Community Matters

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(Community Matters) many thanks

Today, International Human Rights Day, a group of governments and NGOs organized a major panel on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN General Assembly. Activists from Honduras, India, the Philippines, Uganda, and Zambia spoke about both violence and progress in their countries. **And the Vatican delivered a statement that stunned many people in the UN chamber, saying they oppose discriminatory penal legislation against homosexual persons and calling on all States and individuals to respect the rights of all persons. Father Philip Bene, legal attaché to the Holy See’s UN mission, delivered it.

(Community Matters) 

(Community Matters) Woke up this morning to this carnage from (evidently) a raccoon raid of our koi pond.  Michelle was one of the two remaining large koi – Barack had gone missing a couple of months ago.  I am sad.

(Community Matters) Very cool that Councilmember Mike Martinez & Lara and State Rep Eddie Rodriguez & Tash are representing Austin on the Anti-Defamation Leauge tour of Israel for Hispanic leaders.  thanks, guys

(Community Matters) I hope Council will stop this rush to “protect the neighborhoods.“

Many neighborhood activists promoting this do not have the city’s long term development interests in mind; it’s meant to reinforce NIMBYism and preclude changes which would enhance density and new urbanism. It’s also quite elitist.

Mayor Leffingwell and Councilmember Morrison, the citizen’s committees do not represent the broader sentiments of Austinites.  For the most part, those on these advisory bodies are ideological preservationists who wouldn’t have approved MoPac or Loop 360 – nor will they provide for the city’s best long term development interests.

btw, I don’t begrudge these ideological activists – that’s their thing – and they serve long & hard hours as volunteers.  I just don’t think it is in the city’s long term best interests.  Also, I may want a historical designation in the future to save myself half of very high property taxes – who wouldn’t.  Doesn’t mean I should receive this.  I’ve seen really flimsy reason for designation (even supported by staff). That our house was designed by UT’s first dean of architecture and was built to commercial standards by an important Austin merchant . . .

(Community Matters) Wonderful evening last night with some of our oldest and dearest friends – Tana & Joe Christie, Janet Maykus, Mark Smith, Nico Selby, Michael Mitchell, Robert Torian, Milinda Mitchell and Luke Hayes. Cynthia and Libby Perez (Las Manitas sisters) make a mean tamale.  They are total sweethearts and sent me three dozen of their to-die-for pork & olive oil, chicken & olive oil and cheese & poblano homemade/family stock.  A wonderful time had by all before we ship off to parts hither and yonder – though most remassing in Marfa for new years eve.

We missed Steven who’s in Philly

(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