A SUMMER PROJECT REPORT

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ON
Impact Assessment on HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT Program

AT
REACHING SKY FOUNDATION, NEW DELHI
Aspiring Much Aiming More Achieving Most

A report submitted to Ishan Institute of Management & Technology, Greater Noida

as a partial fulfillment to full time post graduate diploma in management

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Dr. D.K. Garg Rahul Kumar
Chairman, ENR No. - 21008
IIMT, Greater Noida Batch 2015-2017

ISHAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY,

KNOWLEDGE PARK 1, GREATER NOIDA, DIST.- GAUTAM BUDDH
NAGAR (U.P.)
Website: www.ishanfamily.com
E-Mail: [email protected]
 PREFACE

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The main motivation of undertaking this project was to provide the detailed and
comprehensive study about the HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT Program. This Study
provides the opportunity to Reaching sky to know the perspective of the students
about the HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT Program. It is also immense use to launch
the program with other schools. The report has been organized into four parts. Part
1 deals with the detailed overview about the NGOs which are in operational in
India. Part 2 provides is brief introduction about the organization- Reaching Sky.
The third part is conclusive of discussions and feedback from the students and
based on that findings and suggestions are been inculcated in last part.

I owe my sincere thanks to everyone who helped me in doing this project. It was a
fun and also a learning experience for me. I hope the knowledge and experience
gained while undertaking this project will help me in my future endeavors in one
way or other.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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I express my sincerest gratitude and thanks thanks to honorable, Mr.
Rishiwansiwal and Miss Sunidhi Kant, because of whose kindness I had the
precious opportunity of attaining training at Reaching Sky. Under this brilliant
untiring guidance, I could complete the project being undertaken on the Impact
Assessment on HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT Program successfully on time.

Their meticulous attention and invaluable suggestions have helped me in

simplifying the problems involved in the work. I would also like to thank the
overwhelming support of all the people who gave me an opportunity to learn and
gain knowledge about the various aspects of the industry.

I would also like to thank Prof. Arnab Mukherjee (Assistant Professor) of Ishan
Institute of Management & Technology, for his constant enthusiastic
encouragement and valuable suggestions without which this project would not
have been successfully completed.

Rahul Kumar

PGDM
 DECLARATION

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The summer training project on IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON HOLISTIC
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM under the guidance of Mr. Rishi Banshiwal is the
original work done by me. This is the property of the institute and of this report
without prior permission of the institute will be considered illegal and actionable.

Date: Signature:

Rahul Kumar
Enr. No: 21008
 5 Page
CONTENTS

CHAPTERS PARTICULARS PAGES

1. Research Design

2. An Overview (NGOs in India)

Profile of the Organization
3.
3.1 About RSF
3.2 RSF history
3.3 Explore with RSF
3.4 Child Development

Discussions
4.
4.1 Brief introd about sessions of Holistic
4.2 Student feedback
4.3 Analysis of feedback
4.4 Analysis of Holistic Development as a
program
Findings, Suggestions, Conclusion
5.
5.1 Key findings
5.2 Recommendation for improvement
5.3 Conclusion
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6. Annexure

Bibliography

Chapter-1

Research Design
Project Theme: Impact Assessment on HOLISTIC

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DEVELOPMENT as a Program

Statement of the problem

The main problem involved in this case was to know the what about the children
who cant go to good school. In order to make through enquiry about the impact of
Holistic development as a program the study was undertaken.

Objectives of the study

Make an analysis of feedback

Make an analysis of Holistic Development as a Program.
Find out areas of improvement.
Recommendations.

Need for the study

The main significance of this study was to spread knowledge about the Holistic
Development as a program.

Scope of the study

The scope of the present study is confronted to understanding the importance of

Holistic development as a program.

Limitations of the study

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o Holistic Development was never attended by the investigator personally.
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Chapter-2

An overview (NGOs in India)

NGO (Non-Governmental Organization)

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A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is not part of a

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government and was not founded by states. NGOs are therefore typically
independent of governments. Although the definition can technically include for-
profit corporations, the term is generally restricted to social, cultural, legal, and
environmental advocacy groups having goals that are primarily noncommercial.
NGOs are usually non-profit organizations that gain at least a portion of their
funding from private sources. Current usage of the term is generally associated
with the United Nations and authentic NGOs are those that are so designated by
the UN. Because the label "NGO" is considered too broad by some, as it might
cover anything that is non-governmental, many NGOs now prefer the term private
voluntary organization (PVO). A 1995 UN report on global governance estimated
that there are nearly 29,000 international NGOs. National numbers are even
higher: The United States has an estimated 2 million NGOs, most of them formed
in the past 30 years. Russia has 65,000 NGOs. Dozens are created daily. In Kenya
alone, some 240 NGOs come into existence every year. The International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest group of humanitarian
NGO's. Though voluntary associations of citizens have existed throughout history,
NGOs along the lines seen today, especially on the international level, have
developed in the past two centuries. One of the first such organizations, the
International Committee of the Red Cross, was founded in 1863.

NGO Network India, NGO Resources

NGOs India is a national level Social Network of Non-Governmental

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Organizations (NGO), Non-Profit Organizations (NPO), Voluntary Organizations

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and Social Organizations. The members of NGOs India are from all over India.
Presently NGOsIndia.com is also providing an online web directory and NGO
resources of Indian NGOs. All the NGOs enlisted in the web portal are not
recognized and are not members of our network. We are updating the information
about the NGOs and we are verifying the recognized NGOs and providing their
information on certain terms. The NGO portal is containing information about
grassroots level Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Non Profit
Organizations (NPOs), POs, GOs in India, Funding Agencies, Social activists and
concerned stakeholders, Volunteers, Volunteer service organizers, Social issues,
NGO Funding Projects, job opportunities in social sector, success stories of
individuals as well as organizations, and other relevant information and resources.
NGOs India has been disseminating the online identity by the Web pages of the
NGOs to strengthen them and share their experience with other NGOs, groups and
persons of society. This identification can help the NGOs as funding agencies,
supporters, volunteers to find them out to support the enlisted NGOs. Presence and
contact detail of NGOs are useful for the persons who are seeking for support and
help from the NGO in there and other related areas for various purposes.

Visions and Mission of NGOs India

NGOs India is committed to social justice, sustainable development and human

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rights. The right to communicate freely is a basic human right and a necessity for

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sustainable development. Access to information is essential to informed decision-
making at all levels.
NGOs India is committed to the dissemination of information and promotion of
sustainable development initiatives, in response to the needs of underrepresented
and marginalized sectors of society. For bridging the data gap and improving
information availability NGO network is committed to develop and establish an
ideal medium for the Participation and exchange of a trusted and accurate source of
quality information.

Authentic resource material, information and database

NGOs India is an online resource center for required resource materials,
information and all kinds of knowledge-based documents for NGOs. NGOs India
provides the resource material where NGOs can find various options and
opportunities to get useful and authentic information. Along with the resource
material, NGOs India provides direct support and help for NGO Registration, NGO
Management, to find and get Funding and financial Projects.
NGOs India guides and supports to get funds for all kinds of Social development
issues. On the online resource center, NGOs and their associates can find database
and information about the funding schemes of Government ministries, Government
departments, public sector units, Indian Funding agencies, foreign Funding
agencies and support groups.
Networking among NGOs, activists to implement concepts and

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objects

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NGOs India has been promoting and making resource and information
collaborations for two decades with the creative and constructive networking
among NGOs to develop the effective partnership so they can work to implement
their objects to develop and improve the socio-economic status of the society. The
Networking is for accessing, sharing and contributing resources, issues,
information and to associate with other like-minded NGOs which are working on
similar issues or other issues to improve the social development and living with
healthy conditions. The Networking is for strengthening of NGOs and social
organisations from improving their knowledge, identification about their tasks and
programmes by getting and sharing the experience with the NGO partners in their
certain relevant sectors.
NGOs India is dedicated, for a long time from capacity building of grassroot
organizations and their activists to get funds and support so they can implement
their projects and programmers, the available resources at this single platform can
help Charity organizations and groups of people to serve the society in a better
way.

Support in NGO Registration and Funding

Many people including those of the new generation who wish to work to make
social changes and for social welfare want to form and register NGOs so they can
work in their relevant fields and the new NGOs and working NGOs which need
financial support from the Government and private funding agencies so they can
implement their concepts. NGOs India team and resource center have been helping
and supporting such persons who wish to form NGOs and want economical and

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other support with he help of projects and other support. At the online resource

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centre information regarding Funding agencies, Funding Schemes, Funding
projects and Funding and other resourceful material regarding running, managing
and implementation of concepts of social change by achieving funding and support
of Volunteers is available and being updated from time to time.
NGOs India recommends its associates, recognized NGO Consultancy service
providers for NGO Registration, NGO Funding, and other required support.

Network of Volunteers, Supports and NGOs

Many NGOs exist which do not have funds or do not want funds or want to work
with more than their available resources, this is possible through Volunteers and
support persons. NGOs India has been providing a network of Volunteers and the
recognized NGOs who wish to work with Volunteers for social cause. NGOs India
has been supporting the recognized NGOs who are transparently working for social
changes in the society and the Volunteers associated and working with such good
NGOs feel satisfaction to contribute their time and resources in various sectors of
the society.

NGO Registration
NGOs India provides useful and authentic information, knowledge base and all
kind of resources, options and opportunities for NGO Registration, NGO Support
to get Funding and Projects and NGO management. NGOs India provides
information regarding the recognized NGO Consultancy and NGO Consultants for

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NGO Registration service, NGO Funding Services and NGO Consultancy services.

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If anyone needs NGO consultancy services for NGO Registration, funding, fund
raising, project writing, project proposals, project formation, annual reports, NGO
management, NGO operation and concept writing, you can contact to our
recognized NGO Consultants and Consultancy Services. If any NGO needs to get
help and information regarding NGO documentation, FCRA Registration process
information and other kind of information for NGO formation to work among
communities, just contact recognized NGO Consultants for your requirements to
get help and support.
You must be clear that just after registration/formation of NGO or only registered
NGO with no social work programmers and profile are not eligible to get funding
from Government and Funding agencies.
If any recognized NGO need support for fundraising campaigns, then recognized
consultants team can help you with that and also on how you can start and operate
fund raising campaigns. If a team of social activists who are part of an active NGO
want to get funds for running their project and process they can get funds, in this
regard please contact our recognized NGO Consultancy team.

Objectives of NGOs India Network

To promote Information collaborations and Constructive communication
between NGOs, to develop effective partnership with each other.
Networking for the access, sharing and dissemination of information
collaboration and partnerships between the NGOs themselves and with other
organizations.
 Networking to strengthen community organizations by boosting knowledge

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base and ability to share information and experiences with strategic allies

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and other partners in relevant field.
Capacity building of grassroot level NGOs, social workers through free
online resources and information on a single platform.
To serve non-profit organisations, charities, grassroots and community
groups, educational and research institutions.
Provide Funding Support and useful information about how to get funding,
where to get funding from Government, Funding Agencies, Support
Organisation, Corporate Social Responsibility Parameters and other useful
resources.
Support NGOs in their fund-raising efforts and activities.
Provide information and resources and guidance to NGOs to run and manage
the organisation successfully while following social parameters.
Sharing of ideas among NGOs, change maker catalysts and development
agents.
Avail free, easy and instant access to information to NGOs.
Provide more options before Funding Agencies to select the right choice of
NGO to support and work with.
Provide information regarding NGO Registration and NGO Consultancy.
Provide Volunteers to NGOs and collaborate between NGOs and Volunteers.

Volunteers

NGOsIndia.com is a platform of NGO Volunteers Services to provide Volunteers to

NGOs. The Volunteers who wish to work in India for NGO (Non-Profit
Organizations) can apply for Volunteer ship through our network. We only
recognize verified NGOs for Volunteers. Volunteers provide a short time or for
long time it must be utilized for real social work.
If any NGO wants to get recognition and approval for Volunteer services and any

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other kind of help and support services, they can email us. Volunteer from India

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and out of India who want to provide social voluntary service in India apply or
contact to serve the society through NGO.
Volunteering is a social service activity to provide your time freely to help people,
community and the society. Volunteers do not expect for payment or economical
gain but they can contribute time and resources.
Volunteering can be provided through the Voluntary organizations and NGO in
different sectors on different issues. Volunteering can be provided with the
organizations already working in the area of your interest or the Volunteers can
form their own Voluntary organization, group or forum. If you want to do
volunteering, then you do not have to register your group or organization because
volunteering is social service based on ethical and welfare parameters.
Volunteering can help others and it creates a network among the persons of various
sectors of society. You can improve your talent and social skills during the
volunteering service. There is no age limit of volunteer ship, but in most cases for
the minor volunteers consent of parents is required. Volunteers can achieve the
status of social activist and satisfaction by providing time without any economic
return and benefit.
As a regular volunteering part persons who wish to serve the society can give and
share their time with NGOs working with different programmers. In case of natural
calamity like flood or casualties like accident many persons contribute their time to
improve the conditions of affected area and situation.
Indian Volunteers

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FOR INDIAN VOLUNTEERS

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NGOs India is registering full time and part time Indian volunteers for NGOs.
Suitable volunteers CVs may be forwarded to our verified associated NGOs time
to time, whenever they have opportunities or openings in their projects.
Please send your C.V. along with the latest passport size photograph.
Please also mention your specific area of interest and expertise. We can inform you
by mail or SMS about the current openings.
The Volunteer Service is presently free and support is available.

