Volunteer feedbacks on orientations taken...

Hi there,

Why Do I attend Volunteer orientation??? Why can’t I directly start volunteering??? Why can’t you just give me a no. and I go start volunteering??? I am ready to give time and I am interested that’s enough I guess for you to connect me??? I will go ahead and do volunteering on my own…

Rather than me speaking and giving you reasons on why orientation is important, why is it significant to understand ethics of volunteering and take volunteering seriously?, it's good to read volunteer’s feedback below which reveals the importance of attending the workshop and it's uses… Orientation programme is carefully planned to make it fun-filled learning and team building experience.

I am sure many people have made up there mind to come ahead, do something good and be part of making a difference to someone's life!!! You are getting a chance to know more on how you can change lives, on some harsh realities as well.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ivolunteerbangalore/InductionOrientationSessionOfIVolunteer

http://picasaweb.google.com/ivolunteerbangalore/ChennaiOrientation

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/Orientation

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteer.bengaluru/DelhiOrientation28022009

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/ivolunteerbangalore/OrientationInMumbai#

Stop Thinking about making the World a better place… Because Intentions don't make a difference… Volunteers do!!!

Even Old volunteers are invited to share their experiences!!! Looking forward to see many like minded people. Thanks

Best Regards,
Prarthana Prarthana Unkalkar
Head - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer -- Your skills can change lives.http://www.ivolunteer.in/

Enjoy reading Feedbacks:

Bangalore:

iVolunteer volunteer, Bibhusha:
Thank you for all the help and information on volunteering. I would say the orientation was packed with so much information that it was completely worth all the three hours (without lunch!). I got an inside sneak peek at the world of volnunteering. Some of the do's and dont's were very enlightening for a beginner like me. I would give a 5 on 5 on the entire session as we even managed to (almost) stick to the timeline with all that information-passing and interaction happening.

Thanks again. I am eager to start this new journey. So eagerly awaiting your email!

iVolunteer volunteer, Venkat:
The orientation session was extremely good and highly informative. It sanitized the volunteers to proper ways of working with an NGO. Carry on this great work!!!

iVolunteer volunteer, Divya Gopalakrishnan:
The orientation session was really great . It did open up a new world in front of me. Thanks ..
iVolunteer volunteer, Mary Thomas:
The orientation meeting gave me a good idea about ivolunteer and the kind of activities I could get involved.

iVolunteer volunteer, Shilpa:
It was really nice to meet all of you,new faces & had to remember loads of names, adjectives, objects !!!! Uffff thats tooooo much, But Prarthana gave all of us a task of doing it so, could not escape ,she caught me twice & not even once I did it successfully :-( We all had loads to learn from the Orientation, It was a great learning session in the form of tasks assigned to us, bringing out all the thoughts in our mind, racking our brain's to be creative, imaginative & not to forget, to be a good listeners. Followed by the Do's & Dont's of volunteering. That was really a good one, which taught us a lot, like working in groups, respecting others views & loads to list. I was early, so was sneaking into all wallpapers hung there & caught up with the Do's & Dont's of volunteering but Ankur chased me away ! But i never copied a point :-)Didn't wanted the orientation to end. But we have had enough input's & "Time for action " now !Fine Guys will not bore you more. Lets get started , & never quit." Do What you can, for Who you can, with What you have, and Where you are "Thanks iVolunteer for giving us this opportunity, Hope all of us will give our best & carry on from here. Its not Registering there & being there just as a count that we are there, Lets be "Active ivolunteers " To end with, I will use the best quote i liked about ivolunteer " I volunteer Do You " Gud Luck All of you.

iVolunteer Star Volunteer, Tarangini:
I really enjoyed the orientation session; there was lots of fun along with learning. This session really gave more inputs about different causes and awareness about the Do's and Don't of volunteering and knowing different ways one can volunteer will definitely help in creating awareness (word of mouth).

Also I got a chance to meet other new volunteers who are willing to do something good. I personally felt that this orientation session has motivated me to be more committed and I regret for not attending this session a bit earlier. Thanks

iVolunteer Volunteer, Anand:
Sorry was a bit stuck up...:( hmmmm and about the orientation it was really good. I know a lot of people would've already told u the same that it's good , nice and everything ..:) but it REALLY WAS!!! the irony here is a lot of people want to help but don't know how exactly and what is to be done. I think this is a gateway to that. And as far as the orientation I really liked the way it was , it was very light. I was expecting it to be very serious and boring, but to my surprise it was fun energetic (thanks to the energizers hehe) but also had the content and info on what was to be done and what should be done. Overall I think it was a serious message packed in a very friendly and jovial was. Cheers !!!

