Mapping skills with community needs in India
UBS is a multi-faceted,
multinational leading finance organisation that has a
well-established community programme. Last year it decided it
wanted to increase the positive impact it has on the community in
India, where it has offices in Hyderabad and Mumbai. UBS
approached CAF to understand a little more about the actual needs
of the local community not currently being supported. CAF India has
unrivalled knowledge of the country’s third sector, having been a
leader in its field for the past 10 years.
"The post training mentoring experience has been very useful. It
is non-intrusive, but highly motivating. My new approach to
leadership and management comes from a confidence knowing that
there is a competent individual routing for you at all times, come
what may".
Svati Bhogle, CEO, TIDE (CLE participant)
Following discussions, UBS decided to launch the Community
Leadership Experience, a capacity building project. This provided a
platform for NGO leaders in India to come together to learn from
experts about finance, governance, business strategy and
management.
CAF and UBS worked together on the design of the programme which
included complex mapping of skills with genuine community
needs.
The first event was in September 2008 and the second one has
just taken place. UBS employees from Finance, IT, HR and
Communications were brought together along with faculties from
business and non profit sectors in India. A range of topics were
covered from leadership to human relations and conflict management
to strategy, financial management and governance. Together they
engaged 41 NGO leaders over three days for a series of
workshops, presentations and mentoring sessions. Mentoring is an
integral part of the UBS community affairs programme. As well
as benefiting the community they believe it creates
opportunities for senior leaders within UBS to leverage their
skills.
What they say about the programme
"It's rather lonely sometimes, chasing for funds and
stretching resources to meet the increasing gap of demand and
supply in the not for profit sector. One loses the sense that
all this started with a dream - to make a difference. Until
one meets ten other people who hold ten such dreams close to
their hearts and are fighting the same battles. Thank you for that
very re-inspiring moment!“
Arundhati
Ghosh, Deputy
Director, India
Foundation for the Arts (CLE participant)
‘The post training mentoring experience has been very
useful. It is non-intrusive, but highly motivating. My new
approach to leadership and management comes from a confidence
knowing that there is a competent individual routing for you at all
times, come what may’.
Svati Bhogle, CEO, TIDE
(CLE participant)
“The Community Leadership Experience reflects the commitment
and aspiration of UBS to provide a platform for third sector
leaders. In partnering with CAF India, a unique
opportunity has been created to foster collaborative
learning”
Vipul Khanna, CEO, UBS
India Service
“For CAF India, launching CLE 2008 in our
10th Anniversary year was a high point. Capacity
building for the sector and building leadership is integral to our
work in India and across the
globe"
Priya Viswanath, CEO,
CAF India
The CLE events have been a huge success and there are now plans
for UBS to roll out in Singapore and beyond.
If you are interested in talking to someone at CAF about
volunteering and capacity building locally or globally
call 03000 123 230.