AIDBA - New Volunteer Information

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Frequently asked questions

What is AID?
AID (Association for India's Development), is a non-profit charitable, volunteer organization that supports a wide variety of social service and development projects addressing problems such as literacy, healthcare, rural credit, vocational training, children's welfare etc.
When was it started?
AID was started in 1991 in Maryland by a group of students and professionals.
How many branches do we have?
Actually they are called Chapters. We now have around 36 chapters across the USA. Today, it has over 2000 members and 500 active volunteers. Headquarters is located at College Park, Maryland.
When and where do we meet?
We meet at India Community Center(ICC), Milpitas, every second and fourth Sunday of the month at 2:00PM.
What do we do?
A simple way of looking at it what we do is...
1. We raise funds
2. We get project proposals from Indian NGOs, evaluate and fund them.
But the whole process is more than just collecting money and sending it to India which can only be experienced through the joy and satisfaction of volunteerism.
How do we collect money?
Cash Contributions: Contributions can be made by check or by credit card. All donations are tax deductible.
Events: Organize concerts, plays etc atleast once a year.
What is a typical Project life cycle?
Initial: We have a standard project proposal form which will be filled in by the NGO. The Volunteer who got the proposal gives an initial presentation.
Evaluation: The chapter discusses the proposal and through the coordinator(s) submits any questions/issues that resulted from the discussion to the NGO. This stage is the crucial stage and we aim to understand the project as completely as possible. This stage can go through as many iterations as is needed. All efforts are made to ensure that a project visit is made and a first hand account of the NGO/Project is available.
Proposal Decision: A decision is made on the project proposal and the necessary steps are taken to fund the approved project.
Followup: This is an ongoing stage where the chapter obtains regular feedback on the progress of the approved project and works with the NGO/project beneficiaries towards the 'success' of the project.
What can I do?
Anything and everything :-). Routine work would be to do project reviews in the meeting and assist in selling scrips and other fundraising activities. It is important to understand the developemental issues facing the rural and urban poor in India. Towards this goal, help organizing talks by social workers, screen documentaries, do a onsite Project Visit in India etc.
Got library?
We have a small but growing collection of books / videos on development related activities. Please contact Aniruddha for borrowing.
Who are the elected officebearers of AID Bay Area?
The list of Elected Office Bearer is available here.
What are the mailing lists?
aidbavol@yahoogroups.com: Usually has meeting announcements and meeting minutes.
aidba_active@yahoogroups.com: For the core volunteers about day-to-day operational discussions.
Please contact Piyush to add yourself to the mailing list(s).
Where can I get more information?
http://www.aidindia.org : Main AID web site
Or feel free to talk to one of the office bearers.

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