Welcome to the University of Pennsylvania's Microfinance Club
Fall 2009 - Spring 2010 Teams
The following are the Penn Microfinance Club's planned projects for 2009-2010. Some of these are new this year, and others have been done in the past. The projects vary in commitment (the new ones will be more of a commitment), especially depending on how much time you are willing to put in. However, generally the projects are most rewarding when you invest yourself in them, so we suggest that you sign up for one or two – quality over quantity.
If you did not attend the introductory meetings and did not sign up for a project team, please email which project you would like to sign up for by Monday September 21st to Vincent at vincelee@wharton.upenn.edu. The project teams will begin to meet the week of September 28th.
If you have any of your own ideas for projects or events at any point throughout the year, please share them with us and we will do our best to make it happen! In the innovative spirit of microfinance, we are always looking for new ideas.
Direct any questions to vincelee@wharton.upenn.edu.
View our powerpoint at our intro meetings: click here
Bali Initiative
1. Introduction
1. This is will be our third year going to Bali, so we understand the environment
2. Trip scheduled for Mid-May until Early June (~2 weeks)
3. We are looking for mature, dedicated students from any background (the more diverse the better) and experience is not necessary!!
2. Who we’re helping
1. WKP: the 3rd largest Microfinance Institute in Bali serving over 300,000 clients .
2. THK: works on sustainable environmental projects and helps the impoverished people of Bali through different projects.
3. Goals
1. Help WKP become more sustainable and refine the products provided to their clients
2. Help THK how to best manage and foster their growth by helping them determine their most successful projects
Ghana Initiative
1. Partnering with Village Exchange Ghana (VEG)
1. Very close relationship with the Director
2. What I did there:
1. Loan Assessments
2. Traveled to rural areas to spread knowledge on microfinance
3. Consulted on how to reach sustainability
4. Integrated myself into the Ghanaian culture and interacted with locals
3. Teams
1. Finance Team
2. Fundraising Team
3. Research Team
4. Goals
1. Complete business plan for VEG
2. Raise lots and lots of money
Travel to Ghana over the summer and implement what we’ve worked on
Bangladesh Initiative
1. Introduction
1. Birthplace of microfinance, Grameen Bank and Muhammad Yunus
2. Trip scheduled for Mid-May until Early June (~2 weeks)
3. 10-15 members (Leadership positions available)
4. Looking for dedicated, passionate individuals with an interest to learn more about microfinance
5. Every member will be held accountable, this is your trip, your voice will be heard
2. Objective
1. Work with MFIs and make real, tangible impact
2. Utilize business skills to create value
3. Experience microfinance first-hand by going on village visits, interacting with clients, etc
3. Positions
1. Logistics Chair (1), Fundraising Chairs (2), Research Chairs (2)
2. Applications for leadership positions available by middle of September
1. For more information contact Vivian Chen: vivian.m.chen@gmail.com
China Initiative
PlaNet Finance China
1. During the semesters, the team will help local NGO MFIs in China with:
1. Business Plan Development
2. Financial Statement
2. Over the summer, it is possible for the team to visit the local NGO MFI:
1. Accounting Training
2. Other small projects
3. Business plan and financial statement could be used by PlaNet Finance China or the MFI to garner assistance and funding internationally
4. Training will be provided by PlaNet Finance China
5. Skills learnt could be helpful for a career in banking and some other fields
6. Some knowledge of accounting will be helpful
7. Roughly 50% of the team should be proficient in Chinese
Wokai
1. During the semesters, the team will help with Wokai in publicity and marketing efforts
2. The team will have flexibility in shaping what the project entails during the semester and over the summer
3. Knowledge of Chinese is not required
CZWSDA
1. During the semesters, the team will help with translation work
2. Possible to have small community service project in the summer
3. Proficient written and spoken Chinese is required
Please indicate your order of organization preference during sign-up.
For more information contact Jacky Chau: yuenkit@sas.upenn.edu
Latin America Initiative
1. Overview
1. An exciting new opportunity!
2. Why Latin America?
3. Potential 2 week trip (mid/end of may or june)
2. Who should join the team?
1. About 15 members (leadership positions)
2. Guidance given, but individual direction too (projects, individual time)
3. Knowledge of Spanish preferred (all levels welcomed), but not requirement
4. Passion for microfinance, innovation, and research
3. Objective
1. To start a new partnernship with an MFI in Latin America
2. To determine what constitutes a “good” MFI
3. To successfully start a project and determine/meet client’s needs
4. To see microfinance “in action” & the workings on a MFI on the ground
4. Deadline
1. Applications for general members & leadership positions (available mid September)
2. For more information contact: Cindy Berman (cberman@sas.upenn.edu) or Anandi Malik (anandim@sas.upenn.edu)
JP Morgan Good Venture Competition
"NAME THE CAUSE. MAKE THE CASE. WIN THE CASH." Want to gain more experience in social impact and microfinance? Join the JPMorgan Good Venture Competition. A group of undergraduates' students will have the chance to present their investment idea to a panel of JPMorgan high executives in New York. If the project is accepted JPMorgan will provide 25,000 dollars of investment funding directly to the chosen cause.
Conference Team
The Microfinance Club's Conference team aims to bring together individuals to explore the multi-faceted nature of microfinance as well as the striking innovation that has driven and continues to drive the field today. In past years, the Conference has attracted over 30 speakers and 400 attendees. Among these has been Alex Counts (CEO, Grameen Foundation), Patrick Byrne (Chairman and CEO, Overstock.com), Matthew Flannery (Co-Founder and CEO, Kiva), and Rupert Scofield (Executive Director of FINCA) among others. This year we hope to draw from our experiences from past years and our vast relationship network to bring the Third Annual Microfinance Conference to Penn. We're trying to build a team of around 10 students to make this year's conference even more successful. Duties for team members are varied, but include procuring sponsorship, networking with speakers, and marketing the conference at Penn and across the industry.
Microfinance Student Network
- Participate in building an undergraduate microfinance student network to connect with students at other schools interested in microfinance
- The network will allow students to share ideas on club activities, contacts, and internship opportunities
- While the base for the website is built, we need students to develop the content and site features (blog, profiles, resources etc), connect with other schools to market the site and to contact outside microfinance organizations to develop an internship listing.