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NGOs AND SOCIAL WORK

Dr. R. Shivappa

Chairman-DOS in Social Work

University of Mysore

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NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND SOCIAL WORK

Voluntary provision of services for people in need has a long-history

India has glorious tradition of organising voluntary work for social good.

Article 19(1) (c) of the Constitution of the India confers on the Indian citizens the right to form an association.

In the UN terminology voluntary organisations are called Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

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Contd…

According to Lord Beveridge: ‘A voluntary organisation is an organisation (whether its workers are paid or unpaid) which is initiated and governed by its own members without external control’.

It should depend in part at least upon funding support from voluntary resources.

According to David L. Sills ‘Voluntary organisation is a group of persons organised on the basis of voluntary membership without state control for the furtherance of some common interests of its members’.

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NGOs- Different meanings

NGO is formally or informally organised around shared purpose – non - governmental and so not part of the state apparatus – self-governing rather than externally controlled.

NGO is a non-profit making, voluntary, service-oriented/ development-oriented organisation for the benefit of people.

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Contd…

NGO is an independent, democratic and non-sectarian people’s organisation working for the empowerment of economic and/or socially marginalised groups.

NGO is an organisation not affiliated to political parties, generally engaged in working for aid, development and welfare of the community.

NGO is an organisation that is flexible and democratic in its organisation and attempt to serve the people without profit for itself.

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EXPLANATION OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION:

--- People who work in Voluntary Organisations may be paid, so that voluntary sector is not limited to groups staffed by volunteers.

--- Voluntary Organisations cannot be distinguished in terms of being self-financing. Whilst many rely on contributions and fund-raising, a significant number of groups receive grants from central or local governments to fund their work.

--- Voluntary provision can also be defined as being non-profit making.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

Registered under the Societies Registration Act, the Indian Trusts Act, the Cooperative Societies Act.

Definite aims and objectives Has an administrative structure and a duly

constituted management and executive committee.

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Contd…

Registered under the Societies Registration Act, the Indian Trusts Act, the Cooperative Societies Act.

Definite aims and objectives Has an administrative structure and a duly

constituted management and executive committee.

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MAIN FUNCTIONS

The State does not have the requisite financial resources and man-power to meet the needs of its citizens. The Voluntary organisations by raising additional resources locally can meet uncovered needs and enrich local life.

The State is often slow in responding to new needs and not flexible in adapting to meet challenging circumstances.

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Contd…

Voluntary organisations also help State in the areas which are its exclusive responsibility but for which it has limited sources and perform such functions in a meaningful way. For example Education, Health.

Voluntary organisations also venture into new needs, work in new areas and give attention to hitherto unattended and unmet needs.

The voluntary organisations provide service without being asked.

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Contd…

The NGOs can deliver many social services at lower unit costs and they can manage to reach the poorest and most vulnerable groups in society.

The NGOs provide a specialised service to people which may be lacking in State services.

The NGOs have effective network at local, regional and international levels.

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NGOs AND SOCIAL WORK

NGOs offer an excellent opportunity for people with MSW qualification to realise their desire to use their skills to serve the society.

There is a great deal of legislation that gives social workers both the responsibility and power to act in cases where people are at risk.

Women and child welfare institution. Family counselling centres De-addiction centres. Tribal empowerment agencies.

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Contd…

Rural development programmes. HIV + prevention and treatment centres Health care centres. Urban development centres. Welfare of disabled Half-way-homes, mental health centres. Adoption and foster-care centres.

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Programmes of NGOs

Family welfare: Marriage counselling, Maternal Care and Family Planning, Family Life Education, Family Counselling, care of the aged.

Child welfare: Maternal and child health care, protective services, care of unwed mothers and their children, day-care, foster-care, adoption services, care of children in difficult circumstances.

Youth welfare Services of the disabled

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Contd…

Disaster relief Community Development: Rural, Tribal and Urban Medical and Psychiatric Services School Social Services Correctional Services: Control of delinquency. Welfare of weaker sections. Environmental protection activities Freedom fighters’ welfare. Women empowerment programmes …..and many others.

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International NGOs

WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), CARE (Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere), OXFAM, Action-AID, CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency).

Some of the leading industrialists have established TRUSTS for social welfare activities like

Jamanlal Bajaj Seva Trust Ratan Tata Trust Sir. Dorabjee Tata Trust Allagappa Chettiar Charitable Trust.

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DELIVERY OF WELFARE PROGRAMMES – STATES’ CONTIBUTION

Central Social Welfare Board National Institute of Public Co-operation and

Child Development./ National Institute of Social Defence.

ICDSprogramme

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Contd…

Institutional and Non-institutional services for the benefit of the socially and economically weaker sections of the society - children, women, SCs, STs, backward classes, disabled, aged, unemployed, destitutes.

Institutional Services: Education, health, Vocational training, hostels, care-homes.

Non-Institutional Services: Pensions to the aged, widows, unemployment allowance to the unemployed, children allowances.

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Contd…

Care, protection and development of delinquent juveniles, beggars and criminals ( prisoners welfare), education of the disabled children, suppression of immoral traffic, labour welfare - workers’ education programme, health care of children and mothers and for the poor.

Welfare of the SCs, STs and other backward communities.

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Contd…

Women welfare programmes: Homes for widows, and destitute women, State After-care Homes ( Nari Niketan), State Protective Homes, Welfare of the aged and infirms.

Welfare of the disabled: Institute for the blind, Sheltered workshops for the disabled, Welfare of the deaf and dumb, Scheme of scholarships for the disabled. Scheme of supply of prosthetic aid, homes for the mentally retarded children, scheme of financial assistance to the victims of chronic diseases.

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Contd…

Wakf administration Implementation of social legislation.

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NGOs and Social Work

Dedication and commitment is imperative in this field.

Chances for growth are plenty. One can derive satisfaction with the work. Good opportunity to work with people to

update the skills.

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Contd…

Opportunities for creativity are available. Mature outlook and patience are some of

the required attributes that make one successful

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Contd…

For a paid social worker salary may not be attractive.

Job security may be absent. Promotional avenues depend on

performance. Long-hour of work - must be prepared to

work in stressful situations.

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NGOs – FINGER TIPS

Setting up an NGO: An NGO is a private, non-profit foundation which aims at improving the quality of life of disadvantaged people. There is an NGO for every human need as indeed for animal needs. (if you are empathetic and enterprising with an altruistic outlook set up an NGO)

Defining the focus: See the need and act accordingly. (the NGO can be local, national or international)

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Contd…

A mission to accomplish

You need a focussed vision before you launch an NGO. Write down your mission statement; make a list of all services that you can provide.

Your utmost for the highest

Give all your efforts without expecting anything in return except satisfaction.

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Contd…

Contacts are vital

Meet people in high positions who will accept to give a helping hand – Foreign-aid can also be mustered through associates.

Lobbying for funds

Don’t rely entirely on any one source of money.

Report the status of funds regularly.

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Contd…

Manpower – Quality persons should be at work.

Registration: As a Society, a Trust or as Company apply for Income Tax exemptions under Sec. 80(G) of the Income Tax Act.

Persevere: Good functioning is required – usually takes 10 years to establish itself.

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THANK YOU