Meeting yesterday with Michelle and Joshua Farr

Yesterday at Mae's, Michelle, Joshua Farr and I met and continued discussions on plans to create a stronger presence in Ferndale for the Timebank, and potential collaborations with the emerging projects of 21st Century Digital Learning Environments.

Joshua Farr is a friend and collaborator with Michelle and works as an attorney, mostly in the areas of property management - however he wears many hats. He has agreed to arrange any of the organizational structure needs the timebank will require as it expands, as well as to help with emerging logistical considerations.

We discussed the preliminary idea and conversation between Michelle and Andy Didorosi, owner of Paper Street Motors (Ferndale business incubator) on the potential for a street fair/farmer's market to run every weekend throughout the summer. Potentially on Jarvis Street where Paper Street is located, however locations are open and logistical considerations still need consideration.

We also discussed the potential for student learning opportunities around use of the timebank, and the creation of its plan for outreach in the community, in connection with similar student learning involvement with emerging Ferndale projects.

If the timebank connects with youth in this way, while creating a physical presence in community (i.e. through a street fair/farmers market, greenhouse project, kiosk or other potential projects) people will be able to feel and also see what sharing services between community members looks like.

So through the location and activities present, and though the excitement of young people helping develop and adapt the timebank to Ferndale, the timebank may grow. Students will be rewarded for their service in helping the projects, by being able to participate and receive some of the more fun aspects of the timebank - like lessons in martial arts, knitting, culinary, music etc.

This works in many ways towards solving two problems of the timebank, #1 lack of knowledge of what it is, resulting in lack of membership #2 lack of participation by current members. Connections between the creative class and youth will be established, working ultimately towards the more connected and harmonious society, this projects goal.

We talked as well about Emily's project with LTU, to design a physical kiosk/mobile unit for the timebank. Something that could be at these sites, offering a kiosk where information could be obtained, and most importantly for communicating all of the elements of the projectthrough the design - the educational, community, sustainability pieces.

Please let me know if I have missed anything.