KIVA - ongoing microfinance loans from our community

[watertrade]

Hi Guys,

Elsewhere on the forums I have discussed an idea that I want to get going - I thought I better get the ball rolling. I have a lot of plants ( by lots I mean I have more than I need and can appreciate) so I'm going to sell them slowly, starting soon and probably on an ongoing basis. With the money raised from sales going to invest into Kiva a microfinancing service that facilitates loans to people who don't have access to the usual banking systems.

think people in remote rural areas with no equity. They use the loans to improve their lives. I.e. buy stock to resell, seeds to sell, education etc. They repay the loans and the money is reinvested to someone else. Over time I hope to keep selling plants greater than the default rate on the loans and build up a decent fund of money that just keeps going around in circle. And then when I eventually get the shits with the internet and internet forums my time here will leave something good behind. ;)

I would like to do it from this plant community (Me and you) why? - I can't 100% say why I would like to do it from this community - it has a lot to do with the nature of how the money is raised - i.e. me selling plants to you and you selling plants to me. Also I feel like I have got a lot out of this community of people - friends, plants, money, humor, freebies and generally by making donations as a community we stand up together and make a statement that

1: we exist! And

2: these are our values. Generally we are all charitable well off 1st world people that don't live from meal to meal*, live in a safe stable country* with a strong economy* and have spare plants* and money to buy plants*.

*Compared to most people living in Sudan for example.

3: I also like the idea that the same plants I have got all the above benefits from can do more for someone else.

I’m not sure exactly how it will run yet but I think it would be most simple if people interested in putting money into kiva either started an account for themselves and make the loan via a ‘Team’ - our team ( we would need a team name)

‘Lending Teams are self-organized groups where members connect with each other and rally around shared lending goals.’ http://www.kiva.org/community

Or If you don’t want to get that involved you give the money to someone who is a member and have faith that they do the right thing and invest the money into the Kiva Account. There are opportunities to exploit this but hopefully transparency, good will and reputation will win over individual greed.

This is just a starting point for discussion so hopefully we can work through the problems - I invite any criticisms and concerns so we can work them out and hopefully get the idea up and running so eventually there is a pool of money out in the world doing good for people that was generated from our little community based around what brings us together. A shared interest in plants and ethnobotanic research.

please excuse the rushed introduction - I'm doing this from work.! ;)

http://www.kiva.org/

[quarterflesh]

love it. best idea ever

[endorfinder]

I will shift my donation from sal of eph seed to kiva from oxfam.

There is the interesting issue though in that this is not a charity in that we are offering a loan where we get a return that we can keep lending right? But who are "we"?

Perhaps a non profit needs to be established? I honestly dont know.

Edit- Sorry yes you touch on this need to read more press post less..

Edited April 19, 2013 by endorfinder

[Foo]

Without being critical. Watertrade is our NGO here. He will recieve the funds and distritube them as he see's fit (among kiva loaners)

Because WT is a top bloke, i dont see this as an issue.

[endorfinder]

I'm more than happy with that if wt is, just didn't want to place burden on him

[SkyWalker]

i reckon this is a good idea, if water trade can handle the burden i see no reason why he wouldn't be in charge, if he did take the money i reckon he would donate it any way, lol, he's a walker not a talker people, i reckon we can all trust a man willing to risk his real identity to show us a video of him and his mates having a stroll through the bush to help someone he doesn't know, just to help us feel better about our donations, obviously work might be a factor for wt, but im sure we can all help in some small way or another, really like this idea, and thanks for sharing it here, with us water trade, we win suckkers, eat that shr****ry and co.

[watertrade]

I'm having second thoughts about it to be honest. Not about the idea but maybe just how it is done. For the sake of simplicity I think all contributors would have to sign up and make their own donation to 'the team' I wouldn't want to be responsible for money given to me in good faith if for example I had to withdraw the money to feed my own family sometime down the track.

It would be easier if the money raised by me remains my money and I loan it out in the team name. If however, the amount raised on sales is influenced by me advertising the money is to be used for kiva, I would have to put it in my own small print that the money may be withdrawn from kiva

The easiest thing I think would be for me to just start and invite others to contribute where they wanted.

