Sarajean's notes

I am excited to have a big class at Temple this semester. I was bummed that my NGO 201 class was cancelled - not enough students but I have 18 for the Role and Function of NGOs. Very excited to create new materials and activities for a large group. I am revising most of the materials but the key topics are Roles and responsibilities: overview nonprofit NGOs in different contexts IEC/ public education Providing services Transnational collaboration Self help and training Grassroots organizing Advocacy Really looking forward to this course. I am thinking of taking the TUJ advocacy course - even if it is on Sat at 9am - guarantees a serious group of people! I am thinking also of how I can work with IMADR on the Anti-discrimination NGO Network. this class might help me be effective for this group.

I must have talked to 150 people - I got a sore throat - but it was good for me to rehearse my schitck in Japanese that many times. It also just exciting to see so many people interested in the work og NGOs. More than 30 people joined our workshops - Pania and Dawn did a great job. I think we will develop this area more - support for NGO people in not only language but how to present and talk about issues with diverse audiences. We now share space with Human Rights Now! a new HR NGO. They had interesting speakers Burma but other that that I did not get a chance to hear any of the other events. Hope they will work with us on Forum 8 which will focus on HR issues. I have big expectations for that one - but need to finish prep for Forum 7...

I have met so many people recently that want my advice on working with nonprofits and NGOs in Japan. This is a job - not a hobby - it is so hard to explain that yes i need to get paid. Sure i can introduce someone but i can not spend 2 days working for nothing. Nonprofit NGO work is work. On a related note - I am divided within myself whether or not I would really like to develop the PSC more and make it a real group. i mean with a board, staff (volunteer or not) membership etc. We need 2 more key people to do funding/finances, outreach and PR besides the project mgt and overall cooridination. Pluses and minuses to being a volunteer group or standardised group.

I have been trying to think of more creative and lucrative ways to link nonprofit NGOs to the corproate sector but i have been stuck on the familiar sponsoring events or days fundraising parties gifts in time - staff time donations but the key issue - is what is the appeal for people in the for profit sector? why donate time and money? I have not seen much evidence that the appeal is well understood by anyone. At this event on CSR i recently attended i was a bit disappointed by tha lack of depth and simple way in which it was defined. Starting with the idea of legal compliance always bothers me - not breaking the law is not CSR. it is a responsibility we all have ... this is not a social benefit or contribution. the other part that bothers me is talking about how treating people well is CSR - no that is a mgt issue. CSR has got to include some concrete contribution to society - that is determined legally or included as basic mgt. practice. I know it is more than giving fudns and time b...

I have been thinking a lot these days about breast cancer - might be age or just that over the past year or so, I have heard from so many people who have discovered they have it. A friend in NYC was keeping a blog through her trials and tribulations ... intense. If she lets me share her blog i will later on. At least she has a lot of support over there, she has great health coverage, good friends and family ... Then i come to my concern about this here in tokyo. i tried to get a test for my 40th as part of the annual health check up but a mammogram was not included in the coverage. i paid for it myself but was really surprised by that. This year, i found out it will be covered. well, finally. The #1 issue to address in japan is how little people know and how few people get tested. I forget - is it 3 or 6 % of women test for breast cancer ? either way a way too small number. You can make a difference by supporting the Tokyo-based Run for the Cure Foundation which funds education an...