Last class notes Spring 2012

Wrap-up 1 - the class
 Overview of glocal issues, key connections, failures and successes.
What would have made the course better for you?
Too vague ? Too detailed? Too much of ? Too little of?
The course changes each year – your input helps me make the course more effective.

Wrap-up 2 - why this class
Interest in issues has grown greatly
More and more people want to get involved.
Interest in global issues is great
Not to be negative!
BUT
Understanding of issues is weak
Standing of domestic orgs is low.
Desire to deal with problems around us is lacking.
Need to connect local and global issues!

Bad news
Problems are not disappearing
Change takes time
Funds and capacity are limited
The situation will get worse before it gets better

Good news
More and more people are understanding the role of citizens
More than a wide array of groups are involved in what used to be “the governments job”
People are getting used to CSOs in Japan!
The situation will only improve with citizen input

Initiative matters! One person can make a difference!

Individuals can not work alone!
Developing sustainable org is a big challenge
Orgs need more than volunteers and 1 strong leader
They need people with knowledge, skills and motivation

Wrap-up 3 - getting involved
Some will tell you - all you need to make a difference is A GOOD HEART or some interest in a problem.
BUT that is NOT enough ! You need the skills and the commitment to
Solving the problem
Achieving concrete outputs
Deal with the difficulties that arise.

Getting involved
You can be a part of the solution to the issues you care about.
Just get started:
Assess your interests and skills.
Do some research - Find out what is available & what is needed.
Reach out to groups.
Join events
Meet people.
Find out what groups are actually doing
Find out with whom you want to work.
Take action and Jump in.

Other types of community service opportunities
Events
Walks runs and hikes
Parties and Fundraisers
Starting your own events
Using your own networks and associations
Invite reps to give talks
Information distribution
In-kind donations
Needed items

Wrap-up 4 EVENTS 
Get more information on events like this at http://tokyo-community-news.blogspot.com/

Tohoku recovery news and needs
Volunteers bus to Tohoku - get involved in Tohoku recovery even if for a weekend this summer
Pick up points throughout the country
http://www.jpn-civil.net/support/volunteer/post_4.html

Wrap-up 5 Nonprofit-NGO sector needs
Diversity and skills are necessities:
An open mind to understand diverse ways of seeing.
Business and Activist skills - admin, org mgt., advocacy, community outreach, research, care, arts, PR, cyber/IT etc.
Approaches at different levels - gov’t, bureaucracy, community, individual, groups
And you need a positive attitude and a lot of commitment -
social/global problems are not easily solved.
Innovative ideas

NPO NGO Online Resources
Mailing lists:
NGO/NPO Walker http://www.npo.info/
Events, orgs and  job listings:
NGO Network Japan http://www.ngo.ne.jp
TVAC http://www.tvac.or.jp
Yahoo! Volunteer http://volunteer.yahoo.co.jp
Data - In English
Development in practice http://www.developmentinpractice.org/
Action without borders http://www.idealist.org
Guidestar www.guidestar.com
Reliefweb http://www.reliefweb. int.
One world net http://www.oneworld.net/

Now go out and get involved!

Thank you and  good luck!
Sarajean