I first met Kyle Schutter over a beer after an event at Nairobi's iHub, where I was attending the launch of a mobile phone based data service. We started chatting during the networking hour after the company's brief information session. Kyle told me he was an entrepreneur, I told him that I invested in entrepreneurs, and we got to talking.
National Volunteer Week is from April 6th-April 12th this year, so this week, we’ve been reading a lot about volunteering and the benefits of volunteering both locally and around the world. But first, we learned a little bit on the story behind National Volunteer Week and its purpose; created as a small program with big hopes by the Points of Light in 1974, National Volunteer Week is now celebrating its 40th anniversary of existence.
This week, I packed up my laptop and worked remotely from my family’s house in Curacao. I set up my work station on our well-worn deck, under the slight shade of a palm branch (only slight shade since I felt I should probably take advantage of all the vitamin D here, since I’ll be back in London soon) and spent about two days reviewing applications for the 2014 Grameen Foundation Fellowships.
In celebration of National Volunteer Week, and to recognize some of our valued volunteers, Bankers without Borders® (BwB) launched a very special offering this week: our brand new “Chat with the CEO” sessions. These quarterly sessions are designed to provide BwB volunteers the opportunity to meet 'face-to-face' with Alex Counts, CEO and President of Grameen Foundation, to discuss their experiences.
In honor of National Volunteer Week, Bankers without Borders is recognizing our Skillanthropists who use their skills and talents to support both domestic and international organizations that are working to lift millions out of poverty. For more volunteer stories like this one, check out our new Five Year Impact Report!
A NEW APPROACH
As part of our ongoing five year anniversary celebration, Bankers without Borders launched the Skillanthropy™ Giveaway Competition, to find and recognize organizations utilizing skill-based volunteerism to make a positive impact in the world.
This week on What We’ve Been Reading, we’re looking at some of the major breakthroughs and effective tools for international development, with a focus on mobile technology and its importance.
Brand Expert - Branding in Action with Trust for the Americas
Start Date: April 15th, 2014
Estimated Hours: Medium Term (101-500 hours)
Region: United States (discussing Latin America and the Caribbean)
Application Deadline: April 4th, 2014
