Helen LaKelly Hunt is founder and president of The Sister Fund, a private women’s fund dedicated to the social, political, economic, and spiritual empowerment of women and girls. Helen has helped to found a number of other women’s funding institutions, including the Dallas Women’s Foundation, the New York Women’s Foundation and the National Network of Women’s Funds (now Women’s Funding Network), and Women Moving Millions. Helen has served on the Boards of Directors of the Ms. Foundation for Women, Women and Foundations, and the New York City Women’s Agenda.

Tickets: $65.00
Students: $25.00

To purchase a ticket visit: http://ffwluncheon.eventbrite.com/  

For more information about the Foundation for Women, please visit www.foundationforwomen.org

For more information about the luncheon, please contact Cory at 858-483-0400.

To learn about and see first-hand a community of people who have turned an idea into action, please attend the upcoming event. The Microenterprise Marketplace Bazaar will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. The event encompasses hand-made jewelry, clothes, arts, and crafts as well as delicious food. Your provided support, whether it be purchasing their products, dedicating your time, and/or recognizing these aspiring individuals helps the production of their microfinance business and home. If you are unable to attend this day, lucky for you the Microenterprise Marketplace Bazaar is held on the 14^th of each month!

Please come and check out the work of this empowering community! Enjoy the homemade tamales, papusas, tacos, and fruit salads while you chat and learn about their stories. Do not forget to obtain their contact information and location. Most and foremost, be a part in the movement of providing people the tools to help make their dreams into a reality. As we all strive to do our part in the world, remember: “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” ~Sarah Ban Breathnach

To provide your support by attending, the location is: Heartland Masonic Center 695 Ballantyne Street El Cajon, CA 92021. For more information about the event, please visit http://sdmicrofinance.org/ and click on “Local Event Tab”. Also, we invite you to take the time to explore other ways you can support the anti-poverty movement by visiting the SDMFA website.

We look forward to seeing you there!

By Celina Gonzalez

Now more than ever, in the microfinance industry,  transparency and objective evaluation is needed to rise above criticism and offer stakeholders a realistic perspective on the risk and returns related to microfinance investment. Chuck Waterfield, founder of MFTransparency, and Sebastian von Stauffenberg, CEO of MicroRate, will host a webinar focusing specifically on the role of investors in helping to facilitate transparent pricing and on how investors can benefit from a market where MFI pricing is transparent.

The webinar will take place on July 20th from 4:00 – 5:30p.m. If you are interested in participating in the webinar, please click here to register or to attain further information about the webinar and its presenters.

About Chuck Waterfield

Chuck Waterfield founded MFTransparency in 2008 in order to facilitate transparent financial pricing among MFIs all over the world. Chuck will focus on the role of investors in helping to facilitate transparent pricing and on how investors can benefit from a market where MFI pricing is transparent. Chuck will also speak about the role of transparent pricing in responsible investment.

About Sebastian von Stauffenberg
n 1997, MicroRate was founded as the first rating agency to specialize in microfinance.  It’s goal is to increase transparency as a means of facilitating an increase of informed investment into microfinance. MicroR

ate evaluates areas such as governance, portfolio quality, management and operations, financial and social performance in both microfinance institutions as well as microfinance investment vehicles. MicroRate evaluations help investors measure risks and returns on their investments in microfinance. Sebastian von Stauffenberg, CEO of MicroRate and former General Manager of its Latin American operations will speak about the landscape of microfinance evaluation, addressing trends and as well as other observations from his participation in industry initiatives such as the Smart Campaign certification committee and Social Performance Taskforce.

ACCION San Diego
Part-Time Marketing and Resource Manager
20-25 Hours per Week
Job Description

About ACCION San Diego

ACCION San Diego is a non-profit organization that creates economic opportunity for start-up and existing entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional credit.  The organization’s mission is to increase income and job stability for primarily low-to-moderate income self employed men and women by providing business support and loans ranging from $300 to $35,000.

Position Summary:

The Part-Time Marketing & Resource Manager will work closely with the Executive Director and Lending Team to implement strategic ways to improve resources for ACCION and its client base, ultimately increasing overall sustainability for the organization and for the business owners it serves. Furthermore, this position is responsible working with the team to spread awareness of ACCION to prospective clients in the surrounding San Diego area through innovative marketing efforts, ACCION workshops and other community business events. This individual will also manage the small volunteer program and a marketing intern.

Responsibilities:

• Continually seek innovative and fresh marketing, campaigns and events to participate in for the expansion efforts of ACCION and to increase organizational awareness
• Create and distribute monthly newsletter and all promotional email marketing campaigns through email marketing system, Constant Contact
• Update ACCION blog, highlighting community resources, microfinance news, and small business training opportunities
• Manage social media activities using various platforms, including Facebook and Twitter
• Coordinate, plan, and execute event logistics in conjunction with the Loan Program Coordinator for educational workshops and training opportunities for active ACCION clients and small business owners from the community
• Write press releases and conduct public relations efforts with the Executive Director/PR Firm for the organization
• Work with the ACCION Network for marketing and branding initiatives
• Interview clients to track statistics and report impact of ACCION San Diego’s program, while monitoring overall strategic impact tracking system
• Work with Lending Team to identify clients who need technical assistance
• Update ACCION’s website with volunteer opportunities, events and other needed updates
• Research new opportunities for volunteer program to engage and coordinate projects for approximately 5-10 volunteers
• Supervise a marketing intern to help with above communications efforts
• Assist Executive Director and Director of Lending with strategic community partnerships and special projects

Recommended Qualification, Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2 years experience in a business or nonprofit environment or related educational experience
• Strong knowledge and/or education/experience in  marketing, public relations, and branding
• Exceptional and demonstrated communication skills, written and verbal
• Exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness needed
• Event coordination experience a plus
• Demonstrated experience using social media platforms, specifically Facebook and Twitter
• Effective leadership and team building skills required
• Able to effectively complete multiple tasks, priorities, deadlines and responsibilities
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively with staff, volunteers and clients in a culturally diverse environment
• Spanish language skills a plus

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in an office setting with a moderate noise level.

