Monthly Archives: December 2009

(Community Matters) Dean Lisa Sevron conducts research and writes extensively on microenterprise development organizations (MDO), which are a type of community development finance institution (CDFI).  PeopleFund isn’t a microfinance organization; most domestic microfinance orgs average $9k, with loans up to $30k.  We *are* a microenterprise lender, however.  We focus a bit higher on the food chain, average loans of $70kish, ranging up to $250k.  Most of our borrower’s have some proven cash flow and some collateral, though not enough of either for tradtional bank financing.  Nevertheless, our borrowers pay us back (95%+) and we generate over 70% of our operating budget from earned income.

Lisa talked about the Five Myths of MDOs:

1. We’re done when we make the loan
2. Microbusinesses grow up to be big businesses
3. It’s all about credit
4. US and lesser developed country microlending is the same
5. Success = new business starts

Carol Thompson & Sylvia Stern  (Silverton’s Andy White in the background)

Five Greatest Challenges:

1. Fragmentation
2. Insufficient data
3. Lack of accreditation & regulation
4. Narrow product lines
5. Inconsistent  & unreliable funding streams

PF staff along the wall: Margo Weisz (ED), Barbra Boeta, Eric Scott, Ayleen Perez, Brad White & Tanya Ladha

Lisa’s four recommendations:

1. Restructure the field
2. Innovate
3. Standardize
4. Accreditation & standards

(Community Matters) I’m going to kill them.

I love love love this airline – we rarely travel with anyone else.  We’re both a bit irrationally driven to achieve gold or platinum elite status every year so we’re likely to be upgraded everytime we fly, and we nearly always are.  And, Now . . . a new level of platinum, President’s Platinum Elite.  hmm, an even higher tier with higher priority in upgrades.  Regrettably, this one based on spend rather than miles or segments – $30k minimum in 2010.  Completely conflicts with our even more irrational fun in finding the lowest rates whenever (and almost always) we fly.  I’m NOT even tempted.  I’m not Babe, I promise!

(Community Matters) Dinner tonight for tomorrow’s speaker for PeopleFund’s lecture series, PeopleTalk.  Dean Lisa Servon, Milano The New School.

LaVada Jackson Steed, Margaret Keys, Clare Stuart, Margo Weisz & Carl Stuart

Dean Sorven has come to speak about microfinance, trends, opportunities and challenges.  She’s a long time friend of Margo.  Especially interesting conversation about scalebility, funding trends and  public policy. 

Eric Harslem, Christian, Amanda Chiampi & Dean Servon

F. Gary Valdez, Adrienne & Harietta Neely, Eric Scott & Clare Stuart

(Community Matters) Terrific gathering this evening of many of the Texas Tribune’s major donors at the home of Julie & John Thornton.  Of course Editor & Chief/CEO Evan Smith there and spoke as well, though Julia and kids must have been engaged at homework.  They are beating money raised, unique hits and syndication metrics/goals.

Lots of friends there.  In addtion to our hosts and the CEO, I spent time connecting with Suzanne & Marc Winkelman, Alexa & Blaine Wesner, Amy & Kirk Rudy, Diane Land & Steve Adler, Kevin Lalande, Joe Cunningham, Nona Niland, Ted Whatley, Lisa Owens & Elise Hu.  Though I intended to visit with him, I never got to Richard Garriott’s side of the room.  I did hear he completely mesmerized folks with his stories about space travel.  Interestingly, we were just talking about a couple of these folks as potential TED speakers in Austin this February.

(Community Matters) Kip Keller – funny, just this morning coming back from Starbuck’s and passing 37th St, I was reminded that it’s time for Kip’s famous biscotti.  It’s a major treat of the season, and we’ve even included some as part of our welcoming gifts for the most intimate among guests during new years.  AAS Story

AAS photos

(Community Matters) Not that size matters or anything . . . .

Since moving my blog from Google’s Blogger to WordPress by Google Page Ranking has declined from 4 to 2 and my hits have declined by a third.  Wondering how the change alone could have impacted these statistics.  Maybe combined with the holiday season?  I don’t notice significant change in content but maybe I’m missing something.

(Community Matters) . . . last night at El Sol y la Luna.  I couldn’t stay long but glad I stopped by.  Of course several of the board members already there including Danny Roth, Mark Yzanga, John Michael Cortez, Brigid Shea & Susan Moffat, as well as Ian Davis, Rep. Donna Howard, David Kobierwski, Sean Garretson & Michael Barnes.

(Community Matters) Demo of Google’s live search – especially pulled from Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. Interesting implications . . . .

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Reproductive services for low income women – of course we should provide reproductive services to women who can’t afford them. And, we should be able to show that the tax revenues of those who object are not going toward these costs – just as soon as they help us find a way to ensure my tax dollars aren’t going toward abstinenace only programs or to tax breaks for charitable donations to organizations who oppose equality for all Americans (including LGBT)