An hour of service earns one credit in the barter system. Participants start with five credits so they can use the services right away. Later that same participant can use the earned credits to receive an impressive variety of services from bike repair to massage therapy to tax preparation. Everyone completes a satisfaction survey after each barter. Credits earned and spent are recorded on a data base.
Members receive periodic reports of their status within the system, much like bank statements.
CBN welcomed its charter members in January 1996. Since its inception, CBN has grown to include 145 members - most of whom live in south Minneapolis. CBN's unique approach has attracted media attention and the program welcomes enthusiastic new participants every month, says Broad, so expansion and improvement are always on the minds of CBN participants. Current projects include creating a CBN web site and promoting youth employment by linking teens to seniors through bartering. Recruiting more members of color has been and remains a top priority.