To Apply: Please submit resume and cover letter to eschott@accionsandiego.org

San Diego is the refugee resettlement capital of the world, offering more refugee families and individuals a safe haven and a chance to rebuild their lives than any other area of similar size around the globe.

1:00 pm: Welcome by Ralph Achenbach, Chairperson, San Diego Refugee Forum, Andrew Walsh, United States Association for UNHCR, and Bob Montgomery,
Executive Director, International Rescue Committee (IRC) San Diego.

4:00pm: Fady Hadid, award-winning filmmaker

Dana Dakin and Pokuase Program Director Gertrude Ankrah

Women’s Empowerment is pleased to announce that Dana Dakin, founder of WomensTrust, our new partnership microfinance bank in Ghana, will speak at our annual meeting Sunday, June 5.

At age 60, Dana, a former investment consultant from New Hampshire, founded WomensTrust (WT) with the goal of uplifting African women, their families and communities out of poverty. She created a microfinance bank that goes beyond loans in rural Ghana to address the root causes of poverty – lack of capital, lack of educational options and lack of basic preventive health care. Her economic model focuses on listening to women borrowers and delivering the services that make the most difference to them.

Join us to hear about the inspirational work of this bold woman, the women entrepreneurs in Ghana, and how WE will work with WT to provide funds for this important work.

This event is free and open to the public!

What: Women’s Empowerment International Annual Meeting

When: Sunday, June 5th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Women’s Empowerment is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that partners with nonprofit banks for the poor to provide microfinance loans and business services to women in poverty.
www.womenempowerment.org

Please visit La Dolce Vita, the Wellness Center at:

1445 Skyline Drive, Lemon Grove CA 91945

(858) 523-8064

La Dolce Vita

For more information about the Foundation for Women visit  THEIR WEBSITE

Edited by Justine Darling, USD Graduate Student

One of the many programs that VIA International has been instrumental in developing for communities is a special initiative called the Family Financial Security Program.  More than 700 loans have been made for small-business ventures and home improvements in San Diego and across the border. This impactful enterprise encourages loans for the sale of homemade items, resale of items in community markets, and loans for family emergencies and home improvement. In only 6 years, 741 loans totaling $289,914 were disbursed to individual families and women’s groups. These loans generated $43,211 in interest making it possible to fund even more entrepreneurial ideas and covering up to 20% of the operating costs of the program. Almost 100% of loans have been repaid with interest through this initiative.

To find out more about this incredibly successful model of community based microloans go to  their website.

Currently three graduate students are supporting the program to develop a growth strategy to encourage more participation and move the program further toward financial self-sufficiency.To get involved contact: Elisa Sabatini at jrumi@mac.com

VIA International Events coming up:

Clinton Global Initiative (panel on border poverty): April 2, 2011

San Diego Micro Finance Alliance Summit (panel on international microcredit): April 28, 2011

Edited by Justine Darling, USD Student

Each year there are people around the world who celebrate International Women’s Day. This tradition actually had its beginnings in the early 1900’s, but March 19^th 1911 is often cited as the first International Women’s Day. This first celebration was the result of a decision made by 100 women from 17 countries at the International Conference of Working Women in 1910. Since then this event has grown in importance and impact. In some countries, it is even a national holiday!

This year on March 6^th from 2-4pm at the Great Hall, on UCSD’s campus, the event will feature local women and the organizations that support them. Each of the four sponsoring organizations provides invaluable support to the women and communities they serve. Participants at this event can meet microfinance loan recipients, learn about the benefits of microfinance and even learn how to cook some of their delicious recipes!

Check Out The Press Release

To learn more about the four event sponsors, please check out the links to their websites below:

http://womenempowerment.org

http://ihouse.ucsd.edu/

http://women.ucsd.edu/

http://ucsdepteam.webs.com/

http://unasd.org/

For even more information about International Women’s Day, check out:

http://www.internationalwomensday.com

Until next time, take care!

Edited by Daniel Valcazar II, USD Student

The event will be On Friday, January 14 and will include a panel of alums and leaders of local organizations doing international development work. Also, if you RSVP by tomorrow (Wednesday, January 12th) the event will include a free lunch!

The panel of speakers will feature three San Diego-based organizations involved in international development work: Plant with Purpose, Edify (formerly Eduleap), and Lazarian World Homes.

Here follows a brief description of the powerful work these organizations do:

Plant With Purpose helps the poor restore productivity to their land to create economic opportunity out of environmental restoration.

Edify provides microfinance loans to low-cost, sustainable Christian Schools in Ghana and the Dominican Republic, thereby helping to improve impoverished children morally, spiritually and intellectually.

The mission of Lazarian World Homes (LWH) is simply to provide eco-friendly, affordable, strong, safe shelter for the world’s needy.

The event is free, however, an RSVP is needed so they can plan accordingly. We hope to see you there!

Friday, January 14, 2011, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Fermanian School of Business Plaza and Conference Center

Please RSVP by clicking here

Questions? Email Centerid@pointloma.edu or call 619-849-2792