Deshpande Fellows Program - Seeking Quality Applicants

Deshpande Foundation will be launching its new program – the Deshpande Fellowship, this June. This intensive, six-month program aims to build the analytical and management skills of young professionals that are dedicated to the NGO sector and to development in Karnataka.

 

The fellows will be provided with residential housing and board for the duration of the program – from July 2 – December 22, 2008. They will also be provided a monthly stipend of Rs. 10,000 to each Fellow. The Fellows will spend each week in the classroom and in the field addressing the following topics, to be taught by respected faculty and experienced NGO leaders from around the world:

• Entrepreneurship and Management (Social Entrepreneurship, Market Conditions, Basic Economics, Innovation, Scalability)
• Measurement & Evaluation (Defining the Problem, Data Collection & Analysis, Log Frame Analysis, Impact Assessment)
• Project Planning (setting goals, schedules, and work plans)
• Case studies about the challenges faced by NGO's in the US and India
• Field study of village conditions (outside Dharwad) / participatory mapping exercise
• Field study/impact assessment of local NGO's
• Financial management, accounting and MIS Systems training
• Motivational training and personal goal setting
• Capstone: The development of a business plan to create a market-based approach to a traditional NGO activity.

They are looking out for 25 fellows and the LAST DATE to apply is 5th May, 2008.

Social Intrapreneurs - Make Change from Where You Are

Wanna create a positive impact, while being at work? Read on !!!

An Intrapreneur is the person who focuses on innovation and creativity and who transforms a dream or an idea into a profitable venture, by operating within the organizational environment. While "Social Intrapreneurs" are a force for positive change within business.

Few days ago, Sustainability.com in collaboration with IDEO, Allianz and Skoll Foundation launched a book - The Social Intrapreneurs: A Field Guide for Corporate Changemakers.

Just browsing through, it seems an amazing book focusing with different examples of corporate change leaders across the world.

~Pankhudi's 3rd Anniversary on 18th Apr'08

Pankhudi Foundation celebrated its 3rd annivarsary on 18th April this year. Lots of fan-fare and activities happened across its 6 chapters including the launch of this special edition newsletter.

Pankhudi Mumbai being the main hub had a cake-cutting ceremony with slum kids. Check photos here.

MIT's Low-Tech Laboratory

MIT’s D-Lab can turn a plastic baby bottle into lab equipment and refashion a toilet as a chlorination system. Here’s how its low-cost, low-tech solutions are saving lives around the world.

6 Habits To Avoiding And Overcoming Procrastination

I know this is a little off-topic, but I really wanted to share this useful article. So here it goes:

Procrastination is a habit that consists in putting off something for the next day. I’m pretty sure most of you’ve told yourselves at least once in your life I’ll do it tomorrow, I have the time or tomorrow’s another day. Here are some steps to overcome it.

1. Take It One Step At a Time
2. You Don’t Need To “Have To,” You Need To “Want To”
3. Brainstorm Your Way Out
4. Time Yourself
5. Eliminate All Other Distractions
6. Stop Being A Perfectionist

More in this worderful article.

The Cleverest Idea I've Seen In Years

Guy Kawasaki says: This is the cleverest idea I've seen in years (and Apple had nothing to do with it as far as I know): PlayPumps. Kids play on a merry-go-round and pump water for villages at the same time. Girls benefit in particular because they are usually the ones fetching water. How cool is that?!