Meeting Minutes 07/13/08

 

Attendees: Gaurav, Bharath,Ganesh, Sharanya, Sabari, Arvind


1. ASV Update (Ganesh)

2. MarathonProgram Update (Sharanya)

3. Project Publicity

4. WAH (Ganesh)


1. ASV Update (Ganesh)

-Ganeshreviewed pending questions regarding ASV. These are the questions that came upwhen I presented the budget in the meeting

 

*Where did they go on the tourlast year?

Sarnath in Bihar.Santhosh sent pics ofthese.

 

*Discussion on early marriage forgirls. Are the project partners doing anything particular about it? Does thesituation of early marriage cause issues in the development of the child? What approachesare adopted by ASV to address this?

Actually the teachers aren'treally very involved with the community. Vallabh hasmentioned this in the past which is a issue at this village.Regarding what ASV can do, we think they haven't done anything and theirresponse in the past has been what can we do... but we can ask again, talk to vijaybhai as well. One of the things which the teachers talkedabout regarding tailoring can be thought of as a vocational training which willhelp them no matter whether they graduate early or not.


*We need to ask them if they need funding for Ekalavyastyle
teaching materials and add it to the budget.

Already asked vallabhlast time and we added 6000 for last year's budget.

 
* What is the "Examination papers and fees" for? Is this related to
Ekalavya style training? Would begood to learn the details of this. 

This referred to 'exams they wereconducting by  gettingan outside paper so that it is not set by ASV teachers, but Vijaybhaisaid that the standard of these exams weren't  good last time.


* Clarify what happens to the conference funding budget when the conference isin Ballia itself. [ACTION_ITEM]

Will be clarified in a separateconference call with Vijaybhai and Vallabh

 

*How far is the nearestgovernment school?

About 1-2 kmfrom the current school site. About according to vallabh,after sixth standard there is a school kids can go to where the education isn'tbad.

-Cost and transportation could beproblems. What the kids do after 8th standard is unknown.

Ganeshwill set up on-line vote for budget

 

2. Marathon Program Update (Sharanya)

-Target

Target number of runners is 100.Last year was 46.

-New Features

• Blog page for runners sothey can load pictures, change content etc.

• Trying to get companysponsorship to cover overhead costs

• We want to include`goodie bag'

• Mentors – try andmake a more structured mentor program this year. Also, mentors can set upvolunteer opportunities within the local community with their groups.

-Partner & Benefits

We will partner with RogueSystems as in the past for training. On 7/10 there was a meeting with Rogue.Highlights include:

-50% discount (same as last year)

-Ashacan present at the Rogue information session

-They will give us discountcoupon for goodie bags

-May help with stickers

-Might be able to get a discounton t-shirts and bags if we can order with Rogue

-Organize a shoe analysis sessionfor Asha runners (where runners' shoes will beanalyzed via video to determine if they wear the right type of shoes)

-To link their website with Asha's marathon website. They plan to have a section called"Team Blogs", one of which could be an Ashalink.

-Look into doing a cash-backsystem for Asha where they would compute the value ofthe merchandise purchased by Asha members and give a percentageback (no percentage was confirmed) e.g. in the form of free merchandise or ashopping card usable at Rogue. This could be given to the top fundraiser in Asha or could be used in any other way.
-No race discount this year (AT&T is not giving any discounts this year)
-Publicity Materials

Flyers have been posted at manyof the Indian restaurants and stores, and at stores such as Run Tex,REI. Website Brochure has been created by Bharath. ATThas given a write up on their web site.

-Company Information Session at NationalInstruments Qualcomm. Intel and Dell have not gotten back to us

-Public Information Session

UT South Location North Location Roguecoaches will be there at all information sessions

3. Project Publicity

-We will discuss in the Marathon meeting how to distribute the projectinformation. We could print out the project brochure and hand out at theinformation sessions, or we could send a soft copy to those runners who signup.


4. Work an Hour

Initially we had a budget of$12500 for Shristi, but due to the emergencyconstruction requirements, we approved an additional $5000 which has been addedto WAH. Thus the total is $17500 for WAH. Asha-widehas set up the WAH website, it will be up tonight. There is also an Asha-wide WAH flyer. Mary has completed aAustin WAH poster, which is highlighting Shristi. Weneed to work on publicity for WAH.