My Social Impact: One hell of a MAD journey
Hi, I'm Prasanna - Designer, DevOps Engineer, Startup Enthusiast, and Changemaker.
A lot of different things mentioned above? yes, that's me. I'm loving what I'm doing. Trying to manage my time effectively to give my best in all that I do. (failed, learning and trying :P) In this post, I will be sharing how I landed in social sector - the beginings of my volunteering journey, to scaling my level of impact.
1. Setting A Direction
New city (second home), super inspired by the youth energy in the city. Grew up with the thought of giving back to the society, I know I wanted to do something in the social space. This is when I got super inspired by one of my friends who welcomed me and taught how I can do my part. No second thoughts, I signed up for an inspiring cause and an organization called Make A Difference.
A little bit about MAD - Make A Difference, MAD is a youth-driven non-profit organization working to ensure all children in need of care and protection are able to realize long term equitable outcomes as that of middle class. You can read more about MAD here.
Started off as an Academic Support Volunteer: (things that I did)
• Implemented activity-based lesson plans to teach Science.
• Assisted in taking initial screening calls before recruitment drives.
• Learnt and implemented various strategies to prepare children for examinations.
• Taught children across multiple shelters various subjects when required.
• Assisted in taking initial screening calls before recruitment drives.
• Learnt and implemented various strategies to prepare children for examinations.
• Taught children across multiple shelters various subjects when required.
2. Don't Do It Alone
Second year in MAD, I was given a chance to mentor a bunch of volunteers (little nervous at first). I know I could do a lot better, had some potential to be unlocked, surely out of my comfort zone, inspired by the cause, and people - I said yes!
Mentor:
• Enabled 100+ volunteers to support children with a team of 8 mentors and 3 fellows.
• Supported in building teams that create amazing experiences.
• Assisted in the coordination of recruiting activities as needed.
• Trained and supported volunteers in teaching techniques.
• Created trackers to monitor attendance and performance.
• Facilitated ideation, discussion, and debrief meetings.
• Raised funds in the 2018-19 Community fundraising campaign.
Communication and Outreach Lead in Dream Camp 19'
• Co-worked with a team to conduct a 3 day camp for 100+ children.
• Co-ordinated with various teams to select potential volunteers.
• Responsible for the pulse of the city - hype creation, designed experience elements in the camp.
• Planned and created a memorable experience for volunteers and children.
• Managed and helped conduct training for volunteers.
• Supported in building teams that create amazing experiences.
• Assisted in the coordination of recruiting activities as needed.
• Trained and supported volunteers in teaching techniques.
• Created trackers to monitor attendance and performance.
• Facilitated ideation, discussion, and debrief meetings.
• Raised funds in the 2018-19 Community fundraising campaign.
Communication and Outreach Lead in Dream Camp 19'
• Co-worked with a team to conduct a 3 day camp for 100+ children.
• Co-ordinated with various teams to select potential volunteers.
• Responsible for the pulse of the city - hype creation, designed experience elements in the camp.
• Planned and created a memorable experience for volunteers and children.
• Managed and helped conduct training for volunteers.
3. Learning In One Big City
The real trajectory was when I understood the difference between being a receiver and being a giver or enabler. MAD’s fellowship was all about being an enabler.
As a fellow / city manager,
• Enabled and mobilized 180+ volunteers to ensure organizational outcomes are achieved through quality experience.
• Facilitated design ideation, discussion, strategy, and debrief meetings.
• Facilitated recruitment drives and induction.
• Resolved conflicts that arose between volunteers with a path forward.
• Aligned and enabled the team of mentors to function effectively.
• Project Managed several events on behalf of Make A Difference for volunteers.
• Used tools like user journey mapping to curate positive volunteer experience.
Communication and Outreach Lead (yes, did this again!)
• Co-worked with a team to conduct a 3-day camp for 100+ children.
• Responsible for the pulse of the city - hype creation, designed experience elements.
• Facilitated ideation, discussion and other team meetings.
• Facilitated design ideation, discussion, strategy, and debrief meetings.
• Facilitated recruitment drives and induction.
• Resolved conflicts that arose between volunteers with a path forward.
• Aligned and enabled the team of mentors to function effectively.
• Project Managed several events on behalf of Make A Difference for volunteers.
• Used tools like user journey mapping to curate positive volunteer experience.
Communication and Outreach Lead (yes, did this again!)
• Co-worked with a team to conduct a 3-day camp for 100+ children.
• Responsible for the pulse of the city - hype creation, designed experience elements.
• Facilitated ideation, discussion and other team meetings.
4. Do What You're Good At
Continued to be an enabler the following year. Same goal, different city (quite big this time!), different and exciting challenges.
Things I did this time:
• Part of the evolution team 2020. Worked on Making MAD Digital (MMD) - a project to setup digital infrastructure due to pandemic.
• Executed various online and offline campaigns end-to-end to drive growth and retention across 23 cities in India.
• Implemented various mobilizing initiatives focusing on positive people experience.
• Supported the social media teams with media execution, crafting design, and deliverables.
• Executed various online and offline campaigns end-to-end to drive growth and retention across 23 cities in India.
• Implemented various mobilizing initiatives focusing on positive people experience.
• Supported the social media teams with media execution, crafting design, and deliverables.
Designing MAD's version of impact wrapped.
4. Do What You're Good At (again)
After being a fellow and enabler for 2 different cities for 2 years, my thoughts were all in scaling up my level of impact. Well, this means my strategy or idea or design could impact various cities and its' operations.
Strategist / Regional Manager:
• Successfully executed sourcing campaigns to recruit over 3000 volunteers in the pandemic.
• Responsible for the quality of design deliverables. Constantly look out to curate innovative designs, tell impactful stories to external and internal people ensuring everyone believes they are playing an important part in making a difference.
• Played a part in Making MAD Digital (MMD) - a project to setup digital infrastructure across 23 cities.
• Ensured children were supported academically and emotionally during the pandemic.
• Supported the briefing, designing, and delivery of the creatives.
