Including diaspora members in your savings group

Many alumni associations and hometown groups have a large share of members living abroad. They're often among the most committed contributors — but only if the group makes it easy and keeps them fully informed.

#Keep one fund currency

Mixing currencies in one set of books causes endless confusion. Pick the home currency as the fund's currency and record every contribution in it. Members abroad send money home in that currency, either:

• via a remittance service that pays out to the group's mobile money or bank account; or
• through a trusted relative who pays locally on their behalf (record the payment against the member, not the relative).

Exchange rates and transfer fees are the member's cost; the fund records what arrives.

#Make paying effortless from abroad

• Share the group's account details clearly and confirm any changes in two places — scams often target diaspora members. See collecting dues with mobile money.
• Allow paying several months in advance, which suits people who send money home periodically.
• Agree what happens if a transfer arrives a few days late because of processing times.

#Transparency matters more at a distance

Members abroad can't drop by the treasurer's house to ask about their balance. Give every member online access to their own record: contributions, savings, loans and welfare cover. It's the single biggest trust-builder for diaspora members — see spreadsheet vs software.

#Time zones and meetings

• Schedule meetings at times that work across zones (a weekend afternoon at home is often evening in Europe and morning in North America).
• Allow online attendance and, if your constitution permits, proxy votes.
• Send AGM papers at least two weeks ahead — see how to run an AGM.

#Welfare and loans for members abroad

• Welfare often supports family at home — for example a parent's funeral. Be clear in your rules about who is covered.
• Lending to members abroad can work, but recovery is harder if things go wrong. Many groups set lower limits or require a guarantor at home — see how to run loans.

#A fair deal for everyone

Diaspora members sometimes feel they pay in but have less say; home members sometimes feel diaspora members have it easy. Equal access to information, equal voting rights and the same rules for everyone keep the group together.

#A checklist for diaspora-friendly groups

• One fund currency, stated in the constitution
• Clear, verified payment details — changes confirmed in two places
• Advance payments allowed and recorded against the right months
• Every member can see their own balance online
• Meetings at times that work across time zones, with online attendance
• Proxy or online voting permitted
• Welfare rules state which family members at home are covered
• Loan rules for members abroad (limits or a guarantor at home)

See also the savings group glossary if members abroad are new to some of the terms your group uses.

AwaFund gives every member — wherever they live — their own portal with balances, loan applications and welfare claims, and keeps the books in your fund's currency.

Frequently asked questions

Should diaspora members pay in foreign currency?

Keep the fund's books in one currency — usually the home currency. Members abroad send money home in that currency (through a remittance service or a relative), and the fund records the amount received.

How do diaspora members vote?

Allow online participation or proxy voting in your constitution, and send documents early so members in other time zones can review them.

This guide is general information to help groups organise themselves. It isn't financial, tax or legal advice — rules for savings groups differ by country, so check with a qualified adviser for your situation.