Madhu, iVolunteer Volunteer:
It truly was a great honour to meet a person like you and also many other youngsters who want to be actively involved in supporting so many causes.
I enjoyed being part of the Volunteer Induction program and I got an opportunity to meet people from different walks of life who came together today.

I would definitely recommend that such programs can be organized in schools, colleges, corporate houses, Apt Complexes etc so that awareness is created about IVolunteer and so that volunteering opportunities are made available for students, homemakers and different sections of the population that are not already in your data base.

Volunteering does increase the level of accommodation, tolerance and acceptance which many of us can use in our daily lives.

I spent my Saturday in a very useful day today.

Thank you once again and I wish you continued success in all your endeavours.

Best Regards
Mahalaxmi (alias Madhu)

Ashalatha Shetty, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:It was a gr8 experience on Saturday to attend the orientation session.. I enjoyed the three things that everybody had to share about themselves and Zhip zhap/ping pong and all other activities. Energizers and energy biscuits for Madhu was really fun ;)))), Various causes we discussed and the Do's and dont's were really good. It was good to see many new ideas from the new volunteers. Though I am volunteering from 2+ years, there were so many areas of volunteering which I was unaware of. I completely enjoyed the orientation with ACTIVE participation ;)))

Smita Reddy, iVolunteer Volunteer:
It was great coming for the orientation class that day. Very nice experience. This is actually the first time I'm doing all this, wanted to do this from a long time, but couldn't because I travel a lot. But now after to listening to all that you said, you experiences and everything i made up my mind. Never knew I could bring about happiness to others, by just spending a little time with them. You cited so many of your experiences and after to listening to all that i was very happy with the thought that I could probably also do something close to it if not only that. Anyway thanks again for opening our eyes to a better world..

Chandraprabha, iVolunteer Star Volunteer:
I really had a good inputs regarding volunteering in your orientation session. Firstly I got to know about Dos and Don'ts which I will definitely follow in future and secondly I came across many NGOs, which are really in need of Volunteers. The introduction session was really very good and it made me to think about my personality:) The session was very interactive and enjoyed all the energizers. :) Keep up the good work dear.

Mahesh Prasad, iVolunteer Volunteer:
I must say, this drive is very different from the ones that I have attended. This is one platform where an individual can hone his citizenship skills and be a true citizen in all respects. I feel lucky to be a part of this team and the best thing I liked is the flexibility we have. We can even work with the Ngo's during the weekdays.

Siddharth Sharma, iVolunteer Volunteer:
I totally enjoyed the orientation session the other day. It was simple yet very effective and I must appreciate you for coordinating things so well. I hope that I am myself able to put in as much as you do in your work. Its commendable.

Vinay Janardhanachari, iVolunteer Volunteer + Volunteer for past 7 years…
Thanks to you for pulling it off! It was a gainful insight complete in its own sense though I have been volunteering for almost 7 yrs now! There were some don't I didn't realize in my earlier volunteer life. Thanks!

Madhava Chirukuri, iVolunteer Volunteer:
It's really great to attend the Orientation session, I felt it's really helpful for the people who want to volunteer. Its helps to understands what a volunteer should know to do any kind of volunteering work. Gives the feel of various volunteering work can be done. Most importantly its gives the idea about how iVolunteer gathers the information from NGOs and shares among all the enthusiastic volunteers. Motivates the people with best past experiences.

Thanks a lot for the orientation session.

Ritu Aggarwal, iVolunteer Volunteer:
The orientation meet was good. It was great to see people like myself interested in helping others. The orientation was quite interesting with a whole lot of activities and games. I particularly liked the poster preparation competition. Great points emerged from it. I loved the group games and feel more of such games can be played. But registration should be quicker, as it was dull to see people signing receipts.

I feel lucky that I got to know you as a person. I will strive to do my best in contributing to the efforts of your organization.