MEMBERSHIP FOR NGOs

We invite Indian NGOs for new membership of NGOs India Volunteer portal.
NGOs can register for new membership and can mail us for your requirements.
Volunteers provide their time for social work according to their suitable time. We
can connect NGOs with suitable volunteers with certain time frame.
After receiving your application we shall ask for verification if needed.
Support for this service is available through email and telephonic communication.
You can make telephone calls for Volunteering service.

Strong mechanism is required to regulate NGOs: Supreme Court

Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are now working without any regulation
and doing what they want. Even many NGOs are doing unfair practices. The
Supreme Court bench led by CJI Thakur appointed senior advocate Rakesh
Dwivedi and sought his views on how to fasten accountability on the NGOs when
they are funded from the public exchequer.
Favouring a strong regime to regulate NGOs, the Supreme Court suggested that the

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Law Commission may look into the matter and make suitable recommendations to

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fill in the lacuna in legal provisions. A bench led by Chief Justice of India T S
Thakur appointed senior advocate Rakesh Dwivedi as amicus curiae and sought his
views on how to fasten accountability on the NGOs when they are funded from the
public exchequer.
They are getting money from all over the world what is an NGO? Anyone can
register a society and it becomes an NGO. There is no central legislation to ensure
accountability no legal brainwork done at the central level to control them.
Unless some mechanism is put in place centrally, nothing can be done, observed
the bench.
It regretted that out of around 31 lakh NGOs, less than 10 per cent submitted
details of their accounts with the registrar of societies and said that absence of a
central law could be the reason for lack of regulatory regime. It asked PIL
petitioner-advocate M L Sharma to hand over a copy of the petition and other
relevant documents to Dwivedi, and added that if necessary, the court might refer
the matter to the Law Commission for an in-depth study.
The first-ever exercise by the CBI to map registered NGOs had disclosed that India
has at least 31 lakh NGOs more than double the number of schools in the
country, 250 times the number of government hospitals, one NGO for 400 people
as against one policeman for 709 people. These statistics, indicating the relative
status of education and healthcare infrastructure apart from policing, have come to
light after the CBI collated information from all states and Union Territories to list
NGOs registered under the Societies Registration Act.
The CBI was directed by the court to collect information about NGOs and inform
whether these NGOs have filed balance sheets, including income-expenditure
statements, to ascertain compliance with accountability norms.
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NGO Funding, NGO Fund Raising

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We provide support and help to raise funds to the deserving NGOs. There many
funding options and opportunities for the real NGOs who are already working for
Social Development, Social Welfare and on Social issues having remarkable
profile to prove that they can run the projects and programmes after getting funds
from Government, Funding agencies, Funding partners and People.
We would like to provide you information and knowledge regarding NGO
Fundraising, Process to get Projects with Funds, Process to prepare projects,
process to implement projects and programmes and process to prepare documents
for various projects, activities, programmes and profiles.
How to approve your NGO with Government to get funds
How to raise funds for your NGO
What documents are necessary to submit along with the projects to get
Funding and support.
How to prepare Annual Reports
How to prepare Projects
Project writing tips
Project Formats
Guidelines to Project Proposals
How to write Concept note
How to approach funding agencies
What is FCRA and how to get FCRA
How to get Funds for Foreign Funding Agencies
What are the methods to get and collect Funds
How to get registration u/s 12A of Income tax act
How to get registration u/s 80G of Income tax act
How to get registration u/s 35 ac of Income tax act

Funding Schemes
Non Government Organisation (NGO) is citizen based non profit group works for

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social welfare and sustainable development. The main aim and objective of any

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NGO is same as the aim of Government for development of society. Governments
have control on resources but the organisations formed and working for the welfare
and development do not have resources so they have to arrange and manage
resources. NGOs function for without any profit but can work with funds and
financial resources in present system. So funding is the basic and main part to run
and organise the programmes they use to work or want to work.
So if any NGO wants to work with capacity it needs to get grants from various
sources. NGOs get grant from various sources, individual donors, foundations,
corporations, and governments. Funding sources for NGO include membership
fees, private donations, public donations, grants from local, national and foreign
funding agencies, philanthropic foundations, Government funding schemes, sale of
products and services and CSR funds from private corporate sector companies.
NGO requires funds for operations, salaries and other overhead costs. Fundraising
efforts are necessary for existence, operation of programmes and success in the
aims of NGO.
Funds can be received under the various Funding Schemes.
Funding Schemes of Central Ministries of Government of India
Funding Schemes Government of India
Funding Schemes of Foreign Funding Agencies
Funding Schemes of Private Funding Agencies
Funding Schemes of State Governments
CSR Funding Schemes

NGOs in Delhi
In Delhi there are thousands of Non Governmental Organisations are registered
and many of them are working for social welfare and development issues and
programmes. Delhi NGOs enlisted in NGOs India has been working on various

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social programmes, objectives and activities.

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Non Governmental Organisations(NGOs) or Non Profit Organisations or Voluntary
Organisations

NGOs in Indias Development Process

Introduction
In a democratic system, the role of the state is primary and most crucial in
formulating and implementing the social and economic development programmes.
However, in the contemporary society, the problems that people have been facing
especially the poor are much more complex. This is especially true in a country
like India where a large number of vulnerable sections are experiencing
inequalities at all the levels.
Development does not only mean economic development but also includes
promoting social equality, gender equality, improving quality of life etc., It is not
possible for government alone to effectively undertaking such complex
development activities. So, there is essentiality of other groups or organizations to
support the government on various fronts. This essentiality paved way for the
emergence of civil society.Non-Governmnt organizations (NGOs) being a major
arm of civil society thus have a crucial role in the countrys development process.
Non-Government organizations (NGOs) are the groups or institutions or
organizations that are not reducible to the administrative grasp and work on non-
profit basis with the principles like social equality, altruism and human
development as their foundations. In India at present there are nearly 25,000 NGOs
spread across various parts of the country.
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NGOs in India

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Social service is associated with India since ancient times. It is said that even
Mahatma Gandhi after attaining independence wanted Indian National congress to
be transformed into a Public service organization. Although such proposal was
rejected, later many of staunch Gandhi followers did setup large number of
voluntary orgs across various parts of the country to carry of the constructive
works on Gandhian principles. However, the real and identified registration and
formation of NGOs emerged in India from early 1970s. Immediately after their
formal inception, NGOS received grater thrust form the Government in more than
one ways.
The GOI during the sixth Five year plan with its famousGARIBI HATAO slogan
did recognize the importance of NGOs in the development process of India. In the
seventh FYP, it gave a task of developing self-reliance communities to NGOs for
promoting rural development. Later in the eighth FYP, government sought to
promote nationwide network of NGOs. In its ninth FYP, it envisaged the primary
role of in promoting PPPS in the country. The tenth FYP envisaged the need and
importance of NGOS in developing agricultural sector by promoting awareness
among the farmers about various modern farm techniques and government
initiatives for their benefit. Moreover, government has also been promoting the
development of NGOs through financial aid and assistance programmes.
NGOs with the support given by the government has been accelerating its
development activities by taking up specific issues like Poverty alleviation, child
rights, caste stigma and discriminations, women rights, child labor, rural
development, water and sanitation, environmental issues etc., In the last two
decades the role of NGOs have become proactive in the social sector development-
education, health etc.,NGOs have played a crucial role in sending the school
dropouts back to the school especially in rural areas thus upholding the Right to

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education. And also the heath sector development programmes like Leprosy

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eradication programme and programs on eliminating TB, malaria and improving
water and sanitation facilities by NGOs have met with huge success.
The most highlighted success of NGOs could be seen in their achievement in
influencing government to bring out various development-oriented policies and
laws. Few of such laws and policies include: Right to Information, Integrated child
development scheme(ICDS), Integrated child protection scheme(ICPS),
MNREGA, Juvenile justice, Nirmal gram initiative, Rastriya swathya bhima
yogna(RSBY), Various policies on women development, forest and environment
development, anti-trafficking, people with disability etc.,

NGOs and controversies

NGOs undoubtedly have been playing proactive role in protecting the interests of
the poor and destitute and are also essential for upholding the democratic values of
the country. However, many NGOs in India have come under the red scanner and
their functioning have to be seen with suspicion. This is majorly because of loss in
credibility and lack of accountability with NGOs in India. Although this is not true
with all the NGOs but it is certainly true that the red spot is on many NGOs across
various regions in the country.
The recent report of Intelligence bureau (IB) stated that-the working of few NGOs
in the name of protests against the government activities have become detrimental
to the nation development. It also mentioned that the protests of foreign funding
NGOs led to loss of 2-3% of countrys GDP. The report has brought the
discussions and debates about NGOs accountability into fore. It is true that NGOs
must raise voice to protect the rights of people and protest but it is also equally
important for them to provide the alternatives for the government to ensure

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development. Mere protests and stalling development activities would not prove

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effective and hurt the nation building. So, it is essential for NGOs to ensure
effective policy research with think-tank way of functioning and provide
alternative solutions to the government since after all the emergence of NGOs
linked to the requirement of best effective alternative approaches.
It is well known fact that several NGOs obtaining funds from the foreign sources
for their activities. It is also true that these NGOs played crucial part in protests
against setting up coal and thermal project plants and Konndankulam nuclear
project which led to power shortages in the respective states. In the wake of IB
report, there are few arguments from different quarters to block the option of
availing foreign funds. But in a country like India where income source is low and
high difficulties associated in raising funds which are primary for NGOs to fulfill
their minimum requirements it is definitely not acceptable to stop the foreign
funds. Instead of blocking the foreign funds it is necessary for government to
ensure further transparency in categorizing the NGOs based on their funds sources.
It would also prove effective if government tightens the scrutiny procedures
through foreign contribution (regulation) act, 2010. And also it is necessary that
NGOs to ensure transparency in their governance frame work and board
functioning.
In fine, the NGOs working with enhanced accountability, by providing alternative
solutions to the development, in collaboration with the government and market
which is the need of the hour would further strengthen the development process in
India.

Types of NGOs
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There are numerous possibilities to classify NGOs. The following is the typology

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the World Bank uses.

Operational NGOs

Their primary purpose is the design and implementation of development-related

projects. One categorization that is frequently used is the division into relief-
oriented or development-oriented organizations; they can also be classified
according to whether they stress service delivery or participation; or whether they
are religious and secular; and whether they are more public or private-oriented.
Operational NGOs can be community-based, national or international.

Advocacy NGOs

Their primary purpose is to defend or promote a specific cause. As opposed to

operational project management, these organizations typically try to raise
awareness, acceptance and knowledge by lobbying, press work and activist events.

Important Features of NGOs

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Purposes

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NGOs exist for a variety of purposes, usually to further the political or
social goals of their members. Examples include improving the state of the natural
environment, encouraging the observance of human rights, improving the welfare
of the disadvantaged, or representing a corporate agenda. However, there are a
huge number of such organizations and their goals cover a broad range of political
and philosophical positions. This can also easily be applied to private schools and
athletic organizations.

Methods

NGOs vary in their methods. Some act primarily as lobbyists, while others
conduct programs and activities primarily. For instance, such an NGO as Oxfam,
concerned with poverty alleviation, might provide needy people with the
equipment and skills they need to find food and clean drinking water.

Networking

The International Freedom of Expression exchange (IFEX), founded in

1992, is a global network of more than 60 non-governmental organizations that
promote and defend the right to freedom of expression.

Consulting
 Many international NGOs have a consultative status with United Nations

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agencies relevant to their area of work. As an example, the Third World Network

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has a consultative status with the UN Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD)and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In 1946, only
41 NGOs had consultative status with the ECOSOC, but this number had risen to
2,350 in 2003.

Management of non-governmental organizations

Two management trends are particularly relevant to NGOs: diversity

management and participatory management. Diversity management deals with
different cultures in an organization. Intercultural problems are prevalent in
Northern NGOs that are engaged in developmental activities in the South.
Personnel coming from a rich country are faced with a completely different
approach of doing things in the target country. A participatory management style is
said to be typical of NGOs. It is intricately tied to the concept of a learning
organization: all people within the organization are perceived as sources for
knowledge and skills. To develop the organization, individuals have to be able to
contribute in the decision making process and they need to learn.

Relations
 The relationship among businesses, governments, and NGOs can be

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quite complex and sometimes antagonistic. Some advocacy NGOs view opposition

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to the interests of Western governments and large corporations as central to their
purpose. But NGOs, governments, and companies sometimes form cooperative,
conciliatory partnerships as well.

Staffing

Not all people working for non-governmental organizations are

volunteers. Paid staff members typically receive lower pay than in the commercial
private sector. Employees are highly committed to the aims and principles of the
organization. The reasons why people volunteer are usually not purely altruistic,
but self-serving: They expect to gain skills, experience and contacts.

Funding

Large NGOs may have annual budgets in the millions of dollars. For
instance, the budget of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) was
over $540million dollars in 1999. Human Rights Watch spent and received US$21,
7 million in2003. Funding such large budgets demands significant fundraising
efforts on the part of most NGOs. Major sources of NGO funding include
membership dues, the sale of goods and services, grants from international
institutions or national governments, and private donations. Several EU-grants
provide funds accessible to NGOs. Even though the term 'non-governmental
organization' implies independence of governments, some NGOs depend heavily
on governments for their funding.
 Legal status

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The legal form of NGOs is diverse and depends upon homegrown
variations in each countrys laws and practices. However, four main family groups
of NGOs can be found worldwide:
Unincorporated and voluntary association
Trusts, charities and foundations
Companies not just for profit
Entities formed or registered under special NGO or nonprofit laws.

NGOs are not subjects of international law, as states are. An exception is the
International Committee of the Red Cross, which is subject to certain specific
matters, mainly relating to the Geneva Convention.

Organizational structure of an NGO

What does a typical NGO's organizational structure look like? What types of staff
members work in an NGO, and what are their responsibilities? This document was
developed based on email queries received by the NGO Caf, as a part of its

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outreach to the wider NGO Community, under the banner of "How to Start an

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NGO".
The wide variety and complexity working on different themes, at different levels,
or targeting different audiences, make it extremely difficult to create a generic
outline of an organizational structure. In general, a typical NGO's organizational
structure is illustrated in Figure 1. Note that this organizational structure, or its
adaptations, is in fact a part of the NGO's by-laws 1 , and specific features and
details are explicitly outlined in the by-laws.

Top Management:
The top management of an NGO consists of three entities - the Board of Directors,
the General Assembly, and the Executive Director (See Figure 2).
 1. At the top is the Board of Directors of the NGO. An NGO Board is a legal

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requirement in most countries in order to get it officially registered with the

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local authorities. Many NGOs stipulate that membership in a board is
voluntary and non-remunerative 2 . Board meetings are kept closed, though
written proceedings, reports and minutes may be made public for
transparency purposes.
Depending on the type of NGO, a Board may be responsible for a number of tasks,
for example hire and supervise the Executive Director, develop and approve
budgets, etc. Board members will also be expected to champion the NGO's cause,
and represent the NGO to the larger community. Many NGOs also expect board
members to help raise fund for their projects 3 .

1. Next comes the Executive Director, who may also be called by other names
such as Coordinator, Chief Operating Officer, or CEO. He or she is
responsible for the overall direction in which the NGO moves, and the
 responsibility for managing the day-to-day activities of the NGO. The

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Executive Director is also member of the board - usually its Executive

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Secretary. He or she reports to the Board.
2. The Board of Directors and the Executive Director may be assisted by
advisors. These advisors are optional, but are useful to create a good image
of the NGO, and enhance its "brand name" besides providing specialist
advice for the NGO.
3. In some cases, a General Assembly may be set up at this level. Especially in
cases where the NGO is a membership-based NGO, the General Assembly is
a group of all such members, including its board members and staff
members. The General Assembly usually meets annually or biannually, and
is held sequential to a Board Meeting.
While day-to-day decisions activities and management are taken care of by the
board, the executive director and the staff members, the highest body that guides
and advises the overall development and progress of the NGO. A general assembly
may or may not be required by law, but such a body helps in creating a good
transparent image for the NGO, in building trust with its partners and stakeholders,
and in public relations and fund-raising activities.
Depending on the NGO's by-laws, members of the General Assembly can also
participate in the meetings by proxy, usually deferring to the Executive Director to
cast their vote when needed.

Staff Members
Staff members of an NGO are responsible for the day-to-day functioning, and
implementing of its programmes and projects. They report to the Executive
Director, who overall is responsible for the NGO's activities. (See Figure 3) Staff

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members of an NGO fall into three groups - responsible for activities related to (1)

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administration, (2) publicity and (3) programmes/projects.
1. Administrative activities are led by an administrative manager. This manager
may have several staff members assisting him/her, including a Finance
Assistant or a Membership Coordinator. Besides the financial management
of an NGO, a Finance Assistant may also be responsible for fund-raising
activities of the NGO. This means that he/she will have to work closely with
the staff members responsible for communications and dissemination, as
well as those responsible for programmes/projects. In the case of larger
NGOs, this fund-raising responsibility may fall under a separate position
specifically set up for the purpose. The membership coordinator manages the
NGO's members, membership fees, customer relations etc.
 35
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1. Communications and dissemination activities are the responsibility of a staff

member a the level of a manager. This manger may be assisted by other staff
members such as a Public Relations Assistant, a Publications Assistant, or a
Web/Social Media Assistant. The Public Relations assistant works closely
with both the Finance Assistant and Membership Coordinator on one hand,
and the Programme Manager on the other, to publicize its activities and
build a "brand name" for the NGO. Similarly, the publications assistant will
have to work with the public relations and web/social media assistant in
order to make sure the NGO'S publications are disseminated widely and in a
timely manner.
2. Programme and project activities of an NGO are led by a manager. This is,
of course, the biggest part of an NGO's activities, and forms its structural
 core. A Programme Manager may be assisted by several Project Assistants,

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Training Assistants, and other Assistants, depending on the number and size

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of the projects being implemented. Short-term external consultants, who
provide specific services for projects, or field staff who are hired to
implement projects in the target community, also fall under this section.
The staff positions and responsibilities outlined above are not, of course, fixed.
NGOs can have other staff members too, or shared/related responsibilities can be
held by one person. For example, related responsibilities of Membership
Coordination and Public Relations can be handled by the same staff member. In
cases where an NGO is just starting, or in the process of developing, this
consolidation will particularly be true, where one staff member may be handling
more than one and related responsibilities.
Details of all staff members, their roles and responsibilities, and overall NGO
structure are concretized by including them in the NGO's by-laws. By-laws are
needed for the legal registration of an NGO, and can be added to, or changed, with
the approval of the Board of Directors and the General Assembly. The
organizational structure itself may change over time, depending on how the
programmers and projects are and new ones initiated.
 37
Fundraising of NGO

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Fundraising or fund raising (also development) is the process of soliciting and
gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting
donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental
agencies (see also crowd funding). Although fundraising typically refers to efforts
to gather money for non-profit organizations, it is sometimes used to refer to the
identification and solicitation of investors or other sources of capital for for-profit
enterprises. Traditionally, fundraising consisted mostly of asking for donations on
the street or at people's doors, and this is experiencing very strong growth in the
form of face-to-face fundraising, but new forms of fundraising such as online
fundraising have emerged in recent years, though these are often based on older
methods such as grassroots fundraising. Nevertheless fundraising via internet has
become very popular in the past years, it allows new possibilities of gathering
money for any organisation, cause or charity. You can send money directly to the
organization one wish to support either by donations, or via Internet shopping.
Being a non profit organization every revenue generated by either of these two
ways of contribution goes directly to the financial needs of the every project.

Organizations

Fundraising is a significant way that non-profit organizations may obtain the

money for their operations. These operations can involve a very broad array of
concerns such as religious or philanthropic groups such as research organizations,
public broadcasters, political campaigns and environmental issues. Some examples
of charitable organizations include student scholarship merit awards for athletic or
academic achievement, humanitarian concerns, disaster relief, human rights,

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research, and other social issues.

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Professional fundraisers
Many non-profit organizations take advantage of the services of professional
fundraisers. These fundraisers may be paid for their services either through fees
unrelated to the amounts of money to be raised, or by retaining a percentage of
raised funds (percentage-based compensation). The latter approach is expressly
forbidden under the Code of Ethics of the Association of Fundraising Professionals
(AFP), a professional membership body.[1] However, by far the most common
practice of American non-profits is to employ a staff person whose main
responsibility is fund raising. This person is paid a salary like any other employee,
and is usually a part of the top management staff of the organization.

Some non-profit organizations nonetheless engage fundraisers who are paid a

percentage of the funds they raise. In the United States, this ratio of funds retained
to funds passed on to the non-profit is subject to reporting to a number of state's
Attorneys General or Secretaries of state.[2] This ratio is highly variable and
subject to change over time and place, and it is a point of contention between a
segment of the general public and the non-profit organizations.
The term "professional fundraiser" is in many cases a legislated term referring to
third-party firms whose services are contracted for; whereas "fundraising
professionals" or development officers are often individuals or staff at charitable
non-profits. Although potentially confusing, the distinction is an important one to
note.
Fundraising professionals, who have been employed with not-for-profit
organizations as fundraisers or as fundraising consultants, for at least sixty (60)
months, can become certified as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). The

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CFRE credential is administered by CFRE International, an independent 501(c)6

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whose sole mission is dedicated to setting standards in philanthropy through a
valid and reliable certification process.

Religious organizations

Equally important are fundraising efforts by virtually every recognized religious

group throughout the world. These efforts are organized on a local, national, and
global level. Sometimes, such funds will go exclusively toward assisting the basic
needs of others, while money may at other times be used only for evangelism or
proselytism. Usually, religious organizations mix the two, which can sometimes
cause tension.

Political compaigns

US President Barack Obama's campaign team organised a record-breaking

fundraising effort in 2008 based on grassroots fundraising
Fundraising also plays a major role in political campaigns. This fact, despite
numerous campaign finance reform laws, continues to be a highly controversial
topic in American politics. Political action committees (PACs) are the best-known
organizations that back candidates and political parties, though others such as 527
groups also have an impact. Some advocacy organizations conduct fundraising for
or against policy issues in an attempt to influence legislation.
Public broadcasting

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While public broadcasters are completely government-funded in much of the
world, there are many countries where some funds must come from donations from
the public. In the United States less than 15% of local public broadcasting stations'
funding comes from the federal government. Pledge drives commonly occur about
three times each year, usually lasting one to two weeks each time. Viewership and
listenership often declines significantly during funding periods, so special
programming may be aired in order to keep regular viewers and listeners
interested.

Taxation

Organizations in the United States established for charitable purposes are allowed
to raise funds from many sources. They are given a specific designation by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS), commonly noted as organizations. Other
nonprofits such as fraternal associations have different IRS designations, and may
or may not be eligible to raise funds. Financial information on many nonprofits,
including all nonprofits that file annual IRS 990 forms is available from GuideStar.

Types

Many non-profit organizations receive some annual funding from a financial

endowment, which is a sum of money that is invested to generate an annual return.
Although endowments may be created when a sizable gift is received from an
individual or family, often as directed in a will upon the death of a family member,
they more typically are the result of many gifts over time from a variety of sources.
Non-profit organizations also raise funds through competing for grant funding.

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Grants are offered by governmental units and private foundations/ charitable trusts

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to non-profit organizations for the benefit of all parties to the transaction.
A capital campaign is when fundraising is conducted to raise major sums for a
building or endowment, and generally keep such funds separate from operating
funds. These campaigns encourage donors to give more than they would normally
give and tap donors, especially corporations and foundations who would not
otherwise give. A capital campaign normally begins with a private phase before
launching a public appeal.
Charitable giving by corporations is estimated to be $15.29 billion in 2010. This
consists of grants as well as matching gift and volunteer grants that are geared
toward nonprofits which employees are passionate about. Many nonprofits use
third-party services to help automate matching gift and volunteer grant receipts and
increase fundraising from these two sources.
Special events are another method of raising funds. These range from formal
dinners to benefit concerts to walkathons. Events are used to increase visibility and
support for an organization as well as raising funds. Events can feature activities
for the group such as speakers, a dance, an outing or entertainment, to encourage
group participation and giving. Events can also include fundraising methods such
as a raffle or charity auction. Events often feature notable sponsors or honoree.
Events often feature a charity "ad book" as a program guide for the event, but more
importantly, as another fundraiser providing members, supporters and vendors to
show their support of and to the group at the event by way of placing an ad-like
page, 1/2 page, 1/4 page, stating or showing support. Events and their associated
fundraisers can be a major source of a groups revenue, visibility and donor
relations.
While fundraising often involves the donation of money as an out-right gift, money

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may also be generated by selling a product of some kind, also known as product

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fundraising. Girl Scouts of the USA are well known for selling cookies in order to
generate funds. It is also common to see on-line impulse sales links to be
accompanied by statements that a proportion of proceeds will be directed to a
particular charitable foundation. Tax law may require differentiating between the
cost of an item verses its gift value, such as a $100.00 per person dinner, for a
$25.00 cost meal. Fundraising often involves recognition to the donor, such as
naming rights or adding donors to an honor roll or other general recognition.
Charity Ad Books are another form of donation for recognition, sponsorship or
selling of ads often in an event related program or group directory.

When goods or professional services are donated to an organization rather than

cash, this is called an in-kind gift.
A number of charities and non-profit organizations are increasingly using the
internet as a means to raise funds; this practice is referred to as online fundraising.
For example, the NSPCC operates a search engine which generates funds via Pay
per click links, and Better The World operates tools allowing funds to be raised via
members viewing ethical ads on a browser sidebar and/or blog widget.
Some of the most substantial fundraising efforts in the United States are conducted
by colleges and universities. Commonly the fundraising, or "development" /
"advancement," program, makes a distinction between annual fund appeals and
major campaigns. Most institutions use professional development officers to
conduct superior fundraising appeals for both the entire institution or individual
colleges and departments. Examples of this include athletics and libraries.
The donor base (often called a file) for higher education includes alumni, parents,
friends, private foundations, and corporations. Gifts of appreciated property are
important components of such efforts because the tax advantage they confer on the

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donor encourages larger gifts. The process of soliciting appreciated assets is called

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planned giving.
The classic development program at institutions of higher learning include
prospect identification, prospect research and verification of the prospect's
viability, cultivation, solicitation, and finally stewardship, the latter being the
process of keeping donors informed about how past support has been used.

Accountable fundraising

Some non-profit organizations demonstrate greater accountability by showing

donors the direct impact of their fundraising efforts. This accountability usually
comes in the form of a vote, where the members select a specific program or
charity that they would like their money to go to. A specific example of
accountable fundraising is the organization Better The World which allows
members to select the charity which receives the money they have raised; members
can constantly keep track of the amount raised on the browser sidebar tool.

Fundraiser events

A fundraiser is an event or campaign whose primary purpose is to raise money for

a cause, charity or non-profit organization. Fundraisers often benefit charitable,
non-profit, religious, or non-governmental organizations, though there are also
fundraisers that benefit for-profit companies and individuals.
One specific type of event is the "ad book" fundraiser, where those who wish to
give funds to a the fundraising group do so through the sponsorship or statement
within a book of advertisements.
 44
Relationship building

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Often called donor cultivation, relationship building is the foundation on which
most fundraising takes place.[10] Most development strategies divide donors into
categories based on annual gifts. For instance, major donors are those that give at
the highest level of the organization's fundraising scale and mid-level donors are in
the middle.
More sophisticated strategies use tools to overlay demographic and other market
segmentation data against their database of donors in order to more precisely
customize communication and more effectively target resources. Research by Peter
Maple in the UK shows that charities generally underinvest in good marketing
research spending around a quarter of what an equivalent sized for profit company
might spend.
Donor relations and stewardship professionals support fundraisers by recognizing
and thanking donors in a fashion that will cultivate future giving to nonprofit
organizations. The Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) is the
first community of stewardship and donor relations professionals in the United
States and Canada.
Recent research by Adrian Sargeant and the Association of Fundraising
Professionals' Fundraising Effectiveness Project suggests the sector has a long way
to go in improving the quality of donor relations. The sector generally loses 50
60% of its newly acquired donors between their first and second donations and one
in three, year on year thereafter. The economics of regular or sustained giving are
rather different, but even then organizations routinely lose 30% of their donors
from one year to the next.
 45
Events

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Band Aid (1984), Live Aid (1985) and Sport Aid (1986), for famine relief in
Ethiopia
Walk Against Want in Australia

A capital campaign is "an intensive fundraising effort designed to raise a specified

sum of money within a defined time period to meet the varied asset-building needs
of an organization." Asset-building activities include the construction, renovation
or expansion of facilities (for example, a new building), the acquisition or
improvement of land, equipment, or other items, and additions to a financial
endowment. Two characteristics set capital campaigns apart from other forms of
fundraising activities. First, "the gifts solicited are much larger than those generally
sought during an annual fund." Second, "pledges are emphasized as commitments
payable over a number of years convenient to the donor or through the transfer of
appreciated real or personal property."
Various types of capital campaigns have been identified. The traditional "brick and
mortar" campaign, focused on building construction or improvements, was
considered a "once in a lifetime" campaign in the past because of the ambitious
goals of the campaign. Today, however, organizations frequently schedule capital
campaigns every five to ten years, and "the mega goals announced by large
institutions often are the result of 'counting everything' during a five-to seven-year
campaign period."
A second type of capital campaign is the comprehensive, integrated, or total
development campaign, which aims for a longer fund-raising program based on a
long-term analysis of the organization's needs and direction. This form of capital

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campaign includes ordinary fundraising actives, such as annual gift drives, which

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are "slower-paced and lack the intensity of the traditional capital campaign."

Fundraising Techniques
Fund Raising & Event Management
To organize funds for your organization
Projects proposal writing
Institutional & Government funding
Different Fund Raising Plans
Direct Mailing Applications
Donation Boxes
Schools awareness cum sponsorship programme
Corporate Fund Raising
Internet fund raising
Foreign funding
Cause related marketing
Awareness Events
Fund Raising events
Social Campaigns, trainings & seminars

Project proposal writing

We provide excellent consultancy in project proposal writing. A project
proposal describes some sort of plan for a needed action. A project proposal may
be used to obtain a federal grant or to convince a board of directors to fund a new

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initiative. Project proposals consist of several sections, perhaps including an

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executive summary, a description of the problem or goal, a history or background
of existing conditions, a research review, and so on.

Institutional & Government Fund Raising

We have a data base of Institutions/bodies both for India & Foreign. These bodies
donate huge money for the development work for the underprivileged section of
the society. A project proposal mentioning the work area of the NGO, their plan &
implementation programme with audit strategy is required for Institutional or
government funding.

Direct Mailing Application

Direct mailing application process (DMA) is a very vital aspect of fund raising
techniques available for NGO sector. It is a direct marketing activity by which you
take your appeal to the people & individualizing your appeal to your target
Population.To make donation easy, a donor should be given following facilities
1. Business Reply Envelope (BRE)
2. Modes of payment i.e Cheque/ DD/ Cash/ Credit Card/ Bank
transfer/Swift Code etc.
We have donor data base for across India, work as an outsourcing agency for
NGOs for doing direct mailing applications process.

Donation Boxes
We provide consultancy for placing donation boxes at various profitable locations.

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A Donation Box not only creates visibility of the Ngo but also generate some

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money.

School Awareness cum sponsorship Programme

School fundraising is one of the wide spectrum of fundraising methods by which
the funds are raised from the community through the medium of school students by
educating them about the cause.
Normally an event is organized in the school with the two-pronged objective of
creating awareness and raising funds.
As a part of our consultancy work, we approach various schools for social causes
and solicit their support.

Corporate Fund Raising

We observe that corporate fund raising in NGO sector has increased in comparison
to other fund raising techniques. For a NGO, CFR means raising resource from
organization (who has an agenda for corporate social responsibility) for a cause of
serious concern to the society.
We provide our service so that substantial resources can be raised by tapping
profitable corporate and socially responsible organizations.

Fund Raising through internet

This is a fund-raising strategy for the new millennium. The successful fundraiser
will be the one who artfully molds fundraising principles, tactics, and techniques in
to the very heart of this new media. We provide excellent design of mailer,

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database which attracts individuals to donate for the cause.

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Cause Related Marketing

We also approach companies who are willing to contribute part of their sales
proceeds to a charity of their choice. The objective of the company will be to gain
consumer goodwill and increase sales. Normally large companies like to tie-up
with NGOs that are sync with their CSR objectives. NGOs with a high brand value
are more likely to be able to have large CRM tie-ups.

Foreign Funding

There are various foreign funding agencies and foreign trusts who support worthy
causes such as, Ford Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID,
DFID, NORAD etc. It is possible to get funding from them provided they are well
sensitized and are approach at appropriate level.
We provide adequate research and care to ensure that the proposal is well written
and matches the agenda of the donor. A FCRA account is required for seeking
foreign donation/support/aid.
Social Campaigns, trainings & seminars
We organizes social campaigns like, walkathon, charity walk, No tobacco rally,
anti-crackers campaign for generating public awareness on the common issues.
Training and seminars on fund raising, projects, corporate social responsibility are
the regular feature of the Samanvaya the Team
Event Management

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Samanvaya the Team has a dedicated team for event management. Event is
important as it raise maximum funds at optimum cost. Completed within a certain
time frame. Gives scope for wide publicity to the work of the charity and those
who aid it.There can be several special events in a year. Events can be small where
Rs. 5 lakhs are raised like Ghazal Nites, Film Show, and Christmas Party etc. Mega
Events where funds Above Rs. 5 lakhsraised like Musical Nites, Film Star Cricket
Festivals, Star Show, Celebrity Dinner,Auctions etc.

Prospective Funding Agencies, Donors & CSR

GVT has continuously received funding support from central government and
various state governments to implement various developmental projects in the nine
states where it operates. It has received funding support to implement projects
on Skill Development, Watershed, Agricultural Research, Home Stead
Farming, Agribusiness, Seed Multiplication, Handicrafts, Animal Husbandry,
Education, Health, etc. It has been empaneled by Ministry of Panchayat Raj,
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Planning Commission etc. to carry out various impact assessment studies and
monitoring of various projects that are implemented by other agencies. The major
government funding agencies are:

Funding Agencies, Donors

Ministry of Rural Development
Ministry of Environment and Forest
 Ministry of Tribal Development

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Indian Council of Agricultural Research

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National Rainfed Area Authority
Ministry of Land Resources
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Agriculture
Planning Commission
Government of Madhya Pradesh
Government of Jharkhand
Government of Rajasthan
Government of Bihar
Government of Gujarat
Government of West Bengal
Government of Chhattisgarh
Government of Odisha
Government of Uttar Pradesh
European Commission
DFID
Asian Development Bank
Development Alternatives
Rockefeller Foundation
Birsa Agricultural University
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
CAZS Bangor, UK
 NIRD

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IRMA

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ICRISAT

GVT has also strategically collaborated with various corporate houses to prepare
and implement their CSR activities under their Corporate Social Responsibility
dispensation. In a major way, it has collaborated with the following corporate
Houses:

CSR
Larsen & Toubro
Lanco Pvt. Ltd.
Chambal Fertilisers & Chemical Ltd.
NTPC
ESSAR
 53
DEVELOPING SKILLS OF NGOS

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Project Proposal Writing

Introduction
Without direct project funding, most non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
would not be able to accomplish their goals. Writing clear, thorough and targeted
project proposals is therefore essential to an NGOs success.
Mastering the art of proposal writing requires a unified approach to project
management. This guide is therefore intended to serve as a basis for delivering
training sessions related to the process, as well as the end product of project
design.
A project proposal is a detailed description of a series of activities aimed at
solving a certain problem. The proposal should contain a detailed explanation of
the:
justification of the project;
activities and implementation timeline;
methodology; and
human, material and financial resources required.

The project proposal should be a detailed and directed manifestation of the

project design. It is a means of presenting the project to the outside world in a
format that is immediately recognized and accepted.

The training sessions on project proposal writing aim to create an

understanding of:
 the role of the project proposal and the activities related to each stage;

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how to deal with projects and project proposals from an organizational

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perspective;
how project proposals fit into project management; and
how to structure a good project proposal.

Objective of the Guide

This guide will lead trainers through project proposal writing sessions and
exercises.
It enables the user to:
improve participants skills in developing quality project proposals;
show them how to manage projects within an organization; and
help them to understand a projects value as a tool to achieve and further the
organizations
mission.
The challenges that come out of these problem areas can be classified into three
groups:
1) Enhancing skills and organizational procedures
Learning proposal-writing techniques, as well as developing skills in designing
and
writing successful project proposals, is the objective of most participants
Establishing systems and standards related to developing projects within the
NGOs is also a key objective.

2) Understanding the role of project proposals in project management

The project proposal is a tool not a goal. It should be followed as closely as
possible, and deviations should occur only when necessary.
 Proposal writing is only one of the phases of project management. It is one of the

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numerous actions that form a logical sequence of events usually referred to as the

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project cycle. 3) Conducting preparatory work prior to proposal writing A quality
project proposal is the final product of a participatory process that involves
considerable study, discussion and learning from past experiences (see Figure 1).
Skills to be Developed
The training focuses on developing specific skills related to designing and
completing good project proposals. This guide offers instruction in:
conducting preparatory work (see Figure 1);
developing comprehensive and viable project plans by setting realistic goals and
determining the resources needed;

FIGURE 1
Before Writing a Proposal

Interview past and prospective beneficiaries. Though feedback was likely

received when the previous project ended, new benefits and conditions may have
arisen since that time. Speak to prospective beneficiaries to ensure that what you
are planning to offer is desired and needed.
Review past project proposals. Avoid repeating mistakes and offering to
reproduce
results that have already been achieved. Donors will be unlikely to provide more
funding for something that should already have been done.
Review past project evaluation reports. Dont count on project members to
remember all the mistakes and areas for improvement from previous efforts.
Organize focus groups. Make sure that the people you need are willing and able
to contribute.
 Check statistical data. Dont let others discover gaps and inaccuracies in the

56
data you are relying on.

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Consult experts. Outside opinions will give you ideas and credibility.
Conduct surveys, etc. Gather as much preliminary information as possible to
demonstrate commitment to the project and to refine the objectives.
Hold community meetings or forums. When the public feels that they have
been consulted on an issue, they will be much more likely to cooperate and support
the project.

Project Basics
What is (and what is NOT) a Project
From the perspective of project management, any series of activities that go
through the project cycle ARE projects.
The project cycle consists of project phases. An organization should already have a
well-defined organizational strategy from which it can begin to assess relevant
needs and opportunities in its field. Several ideas will then come to light, from
which an organization may choose. The project phases then follow logically
through design, financing, implementation, and evaluation stages.
NGOs often perform activities that do not fall into the category of projects. It is
also important to recognize that a project is not:
past activities that are repeated in the same way on a periodic basis;
activities with no clearly defined goals;
activities which can be repeated or transplanted anywhere at any moment; or
ongoing (regular) organizational activities (e.g. board meetings).
 57Page
FIGURE 2
Step Element Considerations
1 Identifying the goal, objectives, results Background of the project results expected
expected and target group and target group Defined goal and objectives
the societal vision of the organization
Expected short-term and long-term results
Beneficiaries of the project Problems solved
by the project
2 Content of the project Theme and main issues to be covered
Methods chosen to realize the goal and
objectives Activities to be implemented
Further needs to continue the project
3 Project location(s) and time schedule of Location of different activities Duration of
activities the project Starting and ending dates of the
project Schedule for individual activities
Summarized timeline of the project

4 Resources Human resources

Financial resources
Infrastructures

5 Cost/Income resources Total budget of the project Detailed budget

by activities and cost types Rate and form of
own contribution Potential funders and
sources of income
6 Description of the implementing Description of the implementing

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organizations and partners organization Analysis of capacity and

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capability Description of cooperative
partners Analysis of partners capacity and
capability
7 Project team and management The project coordinator Communication
method of the project team Communication
strategy and practice with the external
environment
8 Monitoring, Evaluation and follow-up Success criteria of the project Methods and
timing of monitoring and evaluation Further
plans and follow up

What is the Project Design?

The project design is one phase of the project cycle. It consists of two elements:
project planning (formulation of project elements); and
project proposal writing (converting the plan into a project document).
Project design is a result of both project planning and the project proposal. Both
steps are essential to forming a solid project design.

Project Planning Formulation of Project Elements

Before the project is written, its individual elements need to be developed.
Addressing the planning considerations helps develop the project elements, as
shown in Figure 2.
Another way to break down planning questions is to take into consideration the
project design stage at which these questions are asked. On the basis of these
criteria the project planning questions could be classified as to whether they are
made during project planning or proposal writing, as seen in Figure 3.
Regardless of the project planning model presented here, quality proposal writing

59
is not possible without proper planning.

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FIGURE 3
Issues to be considered at the beginning of project planning

Beneficiaries of the project

Project team and cooperative partners
Success criteria
Goal and objectives
Methods chosen to achieve project goal
Costs and expenditures
Own contribution
Potential funders

Elements of the project proposal

Project title
Goals and objectives of the project
Description of project activities
Description of expected project results
Project implementation plan
Beginning of operations
 Resource allocation

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Project personnel

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Detailed project budget (fixed costs, equipment needed)
Other technical means (e.g. vehicles)
Division of financial sources (own contribution and other resources)

How to Write a Project Proposal

Once the groundwork has been completed, proposal writing can commence. The
key decision to be made at this stage is the structure of the project proposal
(including the content and length). The structure is determined by the nature of the
project as well as by the funding agencys requirements. In the variety of formats,
application forms, project design outlines, and grant application guidelines, it is
possible to detect some common elements.

Proposed Format
Title page
A title page should appear on proposals longer than three to four pages. The title
page should indicate the project title, the name of the lead organisation (and
potential partners, if any), the place and date of project preparation and the name of
the donor agency to whom the proposal is addressed.

Project title
The project title should be short, concise, and preferably refer to a certain key
project result or the leading project activity. Project titles that are too long or too
general fail to give the reader an effective snapshot of what is inside.
Contents page

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If the total project proposal is longer than 10 pages it is helpful to include a table of

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contents at the start or end of the document. The contents page enables readers to
quickly find relevant parts of the document. It should contain the title and
beginning page number of each section of the proposal.

Abstract
Many readers lack the time needed to read the whole project proposal. It is
therefore useful to insert a short project summary an abstract. The abstract
should include: the problem statement;
the projects objectives;
implementing organizations;
key project activities; and
the total project budget.

Theoretically, the abstract should be compiled after the relevant items already exist
in their long form.
For a small project the abstract may not be longer than 10 lines. Bigger projects
often provide abstracts as long as two pages.

Context
This part of the project describes the social, economic, political and cultural
background from which the project is initiated. It should contain relevant data from
research carried out in the project planning phase or collected from other sources.
The writer should take into consideration the need for a balance between the length

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of this item and the size of the overall project proposal. Large amounts of relevant

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data should be placed in an annex.

Project justification
Rationale should be provided for the project. Due to its importance, usually this
section is divided into four or more sub-sections.

Problem statement
The problem statement provides a description of the specific problem(s) the project
is trying to solve, in order to make a case for the project. Furthermore, the
project proposal should point out why a certain issue is a problem for the
community or society as a whole, i.e. what negative implications affect the target
group. There should also be an explanation of the needs of the target group that
appear as a direct consequence of the described problem.

Priority needs
The needs of the target group that have arisen as a direct negative impact of the
problem should be prioritized. An explanation as to how this decision was reached
(i.e. what criteria was used) must also be included. For example, if the problem is
stated as poor infrastructure in the community the list of needs associated
with this problem may be:
improved water supply in quality and quantity;
better roads; and
 improved solid waste collection.

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These three needs would then be given higher or lower priority according to
the level of importance for the community, and a description would be given of
how that decision was reached (e.g. a poll taken from the local population, costs
associated with project intervention, etc.). This procedure provides credibility to
the selected intervention.
The proposed approach (type of intervention)
The project proposal should describe the strategy chosen for solving the
problem and precisely how it will lead to improvement.
One way to describe the approach related to the need previously stated
as improved water supply could be: intervention to provide basic water supply
facilities in the community, with some description of the specific features of the
solution proposed.

Role of NGO in Corporate Social Responsibility Activities

Along with social enterprises, microfinance institutions and donors, corporations

play a large role in raising money and resources for NGOs. Many international
corporations can today rival entire nations when it comes to raising resources and
influence in both India and international territories.

In the last four years, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India has acquired
new impetus with the Companies Act 2013. The Act defines that companies with a
net worth of Rupees 500 crores or more, or a turnover of Rupees 1,000 crores or
more, or earning a net profit of Rupees 5 crores or more must spend a minimum

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amount on corporate social responsibility.

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CSR: support charities to fulfil legal obligation while generating goodwill
For many of India's most loved brands, 'giving back' is not about fulfilling this
legal obligation of having to donate to charity, but generating goodwill in their
respective communities. These are times when CSR and NGOs go together.
Companies, therefore, must spend in areas like literacy, women empowerment,
environment, water, sanitation, child rights etc. Most companies around the world
allocate 100% of their resources before they consider the need of CSR. The same
holds true for India, and even after allocating CSR funding, and engaging
employees with a mission of social good, companies struggle with their project's
sustainability.

NGO intervention in corporate social responsibility

Many companies simply do not have the bandwidth (employees, consultants, and
supervision) to undertake consistent CSR implementation. These companies not
only need to spend on CSR, but also on CSR training for their employees, or
adding manpower dedicated to CSR capability. NGOs in India pitch a streamlined,
customized solution to these corporations. For NGOs, corporates are not only a
source of consistent funding but also access to strategic resources. An IT giant, for
example, can provide technology, processes, and support for educational
initiatives.
A look at India's NGO sector

65Page
India possibly is home to the world's largest number of active not-for-profit NGOs.
At last count, India had 31 lakh NGO - one NGO for about 400 Indians. With the
boom in CSR funding, this number can cross 40 lakhs - considering that there are
thousands of public and private sector companies worth Rs. 15,000 to 18,000
crores annually. This number doesn't even include India's actual number of NGOs,
as many aren't formally registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, or
any other Acts pertaining to non-profit organizations.

How does a company identify the right NGO for CSR intervention?

With this veritable ocean of NGOs, it isn't easy to pick the right one for a company
to engage in CSR intervention. Companies not only must allocate funds, but also
work with the NGO on CSR interventions. This requires the need for effective
monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in place. Many large corporates, like
Godrej, Reliance, Wipro, Infosys, Tata, and the Birlas have their established their
own Foundations and Trusts to achieve this.

It is critical for a company to rate an NGO on parameters while shortlisting

one for CSR implementation.

I. Years in operation

It is important for a corporate to work with an NGO that has demonstrated years of
experience and reliability. During this time, it must have mobilized resources,
infrastructure, and people for a social cause.
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ii. Geography

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Companies should preferably look for an NGO near the project area. This not only
ensures easier logistics, but also an intimate understanding of the local needs,
geography, language, culture etc. The NGO preferably must situate offices or
centers with connectivity and other resources in these locations, to efficiently
execute projects.

iii. Reputation

Transparency, accountability, and measurable change in a social welfare context

are how an NGO's reputation can be measured. This gives an NGO credibility,
making it trustworthy of using corporate assets and funding for CSR goals.

iv. Certification (e.g. filing for donation tax return)

Certification allows corporates to assess if an NGO complies with legal norms, as

legal issues can compromise CSR implementation. Certification includes Income
Tax exemption, FCRA, service tax, and proper internal documentation in case an
audit is requested.

v. Relevant experience

An NGO must have shown work in projects relevant to the corporate's CSR goals.
Coca-Cola India, for example, devotes a substantial amount of CSR efforts to
water sustainability, conservation, and sanitation. These projects must be

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corroborated with completion certificates from clients.

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vi. Leadership

The NGO's leadership must be well-known promoters, with no legal proceedings

or controversies to their name.

vii. Credentials

An NGOs credentials can also be ascertained via certificates, awards, news

coverage, and membership of NGO and corporate bodies like CII, Chamber of
Commerce etc.

Save the Children: a recognized NGO for CSR initiatives

With reference to child rights NGO, Save the Children enjoys a well-earned
reputation, as it is a global pioneer in the field ever since its founder, Eglantine
Jabs wrote what would become the blueprint of UN Convention on the Rights of
the Child. The NGO has been preventing child labor through lobbying for policy
reform and stronger legislation while undertaking grassroots missions to free
children from bonded labor. Instead, it empowers these children with education,
job skills, giving India's marginalized children, a new lease of life. Apart from this
Save the Children works to provide healthcare, education, and life-saving aid
during emergencies to children.
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Today, Save the Children India is a favored partner for India's biggest corporates.

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Not only does the NGO have decades of experience in working with children, but
it is also known for transparency and accountability in managing corporate
resources allocated for children's rights.

Case studies of Save the Childrens CSR work with leading multinational
corporations
Here are some case studies from two of the worlds most well-known brands in
telecom (Nokia) and a furniture and home accessories group of companies (IKEA),
which show how a companys strengths can be leveraged for social change by Save
the Children.

1. Nokia
Disaster Risk Reduction: Working with Nokia, Save the Children established a
new Information Technology-based Disaster Risk Reduction project. This initiative
is working on building resilience of children and communities in emergencies:

i. Delhi: A Making Schools Safer programmer was initiated across 31 slum

pockets, covering 50 schools and reaching over 2 lakh people. It is today preparing
children and communities to identify daily risks faced by children, and respond to
them using IT. Detailed Risk Assessment has been carried out, and the NGO is
establishing Resource Centers across schools
ii. Disaster-struck and disaster prone regions: Nokia is working to provide

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advanced communication connectivity via its telecom technologies in these

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regions. This includes access to safety maps and plans, alternate routes and safe
zones, real-time coordination with community members, and mobile-based training
and education. The project was deployed in six pilot villages in early 2016,
followed by projects across 350 villages and urban settlements across Bihar,
Rajasthan, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

iii. Empowering Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) or community health workers were
armed with mobile phones that can store medical information, which is hosted on a
cloud server using GPRS. They met pregnant women and new mothers, to advise
on maternity health and infant health, via the phones which also feature text and
audio messages on breastfeeding and importance of institutional delivery. The
activists also used the phone to schedule appointments and access patient records.
With the NGO's input, pregnancy and newborn care mobile health applications
(called Comm Care) were developed.

2. IKEA
i. Freeing children from cotton farming labour
The IKEA Foundation and Save the Children came together for a 7 million
programme to protect 8 lakh children living in cotton communities in the states of
Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, after a successful debut across 1,866 villages of
Gujarat and Maharashtra where over 65,000 children were moved to classrooms
from the bondages of child labour. Thousands of farmers also pledged to make
their farms child-labour free.
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ii. Disaster relief: 2012 Assam floods

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Save the Children with support from IKEA Foundation provided malnutrition
screening, followed by access to Save the Childrens Nutrition Rehabilitation
Centre(NRC) facilities, where they are monitored and provided nutritional care and
support. Pregnant and lactating mothers in flood-hit Assam were taught healthy
recipes and low cost, dry food for children to improve children's nutritional
status.To fight contamination caused by Assam floods, children and families were
engaged in awareness drives on health and hygiene to encourage safe hygiene
practices.
iii. Solar lamps
For every SUNNAN solar power lamp bought by IKEA customers, the IKEA
Foundation donates one to UNICEF and Save the Children to help children play,
read, write and study after dusk.

Role Of NGO'S IN Sustainable Development

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have played a major role in pushing for

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sustainable development at the international level. Campaigning groups have been

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key drivers of inter-governmental negotiations, ranging from the regulation of
hazardous wastes to a global ban on land mines and the elimination of slavery.
But NGOs are not only focusing their energies on governments and inter-
governmental processes. With the retreat of the state from a number of public
functions and regulatory activities, NGOs have begun to fix their sights on
powerful corporations - many of which can rival entire nations in terms of their
resources and influence.
Aided by advances in information and communications technology, NGOs have
helped to focus attention on the social and environmental externalities of business
activity. Multinational brands have been acutely susceptible to pressure from
activists and from NGOs eager to challenge a company's labor, environmental or
human rights record. Even those businesses that do not specialize in highly visible
branded goods are feeling the pressure, as campaigners develop techniques to
target downstream customers and shareholders.
Such a stakeholder approach takes into account the effects of business activity - not
just on shareholders, but on customers, employees, communities and other
interested groups.
There are many visible manifestations of this shift. One has been the devotion of
energy and resources by companies to environmental and social affairs. Companies
are taking responsibility for their externalities and reporting on the impact of their
activities on a range of stakeholders.
Much of the credit for creating these trends can be taken by NGOs. But how
should the business world react to NGOs in the future? Should companies batten
down the hatches and gird themselves against attacks from hostile critics? Or
should they hold out hope that NGOs can sometimes be helpful partners?
Although it is often assumed that NGOs are charities or enjoy non-profit status,

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some NGOs are profit-making organizations such as cooperatives or groups which

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lobby on behalf of profit-driven interests. For example, the World Trade
Organization's definition of NGOs is broad enough to include industry lobby
groups such as the Association of Swiss Bankers and the International Chamber of
Commerce.
Even then, the NGO community remains a diverse constellation. Some groups may
pursue a single policy objective - for example access to AIDS drugs in developing
countries or press freedom. Others will pursue more sweeping policy goals such as
poverty eradication or human rights protection.
However, one characteristic these diverse organizations share is that their non-
profit status means they are not hindered by short-term financial objectives.
Accordingly, they are able to devote themselves to issues which occur across
longer time horizons, such as climate change, malaria prevention or a global ban
on landmines.

Role Of NGO'S In Women Development

 73Page

NGOs, moreover, recognize that gender inequalities in many different sectors that
are not readily identified as concerned with health can have an adverse effects on
womens health eg
Non-involvement of women in decision-making on resource allocation for the
health sector results in decisions being taken by men who may not take into
account the kinds of health services that only women will need. High maternal and
infant mortality rates in particular can be attributed to the lack, or defective
distribution of, resources in the health sector;
Discrimination against girl children (a) before birth through pre-natal sex
selection; (b) at birth through infanticide and (c) during childhood through neglect
and son preference, compounded by their unfair share of food and of domestic
chores, can lead to anemia, malnutrition and stunting of growth;
 Widespread and largely unreported prevalence of violence against women,

74
including psychological and sexual abuse can cause lasting damage to their health

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and is not infrequently fatal;
Womens bodies are far more susceptible to infection by sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) including HIV/AIDS, and the risk of infection is compounded by
their inability to insist upon safe sex. The associated complications include
infertility and even death.
Unfair share of family income received by women and girls, together with their
reduced opportunities for education and training, and consequential inability to
obtain gainful employment, may force them to resort to commercial sex, and
increased exposure to risk of contracting STDs or HIV/AIDS;
Early arranged marriages, a practice over which the girls concerned have little or
no control, can lead to too early and unspaced pregnancies with associated health
risks;
Cultural practices which preclude womens rights to make their own decisions,
such as female genital mutilation and widow inheritance can have a serious and
long term effects on their health.

Benefits of NGO

An NGO is a non-governmental organization that is driven and task-oriented by

individuals with one common interest. NGOs are usually structured around specific
issues like health, human rights or environment. An NGO provides expertise and

75
analysis and thus assists in monitoring international agreements.

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Provide important local action

NGOs are very important since they offer an organization for local communication,
action and lost distributing resources when there are no existing local
organizations. An NGO provides a mechanism that could possibly work where the
government has failed. It supports grass roots initiatives as well as recognizing
and responding to the realities of the local people.

Cheaper to implement
NGOs are actual non-profit organizations, various projects can be achieved
without having to use the government money. This is because there are many
private donors who support the NGOs and this means that there will never be a
lack of resources.
NGOs provide a good alternative to creating mass access structures. These mass
access structures are extremely cumbersome, unreliable and costly.

Better communication
NGOs have the capability of communicating at all levels. This means that they can
easily interact with the local people and relay their messages to top levels of the
government.
An NGO Approach to Solving Community Problems
 When an NGO approaches solving a problem, they can pursue the following

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structure:

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What exactly is the problem?
What is causing the problem?
Who are the persons/organizations responsible (for e.g. it could be a
particular department of the government/an industry)?
What are the consequences going to be? Assess magnitude, quality and
prevalence.
What are the alternatives/possible solutions?
How much would they cost? Is it better to invest the money in other
projects?
Talk to people in the community to hear different views that will enable a
holistic view of the issue.
Talk to people who are in-charge and hear their side of the issue. Tell them
about the problems that you see.
You may be able to work towards solving problems together if you do not
see yourself ties.
Connect with people to increase awareness
Ask older, influential or respected people in the community to address public
gatherings.
Use the media (newspapers and the internet) to generate interest,
communicate the facts and discuss options.
Write polite, succinct articles for magazines and newspapers identifying the
issues.
Include people from diverse backgrounds, so that your organization is not
linked with any particular political party or religious sect.
For fund raising purposes, let people know why funds are needed and how
they will be used. Transparent and detailed accounts are imperative to build
trust.
Link up with other NGOs to maximize the effect of the effort.
TOP 10 NGOs of INDIA

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Help Age India
Sargam Sanstha
Smile Foundation
Give India
Lepra Society
Udaan
Deepalaya
Uday Foundation
Karmayog
Pratham

SWOT Analysis of a Nonprofit Organization

One of the most valuable tools in management is a SWOT analysis. In this process,
we identify factors in four areas: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
The first two factors are internal. The latter two are external to the organization.
We generally run SWOTs on our own organizations, but they’re also
used to analyze competitors. A small business will benefit greatly from a well-
executed SWOT.

Nonprofits
A SWOT analysis for a nonprofit organization (also known as a non-government

78
organization, an NGO or a public charity) is similar to the analysis for a for-profit,

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commercial business. Analysis for the nonprofit has no investors or return on
investment to consider, but it has to weigh factors such as fundraising, volunteer
staff and goodwill that a commercial firm does not. SWOTS are used to develop a
company&s marketing strategy. A small nonprofit organization should use it
to plan financial development (fundraising) as well.

Strengths

NGOs have some strengths that commercial companies don’t. For one,
NGOs usually are tax exempt. They can offer products at a discount since they
don’t have the expense of taxes, and sometimes they can offer
products to buyers who pay no sales tax on the purchase. NGOs often have a
volunteer staff in many roles – artists, canvassers, attorneys.
Volunteers can mean an enormous savings to the business, which is particularly
important to a small nonprofit. The board of directors must by law be composed of
volunteers, which can an be advantage to the company.

Weaknesses

Most small nonprofits barely cover their expenses with revenue. They
can't match the salaries of their for-profit competitors. Nonprofit
professionals typically are more focused on job satisfaction as compensation,
particularly in small companies. An entrepreneur will have no opportunity for
return on investment and often can expect a minimal salary. The budget problem
also may be evident in purchasing from suppliers. Small NGOs are especially
vulnerable to budgetary deficits and need to husband their endowments.

Opportunities

Any grant that a charity may be eligible for is an opportunity. A grant may be from
a government or private agency or group. There are many grants being offered
even during a recession. Finding them and applying for them is a considerable task.
Nonprofits often enjoy alliances with other organizations – commercial
business or other NGOs. Cause marketing, for example, is a system in which a

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portion of the purchase price charged by a commercial business is donated to a

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specific charity. Ideally, it offers benefits to both organizations, as well as to the
buyer, whose charitable giving is facilitated.

Threats

Nonprofits are very vulnerable to economic crises. Unfortunately, charitable giving

is one of the first cash outflows that consumers cut back on when money is tight.
Public charities are held to a higher standard than for-profits. Since they depend on
contributions, nonprofits need to avoid the perception of impropriety. Even a small
scandal can be damaging.
 80Page
Chapter-3

Profile of the Organization

About Reaching Sky Foundation

Founded in 2015, Reaching Sky Foundation is a youth oriented non-governmental

organization based in New Delhi. Our mission is to wisely direct the power of
youth in India, with an increased understanding of social issues along with the
desire to be the initiators and value generators thus bringing the change admired.
We can presently be also understood as fresh group of social entrepreneurs
operating on local levels with a vision to grow to national level in an effort to
enhance the potential of individuals for creating powerful society which is not only

81
well employed but also practices the fundamental and human rights.

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RSF Vision

A world Where People Realize that they are AWESOME.

RSF Mission
 Our mission is to unfold magnanimous side of a human n a succession to

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attain a life of purpose.

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To develop skills among the young population, so that they become self-
reliant, self-sufficient and act as a resource in the society
To provide opportunities to young adults to follow their passion and
construct their lives around the same so that they delight in their work and
embrace contentment
To make leaders from today's generation by providing them the platform to
learn, polish and nurture their personalities.
To use education as a tool in the holistic development of the younger minds.
To bring people from different walks of life together in a progression to
develop socially conscious society.
Helping the under privileged sections of the society so that they can matchup
with their stronger counterparts

RSF Values

Humanness

Relationship

Leadership

Integrity
USP of Reaching Sky Foundation

83Page
Dissolving skill mismatch

Creating entrepreneurship

Augmenting employment opportunities

Pledge of RSF

I will believe that I am awesome and I have the power to create my own
destiny irrespective of my past and present.
I will take my absolute self-responsibility and will inspire the world by
propagating my charisma.
I will never give up on my ability to conquer my challenges and will take the
charge to build my potential to succeed infinitesimally.
I will never be fearful and will nurture the leader in me.
Feeling blessed, happy and thankful I will live a life of a purpose.
 I believe I am a dreamer my imaginations are contagious and I am the

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creator of tomorrow.

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I will aspire much, aim more, achieve most.
And I will prove my words by my humble actions.

RSF Purpose

We believe that channelizing the potential of young people is the key to

solve social issues prevailing in our surroundings.
The penultimate aim is to witness the upliftment of the society and
emergence of its people into innovators, thinkers and doers.
Thus, the foundation seeks to mold the youth of the country into productive
and successful individuals who can take the country on the crest of a wave..
 85Page

Partnerships
Thought Shop Foundation (TF) was the oldest organization established in 1993
and run by professionals whose expertise is in social communication. Their
experience with young people was in the areas of adolescent reproductive health
and gender. What they brought to the table was their knowledge of Kolkata and
local areas, their relationships with young people who had leadership potential and
excellent skills in designing and producing resources. RSF, on the other hand, was
the catalyst for the Youth Resource Centres (YRCs). The idea of a YRC model
emerged from TFs engagement with RSF. TF then translated it into action by
adapting it to the local context. Thereafter, RSFs interventions included inputs in
developing the overall YRC strategy, curriculum development, exposure to youth
development processes, and training in the conflict positive framework,
instructional design and facilitation. The result of the partnership is a model for

86
setting up YRCs - four YRCs have been set up with a total of 54 members,

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equipped with resources and run by youth trainers. Patang was founded relatively
recently by a former RSF team member who was familiar with RSF s processes
and approach to youth development. They have adapted RSFs school and college
programs to their context. RSFs role was to build the leadership of the team,
facilitate organizational development processes and put critical organizational
systems in place. Today, Patang is designing and implementing successful
programs in collaboration not only with RSF but other partners as well. One of
these new partnerships includes designing and facilitating sessions at the MSW
course in Sambalpur University. These partnerships illustrate the credibility Patang
has gained over the years in Orissa. It is now gradually developing into a regional
resource centre which will impact many more lives and organizations in the region.
Saher was positioned even earlier on the organizational curve a start up, in every
sense. Even though it had started as a local youth group in 1997, it was registered
as an organization only in 2003 and comprised a team of volunteers who organized
sporadic events to bring people of different communities together and promote
communal harmony. SAHER was part of the Change Looms program in 2006, and
one of the RSF team members facilitated intensive organizational change processes
with them following the Change Looms development centre. RSFs mentoring
helped SAHER conceptualize and design its college program, Parwaaz. RSF also
provided several exposure and training opportunities to the SAHER team so that
they could develop their skills and understanding of youth development. At an
institutional level, RSF facilitated the SAHER team to explore what they were
doing in Jogeshwari, why they were doing it, what their strengths and areas of
improvement were and how they could achieve their objectives. A large part of the
how concerned staffing, roles and building capacities of the team in facilitation

87
and conflict positive

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Explore with Reaching Sky Foundation

RSF works on the hidden capabilities of youth that can provide the impetus that is
needed for Indias progress and development.

Youth participation

Youth participation is the active engagement of young people throughout their own
communities. It is often used as a shorthand for youth participation in any many
forms, including decision-making, sports, schools and any activity where young

88
people are not historically engaged.

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Youth participation, also called youth involvement, has been used by government
agencies, researchers, educators, and others to define and examine the active
engagement of young people in schools, sports, government, community
development and economic activity.

Meaningful youth participation involves recognizing and nurturing the strengths,

interests, and abilities of young people through the provision of real opportunities
for youth to become involved in decisions that affect them at individual and
systemic levels.

Lets know each other

This is a workshop bringing youth from different walks of life together sharing
their stories networking and making themselves aware of their social responsibility
and consciousness through fun activities and games.

ICEBREAKERS to help participants get to know each other and better

engage in an activity
When holding a retreat, conference, or any gathering it is important for everyone to

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stretch their social muscles in order to engage in the event with the proper positive

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attitude about the activity. "Ice-breakers" and similar activities are some of the best
ways to help everyone loosen up a bit while helping participants get to know each
other. These types of activities are always a bit awkward and perceived as
somewhat "lame." As a leader of any of these activities, be sure to acknowledge the
"lame-ness" while being fully committed to joining in the fun.

Some of the ideas listed are also fun games for "down time" at the event.

Note: If the very first icebreaker you do requires you to make a circle and has
players' names involved, it might be a good idea to go around the circle and have
each person loudly and clearly state their names for the benefit of all participating.
1. Bumpity-Bump-Bump-Bump: All participants form a circle. One person is
designated as 'it'. The person who is 'it' is in the middle of the circle. They
then begin to randomly choose a participant by pointing to that person and
giving a direction (right, left, you, me) this direction is followed by the
phrase, "Bumpity - Bump - Bump - Bump. The person chosen must give the
name of the person designated by the direction given by the person in the
middle of the circle.

2. The Quarter Game: Two teams are formed. Each team lines up and the
two face inward toward the other team. The teams are then seated on the
floor. There is the 'object of great price' (your choice: plastic water bottle,
bean bag, stuffed animal). This 'object' is placed equidistant between the two
lines at one of the extremities of the two lines.
Team members seated Indian style in a straight-line side-by-side hold hands. The

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opposite end of the lines from the bottle is the coin flipper. All team members on

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both teams are holding hands and the two team leaders who are the ones closest to
the coin flipper are the only ones with their eyes open. All other team members
have their eyes closed.
The coin flipper, when ready, begins flipping the coin (quarter preferably, but any
coin will do). When the coin lands on tails the team leaders should do nothing.
When the coin lands on heads the leaders squeeze the hand (firmly but gently) of
the team member next to them. The squeeze must make it to the end of the line by
the person receiving the squeeze on one hand to squeeze the next person's hand
with their other hand. When the person closest to the 'object of great price' receives
the squeeze on one hand he may then open his eyes and attempt to grab the object.
The team who controls the object first receives one point. Play to a predetermined
score. Seven is a good number, but may be altered based on time available and
enthusiasm invested in the game at any given moment.

Preparing Database

Purpose To Collect the Database to serve the existing as well as future needs.
Performing and Assigning Various Tasks in the Team.
1ST TASK - Collecting Data of Financial Agencies To provide data to be Pitched
by the Fund-Raising Team to get the funds collected.
2nd TASK Collecting Data of NGOs having similar Goals For SWOT by

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keeping a track on their Strategies.

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3rd TASK Collecting Data of various Competitions To register in various
competitions.

Database
A database is an organized collection of data. It is the collection of schemas, tables,
queries, reports, views, and other objects. The data are typically organized to
model aspects of reality in a way that supports processes requiring information,
such as modelling the availability of rooms in hotels in a way that supports finding
a hotel with vacancies.

A database management system (DBMS) is a computer software application that

interacts with the user, other applications, and the database itself to capture and
analyze data. A general-purpose DBMS is designed to allow the definition,
creation, querying, update, and administration of databases. Well-known DBMSs
include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase,
SAP HANA, and IBM DB2. A database is not generally portable across different
DBMSs, but different DBMS can interoperate by using standards such as SQL and
ODBC or JDBC to allow a single application to work with more than one DBMS.
Database management systems are often classified according to the database model
that they support; the most popular database systems since the 1980s have all
supported the relational model as represented by the SQL language. Sometimes a
DBMS is loosely referred to as a 'database.

General-purpose and special-purpose of database management

A DBMS has evolved into a complex software system and its development

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typically requires thousands of human years of development effort. Some general-

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purpose DBMSs such as Adobes, Oracle and DB2 have been undergoing upgrades
since the 1970s. General-purpose DBMSs aim to meet the needs of as many
applications as possible, which adds to the complexity. However, the fact that their
development cost can be spread over many users means that they are often the
most cost-effective approach. However, a general-purpose DBMS is not always the
optimal solution: in some cases, a general-purpose DBMS may introduce
unnecessary overhead. Therefore, there are many examples of systems that use
special-purpose databases. A common example is an email system that performs
many of the functions of a general-purpose DBMS such as the insertion and
deletion of messages composed of various items of data or associating messages
with a email address; but these functions are limited to what is required to handle
email and don't provide the user with all of the functionality that would be
available using a general-purpose DBMS.

Many other databases have application software that accesses the database on
behalf of end-users, without exposing the DBMS interface directly. Application
programmers may use a wire protocol directly, or more likely through an
application programming interface. Database designers and database
administrators interact with the DBMS through dedicated interfaces to build and
maintain the applications' databases, and thus need some more knowledge and
understanding about how DBMSs operate and the DBMSs' external interfaces and
tuning parameters.

Child Development
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RSF mainly focus on the child development that refers to the ordered emergence of

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interdependent skills of sensory-motor, cognitive-language, and social-emotional
functioning. This emergence depends on and is interlinked with the childs good
nutrition and health. As A World Fit for Children states, children should be
physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally secure, socially competent and
ready to learn.

Children and young people occupy a very unique time in the human cycle that
deserves our special attention, and the best of our resources and investments. They
are the major social capital of every society concerned with change for a better
today and for the future of its members: Their education promises the chance of
improving economic and social conditions; their positive socialization for conflict
resolution can help manage social clashes; their health and good nutrition can
promote longevity, lower social costs and lead to a better quality of life; and their
psychological well-being has the promise of a more resilient and culturally rich
society. Most parents hope that their children will have a better quality of life than
they have, and most of them work hard towards achieving this goal.
Child Development Principles

The term used by the ECCD community to describe children's development is

holistic. What this means is that the child's development cannot be
compartmentalized into health, nutrition, education, social, and emotional
variables. All are interwoven a child's life.
Those within the ECCD field hold firmly to a belief that early childhood
experiences for children, at whatever age, should be planned around the child's
developmental abilities. Support for this position comes from international

94
literature on how children develop and learn. Specifically:

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Development begins pre-natally and learning is occurring at birth.

Too often the assumption is made that learning begins when children enter the
formal school system. In fact, significant learning takes place before the child enter
school. Therefore, attention to the developmental and learning needs of children
should begin with pre-and post-natal interventions and be continued thereafter.
Development has several inter-related dimensions. These include physical,
cognitive, social, spiritual, and emotional development, each of which influence
the other and all of which are developing simultaneously. Progress in one area
affects progress in others. Likewise, when something goes wrong in any one of
those areas it impacts all the other areas. For example, children who are
malnourished are not able to learn; children with learning problems frequently
have low self-esteem, etc. Developing a program based on an understanding of
holistic development means taking the whole child into consideration, providing
attention to the childs health, nutrition, cognitive, and socio-emotional needs.
Therefore, interventions should provide integrated attention to the child, including
attention to needs for protection, food, health care, affection, interaction and
stimulation, security provided through consistency and predictability, and play
allowing exploration. These elements should be present support the childs
development.

Development proceeds in predictable steps and learning occurs in

recognized sequences, within which there is a great deal of
individual and social variability in children's rates of development

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and styles of learning.

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It is important for adults to use methods that Children are active participants in
their own development and learning. Learning and related development involve the
child's construction of knowledge, not an adult's imposition of information. The
skills which are the basis for constructing knowledge improve with practice. It is
important for children to have opportunities to construct their own knowledge
through exploration, interaction with materials and imitation of role models.
Therefore interventions should include opportunities for children to learn by doing,
to be engaged in problem-solving, and to develop language and communication
skills. ECCD programs should not put undue emphasis on rote memorization and
learning the 3Rs. Opportunities for active involvement should abound, whether at
home in everyday chores or in more organized settings outside the home. In sum,
building ECCD programs on a holistic understanding of children's growth and
development suggests a using a broad concept of early childhood development:
addressing the whole child within the context of the family and community. The
early childhood years are perceived as the basis for learning life-long skills and
attitudes. Activities and programs planned for parents and young children should
not focus solely on providing children with school survival skills, but should
emphasize the development of the childs sense of intellectual, motor and moral
autonomy, initiative and self-esteem. Emphasis should be on how to learn (i.e.
positive attitudes to learning and thinking skills) rather than what to learn.fit with
the child's growth pattern, not only in the cognitive area, but also in the affective,
perceptual and motor areas. Activities should provide the child with a
developmentally appropriate challenge. There is no value in presenting concepts
and tasks before a child is developmentally ready to understand them. Integrated

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interventions promoting social, emotional and spiritual development as well as

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cognitive learning can take advantage of varied forms of learning, consistent with
the culture, even while taking into account the fact that there are recognized
sequences and activities that facilitate learning.

Development and learning occur continuously as a result of the

child interacting with people and objects in his or her environment.

The role of adults (at home and in other settings) in supporting children's learning
is to provide children with opportunities to work with concrete objects, to make
choices, explore things and ideas, experiment and discover. Children also need
opportunities to interact with peers and adults in a safe environment that provides
the child with security and acceptance. Given the importance of the environment in
promoting children's learning, it is also possible to focus interventions on changing
the childs environment. For example, increasing family income, upgrading health
and sanitation in the community, and enhancing the social and political milieu will
affect childrens growth and development.

Children are active participants in their own development and

learning.

Learning and related development involve the child's construction of knowledge,

not an adult's imposition of information. The skills which are the basis for
constructing knowledge improve with practice. It is important for children to have
opportunities to construct their own knowledge through exploration, interaction
with materials and imitation of role models. Therefore interventions should include

97
opportunities for children to learn by doing, to be engaged in problem-solving, and

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to develop language and communication skills. ECCD programs should not put
undue emphasis on rote memorization and learning the 3Rs. Opportunities for
active involvement should abound, whether at home in everyday chores or in more
organized settings outside the home. In sum, building ECCD programs on a
holistic understanding of children's growth and development suggests a using a
broad concept of early childhood development: addressing the whole child within
the context of the family and community. The early childhood years are perceived
as the basis for learning life-long skills and attitudes. Activities and programs
planned for parents and young children should not focus solely on providing
children with school survival skills, but should emphasize the development of the
childs sense of intellectual, motor and moral autonomy, initiative and self-esteem.
Emphasis should be on how to learn (i.e. positive attitudes to learning and thinking
skills) rather than what to learn.
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Chapter-4

Discussions

Holistic Development as a Program

Preparation for the future

Holistic Development program is based on preparing students to meet future

100
challenges and develop as innovators and leaders.

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HDP Overview

As education is not only about academics but also about inculcating

wellness of intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Socio-cultural, Financial,
Occupational, Environmental and spiritual dimensions in a developing child.
By fostering collaboration with School, Teachers and Parents the program
emphasizes on imparting wisdom from knowledge and skills which makes
them self-sufficient and reliant.
It is an initiative by Reaching Sky Foundation to provide dynamic
environment in classrooms by the involvement of young volunteers through
workshops, group discussions, interactive games, guest lectures, educational
and recreational visits, skill specialization program etc.
We want to educate students for the unknown and as per changing trends and
the best we can do is to equip them with the necessary conceptual, cognitive,
attitudinal and social tools to continue learning anytime, anywhere, on
demand.

What does Holistic means?

Holistic refers to dealing with or treating the whole of something or someone and
not just a part.
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Holistic Development

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Holistic approaches to teaching and learning recognize the connectedness of mind,
body and spirit. When early childhood educators take a holistic approach they pay
attention to childrens physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
as well as cognitive aspects of learning. While educators may plan or assess with a
focus on a particular outcome or component of learning, they see childrens
learning as integrated and interconnected. They recognize the connections between
children, families and communities and the importance of reciprocal relationships
and partnerships for learning. They see learning as a social activity and value
collaborative learning and community participation. An integrated, holistic
approach to teaching and learning also focuses on connections to the natural world.
Educators foster childrens capacity to understand and respect the natural
environment and the interdependence between people, plants, animals and the land.

Holistic Approach Dimensions

Intellectual
Spiritual
Occupational
Environmental
 Emotional

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Physical
Socio-cultural

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Financial

Intellectual

Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.

Spiritual

Expanding our sense of purpose and meaning of life.

Occupational

Personal satisfaction and enrichment derived from ones work.

Environmental

Good health by occupying pleasant and stimulating environment that supports

well-being.

Emotional
Copying effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.

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Physical

Recognizing the need for physical activity, diet, sleep and nutrition.

Socio cultural

Developing a sense of connection, belonging and a well-developed support system.

Financial

Satisfaction with current and future financial situations.

Holistic Education can lead to Holistic Development

Holistic education is a philosophy of education based on the premise that

each person find identity, meaning, and purpose in life through connections
to the community, to the natural world, and to humanitarian values such as
compassion and peace.
 Holistic education notes that children need to not only develop academically,

104
but develop the ability to survive in the modern world and contribute to the

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world in which they live. This type of learning is said to begin during
childhood.
Holistic education is concerned with the development of a persons
intellectual, emotional, social, physical, artistic, creative and spiritual
potential.
It is a methodology which focuses learning about oneself, developing
healthy relationships and positive social behaviors, social and emotional
development, resilience, and the ability to view beauty, experience
transcendence, and truth.

What it solves?
Holistic education aids children by working at their pace.
Instead of maintaining that all children work at the same level and speed, holistic
education takes the creative outlook on education and academics and provides
children with a pace attributed to their individual needs to avoid boredom, a loss of
interest, or frustration.
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Why to have Holistic Development?

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Young population to become self-reliant, self-sufficient & act as a resource
in the society.

To establish team of strongly diversified skills in countrys progress &

global development too.

Emergence of People into innovators, Thinkers & Doers.

To Develop young adults into entrepreneurs & making jobs rather than
seeking jobs.

To make leaders from todays generation to help the technological

advancement and survival from the same.

So arent our Schools providing the requisite?

Lets analyze how good is the Indian Education System

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What after 25 and several years of education?

 Not able to set Goals.

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Not able to communicate.

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What about Return on investment on education?

Is the 25 Years Old Skilled after years of Education.

Grown up is still struggling to get a JOB.

Trapped in interviews & job exams & still not able to crack them?

Depression/ Stress.

More Coachings?

AFTER SO MUCH INVESTMENT OF MONEY AND TIME

Still - A BIG QUESTION

OF

BEING UNEMPLOYED AND UNSKILLED

DOES IT MEANS THAT - ARE WE NOT CORRECTLY ORIENTED

TOWARDS EMPLOYABILITY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL APPROACH
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And what about children who cant go to good schools?

Their energy is channelized towards negative direction.

We need to amend it into something positive, innovative, productive to

reduce crimes & criminals and to develop a healthier environment.

A healthy environment results in economic development simultaneously.

Essential for an individual, community and a country to sustain its existence

and importance.

Where do we Lack? Isnt this the root cause?

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What is the flaw?

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Isnt the NEED, True Education - Holistic Education?

What is it?
A harmonious development of the physical and the mental abilities of an

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individual, transforming the future child as a self-reliant, ambitious, motivated

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individual who has the best positive learnings and the inbuilt ability to succeed and
be happy.

Because LEADERS ARE MADE NOT BORN...

Thus, we can look up to Global Challenges

1. The increase in quantitative & qualitative demand for education is not

matched by increase in resources.

2. The ancient objective of education, to teach how to learn, problem solve, and
synthesize the old with the new, is now transformed from desirable to
indispensable.

3. The world is faced with significant shifts in the global economic

environment characterized by three major developments:

Changing patterns of trade & competition

Technological innovation

Globalization of information.

4. To cope up with diversity, complexity and changing nature of demands for

education services, learning cannot be confined to the traditional classroom.
We cannot predict the future! - But we need to be prepared...

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The only thing we can predict is that it will be beyond our wildest imaginations.

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The future is changing so dramatically & quickly that it poses a nightmare for
the traditional educational strategist & planner.

We can no longer draw occupational pyramids or do manpower planning.

The best we can do is to equip them with necessary conceptual, cognitive,

attitudinal & social tools to enable continuous learning.

Solutions are the transformational skills through holistic

development

Social skills to exercise good citizenship, tolerate diversity, and respect other
perspectives and rationalities.

Skills to access knowledge, assess it, and apply it.

Skills to analyze, critique and apply knowledge to generate solutions and test
options.

Interpersonal skills to interact and work collaboratively.

A conceptual open-ended foundation of the physical, human, environmental

and cultural world.

How we can do it - Three Enablers

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Sequential Divisions of Development Objectives at SCHOOLS,

SLUMS OR RURAL AREAS
 1. Teachers and parents

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Exploration of perspectives, goals and expectations for the

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sustainability of holistic approach and a decentralized working model

2. Class 1-5 (Age 5-10 yrs.)

Direction towards imbibement of creativity, moral values, health-

hygiene and linguistic command.

3. Class 6-8 (Age 10-15 yrs.)

Focus on channelizing energy through participation in various

events for the development of an extrovert character by finding individuals
interest and passion.

4. Class 9-12 (Age 15-18 yrs.)

Objection towards career building, counselling, getting socially

aware and occupationally aware.

SIMPLE ACTIVITIES PARENTS CAN DO TO PROMOTE

LITERACY AT HOME
Talk, Sing, and Play with your Child

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Sit face to face with your infant and sing, or talk about his/her body

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parts, good qualities, likes and dislikes. Pause frequently and wait for a
reaction (sounds or gestures) before continuing.

Involve your toddler in your daily activities, allowing him/her to

playfully help with small tasks as a game. Explain what you are doing,
ask him/her questions, and help him/her to name objects.

Teach your child songs, proverbs, prayers, or stories you know.

Introduce new & longer words.

Write with your Child

Allow your child to play with writing utensils and scraps of paper, or to
draw with sticks in the dirt. Show them how to trace lines or copy shapes
you draw. Make it fun; dont worry about perfection.

Create sequences of shapes, symbols, or letters. Have your child try to copy
the sequence, on paper or by drawing in the dirt.

Have your child tell you a story or idea; write down what they say.

Write down the names of familiar objects; have your child try too.
Read with your Child

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At least once per day, sit with your child and look at any kind of book or

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reading material together. Talk and ask questions about what is in the
pictures. Read aloud, repeat together.

As you read together, help your child start to recognize familiar shapes,
letters & combinations, and words. Encourage your child to read aloud any
letter, sound, or word s/he knows.

For illiterate parents: Look at books and describe pictures together. Ask an
older child to read aloud.

Create a Literate Environment

Hang child-appropriate pictures or posters on the wall; change them from

time to time if possible. Talk with your children about what they show.

Have some books or other reading materials in the home that children are
allowed to touch. Teach them how to hold the books without tearing pages.

Have some paper, a pencil, pen, or colors that your children can reach.
Allow them to play with them and practice using them.

Share books with your neighbors so your children can read new things.
 117
Social Responsibility

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Being Socially Responsible means that people and organizations must behave
ethically and with sensitivity toward social, cultural, economic, and environmental
issues. Striving for social responsibility helps individuals, organizations and
governments have a positive impact on development, business, and society with a
positive contribution to bottom-line results.

Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) to achieve Corporate Social

Responsibility (CSP)

ISP may appear to be a new concept in relation to CSP, but it is a concept as old as
The Golden Rule Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. ISR
expands on this by promoting a proactive stance towards positively influencing and
affecting the people and environments outside your immediate circle. ISR is at the
roots of CSR, because a corporate comprises of individuals and hence determines
the social responsibility culture it creates. This is the intermingled relationship
between CSR and ISR. Individuals are becoming more socially responsible and, in
response to this Corporations and Companies need to become more socially
responsible to meet consumer demand.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) states: In the wake of

increasing globalization, we have become increasingly conscious not only of what
we buy, but also how the goods and services we buy have been produced.
Environmentally harmful production, child labor, dangerous working environments
and other inhumane conditions are examples of issues being brought into the open.

118
All companies and organizations aiming at long-term profitability and credibility

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are starting to realize that they must act in accordance with norms of right and
wrong.

Socially responsible individuals are demanding companies and organizations to

become more socially responsible.

How Does an Individual Become Socially Responsible?

The Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (WCIF), Bulgaria, describes ISR in
its position statement on Social Responsibility as,
The individual social responsibility includes the engagement of each person
towards the community where he lives, which can be expressed as an interest
towards whats happening in the community, as well as in the active participation
in the solving of some of the local problems. Under community we understand the
village, the small town, or the residential complex in the big city, where lives every
one of us. Each community lives its own life that undergoes a process of
development all the time. And every one of us could take part in that development
in different ways, for example by taking part in cleaning of the street on which he
lives, by taking part in organization of an event, connected with the history of the
town or the village or by rendering social services to children without parents or
elderly people. The individual social responsibility also could be expressed in
making donations for significant for the society causes social, cultural, or
ecological. There are many ways of donating, as for example donating of goods or
donating money through a bank account or online
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Social Responsibility can be negative, in that it is a responsibility to refrain from

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acting (resistance stance) or it can be positive, meaning there is a responsibility
to act (proactive stance). Being socially responsible not only requires participating
in socially responsible activities like recycling, volunteering and mentoring, but to
actually make it a lifestyle. Only through a commitment to embrace and embed
social responsibility into your personal value and belief system can you truly
become socially responsible in all you do.

According to The Harris Poll , June 18, 2007, when it comes to individual social
responsibility, there are three types of people:

1. Two-thirds of U.S. adults have Good Intentions they believe that social
responsibility is a good idea, and they do what they can in terms of
volunteering, but they do not sacrifice huge amounts of time or money.

2. At the top end of the spectrum, 8 percent of U.S. adults Practice What They
Preach and for this group, individual, as well as corporate, social
responsibility is extremely important.

3. One-quarter of U.S. adults, however, follow a philosophy of To Thine Own

Self Be True and, for this group, social responsibility has little consequence
in their lives.

On the other hand, the trends show that the biggest growth for big charitable
organizations in the world is coming through individuals and not through
Corporations and Governments.
To take a proactive stance, ISR can start off as a simple act of philanthropic

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behavior. My husband and I budget for giving, just like we do for living or car

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expenses. Add to this the campaigner, volunteer, and activist in you that picks-up
and supports issues affecting society. You may just start off volunteering once a
month somewhere that suits your skills, abilities, or interests. The other day, I
asked a friend if he could teach my son guitar. We determined a tuition cost but
instead of me paying him, he asked me if I could pay the charity of his choice. If
you have the choice of two products and one product supports a good cause or was
produced in a more ethical way, then purchase that product. You may only be one
person but if everyone did their part, we could change the world!

All Social responsibility, both individual and corporate, is voluntary; it is about

going above and beyond what is called for by the law(legal responsibility). It
involves an idea that it is better to be proactive toward a problem rather than
reactive to a problem. Social responsibility means eliminating corrupt,
irresponsible or unethical behavior that might bring harm to the community, its
people, or the environment before the behavior happens.

Social Responsibility Quotes:

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I
live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up
when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. ~George Bernard Shaw

The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a
neighbor. ~Hubert H. Humphrey
One is a member of a country, a profession, a civilization, a religion. One is not

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just a man. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupry, Wartime Writings 1939-1944, translated

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from French by Norah Purcell

Each of us is a being in himself and a being in society, each of us needs to

understand himself and understand others, take care of others and be taken care of
himself. ~Haniel Long

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for
the future. ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect
whether he chooses to be so or not. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

Independence [is] middle-class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one

another, every soul of us on earth. ~G.B. Shaw, Pygmalion, 1912

A machine has value only as it produces more than it consumes so check your
value to the community. ~Martin H. Fischer

A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his
neighbors. ~Richard Whitely

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow
men. ~Herman Melville
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Key Findings

Almost all the organizations contacted gave positive feedback on the camps
on all aspects including its vision, the design, coordination, facilitation, and
the impact on the students. The other organizations viz. schools, while
indicating their belief in the vision and objectives, also focused largely on
the need for improvement in aspects relating to implementation such as
design and delivery.

There was a clear need for the program - the findings indicate that all the
partners felt that the objectives had been met.

All the partners felt that the basic design was effective and in sync with the
set objectives. However, there was a need for RSF to ensure that activities
that are challenging and help provide insights into rural realities are included
in every camp.

The camp had also made a considerable impact on the rest of the schools
culture/atmosphere. This can be attributed to the fact that in the schools, the
experience of the students and accompanying teachers has been by and large
positive.

The program has been made an integral part of the curriculum in many
schools. However, in one of them, although rural exposure has become part
of the school curriculum, it is no longer undertaken in partnership with RSF.
 In terms of future plans, all the partners were willing to make a long-term

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commitment vis--vis the association with RSF on future Holistic

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development camps.

The impact on students has been observed only in two of the schools in
terms of students demonstrating a significant positive change in attitudes and
awareness about social issues.

The analysis of the data from student logbooks shows considerable positive
movement on all the areas (Self-awareness, Trust, awareness on sustainable
development, rural crafts, interpersonal skills and rural knowledge).

Suggestions for the Launch of HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT as a

Program in other Schools

The first and foremost important is to create a grass roots awareness of the
program. So, one of the first things I recommend in the introduction of this
program to other schools is to develop a list of key influencers who, in
return for a critical review, receive the program for free, prior to actual
implementation.

After creating awareness about the product (i.e. Fun Camp), a list of those
schools should be prepared who actually want to host these types of camps
to benefit their students.
 When schools show interest in the program, try to reach and persuade them

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in every possible manner.

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After discovering what schools actually are in need of, accordingly make
necessary changes in the program and try to fill their needs.

To invite the facilitators of those schools interested in FUN Camp to have

the live wire experience and make changes according to their preferences.

CONCLUSION

Reaching Sky Foundation being an organization that works with young people to
impact issues of holistic development justice through youth citizenship action is
there to stay. The impact assessment and organizational development process for
organizational and programmatic evaluation have thrown up several
recommendations for RSF. It is critical need for RSF to strengthen its relationship
orientation towards schools and other institutional partners including NGO s. This
would enable RSF to focus its energies to sustain and strengthen its relationships.
While some of them are being operational through the change projects, a more
conscious effort to integrate these into RSFs annual planning and review process
would be undertaken. This would help RSF as an organization to increase their
dimensions and expand their horizons.