The Spring Loan Officer Certification and Orientation (LOCO) program will be held on Saturday, February 6th in UNC’s Murphey Hall Rm. 302.

The training will last from 12pm-4pm, including a short break in the middle.
During the certification program, we will cover:

INTRODUCTION

—What is microfinance? In theory and in practice?

—The similarities and differences between international and domestic microfinance

—How is CEF different?

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

—Basic Operations of the Loan Program
—Basic Operations of the Savings Programs

SUPPORTIVE SKILLS

—Basic social work practice
—Basic accounting (CEF style)
—Outreach techniques
—Problems that you may encounter

NUTS AND BOLTS OF CEF

—Application process
—Loan Officer Protocol (i.e. Transportation, Confidentiality and Safety)
—Forms and Filing

Training will incorporate case studies of CEF borrowers and past Loan Officer experiences, with scenarios structured to help you best prepare for the uniquely challenging opportunities ahead of you!

Please RSVP to Maggie at maggiemwest@gmail.com

Join the Community Empowerment Fund!
Interest Meeting Monday, January 18th at 6:00pm in the Campus Y

The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is a local, student-run microfinance initiative that offers small loans, savings opportunities, financial education and assertive support to individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness in Orange County.

Be a CEF Loan Officer, or join one of our active committees: Outreach, Resource Development, Fundraising, and Education.

Join this semester to:

* create and launch two new programs: Safe Savings and Micro-Development Accounts
* be a CEF Loan Officer and build mentoring relationships with program participants
* increase outreach within immigrant communities
* plan for the pilot launch of CEF-Durham
* gain first-hand experience in banking, lending, and savings management
* empower men, women, and youth in our community to actualize their desired quality of life

New members are always welcome! We especially hope to see you at our first meeting of the spring semester, to be held on Monday, January 18 at 6:00pm in the Campus Y. Please email us at thecef@gmail.com with questions or for more information!

Summer 2010 Internship Opportunity in Local Microfinance:

Applications due January 14

The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is a local microfinance initiative based in Chapel Hill, NC that offers small loans, savings opportunities, financial education, and assertive support to individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. The opportunities for employment, self-employment, and greater housing that CEF advances motivate participants to build personal assets, gain higher income, and engage in a healthy community.

CEF is currently seeking Duke students interested in being a part of the program’s pilot launch of a micro-loan program in Durham during the summer of 2010.

Student interns will have the opportunity to:

• —Deepen knowledge of public policy, economics, business, sociology, social work, and community development
• —Research the applicability of microfinance to the specific needs of the Durham community
• —Build mentoring relationships with program participants
• —Learn alongside community partners and program participants, on topics ranging from criminal justice to affordable housing to asset inequality
• —Develop skills in nonprofit management
• —Gain first-hand experience in banking, lending, and savings management
• —Extend opportunities to individuals traditionally marginalized from financial services

To apply:

– Contact thecef@gmail.com or call (919) 270-5730 for details.

– Visit the DukeEngage website for an application.

– Funding applications due by midnight on January 14th.

For more information on the Community Empowerment Fund and our programs, please visit our website at http://www.communityempowermentfund.org.

Contact thecef@gmail.com with questions or for more information.

Just a couple of quick reminders:

1. Interest Meetings – We have our second round of interest meetings tonight (Wednesday) at 6pm in the Business School, Room 3000 and Thursday at 6pm in the Campus Y. If you missed the first one, then these meetings would be a great time to hear about all the different ways to get involved with CEF this year.

2. Loan Officer Certification and Orientation (LOCO) #1 – The first session of the Loan Officer Certification Program is THIS SUNDAY from 1pm-3pm in Dey Room 305! If you are interested in being a loan officer, this certification is required.

**Snacks provided!

**LOCO is not just for loan officers! All volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend. This Sunday’s session will cover:
1. What is microfinance?
2. The similarities and differences between international and domestic microfinance
3. Definition of CEF’s target populations
4. The role of the Loan Officer

3. Leadership Positions Available – Interested in getting really super involved in CEF? Apply for a leadership position! We are currently accepting applications for the following roles:
1. Fundraising Committee Chair
2. Outreach Committee Chair
3. Public Relations Coordinator
4. Secretary
— Please just send in a couple paragraphs detailing why you are interested in the position and what your goals would be in that position. You may also include a resume, or something similar to a resume, simply detailing relevant experiences.
— If you have questions about the duties and responsibilities of these roles, please email us at thecef@gmail.com
— ALL APPLICATIONS DUE BY 12PM (NOON) THIS SUNDAY, SEPT. 13TH

4. Regular CEF Meeting – Our weekly meeting will continue to be held every Sunday at 6pm in the Campus Y.

Thanks everyone, if you have any questions about anything at all, please feel free to email us at thecef@gmail.com. Hope you’re all well and to see you soon.

Happy Thursday,

The CEF Team

thecef@gmail.com