Aparna V, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Hi everybody!I guess it must be commonplace for all of you to read about what various new batches of volunteers have to share once they finish their orientation. I suppose you must've have read it so much you can reprint it word-by-word any day! But maybe it is just a reflection of how many people are actually coming forward in an effort to make this world a better place to live in! So, you must be but glad; And oh, yeah... here does my version of things... :D :DAfter bugging Prarthana with my ridiculous mapping abilities, and after some more browsing Google for maps of Bangalore lanes, I finally managed to reach the iVolunteer office just in time!! I seriously was shocked to find so many young people in the session, and I took quite sometime to digest that fact. The session was amazing... The self-describing-introductory-games, the mouth-watering-do-what-I -do game :-P , the GD followed by some craft work of what we should and shouldn't do as volunteers... and the Good Day biscuits :D ... Had a great time! The highlights must've been the 'handy' chart we made; The others team had many more points than ours and their representation was simple and effective! And the time was so beautifully maintained... 3-6 was the schedule, and 3-6 it was :-) !!Handbook is great Prarthana, just convey this to whomsoever took initiative to do it!I was conversing with a friend of mine, and she was describing about a picturesque, nice place she had visited... I said, "Heaven... This must be it!". She said after some thought, "Even better, Its Earth!". Well, what she said was true, so true, and so starkly simple.The world IS a great place, but it can always be a better place, if only we care to cooperate! Think about it... :-) All of you who've been putting off attending your orientation should really go the very next time... It's a great experience!Cheers people!Aparna

Chetan, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Hello Junta!

Never knew I would be posting so soon!!! To start, with lot of questions in my mind - I had come to the iVolunteer 'Office'..well, the office had absolutely no resemblance of being a professional place - atleast I thought so. couple of folks had been more punctual than me. exchanged a couple of sentences and suddenly there was a crowd in the room...and then - it all started...

Aptly decided, the introduction session was truly remarkable.. with of course the 'Zip and Zap' game [with Subbu being tortured lovingly :-)] and then we all became kids listening to our teacher - Ms. Prarthana..She declared that we had to prepare posters...Felt exciting.. Well, after being a part of a professional setup for more than 2 years, you do struggle to find your roots, find who you were in your graduation days and this chance of 'Poster making' was the baton passed by Prarthana just to be ourselves....Lot of discussion with wonderful people. a creative discussion, lots of enthusiasm spilling across and at last pretty beautiful posters coming through....

The session was surely worthwhile as it feels good when you see that you still have many young Indians around who want to make a difference and have 'that thing' within...who despite of being branded a techie [usually], are not all strings attached with Computers but also realise and cherish Human emotions..

For me, this was opportunity to speak my mind, grow as a person and meet wonderful people and ofcourse beautiful persons who brought with them lots of experience and old age wisdom....

The journey has not yet begun, but atleast we know that the path is in sight. I don't know unlike many what I will do and where I will go...but for sure. I will try to make a difference...I will..

Thanks to all of you who listened to the voice within....


Team Helping Hands :-) [for those who don't know me]
Chetan.

Jaya Kaushik, iVolunteer Volunteer:
The orientation session was really nice and I really enjoyed myself. The two games were really good and can be used as ice breakers at any place. I am looking forward to my volunteering sessions. I am amazed at your energy levels (even though you said you were low that day) and your high level of motivation. That, I suppose is the key to anything we do...we need to be charged up all the time.

Thanks for the opportunity and I am really looking forward to meeting with you more and more.

Shreenath Ukidave, iVolunteer Volunteer:

The orientation programme was organised in a very systematic way. Specially it started dot at 3 pm and finished on time. Kudos to you!!!

Abdul Qhayyum, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Today's Orientation session was very informative. I felt am on a right track, the only thing is got meet right people and to do the right job. please do help in fullfilling my dream.

