com/Care-and-Share-Time-Bank-220723677943718
Also, we have a page on Facebook for members to chat, share pictures, talk about exchanges, and offer material items for sale or exchange!
Care & Share Chat Room is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/508376542518372
Past events
At the potluck on June 18 at the UU Church we had a wonderful time! The CSTB is focusing on going out and having events at (and in partnerships with) our affiliates over the past several months: we've had two Gatherings at The Royal Oak Initiative (ROI) (a chess-based mentoring agency that seeks to sustainably equip under-served populations with the education and the resources needed to eliminate personal and economic challenges as obstacles to growth- theroichess.org), had a work day at the Hedron Hub (https://thehedronhub.com/about-our-space-1), spent time at the Sunbuy Urban Farm (https://sunburyurbanfarm.wixsite.com/farm) for their seedling sale/open house, helped out the First UU Church at their Rummage Sale (https://firstuucolumbus.org/), worked at the Repair Cafe with the Clintonville Resource Center (CRC) (https://www.clintonvillecrc.org/-our affiliate is Vill in the Ville, a part of CRC), and spent time working and celebrating community twice at Sunny Glenn Garden (https://www.sunnyglengarden.com/). Our next activity will be with Simply Living (https://simplyliving.org/) at ComFest June 23-25 and helping with their garden tour in Linden on July 15th.
At the potluck, we heard from/about most of these affiliates and a FANTASTIC talk from member Anisa Ahmed about her Urban Garden and upcoming events at her space and other Urban Gardens! We look forward to your participation with any of these affiliates -and remember, work done for an affiliate earns you time bank credits!
Any questions? Write to csgeneral27@gmail.com!
The work day at The Hedron Hub was WONDERFUL! A LOT of Timebankers showed up to clean, create projects, and build community! THANKS TO EVERYONE who was able to come and help out!
Thanks to EVERYONE who made the UU Rummage Sale a success! Those who helped set up and organize, helped at the event, baked items for sale (YUM!), helped pack up and clean the church at the end, and those who shopped at the sale, THANK YOU ALL! I hear the church made over $16,000! THANK YOU!
On Saturday, January 14, many people came to a very informal meet-and-greet at Upper Cup Coffee shop at 79 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215 to have questions answered about the Care and Share Time Bank, chat, make suggestions, and tour our affiliate, the Royal Oak Initiative. Several Board members were present to answer questions, provide help, conduct very informal orientations, and chat!
The Gathering on Dec. 18 at 6:30pm at he UU Church in Beach Hall was a wonderful chance to see each other, and relax together! Our own Andrea Gorzitze presented about the holidays in her German upbringing, and how Christmas has changed with American influence. Her slideshow is here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1HLLoOyh4FFe1LRb5W3JKBsZUSjtJGgvm/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102753895494357680714&rtpof=true&sd=true
Jennifer Sieck (new member!) presented about the pre-Christian culture and rituals, and the history during the time leading up to the birth of Christ. Also, she talked about the clamp down on lay healers by the church, and how those pre-Christian myths and rituals were later adopted by Christianity.
The potluck was delicious! Thanks, everyone, for sharing such wonderful things! And, thanks for everyone who brought their own table-settings; it made clean up so much easier! Please, anyone who helped in set-up or clean-up, let csgeneral27@gmail.con know -we didn't have a way to note it that night!
Thanks to everyone who made it special!
Here is a link to the article about us that appeared in the Columbus Dispatch: https://tinyurl.com/CSTBmedia Have you seen this news clip delivered some years ago on PBS by David Brancaccio? It is a FABULOUS introduction to the concept of time banking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?CSTB Collaboration Groupsv=DovdsMBVmCs