Opportunity Finance Network

Membership Meeting Time Change

Making Room for Chairman Bernanke. The Annual Membership Meeting for Opportunity Finance Network will start at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1st, and end by 11:30 a.m. We moved the meeting up 30 minutes so that we can clear out in time for the hotel staff to put together the main conference room for the Keynote Address by Fed Chairman Bernanke. Because registration seems to be running so high, we will need all the space available, including the space we are using for the Membership Meeting.

I look forward to seeing you there.

New Policy Agenda for Opportunity Finance

Don't Miss the Meeting. At the Annual Membership Meeting at the Conference, we will introduce a new policy agenda for opportunity finance. Developed by our Policy Committee at a retreat over the summer, based on several years of work, and approved by the Board in September, the agenda sets a bold course for the industry, consistent with our strategic plan.

The Agenda will be the center of attention at a panel presentation during the Membership Meeting. We will lay out our policy vision and invite you to get involved. The discussion will focus on a "Call to Action"--what you can do over the next 12 months to make our vision real.

On the Road

Texas Trip. This week I am going to Dallas and Austin. On Tuesday, I will be speaking about the challenges and opportunities I am seeing across the industry as our vision becomes real at a Dallas Federal Reserve conference. Like other regional Fed bank events, this one centers on the pioneering work that Kirsten Moy and Greg Ratliff have done. While in Dallas, I will meet with the Board and senior management of the Texas Mezzanine Fund. On Thursday, I will be in Austin with Margo Weisz and PeopleFund.

I am always looking for opportunities to visit with CDFIs and others doing interesting work. Please e-mail Marie Wright (mwright@opportunityfinance.net) to let me know about upcoming events.

Strategic Feedback

Tell Us What You Think. In November, December, and January, Opportunity Finance Network will hold a series of meetings in person and through our online meeting center to take a mid-course look at the strategy we set in motion in 2003. Because so many of you have made so many gains and changes, we are eager to hear your thoughts. We will put all of the feedback together, share it with the Opportunity Finance Network Board in January, and report it out to the membership.

We are in the process of selecting dates and locations--we will have in-person meetings in as many parts of the country as possible. Stay tuned for more information.

If you want to make sure you get a special e-mail notice about the schedule, please e-mail Marie Wright (mwright@opportunityfinance.net), my assistant.

Conference Registration

Get Your Early Registration Discount. When I left the office yesterday afternoon, more than 440 people had registered for the upcoming Conference. That is way ahead of prior years. The discount early registration deadline is upon us, so register now.