This document provides an overview of the Global Reach Out Initiative (GRO), a nonprofit organization that aims to create a sustainable community of Deaf advocates through international peer-to-peer programs. It outlines GRO's history of delegations to countries in Asia and Africa since 2007. The document also discusses GRO's mission, values, goals for delegations, models for programs, strengths, challenges, tips for starting an NGO, and vision for future delegations.

1. November 19, 2009
Alim Chandani
Global Reach Out Initiative, Inc.

2. Before GRO…
Global Youth Connect – www.globalyouthconnect.org Summer 2005

3. What’s Missing?

4. PILOT PROGRAM
Manila, Philippines Spring 2006
http://www.pen.ntid.rit.edu/workshop/philippines/2006/csb_training_1.php
PEN-International Conducts Training on
Student Development and Counselor Skills Training
De La Salle College of Saint Benilde

5. WAS BORN…
Spring 2007

6. MISSION
Global Reach Out Initiative, Inc. (GRO) strives to create a
sustainable community of Deaf advocates through the
establishment of peer-to-peer cross-cultural programs in
developing countries.

7. Values of GRO
We expect to acknowledge and
assume our responsibility for the
actions that we say we will do to
help achieve goals.
We value honesty and
openness as we engage
ourselves and others in
communications and
services for the good of the
whole.
We learn what we can
do to foster the growth
of others and ways that
we can give of ourselves
to the needs of global
communities selflessly.
We seek ways to work together
as effective as possible and help
create our work environment safe
and positive for everyone
involved.

8. HISTORY
Kenya Summer 2009Honduras Spring 2009Guatemala Spring 2009Thailand Spring 2008
Bangalore Summer 2007Mumbai Summer 2007Thailand Spring 2007

9. GOALS FOR GRO DELEGATIONS
Build delegations with specified
organizations from different
countries with a focus on cultural
exchange and information
gathering.
Provide resources for overall
understanding of the organization as
well as the individual delegations
themselves.
To provide both groups of delegates the
sense of volunteer-ism and an understanding
of international services as well as deaf-
related issues on a global scale which would
then increase their leadership experience in
their home communities and/or inspire them
to continue their global work
To provide a basic understanding of
leadership for the international delegates
with the hope and intention for them to be
self-sufficient in future delegations by leading
the younger generation and empowering
them to be self-starters.

10. Starting a Delegation
End

11. TWO MODELS
• GRO Spring Break Program
• GRO Summer/Winter Program

12. GRO Spring Break Program
• Brief overview of country.
• Information gathering/collecting resources in
country.
• Opportunity to meet with foreign peers.
• Collaborate with universities in the USA (large
deaf programs).
• Identify a long term project.

13. GRO Summer/ Winter Program
• More time spending with foreign deaf peers in
developing countries. (i.e. KYLC)
• Allow to work intensively on pressing deaf
issues identified in each respective country.
• Develop a collaboration project.

14. GRO’S LONG TERM GOALS
Collaborate with organizations
by working them through
delegations
Identify needs and create
projects to address those
needs in each country with the
help of Point-of-Contacts and
organizations from the country
for GRO to work with.
Use GRO’s online forum for
delegates to gather and
exchange information before,
during and after delegations.
Past delegates participate
and become self-starters
in coordinating projects of
their interest that they
have already identified
with through their
delegation experience.

15. Organizational Strengths
• A non-profit 501c3 status
• Establishment of the Board
• 100% Volunteer Staff
• Community Service
• Run by and for Deaf communities
• Delegation Planning
• Peer to peer cultural and educational program
• Internal and External Empowerment
• Open to new changes and growth
• Level of interest from those who want to participate
• Number of requests from developing countries

16. Organizational Challenges
• Post Delegation
• Statistics
• Internal and External Communication
• Stay updated with resources in the field of Int’l Dev.
• Funding for Operations Expenses
• Fundraising Events and Grant Proposals
• PR to those who don’t know GRO
• Outcome Measurements
• Stability

17. TIPS for Starting out a NGO Organization
• Commitment of at least 5 years of your life
• Legal Advice
• Business Plan
• Strong staff of people who believe in your mission
• Accept criticisms (“thick skin”)
• Be upfront and honest
• Approachable skills/ Interpersonal skills
• Be ready to be the “Face” of your organization
• WE instead of I
• Less Competition/ More collaboration
• Networking Skills
• Fundraising/Donors/Grants
• Be prepare for unexpected moments
• Intensive knowledge and get updates

18. BY MARGARET MEAD
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.”

19. Any Questions?
Thank you!

20. FOR MORE INFORMATION
www.globalreachout.org
Future Delegations: Guatemala 2010
Kenya 2010
Thailand 2010