[Torsten]

I have a kiva account and have seen team accounts. Not sure how they are administered, but obviously others have the same issues we are facing in terms of where the money goes once it is repaid and people have forgotten about it. I am happy to support this effort, but I think one person will still need to take on the responsibility. Can you give us more advice on how the kiva team thing works?

[Torsten]

got curious. so basically everyone joins up individually and then we organise our donations to support agreed causes. So how about you start a team WT and then post here and we join you?

1. How do Lending Teams work?:
   Members of Kiva Lending Teams continue lending as individuals, but they have the option to count each loan they make towards the overall impact of one of their teams.
2. How do I create a lending team?:
   
   
   Step 1: Log into your Kiva account and click "Community"
   
   
   Step 2: Click the "Start a New Team" button on the top left side of the page.
   
   
   Step 3: You'll be taken to the "Edit Team" screen. First, choose a name for your team and enter it in the "Team Name" field. Then, click the drop down box next to "Category" and select the category that you think best fits your team. If you would like to upload a photo, click the "Browse" button and locate the photo on your computer. Click "Open" to upload the photo. Complete the rest of the required fields and indicate whether or not you'd like the team to be open to all Kiva lenders, or if it should be closed -- and members can only be added by your approval. When you're finished, click "Save Team".
   
   
   Step 4: You'll be given the chance to recruit team members on the next page, or you can continue without inviting by clicking "Skip this
   
   Step". Once you're finished with this
   
   Step, you'll be taken to your Lending Team's page.
3. How do I add loans to my lending team?:
   Whenever you lend, you have the opportunity to count that loan toward one of your lending teams. You can count a loan toward a lending team of your choosing by following these
   
   Steps:
   
   
   
   Step 1: Click on the "Lend" button at the top of the Kiva home page. You will automatically be taken to the entrepreneurs in need.
   
   
   Step 2: When you find an entrepreneur that you would like to fund either click "Lend $25" to quickly lend $25, or click the name of the entrepreneur and then select the amount you would like to fund from the drop down box and click "Lend".
   
   
   Step 3: Add additional loans to your basket or click "Loan Added! Checkout."
   
   
   Step 4: You'll be taken to your basket where you can select what lending team your loans should count towards. Beneath the "Count Towards Team" column, you'll see a drop down box with your favorite lending team's name listed. Click that box and select the lending team you wish the loan to count towards. If you want to change the amount you wish to lend, select the amount in the drop down menu. When you're finished, click "Continue."
   
   
   Step 5: Choose a password to create an account, or log into your Kiva account.
   
   
   Step 6: Make an optional donation to Kiva's operational expenses or click "No Thanks."
   
   
   Step 7: You will be automatically transferred to PayPal to pay for the loan through PayPal's secure website.
4. How do I join a lending team?:
   You can join a public lending team by following these
   
   Steps:
   
   
   
   Step 1: Go to http://www.kiva.org and click "Community".
   
   
   Step 2: Enter your search criteria in the field next to "Search for a lending team" and click "Search".
   
   
   Step 3: You'll see a list of teams that best match your search. If the team you're interested in is open to all Kiva lenders, click "Join Team" to join. If the team is locked, click "Request to Join".
   
   
   Step 4: Log in to or create a Kiva account.

[watertrade]

Ok, thanks for the advice. I will set up a team next week and start auctioning a few things off. I will post all the details here of the team and get things going.

As individual borrowers we can all pic our individual causes which tallys towards a team effort. My personal interests are agriculture, education, youth and community development projects.

We do need a team name and a general description. Which I will draft up and get your thoughts. Any and all suggestions welcome.

Cheers

[Scarecrow]

I'm watching this thread, if you need encouragement. Once it's figured out how this is gonna work I'll happily donate a bit of money

[LokStok]

^same

[Torsten]

one way to run the donation auctions could be to not actually have any money change hands. the winner simply does a kiva deposit AFTER the auction win and emails you the kiva receipt to get the goodies [or maybe the donations within a team are visible to each team member?] I'd be happy to put a few items up for aution this way too as it dispenses with the hassle of collecting the money.

