Friday, 10 February 2017

How We Evolved


Keeping in mind the theme for this newsmagazine, we asked few CAP members at our HR workshop to share their experiences on how they evolved in the careers & professional life. It was interesting to note that the social sector seems to have evolved enough to attract those from a corporate background to cross over.




Jyoti Patil Shah
After completing my Post Graduation in Counselling I was offered a job as a counsellor at Canossa Convent High School, Mahim. This was an actual eye-opener for me as it gave me a hands on lesson about how in reality people handle their difficulties and how they justify with what happens to them. A friend’s connection got me to V Care. A choice had to be made between an International School and V Care, a challenge with a change is always welcomed. It has been a journey of learning and to really count blessings! School was more grounded more structured; V Care keeps you on your toes 24x7. At a personal level evolution has taken shape through immense exposure and still learning something new.

Jyoti Patil Shah,Volunteer, V Care Foundation
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Rajendra Aher
 My first job was at Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra Pune, a state level Adoption program. My role included pre and post adoption visits to the families who desired to adopt a child through our program. While doing this, I experienced the feelings of the parents, who don’t have a child as well as the importance of good upbringing of a child in such families. This job not only gave me satisfaction but also motivation for my life. I also understood the importance of confidentiality.

I carried forward this experience to my next job at Deep Griha Society at Pune. Since 1991 I have worked on different projects and from April 2016 was promoted as a Project Officer. The roles have grown and so have I. In my first job our focus was only on adoption and through Deep Griha it has evolved - here the focus is  wider in  areas such as Community development Child care, Women empowerment, Youth development, Medical, DISHA (HIV/AIDS) etc.

Rajendra Aher,Project Officer,Deep Griha Society

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Anjali Teredesai
 I worked in Bhagini Nivedita Sahakari Bank for 31 years. Our bank catered to all but was managed only by ladies. I joined there as a clerk and during a period of time was promoted up to Branch Manager. This job developed my personality a lot. I have worked as a staff director for 8 years. I gained wide experience by working with different profiles of people, so I could share various problems of the people as well as staff. This job gave me gratification.

I heard a lot about Deep Griha Society, so after my retirement from the corporate sector, I thought I can do something for the community by working with a non-profit. In my previous job I worked with only a specific class of society and today my personality has developed further and I work with community workers with the same ease.
Anjali Teredesai,Deep Griha Society
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Dr. Ponissery Jayarajan
Post my MBBS I was looking for a job in a multi-specialty hospital to hone my skills. My first job was in a multi-specialty hospital in Thrissur District, Kerala. Everything I had hoped for and more. - GREAT. I had planned to be there for a year, but I stayed for more than two years.My entry into the social sector was by accident through my friend, who invited me to join an NGO. Since it was the change I was looking for, I moved from Medical Officer in the Casualty of a Multi-specialty hospital to NGO- Alpha Palliative Care services as a Resident Medical Officer.

After 14 years and in the private sector, I moved to the social sector in 2008. The main difference between the two is the approach by the medical personnel. There is a paternalistic relationship where the medical community including doctors, nurses  will always instruct the patient and family to follow what they say. Most of the time they would not entertain questions nor tolerate any non-compliance in the treatment plans. In the social sector (Palliative care) there is more of an equal partnership between Medical Community and the patients,  more humane and they form a partnership to develop an individualized treatment plan suitable to the patient and family.

I have evolved into a better person and professional with tremendous patience and tolerance,a better communicator, learned to accept failure and how to deal with it.

Dr. Ponissery Jayarajan,Chief Medical Officer, The Jimmy S Bilimoria Foundation

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Regina Khurana
My first job was as an HR Associate in a corporate. I loved it – I was fresh out of college and had so many practical things to learn! I then took a break to start a personal venture, which helped expand my horizons professionally and personally. When I decided to join the workforce again, it was in the not-for-profit space (more accident than choice – but I’d like to think of it as serendipity). I sense a passion and commitment here for that was missing before. Personally, I notice that both I and my family have become kinder, more inclusive, and more compassionate.