Sunaina Swaminathan, iVolunteer Volunteer:
Dear Prarthana,It was a great meeting today. I am at awe by your ever smiling face and simplicity. Everything you talk about Ivolunteer radiates so much passion. I wish I could contribute atleast 25% of what you do.The energizer games is a great energy booster on a lazy afternoon as it brings out the child in each one of us. I like the idly vada in particular.The Do's and Dont's activity is a great team activity. As it teaches us how to listen to one another and represent the group as one. I had fun giving the presentation on my teams behalf.Ivolunteer has a lot of great opportunities and am ready to take up the challenges and make a difference.Looking forward to work with you.p.s the world is definitely a better place with angels like you.- Sunaina Swaminathan ;)

iVolunteer volunteer, Rathna Ekanthalingam:
Had great fun being a part of the Orientation session. It was one of those amusing days!!!! Learnt more than I thought I will about 'Volunteering' with it's DOs & DONTs. I would request the old volunteers who have not been a part of the orientation to find time to attend it; will definitely help them. It was a workshop with a difference in itself. 'i-volunteers' in short is: "A platform which unites people with similar thoughts for a good cause." Thank you!!!!!

iVolunteer volunteer, Nandkishor Kale:
The orientation was good. Not too lengthy and not too short, just apt for the occasion.

iVolunteer volunteer, Pavitra:
The best part of this orientation is getting to know that you have so many people around you who have been working for a good cause or who are willing to work. Definitely this is better than the one to one sessions you mentioned, as you will know so many people around you are also in a same state like you.

I never knew all this would happen. Saturday night, I was upset over something .But I hate myself being depressed and thought at least let me do something which I always loved to do. So, I was just browsing for NGOs in the net. Suddenly, I caught my friend online and mentioned her about my NGO hunt. And she suggested me about Ivolunteer. (She is a member of IVolunteer in Delhi). Then, I thought let me give a try, and I just posted my interested in the site at that late hour. And can you believe even at 12 0 clock in the night; I get a reply from Prarthana. She asks me to take part in the orientation next day morning. I was really shocked that I got a reply from her. Then I thought, it must be one of those auto generated mails wherein whenever you register, you get a thank you email... So, I replied to that email, and to my surprise I get a reply again. This time I was really astonished. And finally I knew that it was Prarthana dedicatedly working at that late hour. And that's how you saw me at the orientation next day morning.

Thanks for everything Prarthana. If you had not replied immediately, I guess I would not have been a part of IVolunteer today. I had to wait for another day where I would be depressed and this social service idea has to strike my mind again, and at that minute I got to see a reply from you... heheh.. that's too much to coordinate, and well, we don't have to do all that now. :)))

So as you said, most of us want to do something, but the good old starting problem, not knowing where to start ,how to start. And now you have solved the problem for us. Definitely as you said, we should spread the word around.

iVolunteer volunteer, Akash:Of course, it was great meeting all of you and discussing about the possible opportunities to contribute to the society. I am happy that the event got me going once again, after having put social contribution on the backburner for many months now. I am happy I took the initiative to attend the Orientation, and with Prarthana's help, I have already established contact with the 'Prerana' society which teaches capable but poor students. And what's more, I am going there this Sunday to begin teaching them :). I am sure our collaboration would make noticeable difference in the lives of the people around us, and I hope we keep on providing support to each other in our endeavours. Hope to meet you all sometime again…

iVolunteer volunteer, Sandeep:
I am one of those kinds who hate to sit in a class, orientation, speech and stuff like that. I had a health 10% attendance in my degree days for all the classes for all the subjects included. Well let me not get into those days.

When Rashmi told me that we got to attend this orientation on volunteering, that too on a Sunday and heck in the morning, I was like 'what the hell', I agreed reluctantly (although I had partied Saturday night till 3 in the morning) more to avoid scolding from my sister (rashmi)

But I must say after me attending the orientation, it was nothing like as to what I thought, it was interactive, it was fun and it actually told us what EXACTLY is volunteering. What to dos and what not dos, experiences of how old volunteers (OLD as in NOT OLD, but senior) touched lives of the few you have interacted and helped with, I went home with a mindset as to how I COULD help. All in all I don't regret getting up so early on a Sunday morning....

iVolunteer Volunteer Abhilash Menon:
Thanks for such a great time. The orientation was sooooo cooooool. I usually don't talk openly to anyone I met for the first time but I don't know why, I was able to connect so well to all who came there. It was so much fun and the ice breakers in the form of games were both informative and enjoyable. Thank you so much

iVolunteer Volunteer , Shantanu Gupta:
The orientation session was really motivating and it must have oriented many for volunteering. It was great to see your passion for the cause.

iVolunteer volunteer,Vinod Kumar:
The Orientation was Great. It was a thrilling experience to hear to the soul touching experiences of the old volunteers. I am looking forward to see all of you again on 5th." So now he's all set for our next one time event planned with full josh and energyJ

iVolunteer Volunteer, Ankur Tripathi:
Ah What a lovely day we all had !!

