We are working for the MAN
(Click any of the headings to learn more)
We are sorry to lose our dear friend and mentor Edgar Cahn, father of modern-form timebanking.
Dr. Edgar Cahn
Distinguished legal professor and creator of timebanking. Founder and
CEO of TimeBanks USA, one of the 3 largest and most successful
international networks of timebanking. Former counsel and speech writer
to Robert F. Kennedy. Co-founder of the Antioch School of Law (now the
David A. Clarke School of Law at the University of the District of
Columbia). Popular professor of changemaking among law students. Edgar
has also held positions at the University of Miami School of Law,
Florida International University, the London School of Economics, and a
Visiting Fellow at the Center for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia
University. He is a Fellow of Ashoka which is an international
organization implementing system-changing solutions to human and
environmental problems in 93 countries.
Bernard Lietaer
We continue to mourn the passing (Feb. 4, 2019) of our friend and mentor Bernard Lietaer, the original inspiration for the work that became Mutual Aid Networks. Author of several books on re-creating money systems to be more sustainable and prosperous for all of humanity including Rethinking Money; How New Currencies Turn Scarcity Into Prosperity. Co-founder of GaiaCorp, a top performing currency fund whose profits funded investments in environmental projects. Co-designer and implementer of the European currency system (the Euro). He was a Research Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Resources of the University of California at Berkeley.
Bayo Akomolafe & Manish Jain
Coordinator of the International Alliance for Localization (IAL) which
is a project of Local Futures, an international NGO that has been
working for more than three decades to support alternatives to the
global consumer culture.
Gar Alperovitz
Historian, political economist, activist, writer. Co-founder of the
Democracy Collaborative, a research institution developing practical,
policy-focused, and systematic paths towards ecologically sustainable,
community-oriented change and the democratization of wealth. He is also
Co-chair for The Next System Project. Dr. Alperovitz’s numerous articles
have appeared in publications ranging from The New York Times and The
Washington Post to The Journal of Economic Issues, Foreign Policy,
Diplomatic History, and other academic and popular journals. His most
recent book is America Beyond Capitalism (a new edition of which
appeared in 2011). He has served as a legislative director in the U.S.
House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and as a special assistant
in the Department of State. Earlier he was president of the Center for
Community Economic Development, Codirector of The Cambridge Institute,
and president of the Center for the Study of Public Policy.
Michel Bauwens
Michel is the founder of the Foundation for Peer-to-Peer Alternatives
and works in collaboration with a global group of researchers in the
exploration of peer production, governance, and property. Michel was
Primavera Research Fellow at the University of Amsterdam and external
expert at the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (2008, 2012). Michel
Bauwens is a member of the Board of the Union of International
Associations (Brussels), advisor to Ouishare (Paris) and Shareable
magazine (San Francisco) and ShareLex. He is also scientific advisor to
the “Association Les Rencontres du Mont-Blanc, Forum International des
Dirigeants de l’Economie Sociale et Solidaire” (2013-) and advised the
Advisory Board for the ‘Fourth International Conference on Degrowth for
Ecological Sustainability and Social Equity’. In the first semester of
2014, Michel Bauwens was the research director of the transition project
towards the social knowledge economy, an official project in Ecuador
(see floksociety.org). This project produced a first integrated Commons
Transition Plan for the government of Ecuador, in order to create a
‘social knowledge economy’, with fifteen associated policy papers. The
strategic framing of the plan is available at
http://commonstransition.org . He is a founding member of the Commons
Strategies Group, with Silke Helfrich and David Bollier, organizing
major global conferences on the commons and its economics.
John Bloom
John is the Senior Director of RSF Social Finance. RSF Social Finance
seeks to revolutionize how people relate to money. It is a financial
services organization that has formed a growing community of motivated,
values-driven investors, donors and entrepreneurs. They envision a world
in which money serves the highest intentions of the human spirit and
contributes to an economy based on generosity and interconnectedness.
They were originally inspired by the work of Rudolph Steiner.
Charles Eisenstein
Author, public speaker, and leading independent publisher of books on
social change since 1974 including Sacred Economics. Has introduced,
developed, and promoted many important alternative economic concepts
including gift economy, negative-interest economics (penalties for banks
and financial entities purposefully withholding financial assets from
the community and world), deschooling ourselves, etc.
