Technology and Communications
Log # 1
By: Xavier Mogollon
At first glance, I thought I knew everything about the GLOBE
Microloan Program. In fact, I had the preconceived notion that this
course was going to be easy and covering topics on poverty,
homeless, and third world countries. Obviously, I was wrong. GLOBE
is a much deeper experience than just talking about poverty. The
main objective is to teach those living in poverty that they can
come out of it with some hard work and determination. Eventually,
GLOBE (like many other microloan programs or social businesses)
encourages those in poverty to open up a business and take out a
small loan without the fear of not paying it back. A little
incentive goes a long way with GLOBE.
Specifically, the teams in the program may seem separate and their
goals intrinsic to the entire group, but all the teams complement
each other in the long run. The Technology and Communications Team
(which I am a member of) is aiming to identify any technological
needs for GLOBE. This includes maintaining and updating the
Program’s web site and social networking pages, as well as
developing videos, photos, and any new media that arises. We also
aim to work hand-in-hand with the Marketing and Fund Raising Team
to bring up new strategies and promote the Program’s fundamental
principles in micro lending. So far, things are running smoothly
and our relationships with other team members are ever growing. Our
main objectives may not even be possible without their
cooperation.
If there is anything that I am impressed with within my group, it
is their motivating attitude and work ethic. Everyone, including
myself, is eager to accomplish team goals and make them a regular
part of our life, despite the amount of work we receive in other
courses or extracurricular activities. We strive to regularly
update the Program’s several social networking sites, maintain a
neat database for all online GLOBE files, and eventually find new
ways to promote GLOBE and its mission. Pacing ourselves would be my
only concern; it may be tough trying to find the time or even the
motivation to complete these goals. We thank the previous
Technology team for helping us and providing the essential tasks to
which we follow (and improve upon) today.
It is truly amazing how both past and present GLOBE team members
can stay connected despite personal obligations to other
activities. This is turning out to be a great family-like
experience.
Marketing and Fund Raising
Log #1
By: Franco Agrusa
Some join GLOBE because they have a true fervor for helping the
poor. Others join because the program’s exclusivity and prestige
within the University. Some even join GLOBE because they see it as
the ultimate resume booster. My personal reason for joining GLOBE
had to do with the fact that I wanted to see something concrete
emerge out of all the theory and concepts that I have been learning
over the past three years at St. John’s University.
While we all have our different and specific reasons for joining,
what’s important is that we will all leave with the same thing.
That is, a real passion for our mission to help alleviate poverty
across the world. It’s a passion that springs up from the massive
amount of time, energy, and dedication that each of us has, and
will continue to bring to the table. I can say these things with
the utmost confidence because they are feelings that have surfaced
already after only a few short weeks in the program. While it’s
undeniable that the feeling of being in GLOBE is something in
itself, I’m already surprised at how connected I feel to the
program as a whole.
Every class I’ve taken thus far has been about getting MY grade and
doing well for MYSELF. It’s a breath of fresh air personally to
already have this feeling of wanting to progress in the program for
the betterment of the unit and not just individual
gratification.
The first few weeks have been basic housekeeping. We’ve been
divided into our teams and established our overall objectives. Like
past classes I’m sure, our objectives are bold but definitely
reachable. As part of the marketing team I’m getting first hand
experience already in so many aspects that concept and textbook
learning just can’t give me. There are aspects of behavior,
fundraising, event marketing, and so much more that are already
showing up in our day-to-day operations. It’s amazing to me how
everything I’ve learned over the years is being forced out of me
out of pure necessity to use the information.
This isn’t meant to be a fluff piece on how amazing the GLOBE
program is, or how it is teaching me new things. More so, it’s
meant to be a statement of my initial feelings towards the GLOBE
program and what it is evoking out of me. So far it has been a
great experience, which definitely puts me in the right state of
mind for the rest of the semester. My group has high ambitions for
our events and we are looking to really make an impact financially,
as well as in regards to awareness. Going into GLOBE I believe you
look at everything from an outsider’s perspective. But even now I
can see how everyone is changing to a more “this is my program”
attitude and it’s great to be a part of it.
