Core Values of Asha for Education

Mission | Objectives | Achievements | Activities | Past, Present, Future

Asha for Education's working is embedded in a set of core values which guide us in all aspects of the organization. The following core values are applicable to - Asha for Education US, Canada, Europe, Australia. Section I.1 and Section I.2 is not applicable to Asha India because as a boot strapped grass-roots organization, Asha India does not have zero overheads and not all are unpaid volunteers - there are certain overheads for salaries of accountant and running of Asha Centers in Asha India.

1. OPERATIONAL CORE VALUES
   
   
   1. Volunteerism
      
      All chapters and volunteers of Asha for Education participate through the spirit of volunteerism. It means that not a single person in any chapter is paid a salary, stipend, honorarium or any form of financial reimbursement. There is also no paid membership to be an Asha volunteer. An Asha volunteer is an unpaid volunteer and participates in the spirit of pure volunteerism through a local chapter.
      
      We believe that it has been possible for many to participate as volunteers for many reasons, but mainly because first, most of the volunteers are professionals, second, core values resonate with volunteers who do join and third, because volunteers lives are enriched by being of service with others.
      
      
   2. Zero Overhead
      
      Since there is no paid staff and no office rent, we are able to keep a very low overhead for administrative expense. This minimal overhead entails the credit card transaction fees that are imposed by the credit card processing company, PO Box rental and other incidentals. This minimal overhead is typically covered through contributions from volunteers. Hence, we can promise our supporters that 100% of their contributions go directly to projects and community initiatives. This is a key factor that distinguishes us from many other organizations. This is true for all Asha for Education chapters in US, Canada, Europe and Australia.
      
      
   3. Non - Hierarchical
      
      No volunteer has to deal with bureaucracy to participate. There is an "open-inbox" or "open-phone" policy in Asha for Education. Asha for Education is a collective of socially conscious individuals participating through chapters. It is owned as a collective by a collective as well. No individual has more say than another. While leadership is very important, we strongly discourage a personality driven environment.
      
      
   4. Non - Discriminatory
      
      Asha for Education does not discriminate in its membership or in its selection of philanthropic project activity, on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, lifestyle, and groups protected by applicable state or federal discrimination laws. While Asha for Education's charter is to support philanthropically-based organizations in India that focus on children's educational development, Asha for Education volunteers (who could be of any nationality) may support local communities outside of India by volunteering their own time. However, these volunteers will not be representing Asha for Education unless otherwise agreed upon by Asha for Education.
      
      
   5. Decision - Making
      
      Chapter relevant decisions are left to chapters and volunteers participate in chapter decisions through meetings, conference calls or emails. Decisions relevant for cross chapter working (operational in nature) are conducted through the Asha Representative Committee (ARC). This internal committee is comprised of ARC representatives from chapters who cast their chapter vote for any documented decision. The coordination team, comprising of the elected Board of Directors and representatives from Europe, Canada and US guide the discussions and represent the organization in any external forum. Only the PR Coordinator or an elected Board of Director speaks on behalf of the organization in an external forum.
      
      
   6. Decentralized Accountability
      
      Asha for Education's structure is very decentralized. The smallest operating unit in Asha for Education is a chapter. The structure is simple, yet not simplistic. Chapters are empowered to make chapter relevant decisions and are expected to adhere to the core values listed here. There is a process in recognizing and de-recognizing chapters which takes into consideration whether a chapter or volunteer follows the core values listed here - the Secretary team makes these decisions. This allows many people to participate globally with minimal fuss yet keeps everyone accountable.
      
      
   7. Mutual Respect
      
      Whenever there is any disagreement, everyone should respond in a respectful manner, focusing on the issue rather than the individual. Communicating in a respectful manner builds a constructive environment to resolve conflicts.
      
      
   8. Financial Submission
      
      All chapters of Asha for Education are required to submit their financials as per their country laws. For e.g., Asha for Education US chapters submit their year-end financials to the treasurer who in turn submits the US consolidated chapter financials to IRS. It is extremely important to submit financials in a complete and timely manner and adhere to the law to maintain non-profit or charitable status.
      