Vicki Robin
Vicki Robin co-founder of the New Road Map Foundation, an all-volunteer,
non-profit organization that promotes a human, sustainable future for
our world. Co-author of Your Money or Your Life.
The Yes Men (Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno)
Culture-jamming activists. They have produced 3 films. The Yes
Men (2003), The Yes Men Fix the World (2009) and The Yes Men Are
Revolting (2014). The Yes Men have collaborated with other groups of
similar interest, including Improv Everywhere, Andrew Boyd and Steve
Lambert.
Stephanie Rearick (President)
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Stephanie Rearick is founder and former Co-Director of the Dane County TimeBank (DCTB) – a 2800-member time exchange, and Creative Director of Mutual Aid Networks, a new type of networked cooperative. In addition to her work in timebanking and growing grassroots-up economic and community regeneration, Rearick is co-owner of Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse. Rearick also works as a musician.
Rebecca Kemble (Treasurer)
Rebecca Kemble, former alderman for Madison Wisconsin District 18, is a
freelance writer who writes for The Progressive magazine. She is also
the President of the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives and the
President of CICOPA North. America, Vice-President of CICOPA Americas
and serves on the Executive Committee of CICOPA worldwide. She received
her Bachelors Degree from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, and
her Masters Degree and PhD (a.b.d.) in Anthropology and African Studies
from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Rebecca is a worker-ownerer
of Union Cab Cooperative where she has worked since 2000 as a night
shift taxi driver as well as a mediator. She is also a founding member,
writer and editor in the newly-formed Wisconsin Citizens Media
Cooperative.
Dr. Thamina (Samina) Anwar
Founder – Trade Not Riba dot Com
B.Eng (Hons.) | MSc | MBA | GradDipTchg | CIFP | PhD London | Bradford | Cranfield | Auckland | INCEIF | UKZN
Dr. Thamina Anwar stands as the visionary force behind Trade Not Riba (www.tradenotriba.com), an initiative dedicated to championing Islamic Social Entrepreneurship over interest/usury, appealing to both Muslim and non-Muslim communities. Her groundbreaking models in Islamic Social Entrepreneurship, initially piloted in New Zealand, are now poised for global adoption.
In addition to her role as a serial entrepreneur, Dr. Anwar is the founder and director of multiple consultancy firms registered in New Zealand. With a diverse skill set spanning writing, research, education, engineering, information technology, public speaking, management, leadership, social entrepreneurship, and consulting, Dr. Anwar is highly sought after by international companies, educational institutions, governments, corporations, non-profit organizations, and waqf institutions alike.
Dr. Thamina Anwar's professional repertoire extends to the management of numerous IT and consultancy firms in New Zealand, where she served as a director, showcasing her adeptness in leadership and strategic oversight.
Furthermore, she is the author of "Waqf (Endowment): A Vehicle for Islamic Social Entrepreneurship," a distinguished publication released by IBFIM (Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia) in 2017. This seminal work not only reflects her scholarly prowess but also draws from her doctoral studies and research, which played a pivotal role in shaping the Islamic Social Entrepreneurship model.
In addition to her accomplishments, Dr. Anwar is a co-author of "Financing the Development of Old WAQF Properties: Classical Principles and Innovative Practices Around the World," a notable publication by Palgrave Studies in Islamic Banking, Finance, and Economics, USA. Her scholarly endeavors extend to numerous academic papers and presentations at international conferences worldwide.
Dr. Anwar’s academic journey is marked by her attainment of a Doctorate degree (PhD) from UKZN (SA), supplemented by a Masters in Islamic Finance and Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) accreditation from INCEIF, The Global University of Islamic Finance (Malaysia). She also holds an MBA from Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University (UK), specializing in Entrepreneurship and Strategy.
With a solid foundation in engineering from Queen Mary, University of London (UK), and expertise in Communications & Real-time Electronics (Specialization in Satellite Communication) from the University of Bradford (UK), Dr. Anwar possesses a diverse range of qualifications that equip her with a unique perspective and problem-solving prowess. Furthermore, her Post-graduate Diploma in Teaching from the University of Auckland (NZ) enhances her ability to structure curricula and employ effective teaching methodologies.
