Bankers without Borders® Web Site

There's a term in software development called "eating your own dog food," meaning a company or organization uses its product (or program or service or philosophy) to accomplish its internal work. That's how Bankers without Borders (BwB) created its new web site that went live in March ‘10. Two part-time, Seattle-based volunteers, in consultation with Bankers without Borders and Grameen Foundation staff, created the site, which is designed to increase awareness of the Bankers without Borders program, and to make it easier for potential volunteers, corporate sponsors, and microfinance partners to participate.

I was one of those two volunteers. After one phone interview with Shannon Maynard, Director of Bankers without Borders, I was teamed with another volunteer, Seattle designer Neelu Bhuman, to create the new site. In consultation with Shannon, Neelu and I decided the site architecture. Neelu developed the Drupal backend and graphics while I developed content, both repurposing existing BwB and Grameen Foundation documents, and writing new copy.

The project had its challenges. Working as remote part-time volunteers, Neelu and I sometimes experienced delays getting the information we needed. Despite the challenges, the site progressed -- tweaking copy, deciding layout, testing Neelu's links and flash program. Then we got word that our tone was wrong, as were some of our facts about certain MFIs. More delays as sections were rewritten. There were also large gaps in important content. Our schedule kept slipping. Was this site ever going to see the light of day?

Then, it all came together. We filled a major gap with seven varied testimonials from BwB volunteers talking about what they had done in the program and what their participation had meant to them. BwB staffer Ekaterina Dadaeva started pulling up information on past and current BwB projects so we had places to populate Neelu's "Where We Work" flash program. We filled a gap about resources and events. After one final testing weekend, we were ready to go live.

Lots of professionals today find themselves unemployed or underemployed. Volunteering is touted as a way to put your time and skills to use, and to enhance your professional network. That's all true.
Bankers without Borders needs all sorts of professional skills -- it is not just for bankers. And because you are truly "helping the poorest of the poor," even if indirectly like Neelu and me, you get a great feeling of accomplishment. Please check out our new site. Thanks.