Our soon to be Commander in Chief made today a day of national service, even pitching in to show us the way:
Obama volunteering at Sasha Bruce House
I just wonder how long this renewed enthusiasm for doing good will last, and would like to revisit a post I wrote a few weeks ago, about “The Future of Doing Good”.
Sure, there is no harm in joining Obama’s volunteering initiative, USA Service. I would just like to mention another option, one that was suggested to me by my friend Sam Bower, and one that may be more sustainable in the long run. Time banking introduces mutuality and fairness in the volunteering equation:
For every hour you spend doing something for someone in your community, you earn one Time Dollar. Then you have a Time Dollar to spend on having someone do something for you. It’s that simple. Yet it also has profound effects. Time Banks change neighborhoods and whole communities. Time Banking is a social change movement in 22 countries and six continents.
Sounds like a winner to me, and one concept that could be easily folded into President Obama’s USA Service initiative.
La Marguerite 
I LOVE this idea Marguerite.
I also would like to see youth around the world giving one year to their community. In the past, young folks were giving a year to the military, but now there is not military service in France. Some say it would be a good idea to organize something similar, but dedicated to communities and with girls as well.
Time is perhaps the best thing anybody can give to his or her community. Money can’t be given by all. Time can !
As I noted yesterday on Twitter:
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the United States… And tomorrow is Barack Obama’s. Nice coincidence
I have been since high school inspired by Dr King’s actions and speeches. Listening to his voice today made me really smile: http://is.gd/gvaI
He saw an African American president in the White House in less than 40 years, well it took 45 but this is still a historic moment.
Enjoy these very special moments. That’s the kind of stuff we could be telling to young folks in 50 years.
Love this idea! Everybody’s time is valued equally and we can focus on the things we love doing and / or are good at!
Happy Inauguration Day!
Thanks Edouard, Thanks Anna. Love your enthusiasm!