Tell us what you want in a Kiva newsletter!

[Guest]

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[Cloudia]

The collection of ideas presented here sounds so wonderful. 

The only thing that I can think of to add (because it'd help me atm) is a little reassuring information, when available, about the causes of some loans falling delinquent or defaulting?  A way of recognising that there might be a temporary problem with a MFI (OI Wedco, for example) and informing the lenders just to hold on a while before worrying... not that there's much more the lenders can really do, but the little bit of understanding helps stop the wondering.

[QueenOfHearts]

Hi Fiona,
So glad that you posted where we could all respond....a simple solution.

I also like the list that Colette gave you.  I think we all are on the same page here.

I would like to see an indepth article on a specific MFI or country.  I also agree that Kiva Staff profiles would be nice.  Upcoming news regarding additional MFI's or countries would be great.  Also information on site updates prior to their suddenly appearing would be great.  News of events that would interest Kiva Lenders such as the Microfinance Meeting here at the Univ. of Pennsylvania would also be helpful.  I also like the idea of a "Dear Fiona" or whoever would be manning the newsletter where lenders can ask specific questions.  And/Or a Suggestion box area.

As far as Kiva Friends go, I would love to have information included about the forum but I fear the line separating Kiva and Kiva Friends would get very fuzzy indeed.  Inclusion of some of our special projects would be great if you can do that and make it clear that we are two separate entities.

Featuring lenders would be great especially group lenders as I think that your "team building" idea feeds right into this area.  And featuring a particular journal or blog from a fellow would be wonderful.  It is very difficult to keep track of them all!!

Monthly I think would be the goal but perhaps quarterly to begin with is more realistic.

Queen

[QueenOfHearts]

- I guess a Hot Women of Kiva pictorial section is out of the question, so let's move on.

Only if there is a corresponding Hot Men of Kiva section for us ladies.....

Queen

[Canadian Here]

Again, Fiona, thank you for requesting input from the eventual user!

I'd like to add that I'd like to see a "Questions and Answers" section, with 'official' responses to questions we've sent in to be addressed. In responding, it would be both helpful and useful for KIVA Staffers to avoid terms which are so vague and imprecise they are rendered meaningless. Two such oft seen and unappreciated examples that come to mind are "soon", and "shortly". Man oh man, are those words frustrating...

Once a month would be a nice frequency but if this is too much to manage, I could live with 10 times per year, too.


I hope this is helpful!

Lorna

[saabnet]

The Wildlife Rescue organization I used to volunteer at (went under in December due to lack of donations during this recession and was absorbed by the SPCA) had a quarterly newsletter which satisfied my wants. It was 4 pages in length. The best part about it was that it was forward looking. It discussed directions the organization was considering pursuing as well as past recent accomplishments. I wouldn't mind a short lender profile too.

-Scott

[dh]

I recently received a very professional, expensively printed four-page newsletter in the mail from FINCA, and immediately accepted their offer to switch to email delivery. Many of the suggestions here assume email format for the newsletter. To some extent this is a marketing decision. Does anyone see advantages for printed delivery, or perhaps a mix of email with an annual printed newsletter?

[cpbailey]

dh,

One way to send a printed material at limited cost, granted it would be limited in quantity, would be along with the Kiva Calendar.  A special newsletter could be sent with a calendar purchase.  The shipping of the Kiva Calendar could also be an end of tax year reminder that Kiva is a charitable option. 

Colette

[Canadian Here]

The collection of ideas presented here sounds so wonderful. 

The only thing that I can think of to add (because it'd help me atm) is a little reassuring information, when available, about the causes of some loans falling delinquent or defaulting?  A way of recognising that there might be a temporary problem with a MFI (OI Wedco, for example) and informing the lenders just to hold on a while before worrying... not that there's much more the lenders can really do, but the little bit of understanding helps stop the wondering.

I'd like to know more about the process...exactly WHAT does KIVA do when an MFI is 'in trouble'? What steps does KIVA take, for example in the recent MIFEX situation? What has been done and why? Why are we promised an announcement will be made "soon" (almost 2 weeks ago) and no 'official' update has yet happened? What is taking so long? We have a right to these answers and a need to know this information. For an organization that prides itself on their transparency and accountability, I'd like to know that KIVA walks the talk.
This material ought to be covered in a newletter.

Thanks!

Lorna

[saabnet]

I'd like to know more about the process...exactly WHAT does KIVA do when an MFI is 'in trouble'? What steps does KIVA take, for example...

How about this for example, recently posted to the Kiva web site.

http://www.kiva.org/about/aboutPartner?id=53

-Scott

[Fiona Ramsey]

All:

Thanks so much for your responses.  We met on Friday and looked at all of the suggestions on this thread to springboard us into our brainstorm.

Much of what we'll do is in line with the majority of requests on this thread.  One point to note is that the mission of the newsletter is to provide more engagement with Kiva, and we'll do our best to provide that through the types of content that you - and other lenders - have expressed you would like.

Topics such as delinquent partners, policies etc. are not appropriate for the newsletter as we are really targeting it for the majority of lenders, and only a minority are affected/aware of many of the issues that KivaFriends discuss.  This doesn't mean they're not important, it just means we're keeping the newsletter geared for the majority of recipients.  I do hear a desire to have more information about these subjects however.  While I can't offer any immediate results, I can tell you that we're talking about the right ways to do this.  I hope to begin to see improvements in this area, but I don't want to make any promises here that I can't guarantee.

Thanks again to everyone who participated in this thread!  I'm not sure how long it will take to get our next newsletter out as we have some technical difficulties and had to change to a new service provider.  But our goal is to get it out as soon as possible, then try to keep to a monthly schedule (adjusting depending on recipient feedback.)  Right now I'm focused on getting a regular schedule up and consistency in content, re-evaluting after a few cycles (maybe 6?) to see where we can improve.

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Fiona