hOur Exchange

  • Become an Ebuddy - offers tech/computer support for those who need help accessing Hour Exchange Portland with a computer. Help manage member accounts & provide individual software training.
  • Kitchen Cabinet - plans a variety of events, including members and non-members.
  • Access to the Arts Coordinator - help develop collaborative connections with local arts venues and securing tickets to galleries, shows, and concerts that members can purchase with time credits.
  • Help Our Timebank We occasionally have administrative and other tasks members could help us out with.

The hOur Exchange Board of Directors meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 5:30 - 7:00 pm by Zoom. hOur Exchange members are welcome to attend. Please notify us via email at if you plan to attend. Board meeting minutes are available upon request.


Stephen V Beckett, PT Stephen V Beckett, PT (President, Treasurer)
Stephen, a Maine resident (47 years) from California will tell you, "I'm just a kid from Orange County and I swear I mean you no harm!" His friends call him a renaissance man. Born and raised a quarter mile from Disneyland explains, "most of what's wrong with me." He's always had a compulsion for doing things his own way, and pretty much always has. Built his own house and homestead up in Central Maine back in the seventies, then started a harness and leather-goods business out of thin air. After twenty years of that he learned the healing arts and “switched to live hide”. Graduated from the University of New England Physical Therapy degree program with honors. One day in 2006 Jennifer Lunden walked into his office and invited the whole suite of practitioners to join the timebank since Health Care was a most provided service. He asked if he could see his statement online, and they said, "No" The rest of that story is here. Today Stephen continues to perform duties as a co-founder of hOurworld.org the umbrella organization that houses over 400 timebanks in 22 countries and 9 languages and maintains a strong interest in preserving hOur Exchange, the birth mother of it all!

Jennifer Lunden Jennifer Lunden (as of July 2023) I've been a member of hOur Exchange since it had a different name and was based in the building on the corner of Congress and Washington. I love everything HXP stands for: that everyone has something to contribute, that everyone's work is of equal value, and that HXP is a way to have community in a nation where that's harder and harder to come by. And I love that I can do what I enjoy to get what I need or want. I was a psychotherapist for 15 years and in that time also formed my own state-licensed agency offering referrals and clinical supervision to other therapists. I'm a self-starter who wants to do what I can to make the world a better place. I'm also a writer. My book American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body's Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life is launching May 9. (Which is why I'm not available to join the board until July.) My book is about how America's distinct form of industrial capitalism impacts our health. Hour Exchange Portland is an antidote to that.

Paul Manoff Paul Manoff
I have been an Hour Exchange member for 26 years and as of 3/11/24, provided 637.5 hours of service and received 621.05 hours of service.

I've lived in the Portland vicinity since 1980, and earned my living primarily as an educator (English teacher at all student levels, plus an adult ESOL instructor and program director) as well as a social service provider for numerous local agencies. Currently, I am blissfully retired in Westbrook but willing to take on new private language students desiring to improve their speaking, reading, and writing skills in English.

In addition to my being a 26-year HX member, I also served for a few years as the Member Leadership Team chair about ten years ago. We made recommendations to the board about how to revise existing or institute new organization policies to benefit the membership. During various successive Boards over the years, I have also attended countless member events, including international dinners and other social events, such as having actively participated in numerous Bizarre Bazaars as both a consumer and cashier.

PattyRenaud PattyRenaud
I have been an hOur Exchange member since about 2012-2013 and have really enjoyed being a part of this community. It has been particularly fun to give the new member orientation where I've met so many members. My career has been in fundraising and events management, mostly for environmental organizations since coming to Maine in 1994. I'm a graduate of the Institute for Civic Leadership and have served on several boards including First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Portland. I love to dance, walk, hike, kayak, and snowshoe. I'm trying to get more comfortable biking and look forward to having more time to read someday.

Julie Sawtell Julie Sawtelle
I was taught from a young age that our purpose on Earth is to help others. My parents led by example, and instilled a strong sense of the importance of community in their children. Throughout my life, I have continued the family tradition by volunteer work with various groups and organizations. I've also been fortunate to be able to explore a wide variety of professional and recreational interests over the years, and I enjoy sharing the skills and knowledge gained through those experiences. I feel honored to have the opportunity to serve on the board of HXP.