Monday, June 2nd, 2008
Small Change. Big Change.
According to the MicroPlace Small Change Big Change site, the piggy bank pictured below holds about $100 in small change and that is about what it takes for a poor person to start a business and work his/her way out of poverty.
Today, MicroPlace launched a new “Small change. Big change.” program designed at getting more Americans to invest in social development projects. I’ve taken a couple of hits in recent weeks about writing about socially responsible endeavors but a) I don’t really listen to the detractors on that particular issue because I’m a big believer in good works and b) I am genuinely drawn to this initiative because it takes exactly that to participate; initiative. Initiative on the part of the investor and, more importantly, initiative on the part of the recipient. There are a large number of programs aimed at funding micro loans but this is one of the first to use the Internet to draw small investors to the task.
“If you are like most people, your nickels and quarters go unnoticed and collect dust in a jar or pot. We have launched the “Small change. Big change.” campaign as a way for people to take that small change and make big change by addressing global poverty,” said Tracey Turner, founder and general manager of MicroPlace. “Imagine the impact you can make in the lives of hardworking poor people around the world, just by using your small change.”
Investors can track their impact and the impact of their friends on the campaign website, www.smallchange-bigchange.com. They can read stories from the people receiving loans and can track how many loans they are enabling to the world’s working poor. “Small change. Big change.” hopes to build a community of socially responsible people who are making a difference through investments that address poverty while earning a financial return.
To find out more about MicroPlace - and Microfinance in general - go to http://www.microplace.com/learn_more.
My wife and I are going to try and see if we can win one of those piggy banks too.
Cheers,
RBH
Tagged: charity, ebay, investments, micro+loan, microfinance, microplace
Allen TaylorOn June 2, 2008 at 12:00 pm Said:
Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.
Allen Taylor
MechelleOn June 2, 2008 at 2:49 pm Said:
The Grameen Bank also does this - and I believe they were the first but I’d have to double check. One thing that has bugged me about these programs are the insane interest rates. I am not saying they shouldn’t pay interest, but the rates are really high - at least with the Grameen Bank.
This topic was mildly discussed in my culture and conflict course.
Have I mentioned I studied Anthropology? my emphasis is bio/physical anthropology, however given the holistic nature of the field of study I was able to enjoy more cultural and near the same amount of archaeological Anthropology courses as those specific to physical/biological courses.
OK enough rambling
Good one Richard - I’ll read the details when I get back from picking my son up from the bus, and possibly join in the effort
Formerly Known As MarikaBooksOn June 3, 2008 at 6:50 am Said:
Richard said,
“I’ve taken a couple of hits in recent weeks about writing about socially responsible endeavors”
You know why? Because people have to take care of their own first! They just can’t get as worked up about poverty in other countries, for example, when they are not sure they will be able to pay their own bills since Ebay trashed their businesses.
It’s disheartening to see an Ebay rep talking about helping others when Ebay is doing anything BUT helping its own members.
MicroFinance? Isn’t that Pierre’s thing? Where does he come into this? It must have something to do with him or we wouldn’t be reading about it here. Is it not getting enough investors so they want to cull some from the Ebayers who get so easily taken in by Pierre/Ebay?
Maybe I should change my name to Call Me Cynical, Thanks To Ebay. Funny, it’s because I am socially responsible that I’m here. I care about those Ebay members who are suffering needlessly.
EBAY would be more socially responsible if they would let their sellers know exactly what the plan is and where, if at all, they fit into it. Sadly, I don’t see that happening.
SharonOn June 3, 2008 at 8:00 am Said:
Marikabooks,
Well said! If we weren’t worrying how to pay our own bills, I’d love to help out but unfortunately, have to take care of things right in the good old USA.
Maybe a post about how ebay is helping it’s sellers, of that’s right, it’s not!
Make my name cynical also!
SandiOn June 3, 2008 at 9:24 am Said:
It’s disheartening to see an Ebay rep talking about helping others when Ebay is doing anything BUT helping its own members.
It could be such a little thing, like letting all sellers know the featured listing fee is a waste with Best match.
