Networks and associations like CII, FICCI-FLO, IAMAI, NHRD, MTHR, MCCI, CREDAI, AHAR and others have regularly engaged their members in celebrating #DaanUtsav. Some have run awareness campaigns to ensure that all members individually participate, while others have organised events bringing their members together.
Check out this video for some simple ideas of how Networks and Associations can celebrate #DaanUtsav.
For any queries or more ideas on how to organise an event for networks & associations, get in touch!
Reach out here:
jyotsnakaur at yahoo.com
indirabagri at yahoo.com
Why should networks & associations celebrate #DaanUtsav?
Networks and associations are usually preoccupied with a lot of business agenda and business-focussed networking. Many members find themselves with few opportunities to interact with other members in a more relaxed atmosphere. #DaanUtsav provides a beautiful platform even to competing companies to come together to make a difference in someone’s life.
What kind of events work for networks & associations?
A variety of events are likely to work well. It will be helpful to first identify groups of organisations within the network (for example, IT companies, manufacturing companies, networks like AAHAR) so as to design events specially for the verticals in those organisations.
Click here for some ideas to get started.
How does one pitch the concept of #DaanUtsav to the members of a network or an association?
The best way to do this is to share information about #DaanUtsav, and explain why as a network, we should do a #DaanUtsav activity together. While some members might like to organise an event independently, harnessing the power of collective action is bound to be more rewarding.
How does one get maximum participation in his or her event?
The best way to get maximum participation is through rigorous communication, with the president of the network sending out an email or a letter and perhaps a WhatsApp message to all members. One can activate all the committees that are involved and request them to reach out.
Here is a YouTube playlist which you can use to get more ideas and examples for organising your #DaanUtsav activity.
Click onicon to browse the playlist.
Kaun Test Karega
Send out a newsletter or Whats App circular to all members sharing about #DaanUtsav and inviting them to celebrate in various ways. Have awards for the members that celebrate in the most exemplary manner.
You e-wish!
Set up a digital wish tree for a local non-profit that you wish to support and allow members to fulfill wishes sourced from a local nonprofit.
Charity Raffle / Virtual Housie
A virtual raffle, housie or “tambola” where members donate items as prizes (spare new phones, crockery, travel accessories, bags, watches, etc.), and everyone buys tickets with the proceeds going to charity.
Card Carrying Membership
Virtual poker, rummy, bridge or other card games where everyone “buys in” and nominates a charity, money goes to the winners’ nominated charities.
Karaoke Idol Kaun?
Organise a karaoke fundraiser night with members. People pay for the event and vote for the best performance of the night. The raised sum goes to the winner’s charity.
Soulful Stories
Record a story in your native language and share it with children and the elderly.
One sign saves multiple lives
Sign up for organ donation and encourage your friends to do the same.
JAGgery
Create Joint Action Groups of member institutions around specific themes or initiatives (pick from other ideas listed). Encourage them to own and drive the campaign.
Joyfest
Organise an event that brings all member institutions together into a fair, exhibition or conference that facilitates connections between NGOs and the institutional members of the network.
Fistful of joy
Encourage members to donate a fistful of grain/ sugar which is collected and given to an NGO.
Clean up drive
Organise an event to clean up public spaces like beaches, lakes, bus stands, stations, parks, govt hospitals, etc.
Gandhi For Gram
Identify a village nearby and get students/employees/members to visit and volunteer there for a day, to promote greater understanding of the challenges of rural life in modern times.
Gandhi 150 festival
Organise a festival in your school, college, office, club, group, association or apartment to celebrate Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. The festival can include debates, essay contests, Khadi shows, films and other activities that represent Gandhi’s values. Audience/ participants donate to take part and the proceeds go to Gandhian charities.
DaanDe March
Organise a march/walk involving your students/employees/members and also other organisations near your institution, raising awareness about causes and inviting the public to contribute in cash and kind.