It was a kind of nostalgic feeling with a blend of passion for changing the society when we all met this wonderful sunday morning.

Well, the day began with a quite note, we new volunteers were looking so formal and dull, but the dullness soon started vanishing once the trio (Rashmi, Emal and Prarthana) started chatting and discussing their volunteering experience.

Earlier we were few, but soon the number started growing and the excitement of intoducing oneself (That too very differently !!) and playing team games grew exponentially.

The closed ones started opening themselves, and I found all of us would like to be a teacher (Because we all dont want to repeat what are teachers did to us, scolding and beating !! am I right ?), we all became mam Anagha (as she is also a teacher), in fact Vinod was bit scared of those meritorious students who were outstanding in their studies, for they may ask something which bounces off !! Well, it's not just those bouncing questions, but the keyword is spreading knowledge; we gain more and loose some.

Group activities boosted some more members and they jumped up with confidence. Like Pavitra, Malavika, Akash, Prakhar...all were fuelling out with confidence.

It was a great experience as we were so many software engineers, and all of a sudden we forgot that we have a busy week ahead, and connected each other through a common cause. Vasanth, Sandeep, Kalyani, Punyashree, Vidyasagar....all of these names are now in my memory with their faces....I cannot forget any of the "ping ping pong pong" now, we all became a family with just one session, and can now make out why the famous trio was so connected. Certainly, we all would be, when we would come along for a common cause.

This orientation session connects us, regains the energy for working in a team with enthusiasm, works out common cause among us, makes us familiar with the working of the NGOs and their DO's and DONT's, also, it awakes the flame and passion required for being not just the volunteer, but someone who has the zeal to change not just by thinking but by doing.

Thanks for the thought provoking session and igniting the hidden flame of changing the world and bringing smile to everyone.

iVolunteer Star Volunteer, Rashmi K C:
Thanks Prarthana, for this wonderful orientation session with the new volunteers!

It was indeed a REFRESHING session for the old volunteers (Me and Emal).

Group exercises were really good as it made every one of us think on our own without any bias and the points has just sat on our mindsJ.

Orientations are very much required for all of all the Volunteers to understand the organization better and unveil the opportunities of interest.

I still remember, during my "beginning" days of volunteering, I spent more time (than expected) in knowing how to start? What to do and what not? Where to go? These orientation sessions will really help us (especially the new volunteers) to start the activities much faster, better and with more confidence.

Although in one on one interaction it had helped me to get a brief idea on volunteering and had inspired me to be part of few opportunities, but these group orientations, I must say helped me see things from a larger perspective…

The experiences shared will definitely motivate the new volunteers what differences they can bring into somebody's life and how important they can be!!!

All new volunteers just remember!
"We Volunteers have the power to change and let's change the way we wish to see the world"

iVolunteer Star Volunteer, Emal Pillai:
Orientation was really good and very nice to see so many new Volunteers who will bring light, smile, confidant and hope in people. Same as Rashmi mentioned when we started it was like how? when? and where but now your orientation helps so much for new volunteers at one shot they get an idea what they want and where they can support or who they can start…

iVolunteer Star Volunteer, Archana
It was an excellent learning experience along with fun. When I had contacted you, I had never imagined you to be so young. And I was very happy to see that there are many who share my interests and many young people are aspiring to work for a social cause. I must congratulate you for having completed two years in serving others and bringing a smile on lot many faces. You are a motivational and inspiring person. I wish you and everyone associated with iVolunteer, all the best for bring in a change in the society. Prarthana, each and every example you gave during orientation truly moved me and we got to know many harsh realities. I am very glad to be a part of iVolunteer.

