Talk:Giving circles

This page was created as a thorough rewrite of the Wikipedia entry, with added citations and sources. It has been vetted with Angie Eikenberry at the University of Nebraska, who is one of the leading social researchers engaged in the study of the topic. Additions, revisions and corrections (and eventually, a nomination for Approval) would be welcome.

Roger Lohmann 18:07, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

An automated statement I don't understand appears on the bibliographic page: "Please sort and annotate in a user-friendly manner. For formatting, consider using automated reference wikification." Annotation I understand, but what is the rest of this supposed to mean? (1) What is a user-friendly manner with respect to bibliographies? I had thought alphabetical might be that. (2) What in blazes is "automated reference wikification"? The Google page to which it links is no help at all. and (3) How (and when) does that notice disappear? Roger Lohmann 18:29, 13 February 2009 (UTC)

Probably not giving circles, but what are they?

Among West African and Korean friends, I see a custom where a group makes regular contributions to a fund, which, periodically, is made as a startup loan to a new business within the community. It is expected to be repaid, and repayment is a matter of honor, as is providing jobs within the community — although I've also seen such groups use an extended definition of community, being inviting to non-kin that have been supportive.

Would it be correct to call this a microloan, or is it more a social mechanism?

Is there a unifying principle between what-I-said and classic giving circles? Howard C. Berkowitz 18:38, 13 February 2009 (UTC)