Just think, the sellers could use those 19 bucks to buy food, gas, or use it for socially responsible endeavors.
Mark ClassicOn June 3, 2008 at 9:46 am Said:
How about all the unfairly suspended sellers in the UK Richard?
How about looking after those that have been suspended after recieving one negative.
The new 30 day SNP policy on the UK is putting people out of business.
Dolphins caught in the net/edge cases as a certain member of Ebays management has termed them.
What is Ebay doing for those people?
Social responsibility starts at home, pop onto the UK discussion boards when you have a moment.
There are people there that have unfairly lost their income, because of Ebays lack of social responsibility.
Ebay management (especially in the UK) should be ashamed of the way they are treating their good sellers.
Mark
DagnyOn June 3, 2008 at 10:23 am Said:
I think it is great that an eBay company is helping people improve their lives around the world. But I am sorry I just can’t work up a warm fuzzy for eBay right now.
MechelleOn June 3, 2008 at 10:24 am Said:
@Allen Taylor
Just curious of what your relationship is with eBay? I clicked to your website and I’m not seeing the connection.
AmberOn June 3, 2008 at 10:39 am Said:
“I’ve taken a couple of hits in recent weeks about writing about socially responsible endeavors but a) I don’t really listen to the detractors on that particular issue because I’m a big believer in good works”
I’d say you don’t really listen to detractors on ANY issue, but that’s just me.
Good works are wonderful. Service to the community is wonderful. But as most eBayers are living hand to mouth while hoping that eBay does not capriciously destroy their business overnight while they sleep, posts about social responsibility are self-righteous and show a serious lack of empathy and understanding.
It’s EASY to feel good about helping others when you have financial security. Try doing that with no discretionary income and mounting debts and then we’ll talk.
HenriettaOn June 3, 2008 at 10:41 am Said:
I microloan/donate all the money from advertising clicks on the blog, but I prefer to make my loans through Kiva. There is a free advertisement on the blog sidebar, lower right. If you visit my blog please click on the paid ads, you may find something of interest to you and the money goes to a good cause.
I have two loans out and expect to make a third this month.
Kiva allows donations in increments of $25 and I know for a fact that they do not retain any of the proceeds of these loans. You are encouraged to donate a bit extra so they can keep going and some do. I prefer to know exactly how much of my loan/donation is going where it is supposed to go. None of this 97c of every dollar stays in the office to pay our fat salaries stuff for me!
DakotaOn June 3, 2008 at 10:52 am Said:
I agree with the above.
eBay doesn’t care that it’ws own members are in a sinking boat that eBay created, yet they want us to give away our pennies to someone else…
That’s crazy!
If you must help someone, help the members that made eBay!
MechelleOn June 3, 2008 at 11:08 am Said:
I understand where everyone is coming from in regards to eBay’s association with this particular program, and of course in consideration of our own financial position. However, this concept is not owned by eBay and if someone wanted to participate in this type of investment.
The investment should be viewed as an investment in humanity not to gain from though you do because the program is a loan that is repaid with interest by those who receives the loan. The concept is to empower the poorest members of society within third world countries by providing trust based (rather than a loan based on monetary collateral) loans to be paid back rather than hand outs that perpetuate learned helplessness, which of course is oppressive in nature.
If someone was interested in participating in a very worthy cause, but doubts the integrity of a program that is associated with eBay in any capacity (which would be entirely understandable considering the clear disregard for humanity they demonstrate to their paying customers) you could do it through the Grameen Bank. Even if currently this is financially impossible it could be something to keep in mind for a time when your own stability is achieved.
implogOn June 3, 2008 at 1:20 pm Said:
Richard -
I’m guessing you have a regular paycheck with a colorful eBay logo upon it.
Give.
Give until it hurts.
Give for all of us posting here who no longer have incomes and give for those who do not post here, the ones who suffer in silence as eBay innovatively disrupts their lives and wipes out their incomes.
“Imagine the impact you can make in the lives of hardworking poor people around the world, just by using your small change.”