Archana actually started volunteering with elderly people the same week and here is what she shared after visiting the Old Age Home "Archana here. Myself and Mrinal had been to Omashram. We had been to both the homes.. It was truly a heart touching experience. Everyone is so friendly and we shared a lot of experiences and their interests. We will definitely go there next week. Within a small amount of time, we all got so close to each other. Infact we learnt many a things from people there. We talked together, had coffee together, sang together, laughed together. It was worthwhile. Thanks to you for being so inspiring"

iVolunteer Volunteer, Swati:
It was absolutely great, its nice to get a group perspective about volunteering. It was succinct yet gave a deeper insight about volunteering and the opportunities @ iVolunteers!

iVolunteer Volunteer, Balaji:
It is a lot for me. Was waiting for so many days for direction. We have got into right place. Now it is time to start working

iVolunteer Star Volunteer, Vijayanand:
I felt refreshed and got reenergised after being part of the Orientation session again this week.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Anirvan:
It was a delight to attend the orientation session yesterday. Though I must apologize for my delayed feedback. Now coming back to the feedback, considering that this was a first of a kind of experience for me, I must commend the small activities you made us engage in. It *really* helped in creating a comfortable environment in no time. While there isn't any particular thing that I could single out as being at fault, I think for future such sessions you can make everyone speak up as to "why didn't they indulge in any volunteering activity until that point". It might make a couple of people uncomfortable, but at the same time, dealing with such a question would help dispel many misconceptions prevalent in the minds of individuals.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Noorain:
Thanks for the energetic session yesterday.. Really helped a lot! -

iVolunteer Volunteer, Nilesh Lodha:
The session was amazing. Its really nice to meet like minded people, all believing in the same cause. The energy, positivity and purpose in the atmosphere makes one be more of oneself and even better. I think its a welcome break from college for me while I do what I really want to and meet people who I feel connected to. Must thank you (iVolunteer) for making such an opportunity available. Thanks a lot.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Somdatta Banerjee:
Firstly I would like to thank you, becoz I really enjoyed on Saturday.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Srikant Tirungari:
I thought of giving atleast one negative feedback on the orientation. But couldn't find any. It was just perfect. I guess the biscuits should have been given some time during the orientation and not after the orientation ;)

iVolunteer Volunteer, Ajithesh:
I have a good feedback on the session. Though I missed the initial introduction session, I agree it is an impressive one. I generally see this kind of a novel introduction in Corporate workshops such as Team Building, Personality Development etc.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Brian:
Feedback on the Orientation was really good.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Satish:
The orientation was very joy with lot of fun and learned so many things about ivolunteer and different NGO'S, It was first entry in this field for me.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Sejal Parikh:
I found it a good exercise, making people think about volunteer dos and donts. That would really help new comers.

iVolunteer Star Volunteer, Vijayanand:
The session was very interactive and the group activity for identifying the Do's and don'ts of volunteering was good.

iVolunteer Volunteer, K D Kumar:
The awareness session was good. Objectives of the association were well explained. Helped me to understand better. – K D Kumar.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Vimal Shah:
Orientation Programme was good to learn, share and meet like-minded people. This is a good beginning. Thanks - Vimal Shah

iVolunteer Volunteer, Madhulik Buramn:
I, Madhulik Buramn was quite skeptical about this orientation programme but I would like to record that I came away very satisfied. I probably feel I have made a proper start and will be able to achieve my goals of making my life more meaningful.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Uday Kamat:
It's a good beginning. Great to meet like-minded people. It was also great to know about iVolunteer's activities.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Abhishek Sonkusare:
I have already volunteered through iVolunteer but my volunteering work continued for a while. In this orientation programme, I got a chance to meet iVolunteer staff personally. It helped me understand the entire sphere in a better way and made me comfortable.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Shivi Pathak:
I enjoyed sharing the time and space with all these wonderful people and it was nice to know that the busy professionals have the sensitivity and concern toward social causes. Activities were simple and fun filled. Thank you.

iVolunteer volunteer, Siva Prasad Tekumudi:
Orientation is good. And as planned, it met our expectations.

iVolunteer volunteer, Prashant Mathew:
The orientation program was very helpful. It is always good to know the people that we will be working with and make sure that we have the same goals. It was also good to have old volunteers who share their experience (Archana and others), it does give us some perspective of what volunteering is all about. I really loved it and it was great fun! Thank you for the opportunity and looking forward to get connected to likeminded organizations and people.

iVolunteer volunteers, Ashwini, Aruna and Saranya:
The orientation meet was a very useful and enlightening one. We came to know the facts about volunteering and its importance. The session activities were good. :-) We all thought that we spent our time in a useful manner rather than sleeping at home on saturday. We got a hope that henceforth we will help others who actually need it and help ourselves to know the realities of life through the gateway "VOLUNTEERING" :-)

iVolunteer volunteer, Roby Joshua:
I would like to thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity. I always wonder how to become the part of anNGO and can work for the society. After coming to ur session I understood how I can bring smiles to so many people.. Thanks for the superb session about voulnteering provided by you. I got a clear cut idea about doing something to the society.