Regina Khurana,Assistant Manager – HR, Ummeed Child Development Center

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Aparna Joshi-Khandwala
My first job in 1998 was a very comfortable experience. I was privileged to be associated with the MD's office of a large pharma company to manage housekeeping and basic administration. But the role lacked challenges and hence I decided to look for a better opportunity. I transitioned into an HR role very naturally due to my interest and skills. There was no looking back after I joined EmmayHR in 2002. I worked here for over 7 years during which we transitioned from being a small local recruitment firm to be world’s largest HR services company, now Randstad India. I grew from managing administrative HR activities to eventually strategic HR management and worked closely with the founders and management teams. I came across a volunteering opportunity during my first career break during my maternity sabbatical in 2009. That’s when I realized how blinded I was in the corporate sector ignorant of issues in our immediate society country at large. I joined iVolunteer to structure human resources and lead JobsForGood, a leading recruitment service provider to the social sector. It continues to be an immensely satisfying journey in the sector since 2009. I founded a management consultancy, Yellow Spark in 2014 which helps organisations to become aspiring workplaces. 

Aparna Joshi-Khandwala,HR Consultant, Yellow Spark


"To be featured in our newsmag write in to connect@capindia.in"

Thursday, 9 February 2017

CAP’S Compliance Complete Certification - V Care Foundation

Featuring V care foundation - one of the 4 NGOs registered for this year's CAP Compliance-Complete Certificate 





Our objectives are to help create free support, awareness and education to cancer patients and to help improve their quality of life.

We joined CAP’s Compliance Complete Certification...To learn best practices, to build capacity and to be as flawless an organisation as possible.

V Care Foundation was founded with the philosophy... of helping cancer patients and their caregivers fight cancer and stay emotionally secure.   As a team we wanted to be so strong that we could conquer cancer. 

Our greatest forte... is the fact that the organisation is run by volunteers who give their time and are passionate to serve the cause.

Our strength also becomes our challenge... We need volunteers to expand our work. We are also continuously exploring ways to identify needs of cancer patients’ and methods of fulfilling those.

Compliance for us translates as ...  being legally compliant as an organization. Having the best accounting practices along with sound and effective board governance.

What are your organization’s most promising programs... Cancer Survivors Day started by V Care in 2015 was a movement to focus on survivorship. It is now being celebrated by many organisations across the country. Providing financial support to the poor and middle income group.  A program called UMMEED which is a unique Cancer Helpdesk that provides information to patients and their caregivers on different types of available government schemes, hospitals, NGOs and trust for financial assistance and a list of budget hotels/accommodation.

How can you best reach your target audience... through our placement in hospitals, social media, and word of mouth of the beneficiaries, our well wishers and donors. 

How has your organization changed over the last 2-5-10 years... From an organisation providing only emotional support to patients initially we have now expanded to include many support programs for the patients and their families.  We have a robust home visit system in place for our palliative patients and provide financial support to them.  We train other support groups in the country, to implementing programs where prosthetic needs (wigs, artificial breast, etc) of the patients are met.

Two changes which you would like to observe in the philanthropy space...Serve the purpose by networking amongst the social sector to reach out to maximum no of patients with our resources.  As an organization strive for compliance at all levels.


 "If your organization would like to avail of this certification in FY 2017-18, write in to us at connect@capindia.in. Interviews will be held in May 2017"

CAP's Compliance Complete Certification - Initiatives of Change


CAP's latest endeavour in capacity building has been the expansion of our services to include Compliance Certification for NGOs. Through this programme, NGOs will work with CAP towards being compliant in the following core areas – Legal, Financial, Human Resources, Board Governance, Communication, Strategy, Fund-raising, and Volunteer Management.
Featuring the third of the 4 NGOs selected this year.
Initiaves of Change is a world-wide movement of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, who are committed to the transformation of society through changes in human motives and behaviour, starting with their own.

CAP’s Compliance Complete Certification will help us… to be fully aware of the current legal status for trusts like us and ensure our compliance, to ensure we are following best practices whilst dealing with all authorities.

The guiding philosophy of our organisation ...Personal character, attitude and values have a direct impact on the society. Hence, MRA-IofC focuses on personal needs to address national and global problems. Everybody wants to see the other person change, but effective social change can happen when you start with yourself. 

Our greatest asset…is a border less body of people from every background, throughout the country (and internationally) who have taken steps of change in their own lives. Many of them are actively engaged in influencing leaders for positive change in key areas. 

Compliance to our organisation translates as being…firmly rooted in the values and principles of the movement; meticulously law-abiding; taking compassionate care of all aspects of volunteers and employees; faithfully following the educational and character-building objectives of the trust. 

Where do you see your organisation 15 years hence...Our strength is that we are less of an organisation and more of an idea that spreads on two legs, through people who find a new purpose and direction for life. We hope to increase our volunteer base for outreach and facilitator pool for our training programmes. Our dream is that in time to come people would be living in a country and a world without hate and no fear of destruction from terrorism, global warming or poverty and disease, because of their own initiatives.