When I was growing up, my grandparents would ask me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I never replied,
“I want to be a dolphin.”
I never said, “I want to be an Edge Case”.
Transparency. Thy name is obfuscation.
LisaOn June 3, 2008 at 1:33 pm Said:
Good post, Mechelle-
You put into words what I was feeling. I don’t feel Ebay has any honesty or integrity left. Do these people even have hearts? Give us poor little hard working sellers a clue where we fit into your disruptive plan for crying out loud.
Small change Big change looks like an excellent program and down the road when I’m feeling more secure, I’d be interested in looking into it. But for now, putting gas in the car and buying milk is priority.
Richard’s heart is in the right place though.
permacrisisOn June 4, 2008 at 6:13 am Said:
There are two books that need to be written, before it is too late and everyone forgets.
The first is about a tiny, underground nuclear test in Georgia, of a crude homemade atomic device. It was assembled by university students from spent fuel rods, and commissioned by President Carter. He wanted no outside influence in coming up with an answer to the question: “Should spent fuel waste be handled commercially?” This was an important question because of terrorism. (The device worked, settling the question once and for all.)
The second book that needs to be written, must come from Richard Brewer Hay. It needs to chronicle the cultural disconnect between the Ebay sellers and the Ebay management, the utter contempt management has for the ebay seller lifestyle.
The book should explore how removal of the “Ebay Effect”, as MSNBC calls it, had a hand in sending this economy even deeper into the doldrums, as the two declined almost in lockstep. Several chapters should be devoted to undeclared war on auctions and the dilution of the auction as a selling format.
The book should be named, “No Longer a Registered User: The rise and fall of Ebay, Inc”
You could sell it on Alibris.
GailOn June 4, 2008 at 9:55 am Said:
Richard ~ Do you have your own blog? Put this joy joy stuff on that, would ya? Stick to the problems eBay sellers (and buyers) are having with eBay management not give a rat’s patootie about putting small sellers out of business with their new policies.
If I had a 6-figure eBay salary, perhaps I would care about this stuff. I’m more concerned about where my own business is going than helping someone in a third world country start a business of their own. Right now, small change around here is going toward putting a meal on the table for my family.
HenriettaOn June 4, 2008 at 11:45 am Said:
The point of this blog post is Public Relations, enabling social development projects is added value. The value of good press is incalculable. There is the added bonus of tax benefits for corporate charity.
Kiva lenders do not get interest. When the original loan amount is repaid it is available to the lender to withdraw or recycle. Most of us recycle.
SandiOn June 4, 2008 at 11:56 am Said:
The larger difference is Kiva is a not-for-profit organizatiom, Microplace is for profit.
Microplace incorporates a fee structure (it is an ebay company afterall). Kiva does not.
HenriettaOn June 4, 2008 at 12:41 pm Said:
@ Richard
Today I am getting what I hope is an error asking me to sign in to comment on this blog with a user name and password, neither of which I have.
The site hangs and is extremely slow loading today, hitting the stop loading button and then resubmitting appears to bypass the sign-in box.
Also, the website link (to my blog) in my first post is showing in my browser correctly but is directed to some bible study site.
Hopefully this is just another eBay glitch, not a sign of things to come.
Patricia1On June 4, 2008 at 12:57 pm Said:
permacrisis - your post came into my google mailbox this morning…as does a lot of posts from this blog. Don’t any of you feel you are not spreading your side of this story here because you definitely are!
The economy has slowed down - we may or may not be going into a recession (depending on which expert is speaking about it). I kind of laughed at myself after shopping for condiments and cleaning items today ….at the 99 cent store! It occurred to me that true ebay auctions - the way they used to be sure would be successful today in this slowed down economy. Unfortunately, due to such back breaking fees and low exposure, the small seller who can offer bargains is being pushed off the site in favor of “fixed” prices. With Ebay’s appetite for fees I really can’t see how fixed prices are going to work any better the the current auctions are - between ebay and paypal what profit margin is left in a fixed price listing? and that listing is probably some widget that could be bought on sale at the local discount store?