iVolunteer volunteer, Ambili Nambiar:
First of all let me thank you, Archana and all the participants for the wonderful experience on Saturday.The session not only answered my questions, but also brought me closer to reality of how one life could affect many others. I got a better idea of the areas to contribute and what qualities or aspects that is to be taken care of. I have no words for the enthu that you had brought up in the room! That was amazing and it was inspiring how you managed to have the same maintained from the start till end! We (my husband, Rajeev and me who attended the session that day), were so inspired that we came back home and tried to get hold of as many videos of ivolunteering and related ones on 'you tube'! All the best to all of us in volunteering!

iVolunteer volunteer, Swarna Subash:
It was indeed a fun filled and endearing experience :) i had come in with a mindset for some serious presentations and discussions on volunteering and was thrilled for having been greeted by such an appealing venture..i am making sure i do spread the message both at office and amongst my friends. Today i am just glad i decided to ivolunteer :D

iVolunteer volunteer, Harsh Kulkarni:
The orientation session was very good. We enjoyed it a lot..... :-) You gave some very nice tips on certain skills... The most important being listening skills .... The team activities were a great fun !! :-) Both the teams: Kalpavriksha and eVOLved were very enthusiastic .. Ping-Pong was cool ... ;-) The feedbacks and experiences shared by Sangitha, Ulhas and Archana were very informative.

iVolunteer volunteer, Archana Nirmalkumar:
The part of the orientation programme i personally found most interesting was the sharing of views and experiences.The impact our actions could have, the difference we can actually make and the necessity to begin in whatever capacity we can. Thank you Prarthana!

iVolunteer volunteer, Harpreet Singh:
It was a very informative session. It added a lot to my knowledge about various causes. I really appreciate the work you are doing. I think there are very few people who have the courage and motivation to do something like this. Hats of to you. The session served it purpose well although i feel we should have a larger group of participants in the orientation session. It improves team building and I think you also wanted to share much more activities which could have been possible only in a larger group. It’s just my personal opinion.

iVolunteer volunteer, Avinash Bajaj:
hey everyone :) the session was brilliant and as a few of them said here, all of us had a lot of fun :) we shall make sure the energy level only goes up from here... On a more specific note, sishil and i visited baalmandir on saturday (through makkala jagriti).... interacted with a few kids over there.... we had lotsss of fun... those 2 guys were going on and on and on... like they know us since a very long time... i shall write a detailed account some other time... Anyways i am in touch with the programme co-ordinator and plan to make it a weekly activity for me... any of you can contact me if you interested, we can plan something together.... Take care guys.... keep having fun :) and like prarthana said, keep fund-raising ;)

iVolunteer volunteer, Sumesh R:
Actually i have to thank you all guys for giving me a quality time. This is the first time am going for such a kinda activity and its worth a lot. Usually saturdays/sundays are the day's to sleep and now on i think i have something different in mind.Ping pong, kalpavriksha and all the other tiny things and the presentation of yours was really something differnet and made me thought. As you said its time to stop thinking and time to start acting. Looking forward to receive more mails and opportunities


Chennai:

iVolunteer volunteer, Anuradha:
It is a nice idea to conduct all events at one NGO or the other. It was nice to see Prarthana who is positive and motivated. It was great to see staff of CWDR and to know their activities. The group activities made the session interesting and of course the snacks made it lot more fun.

iVolunteer volunteer, Chandra Babu:
I thought the program would be just a presentation. But contrary to my thoughts, it also a fun filled group activity based orientation program that impressed me. I really enjoyed. My perception about volunteering is that its scope is limited to only few areas. But from the program I got to know that it has huge diversity and endless. I also learnt the Do’s and Don’ts of volunteering which will be very helpful in future. I really appreciate the iVounteer group as it is associated with more NGOs and providing the right opportunity for people who are ready to volunteer in their interested areas.

iVolunteer volunteer, Prema:
Was a good show, the orientation made us aware to an extent what IVO does and How we can contribute to the society our great little ways. A feeling of contentment to see like minded people who want to hold hands and make a difference to the world.

