The MFC/SPTF Awareness Raising Campaign How to present the Universal Standards to your MFI members and Network board Updated August 2013

Agenda Introduction: The MFC/ SPTF Universal Standards Awareness Raising Campaign Part 1: The MFI Presentation Part 2: The Board Presentation

Introduction: The Universal Standards Awareness Raising Campaign Purpose: Enable networks to inform their members about the Standards, so that the maximum number of MFIs understand the Standards and begin to use them. Benefits for Networks: Gain knowledge of the latest SPM initiative, and provide a valuable training to members. Benefits for MFIs: Receive in-person training on the Standards and begin improving SPM.

Part 1: Presentation to your Members A. Presentation Preparation B. Presentation Materials to Use C. Presentation to your Members

A. Presentation Preparation Review the Universal Standards Invite MFI leadership (e.g. Director) and implementers (e.g. SPM officer) Use materials available from the SPTF

A. Presentation Preparation (con’t) Prepare a clear “call to action” and the role of the network in assisting with implementation Prepare to discuss implementation materials available from the SPTF

Part 1: Presentation to your Members A. Presentation Preparation B. Presentation Materials to Use C. Presentation to your Members

B. Presentation Materials to Use SPTF Universal Standards PowerPoints for Networks ▫PPT for Financial Institutions ▫PPT for Board Members SPTF Universal Standards 2-page Handout SPTF Universal Standards FAQs

B. Presentation Materials to Use (con’t) The Universal Standards Message Manual for MFIs ▫Explains how to talk about the Standards in a way that will help MFIs understand the Standards, and excite them to take action. ▫Helps you understand the Standards from an MFI’s perspective. The most useful sections are: 1) “USSPM Narrative and Winning Words” and 2) “Introducing the Standards to Other MFIs”

Part 1: Presentation to your Members A. Presentation Preparation B. Presentation Materials to Use C. Presentation to your Members

The SPTF Universal Standards for Social Performance Management Presentation for Financial Institutions

What is Social Performance Management (SPM)? SPM is the ongoing process of translating your social missing into practice. Managing social performance means that the institution puts time and effort into achieving their social goals, alongside their financial goals.

What are the benefits of managing social performance? Do you know how you are affecting clients? ▫Understand how you are benefiting clients and how you can do it better. Do you know what clients want? ▫Understand your market better, and serve clients more effectively. Do others know your social achievements? ▫Demonstrate them with real data, not just stories.

How are the Universal Standards related to SPM? The Standards bring together ALL of the best practices in SPM in ONE comprehensive manual—to clarify and standardize social performance management.

There are 21 standards, organized into six sections. They bring together many of the existing initiatives in the field.

Standard 2a- Members of the Board of Directors are committed to the institution’s social mission. Essential Practices Provide Board with an orientation on the social mission and goals, and the Board’s responsibilities for managing social performance, and confirm that each member agrees. Requires Board members to adhere to the institution’s code of ethics. Section 2: Ensure Board, Management, and Employee Commitment to Social Goals

By and for people in the field The Standards were created by MFIs, networks, investors and other stakeholders around the world, who identified the need and worked together to create a common resource.

Resource for achieving social goals The Standards are a resource for MFIs seeking to achieve social goals. The Standards do not dictate what an MFI’s goal should be, but help identify the best way to achieve it.

Realistic implementation process Adopting the standards is a process that will be different for each institution. MFIs can work with investors, networks, and other partners to set realistic goals and adopt them at their own pace.

The ultimate goal More MFIs better equipped to achieve their social goals— and meet the needs of their clients.

Example of Standards Implementation in Africa—KWFT, Kenya Section 5—Treat Employees Responsibly New employees review and sign contract, which is always accompanied by a job description. Employees receive 10 days of paid leave annually, for continuing education. Employees set goals at the beginning of each year and know how their performance will be evaluated. Evaluations are used to identify additional training needs.

Example of Standards Implementation in Asia—Grameen Koota, India Section 4: Design Products, Services, and Delivery Channels that Meet Clients’ Needs and Preferences. GK collects feedback on products from clients in 2 ways: 1) Area managers conduct in-person interviews, 2) Call center staff conduct phone interviews. GK offers a wide range of products for all lifecycle needs (e.g. emergency loans, festival loans, life insurance, housing loan) New products are introduced only after extensive market research on the target clients and their needs.