      
2. PROJECTS CORE VALUES
   
   
   1. Non-sectarian, secular
      
      We fund only non-sectarian and secular community initiatives, projects or people. This means that we will not fund initiatives or projects that are solely for the benefit of one religious community barring others. We will also not fund initiatives or projects or people that encourage a sectarian thinking.
      
      
   2. Non-political
      
      We fund only non-political community initiatives, projects or people. This means that we will not support a particular political party or ideology. Since "catalyzing socio-economic change" involves advocating policy change, we reserve the right to participate or fund any initiative, project or people involved in advocacy relevant to our organizational mission and objectives. For e.g., Asha for Education signed the petition for the Right to Education amendment. However, this participation or funding will not be towards a political party or candidate.
      
      
   3. No personal benefit
      
      Every project that a chapter supports is stewarded by a project steward from that chapter. Supporting or funding a community initiative, project or person is not and should not be dependent on any personal benefit for that or any Asha volunteer. At the same time, we recognize that many good proposals are often referred by volunteers. In such situations, we request that the volunteer who is in any way related to the project, community initiative or person, bring that up for discussion at a chapter other than their own local chapter. This helps us keep an ethical firewall in our operations.
      
      
   4. Project Proposal
      
      Every proposal that is being presented for consideration should be adequately documented. Every volunteer must understand that an incomplete or inadequate project proposal can be counter productive so all efforts must be made to have relevant information before it is presented to the chapter.
      
      
   5. Site-visit
      
      We recognize two kinds of site visits - a general or social site visit and a decision-based site visit.
      
      
      1. We encourage all volunteers and supporters to visit any of our supported community initiatives, projects or fellows. Since these are not decision based site visits, they are slightly more informal. However, as a courtesy to our partners, we request that you inform them ahead of time of your arrival, be courteous and open to understanding ground realities and issues and send us a short note on your experience with any pictures you may have taken.
         
         
      2. Before every community initiative, project or person is given funding, a personal face-to-face communication has to be established between an Asha chapter and the grantee. This most often entails a site visit by an Asha volunteer. While it is ideal for a volunteer from the funding chapter to do the site visit, it is not necessary. Any Asha volunteer can conduct a site visit, provided they have had a conversation with the project steward and know the entire proposal in detail. Volunteers are expected to get all relevant details needed, establish a relationship of trust and understanding and send in their written detailed report with pictures to the funding chapter. Grantees are expected to be cooperative in providing all necessary documents and information. While some delay is understandable, non-compliance with necessary documentation can be grounds for non-funding or revoking funds.
         
         Decision to fund or not to fund an initiative, project or person is a collective decision at every chapter and the chapter may decide to base its decision on not only the formal site visit but also other site visits and communication. After a chapter arrives at a decision they should communicate the same to the grantee.
         
         If the decision is to fund the project, then the next steps should be explained to the grantee. (a) Partial funding is released for the first 6 months (b) Grantee should sign a disclosure statement attesting that they are a non-political, non-sectarian organization and also send an acknowledgement receipt of the partial funding received (c) a six-monthly report on work done is expected at the end of the first 6-months. Upon receipt of that report, the second half of funds will be released.
         
         If the decision is to not fund the project, then the chapter should communicate that to the grantee with reasons. Grantees are given an opportunity to respond to that decision if they want to.
         
         
   6. Change of plan
      
      We recognize that the situation on the ground is dynamic and therefore, funds that were sent for a particular purpose may not be used solely for that purpose - this is especially true when the grantee is facing a crisis (either a natural disaster or community or financial crisis). Therefore, we maintain some flexibility in our approach. Project steward or relevant chapter communicating with the grantee can allow for funds to be used under a crisis. However, there should be clear and documented reasons for doing so. The onus here, lies on the chapter and/or project steward.
       

Mission | Objectives  | Achievements | Activities | Past, Present, Future