Notes and Minutes of the advisory council meeting held on 24^th Apr 2016

Quarter ending – June 2016

Day: Sunday; Date: 31^st July 2016; Place: Conference call

Participants:

Ms Shanthi Iyer, Mr Rajeev Grover, Ms Bindumalini Krishnan, Mr V G Krishnan, Mr Abhaya Behera (could not join), Ms Usha Rangarajan

Ms Shanthi Iyer

Mr Rajeev Grover

Ms Bindumalini Krishnan

Mr V G Krishnan

1. Status Update

2. Numbers updated as of 31^st March 2016:

Number of Districts Covered – 24

Number of Potential Partners identified – 31

Number of Partners signed up – 13

Number of Beneficiaries funded – 190

Money collected as donations – Rs. 11,58,753

Money disbursed to beneficiaries – Rs. 15,26,136

2.Status of IT Exemption – 80G and 12A – got introduced to a CA based in Chandigarh, who has made efforts to get the ShikshaDaan file to be reviewed by the CIT E. Expecting things to move forward in the next few weeks on this subject. The wait continues !!

3. Yatra Coverage:

Facilitation role: ShikshaDaan has brought Sevalaya, English Helper and Aon Hewitt together to address the skill development needs of students of Sevalaya, Chennai. The proposal is with the CSR team of Aon Hewitt and a decision should be taken in about a month’s time. If this approach and model works out, we can do more such facilitations, leading to scale achievements.

Partnerships: Buddy4study is a platform that connects those who are looking for scholarships in touch with those who provide them. We met with their cofounders, Ashutosh and Manasvi, and had detailed discussions on opportunities for collaborating for mutual benefit. While Buddy4study can provide us a platform to monitor and track the progress of all our beneficiaries, present and future, ShikshaDaan can be their CSR partner, post our 12A registration.

Beneficiaries’ progress: Two of our heroes, Regi and Sanjay, have made rapid strides in their life. Regi has set up her own business and Sanjay has got an internship with Westin Hotels as a part of his IHM, Goa program. We wish both of them the very best.

4.  Plans for the next three months

After getting the regulatory clearances (12A & 80G), we plan to cover the north eastern states. Plan B is to cover Uttaranchal and one other state in case we have to change our plans for reasons beyond our control.

5. Shanthi is in the process setting up an advisory firm to assist NGOs in compliance, a very critical area. ShikshaDaan will take full advantage of her experience and expertise to ensure compliance.

Next steps

1. Try and unravel the mystery of the delay in getting regulatory clearances after waiting till end of May 2016.

2. Plan for coverage of North East states or Uttaranchal post regulatory clearances

3. Plan and reach out to Corporate clients for funding after getting 12A and 80G