Dr. Anwar is set to launch her new book, Think Like an Islamic Social Entrepreneur: A Mindset Shift. This practical guide, complete with a workbook, is designed specifically for Islamic social entrepreneurs, offering valuable insights, strategies, and hands-on exercises to inspire and empower their work.
Krissy Gilmore
Kristyan
Rose Gilmore is the managing member of Tobe Free, LLC, a consulting
firm that provides legal, training, and development services to small to
mid-sized businesses looking to scale. She is also Vice President of
Breakthrough Outreach Ministries
,
a family-owned nonprofit focused on economic and criminal justice, and is the founder of the Black Mutual Aid Network.
An attorney from Houston, Texas, Krissy (as she likes to be called) attended the University of Oklahoma (BA, Sociology, ’01), Howard University (Law ’08), and Regent University (MA, Government ’12). Her studies led her to Oxford University, and she is a World Schools debate team mentor. She offers unique insight from her experiences in ministry, law, politics, and education to help others accomplish their goals in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Krissy serves on the board of the Howard Law School Alumni Club of NY , Take Care of Harlem , and is an Apollo Theater Young Patron . An A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr., fellow of the American Arbitration Association , she has a niche for alternative dispute resolution to protect common interests and relationships. Motivated by immovable faith and a passion for culture, Krissy’s scholarship focuses on optimizing self-awareness to increase productivity.
Emily Gollmer
Emily is a virtual assistant and podcast assistant in Madison, WI. She is a part of the Autism Society of South Central WI and has helped plan a yearly adult autism conference the past several years.
Stephen Hinton
Stephen Hinton, BSc is a fellow of the International Association of Advanced materials, a commisioner of the People's commission o n water and drought. He is long-standing board member of the Swedish Sustainable Economy Foundation, (TSSEF.se) an independent research foundation, and former board member of the Swedish Bank JAK.se.
Gorazd Norcic
I am mechanical engineer by education. Got this degree from socialist
Yugoslavia/Slovenia. Have MBA degree from capitalist USA. All my life I
was working – not – in mechanical engineering. In my previous life I
was involved in turn around management, marketing, project management
(mainly software), distributed animation production (last production was
simultaneously running on three continents), etc.
Some years ago I have stepped off the civilisation’s train destined pretty much to oblivion. This decision, besides a lot of headaches, gave me also time to study and understand – hopefully – much better what is going on around me. The question was simple. Finding the answer, not so much.
The question: Is there anything that normal human being as you and me, can do to slow down the civilisation’s train or even change the direction?
The answer is quite surprising and improbable one (I must admit that) from the standpoint of a current Zeitgeist.
It is not if we can do something. It turns out that we are the only one that can.
Kurt Roskopf
Kurt Roskopf is a disability advocate. He also works on Zero Suicide and Anti Human Trafficking. It is through his hosting Ability Fest in South Milwaukee Wisconsin that he met the Milwaukee area Time Exchange. It is through their help that he was able to find out about Mutual Aid Networks. Kurt also helps the Time for All Coordinator Call Project started by TimeBanks.org.
Delonte Wilkins
Delonte Wilkins is A native from Washington D.C. he has been
organizing for years around issues such as displacement due to
gentrification and also the issue of mass incarceration. He is a founder
of LinkUp, an organization focused on building resilient communities through mutual aid reciprocity.
Most of the operations of HUMANs are carried by four workgroups that bring participants together in regular online meetings. You can also see the workgroup meeting times on our HUMAN calendar.
Please feel free to join any one of the workgroups below, and earn HUMAN hours for your participation:
Tech
As a lot of our sharing between local pilot sites happens virtually, across countries and continents, technology plays a big role in our work. This workgroup develops, maintains and operates our tech infrastructure – particularly our open source exchange, knowledge-sharing, organizing, and communications software, our HOME (HomeOstatic Mutual Environment).
Communications
Marketing, wording, outreach, copy-editing, website and education materials… Communicating among our members plus communicating with the rest of the world. Those and much more are the outputs of this workgroup.
Financial
Since our poshterity approach does not work without conventional money, this workgroup take care of funding bids, business planning, crowdfunding etc.
Social/Legal
Governance structures, by-laws, procedures, and the nuts and bolts of how HUMANs work… learning from local MAN pilot sites and sharing our collective knowledge back with them.
Want to help out? Get in touch! Or just show up to the things you see on our calendar.