LisaOn June 4, 2008 at 1:52 pm Said:
Patricia-I have always wondered why Ebay doesn’t market to the recycling phenomena of today’s culture. They have a brand new green building though. A couple of weeks ago, I saw a report on the evening news that said thrift stores across the country have seen a 30% increase. Must explain why my local Goodwill doesn’t run very many sales anymore. With Ebay up is down and down is up. I don’t get it.
bobbi85710On June 4, 2008 at 6:42 pm Said:
The whole idea is idiotic. Destroy sellers on your venue….& try to look popular on the world stage with alms. This joint even had 1 seller threatening suicide in the past week. Real Giving !!!! You won’t post this because it’s the truth from a former seller of 11 years.
permacrisisOn June 5, 2008 at 6:26 am Said:
Monopolies offer exclusive revenue, but no growth. Only a stockholder would complain about a scenario like that– I sure wouldn’t! Spoiled by their turnkey monopoly from Day 1, Ebay has no idea what they have. Run right this site is a GOLDMINE. Stockholders be da–ed for no, it is not going to grow, but then neither is this new attempt at retail. Retail is an entire science, complete with its own psychological underpinnings and ebay has no experience nor business there. They are not even wired for it, the infrastructure is too unweildy.
DO ONE THING RIGHT EBAY– Where is the recycling initiative? You and I both know that every new electronic product you sell here will be leaching into the Shanghai water table starting in about 2012, especially with no small sellers left by then to list it on ebay. It saddens me that ebay is embarrassed by its ‘lowbrow’ connotation- the dollar stores Pat_1 mentioned certainly aren’t.
Management seems to believe that their monopoly, which is 100 percent of a personal-size pizza, can be traded up to a big slice of a Large. But everyone has a hand in that large, it is a jungle, and they were better off with the little Personal pizza, protected in its own little box.
I think what’s really going to happen is they will wind up with 1/8th of a medium pizza, made out of last years’ returned PC’s and stuff that no one wants. Point a heat lamp at it all you want– it’s still leftovers.
Social responsibility in the context of ebay starts with confirming the ID of each and every user on this site both buyer and seller alike, and then ridding the duplicates. I’m fascinated that ebay spends PR money but won’t pony up the advertising bucks on relevant campaigns, instead depicting footrace contestants knocking over people in wheelchairs, or Al Qaida kidnapping Santa Claus.
I wouldn’t give to Small Change Big Change I only trust the university-run, technology-based charities… a good example being Wellspring Africa, who teach tiny villages how to drill Artesian wells very cheaply: http://www.wellspringafrica.org
SheOn June 5, 2008 at 10:15 pm Said:
“Hopefully this is just another eBay glitch, not a sign of things to come.”
Yes, because now eBay is responsible for your typos as well as your ability to make a living.
It disgusts me to see the selfishness here. Any sympathy I had for aggrieved eBay sellers is just about gone, and I AM a seller. As little as you care about people who are genuinely starving and have no means to support themselves, that’s how much the average person probably cares about your unwillingness to deal with change and insistence that eBay keep providing you a teat to suckle on.
Time to put on your big-kid PullUps and take responsibility for your own businesses. If you weren’t doing that before, it’s questionable whether you should be selling on eBay or anywhere. Rise or fall on your own merits now. Tough world, isn’t it?
My money won’t be going to unstable, crybaby sellers. It’ll go to reliable, sane business people and to any charity that supports those who are truly suffering, not to those who are wallowing in self-pity and resistance to change.
You can cry, or you can deal with it. I chose to deal with it.
Patricia1On June 5, 2008 at 11:17 pm Said:
Well, I’m fairly confident that given all the glitches and this not working and that not working - a massive change to a more “retail experience” is going to quickly turn into one giant mudhole! Just watch and see with ebay’s record of tossing new things out and letting the users find the glitches - it will be very very interesting to watch ;-) In the meantime the up and coming sites are beside themselves…its christmas for them…curtains for ebay :-)
Richard…no offense, but charity begins at home….I ain’t feeling no charity right now LOL
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