Spam Your Fam

Spam your Fam and Win $1 Million for Microentrepreneurs

April 14th, 2010 by jspaziano in Uncategorized

That’s right, I said it. “Spam your Fam.” Send some emails to your friends and family members who rely on Sam’s Club for their bulk household items and ask that they support a cause you believe in (That would be ACCION USA – we’re in the running for a $1 million grant in Giving Made Simple, hosted by Sam’s Club). Here’s an example of what you could send:

Dear Mom, Dad, Uncle, Friend, Etc,

Maybe you’ve heard me talk about microfinance, and maybe you’ve thought “I wish there was something I could do! Sounds like a worthy cause.” Well now there’s something you can do. It only takes 10 seconds for you to help ACCION USA, a leading US microlender, win $1 million! Just go online and vote for ACCION USA in the Sam’s Club “Giving Made Simple” contest. The one catch – you have to be a Sam’s Club member to vote.

If you’re not a Sam’s Club member, don’t fret! Pass the word along to your friends and family members who are. You can also donate your Facebook profile picture toward the cause.

Oh, I didn’t mention that before? Yes, you can donate your Facebook picture and help spread the word about ACCION USA’s microlending programs as well as the Sam’s Club $1 MM contest.

Every vote counts! The race is tight! Do your part and spread the word today.

Academics and Poverty?

The word Microfinance comes out of my mouth sounding academic sometimes. I throw it in discussions with “social justice, fair trade, and gender equality.” How can a topic so academic-sounding be put into everyday practice?

I have struggled for a while with that question and at times left it on the back burner, and then come back to it at a later date. Poverty is a fact of the world as we know it and exists because of institutions we have put into place, ironically. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Founder of the Grameen Bank and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has devoted his life to poverty-alleviation for more than four decades. Recently, I had a chance to hear Dr. Yunus speak to a crowded sanctuary at Emory’s campus in Atlanta, GA. Filled with brilliant practicality, he spoke of initiatives undertaken by his Grameen Bank to counter the affects of poverty in Bangladesh and the world.

From global collaborations with Dannon Yogurt to make a nutrient-packed meal for malnourished children, to the drawing board of Adidas to create a shoe that could be sold for less than $1, Dr. Yunus described Grameen’s efforts to engage powerful companies in what he called “Social business.” Social business initiatives are run for the purpose of eliminating a social need. Malnutrition and the need for shoes can be addressed by social businesses due to the selfless nature of the initiatives. Earning a profit is not in the agenda, rather solving a social problem.

In the United States, Grameen Bank of America has a branch in Queens, NY as well as Omaha, NE and plans are revolving around a possible San Francisco location. “The need is everywhere,” exclaimed Dr. Yunus, referencing the need for accessible capital and resources in so many places around the world where bigger banks are not able to meet the needs of “credit unworthy” clients. ACCION USA stands in that gap between entrepreneurs and big banks to offer Start-Up and existing business loans, as well as credit-building resources and tools to empower business men and women to achieve their dreams.

You can debate the academic side of microfinance all you’d like, but just be sure to allow microfinance to affect you practically today.