Updeshak
Strengthening governance in NGOs by bringing diversity and expertise to NGO Boards.
Updeshak Fellowship is an initiative to identify, induct and mentor volunteers from professional and corporate sectors to create a pool of independent board members to enhance governance in NGO sector. Because better governance leads to better outcomes!
Through this programme, we provide an opportunity for passionate individuals to serve grassroots NGOs and join their mission as a board member. We are looking out for enrolments from middle level managers and senior professionals in fields like IT, CA, Lawyers, Medical, Academic, Banking, Social sector and retired Govt officials to serve as board members.
The other aspect of Updeshak is about capacity building of existing board members. This is done through board interactions and training programmes on specific topics.
What unique value does each board member bring to an organisation?
Good Governance plays an important role in promoting the accountability of an NGO. However, small NGOs, especially in rural areas, struggle with governance as they are unable to attract the right experts and professionals on to their board. Invariably, the family members and well-wishers form the board, making it less effective.
Launched in May 2019, Updeshak is a 6-month programme designed to induct independent board members to NGOs. We identify experts from various professional backgrounds, including corporate leaders, chartered accountants, government officials and academicians, and recommend them to relevant NGO boards. The new board members, as well as the existing NGO leadership and board, go through an induction programme of up to six months to ensure a fruitful and lasting alliance.
External stakeholder expectations on good governance, which guide our board member selection:
Does the NGO have a minimum of 5-7 members?
1
Are at least some of them independent members?
1
Do they have different backgrounds – finance, social sector, legal, corporate, government?
3
Do they actively contribute towards organisation’s growth and development?
4
What unique value does each board member bring to the organisation?
5
About Updeshak Fellowships
- Updeshak provides corporate professionals an opportunity to serve NGOs as Board Members. Professionals like Chartered Accountants, Doctors, Lawyers, Educationalists are welcome to apply. People working in Corporate/IT sector with over 15 years of experience are also welcome to enroll.
- Dhwani provides a 2-day orientation to all applicants.
92 Professionals from various corporate sectors are already serving more than 75 NGOs in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. We are constantly looking out for passionate individuals to join the Updeshak Fellowship through our ongoing programmes in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.