Sunday, August 22, 2010

How to Keep Young Volunteers Motivated

This post is about a beautiful website I came across about youth and volunteering. 

"Youth Action Network" has NINE PRINCIPLES that keep youth who volunteer, motivated. 
The principles are

1. Youth Participation. Young people are in the driving seat; they decide what happens.
2. Benefitting Others: Young people don’t just do it for themselves, others benefit too!
a. If you can demonstrate to funders a benefit to others as a result of your volunteering programme you’re more likely to receive further funding.
b. If you can demonstrate to volunteers the difference they have made they will feel good about themselves and therefore more likely to continue volunteering.
3. Fun and Rewarding: No one wants to do something that’s boring; it has to be fun and give a sense of achievement.
4. Flexibility: It should be when, where and how young people want it.
5. Support: Young people aren’t just ‘left to it’; they’re supported in their aspirations and efforts.
6. Say Thank you: Young people’s efforts should be celebrated.
7. Progression and Leadership: Young people want to develop, they enjoy a challenge, and this should be built in!
8. Diverse and Inclusive Any young person should be able to participate in youth action; think creatively to break down those barriers.
9. Skills and personal development Youth action is a journey with learning and education an important part of the experience.

If this has piqued your curiosity, here’s the link to the website. There's tons of stuff there to help any movement ORGANISE, THEN MOBILISE: http://www.youthactionnetwork.org.uk/yn/home

Notes:
1. If you'd like to know a great and uplifting way to battle corrupt politicians who foment trouble between communities, click on the link: http://www.nevermindyaar.com/secular-indians-organise-safely/. The article discusses a SAFE environment in which to come up with a long term action plan; to learn how best to organise, then mobilise.

[This article, "Secular Indians, Organise Safely" was written way before "India Against Corruption" lit up the Indian radar screen.]

2. To my mind the most effective platform to fight corruption in Indian politicians has to have been "India Against Corruption". Without a doubt it has given hope to all ordinary Indians that they might see an end to the mind boggling level of corruption in politicians within months. The leaders of the movement have taken the initiative to explain why politicians get away with such a degree of looting tax payer funds and how their corruption seeps down into everything India attempts to do. The core team of IAC is Anna Hazare and the drafters of the Jan Lokpal Bill (a bill with teeth to fight corruption in  politicians). One of the leaders, Arvind Kejriwal, is a motivational speaker. Here's a link to one of his debates: http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/ndtv-special-ndtv-24x7/debating-the-jan-lokpal-bill/215379
The link to IAC: http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.org


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Friday, August 20, 2010

My Response to Chetan declaring Pakistan a Brat


Chetan Bhagat has authored really nice, contemporary books. He writes a regular column for the Times of India TOI. That is why the following article - a disaster in diplomacy - really surprised me.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/all-that-matters/How-to-deal-with-a-brat-like-Pakistan/articleshow/6212035.cms

First, hats off to him for having the courage to speak out. There were many hidden truths in his article, for example, Pakistan is run by the army; its is the Pakistan army that is anti-India; we (in India) have a far stronger media; we are a fast growing, democratic, free country; the more India they see, the less likely they are to hate us or get swayed by hate speeches; when was the last time you heard the Pakistan government say anything sensible about India?

The way his article began was what all Indians had just read about in dismay - the (yet another) round of talks between the foreign ministers of both countries - both with different agendas and no meeting ground. Here's what Chetan said: 
One more round of India-Pakistan talks have failed. Our external affairs minister went to Islamabad for discussions, sporting his best diplomatic behavior. Their foreign minister took it as a rare chance to kick up a fuss and make India look silly. I am sure S M Qureshi received some high-fives from his sycophants and a pat on the back from his seniors. Never mind that important issues involving millions of people didn't get discussed. Never mind that both sides continue to burn money on defence supplies, wrecking finances. For the Pakistan army, the country's real controllers, getting along is just not as much fun as a big fight. After all, what are so many generals going to do if there is nobody to fight? Work in security guard agencies?

But some of Chetan's suggestions are completely gung ho and to my mind, George Bush-is. For example, When a gorilla is talking to a mouse, the mouse normally agrees with the gorilla. We have other tiny neighbours; India's approach to Pakistan should be similar to the psychologist's advice on dealing with a brat. Any parent will tell you that every child throws tantrums. They sulk, display aggressive behavior (hitting others, throwing things) or whine endlessly to get attention. In the old days, a spanking would take care of that;  ... and more along those lines.


Unfortunately (or perhaps in this case, fortunately) I don’t see any politician listening, Chetan.

I have a theory too - I sincerely hope, for our sakes, that it isn't too impossible to implement.To be heard on any matter, ordinary Indians have to learn to organise first. You say the approach here is not to send a delegation of smooth-talking experts and have a debating contest. No, mature activities like discussion assumes you are dealing with adults;  You also suggest that firmness is the approach that works — make clear rules, administer immediate punishment for indiscipline and never ever make empty threats.

You yourself admit that our government isn't listening. Has it ever? To my mind, the first POA should be for the ordinary Indian to organise. Then, and only then, will the government listen.

Who would be more effective in combating the supreme power our politicians seem to enjoy? A billion lone individuals or a billion strong organised force?

ORGANISE THEN MOBILISE.


As for the people of Pakistan, right now they are suffering because of the floods. Let's not bring this up when they are down and out, not only because of their army's foolhardy policies, not only because of their  fundamentalist groups who hold so much sway there (we have those too, as does the entire planet but ours don't have that much influence thanks to our ability to retain our humanity and tolerance towards other cultures - thank goodness) but also because of this natural disaster.

Right now, for the sake of Pakistan's people, let's donate to agencies like Medecins Sans Frontieres to alleviate their suffering – just like we are doing for the people of Ladakh.

Next, if we wish to be heard by our politicians, let's organise into a force to reckon with.

Note to readers of this blog - This link is to an article on my book-website. It discusses one possible way to organise in a safe environment while we wait for our hero, our knight in shining armour, that one incorruptible politician who will change our politics forever, to arrive: http://www.nevermindyaar.com/secular-indians-organise-safely/




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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

India Redefined - a movement started by Ranjana Kanti in 2009

Perhaps you've already heard of Ranjana Kanti. She started "India Redefined" in 2008 and has won many accolades since then. I spoke to her and discovered she runs 3 businesses apart from the movement. She insists she is just an ordinary citizen who wants to, and is capable of, doing things for a clean (which includes clean of ...corruption), green, healthy, prosperous and happy India. She shies away from awards - has refused ten this year - so as not to acquire celebrity status. That seems to have a life of its own and according to Ranjana, there's other very imporatant issues that need her full attention.

She says there are so many Indians who wish to do things for their country but don't know where to begin. I would seriously recommend India Redefined. Anyone can join, anyone can make a difference. It is a movement of the people and follows Gandhian principles. There is no fee to join. All Ranjana asks is for one very valuable resource - time. In her own words, "Commit certain time of your day, week or month to take up the issues of your area." Whether it's once a day, once a week or once a month is entirely up to you.

I feel charity and kindness live inside everyone of us. To give it a voice is giving ourselves a voice and it is very fulfilling. Why should you join Ranjana's movement to continue doing what you've always done? There is a chapter on the IR website that hopes to record issues that come up during any person's drive - whether it is to do with cleaning up the neighbourhood, teaching someone to read, to become computer savvy, a blood donation drive, an eye camp. This is where IR is useful. It is as well to know the problems you might encounter before starting a project. And after completing your project it would be helpful to others to know the problems you faced and were able / not able to overcome too.

This is the link to Ranjana's movement. www.indiaredefined.org

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