I know you all have been anxiously waiting for the Los Angeles Microfinance Network (LAMN) to get the ball rolling, and I am happy to report that that time has come!

LAMN will be kicking off 2012 with a bang; we will be recruiting a Leadership Board and holding Monthly Microfinance Mixers from February onwards. We are striving for at least 2 speaker events this year, as well as seeking local opportunities to volunteer and extend our helping hand so to empower the Los Angeles community.

It is important to note that the leadership positions do not carry with them an overwhelming burden. Rather, duties will be delegated and you will be held accountable for your responsibilities. LAMN is rather pliable at the moment, what I mean is that it is a work-in-progress, and what THAT means is that it can be whatever we all have the determination to turn it into. We are seeking the creative ones, the ambitious ones, and of course those with an unwavering passion for Microfinance.

Applications can be found here: LAMN_Leadership_Board_Application or if that does not work, just request one via e-mail to lamicrofinance@gmail.com. The application deadline is Sunday, January 22nd at 11:59 PM. Applications should be submitted to lamicrofinance@gmail.com.

Looking forward to a great new year!

Cheers,

Raheem Parpia

The Los Angeles Microfinance Network (LAMN) is officially jumpstarting itself into action.

LAMN is a resource for all those in the Los Angeles community who are interested in Microfinance. We stand as a volunteer organization that will increasingly provide outlets for those seeking to be involved in microfinance, to learn more about it (from core tenets to current criticisms), to engage the LA community with it, and to raise awareness of it as a tool for empowerment and eradicating poverty.

We will continue to provide regular speaking events and networking mixers so you can all connect with one another and ultimately bring a stronger presence of Microfinance to Southern California.

FOR THOSE WISHING TO BECOME OR REMAIN INVOLVED IN LAMN, PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL TO: lamicrofinance@gmail.com AND KINDLY INCLUDE YOUR NAME, E-MAIL ADDRESS AND ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT YOURSELF, PERHAPS YOUR AFFILIATION (IF ANY) WITH MICROFINANCE.

YOU WILL THEN BE PLACED ON OUR MAILING LIST

There will be a meeting in the coming months, so be on the look-out for the invite!

ACCION’s president & CEO, Michael Schlein, will share our vision for the future of microfinance based on ACCION’s 50-year track record of

HELPING MILLIONS HELP THEMSELVES

THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2011, 6:30 – 9:00 PM
THE BEACH CLUB
201 PALISADES BEACH ROAD, SANTA MONICA, CA 90402
Please RSVP by May 12, 2011
Lindsey Gleason at lgleason@accion.org or
617.625.7080 x1400
Space is limited.

The screening will include an in-depth panel discussion about innovative solutions to today’s financial challenges moderated by CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo featuring Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus with special guests Financial Powerhouse Suze Orman and Kiva.org President Premal Shah. Appearances by Hugh Jackman, Matt Damon, Robert DeNiro and many more.

Pledge to see the film and watch the trailer at:
http://www.facebook.com/tocatchadollar

Tickets are $11.75 and can be purchased at:
http://www.screenvision.com/s/showing/ToCatchADollar/

We’ll be providing free swing dance instruction, great music, the opportunity to meet new people and win fun prizes!

Also, you’ll hear stories of hope from an international guest speaker from Uganda.

Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. Proceeds will go to our microfinance clients.

For more information and to buy tickets go to http://www.opportunity.org/young-ambassadors-for-opportunity/events/spring-swing/

Mar 3rd 2011 | from the Economist print edition

read the rest of the article here:

http://www.economist.com/node/18285952?story_id=18285952

If you’re a microfinance enthusiast, this conference is not to be missed. Microfinance USA provides a unique setting for networking and learning from the industry’s top practitioners, funders, and researchers.
Over two days, you can:

• Attended plenary sessions and panels led by the nation’s leading microfinance voices.
• Experience microfinance first-hand by touring local microenterprises in New York.
• Debate current microfinance topics during small group sessions and networking dinners.
• Network with the leading practitioners and researchers in the U.S. microfinance field.

Topics at this year’s conference include:

• What IS microfinance? – debating and defining our terminology
• Social Entrepreneurship and Microfinance
• Student-Powered Microfinance Institutions: How Does it Work?

To see this year’s agenda and to learn more, visit:www.microfinanceusaconference.org

Spring 2011 Introductory Course on Microfinance

Organized by Alliance Forum Foundation, BRAC University

The ‘Financial Services for the Poor’ Professional Training Programme will be held in Bangladesh from April 22^nd to May 4th 2011. This unique course combines classroom instruction and lectures with observational visits to microfinance institutions (MFI) in the field to provide participants with a holistic understanding of microfinance grounded in the experience of Bangladesh.

The ten day course will be lead by Dr. Syed M. Hashemi, Director of the Development Institute of BRAC University and Senior Microfinance Specialist of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), as well as, leading practitioners and academics from across the field of microfinance. Observational visits will be made to a number of NGOs including BRAC, Grameen Bank, SafeSave, and ASA for participants to better understand microfinance in practice.

The course fee of $2,700 includes tuition, lodging, local transportation to field visits, and course materials. Airfare, visa costs, fuel surcharge, etc. are not included and participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to Bangladesh.

Course participation is limited to around 20 participants. Highly motivated individuals with a strong interest in pursuing a career in international development or microfinance should apply by the February 19^th 2011 deadline.

For further information or to download an application form, please visit: http://www.allianceforum.org/en/mfinfo_en.html