Two changes which you would like to observe in the philanthropy space…a) The citizenry, including corporates, to become a lot more caring to eliminate poverty and suffering give unconditionally from a space of compassion with freedom from materialism. b)Government to become discerning of genuine philanthropy and more trusting, and making it easy for caring and giving with reasonable rules and regulations.

 "If your organization would like to avail of this certification in FY 2017-18, write in to us at connect@capindia.in. Interviews will be held in May 2017"

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

CAP's Compliance Complete Certification - Deep Griha Society



 CAP's latest endeavour in capacity building has been the expansion of our services to include Compliance Certification for NGOs. Through this programme, NGOs will work with CAP towards being compliant in the following core areas – Legal, Financial, Human Resources, Board Governance, Communication, Strategy, Fund-raising, and Volunteer Management.
Featuring the second of the 4 NGOs selected this year.



Aims to uplift the marginalised through holistic development of the community by addressing areas such as Education, Medical & Healthcare, Skill Development and Shelter & Nutrition.  

We decided to join the Compliance Complete Programme… to ensure that we are legally compliant and following good governance standards as recognised by the government, other organizations and companies. 

Our vision…Empowerment of the marginalized through capacity building and sustainable rural & urban development programmes. 

Our greatest strength…The good will through the relationship we have with our communities as a result of the work Deep Griha Society has carried out over the last 40 years. 

Our challenges…Incorporating information technology into the work we do and building capacity of staff members working at Deep Griha Society. 

Our team interprets compliance as …Having a more efficiently run organization which would result in more effective programmes for the marginalised communities we serve. 

How can you best reach your target audience…To incorporate technology wherever possible in our work so that monitoring and feedback on efficacy of services is easier to get which will create space for continuous improvement. 


Two changes which you would like to observe in the philanthropy space…a) The efficacy and image of NGOs and Not-for-Profits in the social sector. b) An increase in the incorporation of information technology as a means to measure impact. 

Where do you see your organisation 15 years hence…A premier Not-for-Profit providing relevant support services to marginalised communities across Pune district. 

An instance within your social work which created a sense of pride for you…Walking through the community and having people talk highly about Deep Griha Society, when they do not know you work for the organization.


 "If your organization would like to avail of this certification in FY 2017-18, write in to us at connect@capindia.in. Interviews will be held in May 2017"

Monday, 6 February 2017

CAP’S Compliance Complete Certification - Apnalaya

CAP's latest endeavour in capacity building has been the expansion of our services to include Compliance Certification for NGOs. Through this programme, NGOs will work with CAP towards being compliant in the following core areas – Legal, Financial, Human Resources, Board Governance, Communication, Strategy, Fund-raising, and Volunteer Management.Featuring the first of the 4 NGOs selected this year.




Apnalaya-‘Our Space’ in English, is a non-profit organization, founded in 1973.  We work with the most marginalized people living in highly under-served slums of Mumbai


Why we decided to join up for Compliance Review.. We consider it important to review our methods and practices, given the changing eco-system and newly introduced rules and regulations 


Our organisation was founded with the philosophy… of reaching out to the most under-served 


Our greatest strength lies in our holistic integrated community development approach, where the community participates in its development


Our challenges We work (a) in M-East ward, Mumbai, an area which has Asia's largest and oldest dumping ground. It is a mountain of health hazards, with a set of migrant population that is highly disenfranchised and in an environment where micro intervention focus, not sustainable holistic community development, seems to be the flavour of the season.

How we interpret compliance...  Compliance for us is like basic hygiene practices. It's a habit.    


What are your organization's most promising programs...  Health, Livelihood, Education and Citizenship - all are our promising programs.


Key indicators by which you measure your impact... Number of families and individuals who feel empowered to address issues related to Health, Education, Disability, Livelihood and basic entitlements

How has your organization changed over the last 2-5-10 years… We have further developed Results Based Management system. The program has reduced the service provision components to negligible levels. The beneficiary base has expanded to include all age groups especially the 7 to 14 years age group which whom interventions were not as intensive.  The geography has expanded from 12 clusters to 31 clusters, serving a beneficiary base of 280,000 (from 65,000 earlier)
Two changes which you would like to observe in the philanthropy space...  A better understanding of and a greater commitment to social processes of change.  A departure from the framework of a "Giver" to greater accountability and self-monitoring vis-a-vis one's responsibility towards social welfare   





 "If your organization would like to avail of this certification in FY 2017-18, write in to us at connect@capindia.in. Interviews will be held in May 2017"