Is there interest in a KivaDO2 in 2013 ?

I'd like to push for another Do. I can understand why people are hesitant to do it and they feel let down and perhaps taken for granted. I've been talking to Beth Kuenstler, their VP of Marketing, about concerns. Her mother just passed away, so if you talk to her, please pass along your sympathies. She's looking into something that I think people would like, but I think its important to set expectations.

We are awesome. And passionate. Kiva is awesome and passionate. However, Kiva has to work with/for a lot more people than just us. Take for example the Kiva Insights call. I know that many of us were really disappointed, but most people were happy because they got to hear Premal and Bob is pretty funny, etc. So in order to work with Kiva, we need to understand that our wish is not their command, per se. This is a challenge for all charities, and Kiva is no different in this way. How much access/input do the donors have. I understand that we're not giving to Kiva per se, but its their system we're using to give $25 to some guy to buy another yak.

I'll admit that after January, I had my expectations set really high about our input and impact. And that was partly my fault and partly theirs. But this was the first time either groups had done this, and so I think lessons were learned. At the end of the day, I trust Kiva. When we talked to them, it was clear they had passion and fire and so I know that they want to do the right thing. I'll take that anyday, as opposed to people who don't care. Yes, they screwed the pooch with OM and they clearly have issues with their MFIs in terms of controls. But they're not blind to this and they are working at trying to fix it. There's supposed to be blog post coming out soon explaining the expiries in more technical terms than the usual.

So, I'm in and am down to help organize. Not sure who's taking the helm.

I am still on the fence waiting to see how Kiva deals with concerns brought to its attention.

Amen to that. I think some people need to reset their expectations. And sign me up for another Kiva Do!

Have we squishy-firmed-up a tentative date?

Interested. Subject to being able to fit into my crowded schedule.

I think it is a good sign that Kiva still wants to engage with lenders who want to be engaged.

I'd be interested.

I'm interested, I threw out the dates of MLK and Presdents day weekends a bit ago and think that MLK weekend was preferred. That's about the 18th on a Monday in January, the exact day should be a page or two back.

It's a pretty big deal weekend, on two counts, but probably still OK for a gathering.
NOTE: Inauguration Day, January 20, 2013, falls on a Sunday. Therefore, the next succeeding day selected for the public observance of the inauguration of the President is a legal public holiday for an employee who works in the District of Columbia, Montgomery or Prince George's Counties in Maryland, Arlington or Fairfax Counties in Virginia, or the cities of Alexandria or Fairfax in Virginia, and who is regularly scheduled to perform nonovertime work on Inauguration Day. (See 5 U.S.C. 6103(c).) There is no in-lieu-of holiday for employees who are not regularly scheduled to work on Inauguration Day. In addition, employees for whom January 21, 2013, is the legal public holiday for the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., are not entitled to an in-lieu-of holiday for Inauguration Day if the day selected for the public observance of the inauguration of the President is January 21, 2013.

Here are my thoughts:
1) agree
2) agree, that would be helpful
3) yes
4) makes sense

Also, I highly recommend that a non-refundable registration fee be instituted (maybe like $25-$50) up front as many other DOs charge - due to the logistical nightmare that comes with dealing w/FF's whose plans change when a 'better opportunity' comes along! Also, require payment of other associated fees in advance of the event, so there is more opportunity to sell raffle tkts/fundraise at the event , as opposed to chasing down folks to collect the fees!

I, for one (among others), am not available for MLK w/end (SIN DO!) & also caution that winter mths can potentially have a lot of wx-related issues)! However, I appreciate that for that reason, there may not be as much convention events booked then! At this point, President's w/end would work for me.

There might be another OW Megado in January, though that would very soon after the SMD in November, along with the FTU in Los Angeles, probably in December, and other events in the fall. Lots and lots of things to do, and I hope I don't have to pick one over another.

Very generous offers, Randy!

I can propose this to Premal tonite, if folks like and help you guys line up the likely people to coordinate this event with.

I'm in with cupcakes

Kara's cupcakes...... Thanks.

If I am not on Kiva-strike and off the Kiva and MilePoint bad boy list my schedule is flexible enough that I can assist if there is a need of someone of my ilk.

you mean more than a 15 minute appearance?

I have come down from sitting on the fence.
You can count on me to attend.
Thanks Randy for your generosity.

Milchap will be there.....tondoleo you better be present.

I would spend more than 15 minutes assisting in the planning if that is what you mean.

Yes Sir.

You have a lot to contribute.....and Kiva needs feedback and support.

Saturday 26 January is Australia Day so Monday 28 will be a holiday for me.

Also, flights for a fair chunk of January in and out of Oz are peak season and not the cheapest. When I'm not on my phone and getting ready for work I'll have to look up what date in January the fares drop.

The above link has conventions. I'm willing to take a day or so off. I'm ok with a non-holiday weekend.

I’m not a good one for pre-organizing but my wife and I would be happy to spend a lot of time helping on the ground so that some of the pre-organizers have free time onsite.

I think the key is we need to get a date set ASAP so that everyone can plan accordingly.

Since Ho will be seeing Premal this evening in NYC there should be some feedback as to whether Kiva wants to engage us again. If yes, I am certain Ho will also find out dates that could be available.