1. Working with Projects Internal Perspective

2. Communication E-mail makes it easy Phone Local Indian chapter Telecons Monthly follow up Respond timely Direct contact … put a voice to the name

3. Site visit  Most critical in building relationship  No substitute  Every project should have a site visit each year  Project steward should visit at least once  Learning & monitoring process specially for new volunteers … volunteers, who visit, stay longer in Asha

4. Before visiting  Get familiar with the project  Talk to the project volunteer  Helps to take a tape recorder –We can put voices to names  Take a camera –Helps put faces to the names … go with an open mind

5. During visit  Overall picture  All activities of the group not just Asha supported ones  Opinion of the children & their parents  Learn about the community their socio-economic background issues they face … look @ things from their perspective

6. After visit Write up the report in a timely manner Report form available online Upload the report on the project website Use projects database Upload pictures with proper labeling Share report & photos with all concerned chapters & asha-projects … keep in touch

7. Relation  Be proactive  Join similar focus groups  Network within Asha  Be aware of similar projects/initiatives  Inform the project about workshops, conferences resource groups/centers … take initiatives

8. Relation  Give them ideas  Emphasize need for community support  Help them network with other groups  Suggest ways of raising funds locally  Plan future steps together with the project … we can’t tell them what they need, only what we’ll be able to support

9. Relation Encourage teachers’ training Curriculum: review & provide feedback/input Explore non-funding ways of support Software, technology, information … funds are not the only way to help

10. Website  Main source of info  Helps to understand  Keep it up to date  Include communication with project  Use projects database  Customize project page: “Diary” idea … face of the project

11. Information Keep people informed including: chapter(s) involved Asha stars, project specific donors asha-projects Multi-chapter project: Project specific yahoogroup Telecon … its dynamic & changing

12. Information  learn the issues they face  spread awareness within & outside Asha  involve other volunteers in the chapter for ideas to help the project better  try 2 volunteers team for each project … information leads to awareness

13. Raising support  build awareness among donors  keep them updated with the latest  create donor base Asha stars Support A Child (SAC) SAC type idea: “Educate A Village” for CMS new things: “Buy A Brick” for SKB … awareness brings commitment

14. Custodian Help-line  clear guideline on the responsibilities involved  mentoring for new project stewards  someone to give direction  regular project reviews in meetings … in the chapter

15. Custodian Help-line volunteers with lots of questions people visiting the project sharing site visits with photos videos a team of project stewards … One volunteer to energize the group

16. Problems & Solutions  no email/phone, long turn around time consistently call/write ask India volunteers to visit  raising fund for large infrastructure project specific fund raiser involve the donor base/Asha stars new methods like “Buy A Brick” for SKB  not all projects get visited make sure every project is visited each year