Example of Standards Implementation in LAC—Compartamos, Mexico Section 2: Ensure Board, Management, and Employee Commitment to Social Goals All employees must be certified in the Code of Ethics, a document which is updated annually. New employees take an on-line course on the Code, and attend a live session with a senior employee called the ¨Guardian of Principles.¨

Example from Our Network Provide a brief example of an MFI in your network who is implementing one or more of the Essential Practices found in the Standards. It is not necessary for this MFI to know about the Standards—it is just necessary for them to be implementing one of the Essential Practices. This will help the other MFIs to understand how the document relates to real practice.

Call to Action  Review the Standards manual  Conduct an informal self-assessment  Conduct a formal social audit  Select specific practices to improve  Seek network support and external resources  Document progress for network and SPTF

Materials to Guide Implementation Download the Standards Manual ▫Available at: standards View the Implementation Series webinar materials and listen to the recordings ▫Available in English at: trainings/universal-standards-implementation ▫Available in Spanish at: trainings/implementacion-de-los-estandares- universales

Materials to Guide Implementation (con’t) Review the Resources in the Universal Standards Resource Library ▫Available at: implementation-resources Join the SPTF ▫See: Contact the Network ▫[Add your website or address here]

Contact information

Part 2: Presentation to your Board A. Presentation Preparation B. Presentation Materials to Use C. Presentation to your Board

A. Presentation Preparation Be concise and prepared with talking points Ask: How does this fit into our priorities? (Have ideas ready) Ask: When/how should we communicate this to members? (Have ideas ready)

B. Presentation Materials to Use SPTF Universal Standards PowerPoints for Networks ▫PPT for Financial Institutions ▫PPT for Board Members SPTF Universal Standards 2-page Handout SPTF Universal Standards FAQs

Part 2: Presentation to your Board A. Presentation Preparation B. Presentation Materials to Use C. Presentation to your Board

The SPTF Universal Standards for Social Performance Management Presentation for Board Members

What is Social Performance Management (SPM)? SPM is the ongoing process of translating the institution’s social missing into practice. Managing social performance means that the institution puts time and effort into achieving their social goals, alongside their financial goals.

What are the benefits of managing social performance for our members? Do MFIs know how they are affecting clients? ▫Understand how you are benefiting clients and how you can do it better. Do MFIs know what clients want? ▫Understand your market better, and serve clients more effectively. Do others know about our members’ social achievements? ▫Demonstrate them with real data, not just stories.

How are the Universal Standards related to SPM? The Standards bring together ALL of the best practices in SPM in ONE comprehensive manual—to clarify and standardize social performance management.

There are 21 standards, organized into six sections. They bring together many of the existing initiatives in the field.

Standard 2a- Members of the Board of Directors are committed to the institution’s social mission. Essential Practices Provide Board with an orientation on the social mission and goals, and the Board’s responsibilities for managing social performance, and confirm that each member agrees. Requires Board members to adhere to the institution’s code of ethics. Section 2: Ensure Board, Management, and Employee Commitment to Social Goals

Example of Standards Implementation in Africa—KWFT, Kenya Section 5—Treat Employees Responsibly New employees review and sign contract, which is always accompanied by a job description. Employees receive 10 days of paid leave annually, for continuing education. Employees set goals at the beginning of each year and know how their performance will be evaluated. Evaluations are used to identify additional training needs.

Example of Standards Implementation in Asia—Grameen Koota, India Section 4: Design Products, Services, and Delivery Channels that Meet Clients’ Needs and Preferences. GK collects feedback on products from clients in 2 ways: 1) Area managers conduct in-person interviews, 2) Call center staff conduct phone interviews. GK offers a wide range of products for all lifecycle needs (e.g. emergency loans, festival loans, life insurance, housing loan) New products are introduced only after extensive market research on the target clients and their needs.

Example of Standards Implementation in LAC—Compartamos, Mexico Section 2: Ensure Board, Management, and Employee Commitment to Social Goals All employees must be certified in the Code of Ethics, a document which is updated annually. New employees take an on-line course on the Code, and attend a live session with a senior employee called the ¨Guardian of Principles.¨

Example from Our Network Provide a brief example of an MFI in your network who is implementing one or more of the Essential Practices found in the Standards. It is not necessary for this MFI to know about the Standards—it is just necessary for them to be implementing one of the Essential Practices. This will help the other MFIs to understand how the document relates to real practice.

Resource for achieving social goals The Standards are a resource for MFIs seeking to achieve social goals. The Standards do not dictate what an MFI’s goal should be, but help identify the best way to achieve it.

Next Steps for Our Network How does this fit into our priorities? ▫Your idea When and how should we communicate this to members? ▫Your idea

For more information, contact the Microfinance Centre at Or the Social Performance Task Force at