Tree plantation
Carry out tree plantation campaigns in nearby school/college campuses and grounds, parks, office campuses or in nearby plantation areas identified by environmental NGOs. Plantation can also be done in nearby rural areas.
Beautification Drive
Organise an event to beautify public spaces like compound walls, bus stands, stations, parks and gardens, govt schools & hospitals, shelter homes, etc.
Plog Run
Get participants to go on a run and collect all the plastic they encounter on the run, from the streets. The collected plastic is given to a recycler.
Collection Drive
A drive to collect and donate new or old books, toys, bags, stationery, uniform, newspapers, shoes, clothes and other stuff and donate them to NGOs.
Run/Walk for a cause
A walk/ run for a cause, where participants donate and fundraise to support the chosen cause.
Seva Mela- NGO stalls
In a school, college, corporate, club or large apartment complex, NGOs put up stalls showcasing their cause and selling their products.
Seva Mela- Fun for a Cause
In a school, college, corporate, club or large apartment complex, NGOs put up stalls with food and games, and all proceeds go to charity.
Jail & Bail
Leaders (CXOs, Principals, Directors, Trustees, Office bearers) are “jailed for doing good” and others have to “bail them out” by donating to a charity of their choice.
Visits to NGOs
Visits to nearby shelter, old age home, orphanage, special needs org, etc.
Who’s The MasterChef? (MasterChef Kaun?)
In schools, offices, clubs, apartments, a Masterchef contest, where each participant creates, others “buy” food coupons, proceeds go to charity. The winner’s charity gets a special prize. Can focus on men cooking to change stereotypes.
Date Auction
In colleges, offices, clubs, gyms, a lunch or safe dinner date with the popular members is auctioned and proceeds go to the charity of their choice.
Blood donation camps
In association with nearby blood banks and hospitals or groups like Lions that conduct such camps.
Kara-OK Action (Kuch Achha Karao-ke)
Sing for a cause on karaoke, the audience buys tickets to listen, proceeds go to charity.
Food drive
Preparing, collecting and distributing food to those in need on the streets or at shelter and care homes, or even to auto drivers at a stand, etc.
Seva Sandwich
Individuals in a group contribute various ingredients of a sandwich, get together and make sandwiches and distribute them to those in need
Kindness Fridge
Set up a “kindness fridge” in a public place like an apartment, school, college, hospital and create groups of people who will ensure the fridge is stocked.
Thank’Em
Thank class 4 staff of school, college, corp, club, apt, etc. – serve them, have fun WITH them, treat them as equals
Record Audio Books
Everyone records an audio book for the blind.
Change Festival
In colleges, clubs, theatres, large corporates, large apartments, a TEDx/ Litfest type format featuring social enterprises, ticket donations to charity.
Bake Sale/ Art Sale
People exhibit their talents in baking/ other arts and sell their products, proceeds go to charity
Adopt an Institution
Help a govt school, bus shelter, night shelter, newspaper stand, park get a complete makeover and take care of it through the year.
The Tiny Flea Garage Sale
Flea market within school, college, corp, apartment, club etc. where members bring items and others buy them, all proceeds go to charity.
Cycle/ Bike/Car Rally for a cause
A rally for a cause, where participants donate and fundraise to support the chosen cause.
7 Days 7 Givings
Pick 7 different acts of giving, 1 for each day of the #DaanUtsav week and get students/ residents/employees/members to contribute. The 7 acts could simply be 7 different items to be given (books on 1 day, clothes on another, etc.) or 7 types of activities (money, material, time, blood, skills, etc.)
Street Store
Organise a collection drive for items in good condition, clean, mend and pack the donated items nicely and set up a “store” on a street nearby. Offer “coupons” to potential beneficiaries which they can use to “buy” the items that THEY choose from the street store, instead of being handed over something that someone else chose for them.
Wish Tree
Set up a “Wish Tree” and allow members to fulfill wishes sourced from a local nonprofit that you wish to support.
#DaanUtsav Booths
Pop-up #DaanUtsav booths in public spaces provide opportunities to donate for a particular NGO/cause.