Results:
Implemented a compendium of administrative systems that enabled the Cooperative to establish lending relationships that lowered agricultural credit costs by 40% and facilitated marketing channels that increased harvest revenue by 23%.
Implemented a compendium of administrative systems that enabled the Cooperative to establish lending relationships that lowered agricultural credit costs by 40% and facilitated marketing channels that increased harvest revenue by 23%.
Designed and implemented
the financial record keeping and harvest marketing systems
for a 350-member agricultural cooperative.
the financial record keeping and harvest marketing systems
for a 350-member agricultural cooperative.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN & TEACHING
- Established borrowing agreements with governmental lending institutions to: A) lower agricultural credit costs; B) break usury relationships coop members had with local lenders
- Designed and implemented member account files for calculating harvest projections, documenting loan distribursements / repayments and recording product sales
- Audited cash distribursements and repayments for annual loan portfolios of $65,000 to $90,000
- Organized pilot programs (i.e.: test plantings, production and harvesting) of peanuts, sunflowers and black beans as alternative / additional income streams for coop members
- Obtained an $8,500 grant to construct a warehouse / office building for the Cooperative
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN & TEACHING
- Developed and facilitated workshops (for Peace Corps Volunteers and Coop employees) on bookkeeping best practices and Paraguayan governmental financial reporting requirements
- Authored two annual reports detailing the organizational processes, logistical methods, fiscal results and lessons learned vis-a-vis the Coop's 1991 and 1992 harvest operations
- Taught Coop employees how to calculate accrued interest and apply loan repayments
1989
1990
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1991
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1992
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Yes, I was thinking about agricultural loan amortization . . .
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Taking a litigious chance . . .
In mid-1991, I petitioned for, and was granted, a nine month extension to my Peace Corps service.
Ostensibly this additional time would allow me to support the Cooperative through the 1992 harvest and facilitate a seamless on-boarding of the next Volunteer to be assigned to the organization. Both motives were true--but there was a third, more pressing motivation: Justice.
In the latter months of the 1991 harvest, the Cooperative sold several truck loads of cotton to a middle man. Payment (the check) was negated by the buyer's bank due to intentional insufficient funds in their account--i.e. the SOB stiffed us.
For three months, to no avail, the Coop chased, confronted and harassed the deadbeat for payment. Then in September 1991, the Cooperative engaged an attorney who began legal proceedings against the person via the (post-coup) newly constituted Paraguayan civil court system.
In late August 1992 (mere weeks before my close of service), the litigation was concluded and the Cooperative received full payment from the defendant / buyer. On September 15, 1992, I concluded my Peace Corps service.
One week later (on September 23, 1992), I was hired by Seattle First National Bank as a Commercial Loan Specialist and was preparing the US Customs entry documents for the Gallardo Leather Company.
In mid-1991, I petitioned for, and was granted, a nine month extension to my Peace Corps service.
Ostensibly this additional time would allow me to support the Cooperative through the 1992 harvest and facilitate a seamless on-boarding of the next Volunteer to be assigned to the organization. Both motives were true--but there was a third, more pressing motivation: Justice.
In the latter months of the 1991 harvest, the Cooperative sold several truck loads of cotton to a middle man. Payment (the check) was negated by the buyer's bank due to intentional insufficient funds in their account--i.e. the SOB stiffed us.
For three months, to no avail, the Coop chased, confronted and harassed the deadbeat for payment. Then in September 1991, the Cooperative engaged an attorney who began legal proceedings against the person via the (post-coup) newly constituted Paraguayan civil court system.
In late August 1992 (mere weeks before my close of service), the litigation was concluded and the Cooperative received full payment from the defendant / buyer. On September 15, 1992, I concluded my Peace Corps service.
One week later (on September 23, 1992), I was hired by Seattle First National Bank as a Commercial Loan Specialist and was preparing the US Customs entry documents for the Gallardo Leather Company.