Soundings (3/3/09)

Posted by Stowe Talbot 
 
 

Flag Salute and Invocation by Shannon Terril

Visiting Rotarians: Ray George, Pam Keisner, Patricia Leach

Guests: Dick Dewaard (Bob Jones' partner),

Announcements

John Sleeth: Please let him know if you are bringing any of your kids next week to the "Positive Identification Program" for children.

Membership committee with Jim McCallum meets after lunch;

Orphalee conducted the vote for the incoming board (nominating committee is Orphalee, Tim and Tonja). Bob Tull motioned for approval of the slate of nominees, Bill Geyer second, unanimously accepted.

Eddie reminded us that that the basketball fellowship event is THIS SATURDAY - 6pm meet in Carver gym.

Tim Krell wants Community Service Committee to come up with some ideas for projects - he will Email the committee members;

 

Bucks in the Bay

  • Curtis Dye recovering from illness, traveled to Portland by train;
  • Wendy Keneipp celebrating the one year anniversary of Room-to-Think, and had a great weekend with her 13 y.o. daughter;
  • Barry Kramer for 31 days on Molokai, a beautiful, slow-paced island;
  • Scott Walker $20 for Foundation, flattered for being elected to head the "World Floor covering Organization";
  • Patti Imhof will be celebrating birthday in Hawaii (Kona);
  • Steve Spitzer was gone in February: London, Miami, then DC for the marine electronics association.  Also daughter' first child due any day!
  • Tim Krell said "Tim Krell Real Estate Law, LLC" is now open for business!
  • Matt Rose for Shannon's fishing derby victory, also tried kiteboarding while in Hawaii with family;
  • Christine Palmerton for troubles with her nephew, BUT her son Miles brought home a glowing letter of recognition from his high school!
  • Zach let everyone know Horizon Bank is still in good shape;
  • Jack Grant says it's great to see some new members;
  • Stan Dyer $63, pleading with everyone to sign up for Invocation and Flag Salute duty!
  • Tonja said Rob and her kids are performing in King Lear next week;
  • Ken Oplinger for missed meetings.

Sergeant at Arms by Ken Oplinger
Patti for birthday in Hawaii, Scot Swanson's black eye was a soccer injury, Zach, Mimi for writing notes are her hand, Steve Spitzer for too long story, today is "square root day" (3/3/09), Barry for tanned legs, March Madness trivia

Program
Micro Lending in Mexico: Bill Gorman introduced Tim's son Patrick McEvoy, who created his own micro lending program.  In 2001, he went to Mexico, met and married a local.  He and his wife became familiar with micro lending there. In 2006 he and his wife started their own company, called Totem Financieros, incorporating there in Mexico.  They wanted to offer lending to people not available through World Vision.

History of microlending: Originated with the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh with loans as small as 65 cents.

Lizabeth is their "credit coordinator" on the ground in Mexico; she finds people (groups of 4 to 16 people usually) to whom she can give a loan.  Each member of the group signs a promissory note.  Totem Financieros, however, will never will enforce the notes if they default. 

Typical loans ($200-$300, term 4-6 months, interest rate 36%) go for:
a) small store;
b) tailor;
c) bakery business.

Lizabeth goes and talks with the customers, makes sure the business model will work, they must have written biz plan, she teaches the group how to monitor the loan.  This goes a long way to ensure loan is repaid.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot