[Reader-list] Be a pro-bono Consultant to an NGO this April

[Chandni Parekh]

To read the responses this mail has received, visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/karmayog/message/61038

>From info at karmayog.org
Mar 24, 2010
Subject: Be a pro-bono Consultant to an NGO this April


You can help an NGO today!
If you
have been wanting to do something to help society, don't wait till you
retire, or till you take a break from your career or till you have more
time. You can start helping an NGO today.

How can you help?
Don't
think that you have nothing to offer - take a look at yourself and the
skills that you have and you will see that you definitely have a skill
set to offer.
There are 1400+ NGOs in Mumbai alone that are listed
on Karmayog (and 19,000 all over India). These have all been started by
people who have a passion to do something to improve the world. 99% of
these NGOs don't have a well rounded team which would look after
different aspects of an organisation. Neither have these people worked
in corporates to have the managerial skills to understand how an
organisation is developed, managed and grown. 
This much is clear: you have a skill that many NGOs can benefit from. 

Some examples of how you can help:
MBAs - can use their analytical ability to help solve problems
Teachers - can observe and give inputs on processes
Doctors - can refine and improve medical camps
Accountants - can help in regular cost control measures
Writers / Journalists - can help in communication initiatives
Social Networking experts - can help in outreach and awareness on issues
Designers - can offer inputs on product, packaging design
If you are a consultant of any kind, you can provide basic advice free (lawyers, architects, counsellers, etc.)

How will this help the NGO? 
You
can spend just a few hours with an NGO, as even this itself is enough
to bring a fresh perspective and review of things. Or you can spend
time on a regular basis and give regular inputs to NGOs. 

We
tend to think that these kind of resources and skills will be available
easily to NGOs if they try, but this is not true. Just as if you were
to try and find a suitable NGO to support, it would not be easy to do
so. 

NGOs also benefit from coming into contact with a
different set of people who are from outside the social sector, and
benefit from their academic background, work experience, reach,
contacts, network, etc. Such resources and support systems provide a
strong impetus to the NGO, both in their day-to-day working as well as
to overcome difficult situations, such as disasters or a sudden
shortfall of donations due to the recession. 

How will this help you?
Offering
your skills to NGOs will be a meaningful way to contribute your
expertise to make a difference to society and at the same time will
enhance your own learning on the practical difficulties of applying
your experience to situations different from what you are normally
exposed to. e.g. how NGOs deal with limited resources, work with people
with varying skill sets and work in difficult and unconventional
environments.

How will this process work?
If you are interested in offering your skills to NGOs, send us an email at info at karmayog.orgwith your Name, Location, Email address, Professional expertise (what
you can help with), Time availability (when you can help). These will
be circulated to NGOs in the Karmayog group, who will then contact you
directly by email for further action.

"Making oneself useful even for one person for one day is a good way to spend the day." - Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Grameen Bank

Regards, 

Vinay
www.karmayog.org-- New Growing Opportunities
 PS: Circulate messages of your interest in www.karmayog.org/messages