[Foo]

Likeing the team idea. Keen to see how it turns out

[watertrade]

Ok, I need some help brainstorming the title or the team description of who we are.I just knocked this up quick. I invite all recommendations and criticisms.

Title: ethnobotanic concerns !?!/ ethnobotanists !?!

Description:

We are a loosly affiliated group of people who come from a diverse range of backgrounds. our common passion is the regocnition that humans have evolved alongside plants to reach the our current state and that we could not have done so without them. Whether for food, medicine, shelter, spiritual growth or aesthetics. We cherish the continued roles these plants play in our life's and defend our right to continue this relationship. Loans made from this kiva group are all made with the funds from selling and sharing plants, further extending the good these plants have brought to human existence. In this case helping people less fortunate than ourselves.

Once we have it sorted I will register the team and start some money flowing into it. I will be the captain to start off with just to oversea everything in running as we hope.

Edited May 1, 2013 by watertrade

[Torsten]

not sure if the funds HAVE to come from selling plants. it's anice feature, but you wouldn't want to deny someone donating out fo their own pocket.

I like 'ethnobotanists'. That could grow into a nice big group if it is open to anyone.

[Scarecrow]

I'm happy to proofread and clarify a description once you've figured out what you're gonna put there. Proofreading is one of my jobs

[watertrade]

Scarecrow - could you read through this and make any changes where you think it needs it . I think the words 'our current state' is a bit confusing - by this I mean the current state of humanity on an evolutionary scale. I think this could be made more clear by someone more fluent than me.

Title: Ethnobotanists

Description:

We are a loosely affiliated group of people who come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our common passion is the recognition that humans have evolved alongside plants to reach our current state and that we could not have done so without them, whether for food, medicine, shelter, spiritual and cultural development or just aesthetics. We cherish the continued roles these plants play in our lives and defend our right to continue this relationship.

Lenders from this team acknowledge the positive relationships they have with plants and make loans to help improve the lives of people less fortunate than ourselves. Although not done so exclusively, a significant proportion of the funds raised are from selling and sharing plants, further extending the good these plants have brought to human existence.

[Scarecrow]

Sure thing.

We are a loosely affiliated group of people who come from a diverse range of backgrounds. Our common passion is the recognition that humans, as a species, have evolved alongside plants to get where we are today, and that we could not have done so without them (whether it be for food, medicine, spiritual or cultural development, shelter, or even just aesthetics). We cherish the ongoing roles these plants play in our lives, and defend our right to continue and nurture this relationship.

Lenders from this team make loans with the goal of improving the lives of people less fortunate than themselves. A significant portion of the funds raised for these loans come from selling, trading, and sharing plants, with the vision of further extending the growth these plants have brought to human existence.

I've just added some punctuation, rearranged a few sentences, reworded a few bits and made a few parts a little more concise. I got rid of the "acknowledge the positive relationships they have with plants" bit in paragraph 2 because that's already implied in the first paragraph.

[watertrade]

I've just added some punctuation, rearranged a few sentences, reworded a few bits and made a few parts a little more concise. I got rid of the "acknowledge the positive relationships they have with plants" bit in paragraph 2 because that's already implied in the first paragraph.

thanks. I'm not very good at speaking the English.

[watertrade]

I will try and get some plants out tonight to auction.

For each new person that I invite and who signs up , we both receive $25 that can be loaned ( until the promotional funds run out)

if you would like to get a kiva account ( and the $25 credit to loan) send me a PM with your email and I will invite you.

http://www.kiva.org/invitedto/ethnobotanists/by/james45556706

[watertrade]

we also need a picture to represent our team.

[Foo]

Heres a good one.

http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=35548&p=421921

[Scarecrow]

Heres a good one.

http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=35548&p=421921

i choked on my sandwich

[watertrade]

Ok, it has been a slow start but there a few loans now registered. I will keep adding more auctions and more money until its a decent pool if money coming in and going out. Which will probably take about 12 months given the repayment resheduals.