Finance and Risk Assessment
Log #1
By: Saachel Parker
GLOBE is a program that embodies knowledge, dedication, and a
heartfelt love for people of poverty. What is unique about GLOBE is
that it is not the typical charitable organization that only
provides funds to the less fortunate it does much more. In addition
to financial assistance GLOBE provides its borrowers with pride,
knowledge, and leadership. How is this done? Simply, by allowing
the people of these circumstances to help themselves fight through
poverty.
GLOBE provides these individuals with a small loan that may help
get their self made business off the ground. Hopefully, with a
thriving business the borrowers are able to ascend into another
class level and repay their loan, which will create an everlasting
cycle to help other individuals just like themselves. I am a firm
believer that people who go through struggles have a higher drive
to succeed because they know where they came from and know where
they want to end up.
Walking into the fall 2011 GLOBE class I was on edge. I was on edge
mainly because I did not know how I should operate or what was
expected of me. My anxiety quickly changed to excitement when Dr.
Sama did the introductory to the course. Immediately she captured
my attention with a video about the possibilities that microloans
can provide for borrowers. My heart just melted, and I am sure that
this feeling was mutual throughout the class. After a couple
heart-wrenching moments we quickly split in to our respective
groups. I was placed in the Finance and Risk Group. I was
completely ecstatic. As a Risk Management student I believe that
this group will best showcase my talents. Throughout my Risk
Management courses I am trained to identify the possible risk,
analyze them, examine, then select the appropriate risk techniques,
implement them and then monitor and revise them when needed.
This knowledge will make me be able to spot factors that I believe
may have negative factors on GLOBE. As the coming weeks progress I
am quite anxious to see how the decisions that the finance team
make will effect GLOBE. With the knowledge of Dr. Sama I am sure
that we will be able to manage the risk and distribute the loans in
the most effective way possible.
GLOBE is the kind of class that I envisioned myself taking.
Parallel to traditional management classes, GLOBE takes a hands on
approach for students to succeed. It allows the student to not only
read about microfinance but also actually operate a microfinance
company that will work with real borrowers.
In my first two weeks of class, an impact has already been made on
my life. I knew that GLOBE was designed for the people of less
fortunate circumstances; to better assess their lives but I never
knew how much of an impact that this class would have on me, the
individuals that are doing the ground work to keep GLOBE
afloat.
Accounting, Program Audits and Enterprise
Development
Log #1
By: Anthony Caruana
Last semester I decided to go to an extra credit event for my
economics class. The event was on April 2 and it was called the
Business Plan Competition Expo. I went to all of
the tables including one all the way at the end of the hall that
said GLOBE. When I learned about the course I was immediately
intrigued. I thought the concept was incredible; a course where you
give out real loans that really could make a difference and learn
about micro finance firsthand. I was also surprised at how
passionate the students were so I decided I would apply to the
class.
On the first day of class I was excited and a little nervous
because I didn’t know what to expect. But after the first class I
was really excited for this semester which I can’t say for any
other class. I am also excited to be in the Accounting group
because my major is accounting. The readings are also very
interesting.
In particular How to Change the World Social Entrepreneurs and
the Power of New Ideas by David Bornstein. In chapter 16 he
speaks about four “practices of innovative organizations.” The
first practice is listening, considered a very important quality by
Bornstein and rightfully so. The second is “pay attention to the
exceptional” the third is real solutions for real people. I found
the third one to be interesting because sometimes people forget why
they are doing something or lose sight of a mission or goal. And
Bornstein’s point is to be realistic and remember this is for real
people who really could use the help. His last point was to focus
on the human qualities.
Banker to the Poor by Muhammad Yunus is also a very
interesting book. In chapter four Muhammad tells us about a visit
to a poor village where he sees firsthand how the people in poverty
are destined to nothing but poverty for them and their kids. He
tells us of a story where he meets a women who borrows 22 cents
from a trader to make a 2 cent profit selling bamboo stools. He is
disturbed by this and is determined to make a difference. He goes
to the bank and asks them to loan the village of 42 people who
borrow less than $27 from traders. He wants to do this so the
villagers can make more profit and live a better life.
The bank did not want to give out the loans to the villagers
because they had no collateral. Muhammad disagreed with the whole
banking system and its concept of collateral. Eventually he got
through to the bank and got the loans only because he put himself
as the guarantor. I found this to be a very interesting and eye
opening story.