StarTribe Hours

 StarTribe Hours is a time-based currency rooted in principles of community-building & social equality.  

StarTribe Hours time-based currency launched in Denver/Boulder, Colorado in 2016 and we are growing our trade network regionally and internationally.  In Colorado, we have members all around the Front Range as well as Fort Collins, Manitou and Colorado Springs, Crestone, Leadville, Arapahoe Lands, Paonia, Crawford, Hotchkiss, and Cheyenne.   Regionally we are growing our network and have members accepting & trading StarTribe Hours across California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Florida, Hawaii and even Bali!

From TimeBanks USA:

TimeBanking is designed to encourage connections between community members on the basis that everyone has something to give and everyone has needs. TimeBank members commit to "give and receive" using Time Credits earned and spent. The "golden rule" of TimeBanking is this: An hour of my time is equal to an hour of your time. One hour of service given earns one time credit. For one hour of service received, pay one time credit. (*StarTribe Hours members also acknowledge and value the time that goes into an offering  (for example, preparation, training, transportation and completion.)

A commitment to the core values helps people to get into the spirit of TimeBanking and helps keep that spirit alive.

Adopted from TimeBanks USA & Time Initiative of Maine

1. Assets: Everyone has something to offer;

2. Redefining Work: Building home, family and community is valued work;

3. Reciprocity: Encouraging givers to receive  and receivers to give – builds trust and resiliency & sharing;

4. Community: We are stronger together;

5. Respect: Respect is the root of equality.​

 When applying for StarTribe Hours, participants offer a professional service, set of skills, or simply sign up as a general volunteer.  They then receive 7 STHrs for signing up and participating, (we call this your 'birthrite'). Upon signing up, members are listed in the StarTribe Hours directory under the category of their choice (whole wellness, multimedia/ graphics, home repair, auto repair, business consulting, legal help, permaculture design, clothing, childcare, petcare, accounting, etc).  Participants can then use ST Hours to exchange with others in the directory (or outside it - more on this later).  

    Members can record exchanges and earn StarTribe Hours through our online time bank, or use printed StarTribe Hours in face-to-face exchanges.  Our printed ST Hrs are all printed on Thermanent, a recycled, tree-free paper for durability, water-resistance and longevity, and are each individually marked with serial numbers to discourage counterfeiting.  In addition, each Hour note has 2 signature lines, the 'Issued by:' line is for the original issuer (StarTribe Hours Treasurers), and the 'Backed by:' line is for the original person exchanging the Hour/s into circulation.  We currently have 5 printed denominations: 1/10th hr, 1/2hr, 1hr, 2hrs, and 10hrs.   

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   For StarTribe Hours online accounts, we are using hOurworld.org time-banking open-source software, thanks to hOurworld,  members can update their profiles with current photos, bio and skills, as well as record exchanges, log hours, and post requests for services or post offers.  To apply for a StarTribe Hours member account, visit our timebank and select the 'become a member' option.  After submitting your application, a coordinator will be notified to review your application for approval.  Once a coordinator approves your app and enables your online account, you will receive a Welcome notification in your email.  

   The artwork featured on the first edition of StarTribe Hours was donated by Brett Jones.  Each painting featured is meant to inspire the birth of a more sustainable system of economics based upon the desire to help one another rather than the desire merely to profit from one another.   The designs featured on the reverse side of each note are meant to remind you that the true reserves are stored within YOU.  Much greater than gold, or any physical commodity, is the power of SOUL that exists within us all - hence the phrase "Soular-powered currency" printed on all of our ST Hrs.

Our latest Tribal Vision edition StarTribe Hours features artwork from Franki Zinke and with each new edition we seek to showcase a different artist that is part of the StarTribe network.