Due to the wide canvas of issues that Karmayog (yahoo group and website) covers and because we have been very deeply involved with BMC and civic issues in the past, I get emails, calls, visitors daily which are not only for requests for information or help, but also with requests for help with some project, idea, or cause that they are pursuing or wish to pursue.
I also get a lot of ideas which I (would) like to develop and take to the next level.
There are various types of 'next levels' that are possible. Examples are --
- a detailed resource section on Karmayog on the subject
- a meeting of concerned NGOs and individuals to take it forward as a group
- creating awareness via articles or presentations
- meeting people who can / should be a part of such an initiative or can share their experiences or can advise or can take it forward
- organising a program such as a talk, discussion, or workshop
- bringing out a white paper
- studying what has been done in various parts of India or in other countries
- developing software
- etc.
For all of this, we need people who are intelligent and enthusiastic and keen to get involved in any one particular idea and take the responsibility of taking it to conclusion. I have found that even if the project is with a particular NGO, we need an outside person to get involved.
At Karmayog, we are an extremely small team -- currently one full-time and one part-time and myself (and I have business-work too). We have the space and set-up and computers for more people. I have found it very difficult to increase the team size (full-time or out-of-home). Regarding staff, my impression is that those with a social work background or degree prefer to be on the field, working with beneficiaries, or in direct implementation of projects, rather than via computers, calls, and meetings. And, for others who are career-minded or seek higher earnings, social work does not seem to be a preferred choice. Regarding volunteers, many are looking for direct involvement on the field, or are looking for activities which will utilise their spare time as and when they have time to spare. We continually seek full-time staff as well as serious volunteers, so please refer people to us whenever you come across anyone suitable.
Some of the activities that I seek help in pursuing in Karmayog are:
- identifying the NGO of the month -- we have a backlog of about 10.
- visiting NGOs -- by cause or by geographical area -- to enable us to get a better understanding of what they do and how we can help them. We would like to cover all the NGOs in Mumbai but whoever gets involved can visit as many as they want and in their own pace.
- helping NGOs to put their data in the free web-section that we provide in Karmayog. Many NGOs struggle to fill forms, upload information, or even to convey concisely and comprehensively about themselves
- writing articles based on our learnings (or those of other NGOs)
- developing resource sections on different topics. Expertise or knowledge of the subject is not at all required. What is needed is the ability to surf the net and the ability to understand a subject and figure out what is the range of information that is necessary and sufficient
- attending events --- after an event, organisers somehow seem unwilling to share the information that was shared publicly in the event itself. So we would like people who will attend programs on our behalf.
- attending discussion meetings -- there are many meetings but we can attend very few currently
- providing planning support for the issues being raised in such meetings -- if you are the MBA type
- developing suitable forms -- e.g. for appeals for medical problems, educational scholarships, various personal problems (medical, legal, etc.)
- publicising the results of our CSR Ratings of the 500 largest Indian companies
- developing a plan with the Corruption ROKO form
- collating online newspaper articles on particular topics
- moderating an email discussion --- includes responding to those who email their comments so that it becomes a dialogue which can yield more meaningful results
- getting banner advertisements for our site
- co-ordinating with the various independent Karmayog clubs and chapters -- to provide them support and synergy
- responding to queries that we receive on some particular topic --- based on your expertise --- e.g. adoption
- advising people on what all they can do to solve their problems -- e.g. which orgs to visit, filing RTI applications, etc. -- typically each email in the yahoo group needs some hand-holding to enable the person to resolve their problem
- compiling the music (in a CD) of all the suggestions that we had received
- developing useful lists e.g. yoga classes
- setting up support groups - of any type
- finding an educational institution to support, and getting involved with it
- finding a medical institution to support, and getting involved with it
- getting seriously involved with any particular NGO
- working closely with colleges and their student-groups -- for different activities
- working with NGOs to convert their learnings into public messages which can then be publicised via PPTs, posters, booklets, etc.
- publishing booklets
- compiling posters, audio and video clips, which can be used by organisations, corporates, etc. to spread social messages
- compiling a library of books relevant to the social sector
- organising an event
- following up with volunteers
- working with the NGO Council
- etc. etc. :-)
For each of these, funds are not the constraint. So if you have an interest in working on any of these (on a full-time or assignment basis), please do contact me whenever you would like to get involved.
Karmayog's office is walking distance from both Churchgate and CST so do visit me whenever you are in South Mumbai.
Thanks,
Vinay
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