iVolunteer volunteer, Vinod:
Overall, it was definitely worth the effort of driving 50 kms to get there. Even though a lot of the information presented is available on the website, there is no substitute for inter-personal learning. You hear a lot more opinions and view points. It was also inter-active and informal and there was no drag or boredom at any point in the programme.

iVolunteer volunteer, Lavanya:
It was a great session we had and the orientation truly inspired and gave so much insight into the world of volunteering .It feels so goodto know that I am a part of such an enthusiastic organization rich in thoughts ,skill and every single way. Thank you Prarthana you have made us so comfortable and it was a fun session. Will look forward to working with you and meeting you soon. Thank you all who were present and looking forward to see you all soon.

iVolunteer volunteer, Sankara Narayanan S:
The orientation session took me back to the college days and it was designed in such a way that it was interesting and thought provoking. We are charged up and eagerly awaiting for the first assignment. It's was a wonderful orientation we had last Saturday. Thanks for coming from Bangalore and take us through the important tips about volunteering.
We are geared up.

iVolunteer volunteer, Lakshmi R:
Yeppy Yep!! All of us have successfully stepped forward to bring our thoughts into actions, lets keep this energy level sustained forever…
Looking forward to meet you all soon during our assignments….

iVolunteer volunteer, Karthik E:
I enjoyed the orientation session completely. It was more like an informal get-together of like minded people. It was really informative and I am eager to start contributing and giving back. I know, volunteering would me understand myself better. And as you mentioned, I will do my bit to creating awareness about volunteering.

Delhi:

iVolunteer Volunteer, Amita Pal:
Thank you very much.
It was wonderful & enjoyable !!! That day I really enjoyed the training and your's and Prarthana's informal, cordial behaviour.
So many things to learn here. Your presentation was very spontaneous and informal.
I really liked it.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Yajnika:
The Orientation was great fun and a wonderful opportunity to meet up with other like-minded people. Prarthana ensured that the spirits of the volunteers were on a high anytime there would be the slightest hint of silence in the room, especially with her 'idli..vadaa..dosa..coffee' part :) Kudos to Prarthana and Komal for the well-managed session! The learning bit was definitely figuring out the Do's and Dont's of Volunteering, I really didn't know that I could come up with quite a few ideas on Do's and Dont's and yet, had never quite given them a thought prior to this session. And, recently I've been at my wit's end on how to round up ideas regarding possible things to volunteer for and on Saturday, the iVolunteer presentation made it quite simple for me to regroup the possible ideas into clear categories.

But, one thing that could be improved upon was that the groups created for the presentation and interaction were a wee bit too big, some people were not able to voice their opinions as I could see it. Maybe more groups with fewer people would've been a better idea, if that is possible given the time constraints ie. Nonetheless, Prarthana's enthusiasm was infectious. And I'm sure I will try to participate in the one-offs if not regular volunteering:)

iVolunteer Volunteer, Dolly:
First and foremost it was wonderful meeting Prarthana..our that days angel :-). She made us feel her commitment and dedication to ‘volunteering’. The orientation was interactive and interesting. Prarthana’s reasoning of the Do’s and Don’t’s by way of live instances was good. I have a suggestion - could a presentation be made for the new recruits showing the benefactors volunteering and a filmed feed back of some beneficiaries … The feel factor with which the new group walks out of an orientation session will be amazing. Thanks Prarthana and Komal.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Shweta:
The orientation session for volunteers on 28th Feb was encouraging and enlightening. Thanks

Mumbai:

iVolunteer Volunteer, Yogesh:Very informative and inspiring. Overall a very enriching experience. Felt good to learn about some of the real volunteering experiences of other people. Thanks

iVolunteer Volunteer, Vipin:
I was a bit apprehensive on how it would be joining iVolunteer. However, the energizers were just terrific and they put all of us at ease. Knowing about Volunteering Do's and Dont's was very informative.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Bhupesh:
Very useful and informative with lots of volunteering experiences shared. Helpful in influencing our life as well.

iVolunteer Volunteer, Pooja:
Informative session. Helped us know the people involved. Good interaction, effective communication techniques used. Friendly environment.

iVolunteer volunteer, Raji Chacko:

It was great meeting you. What you are doing is very inspirational and requires reserves of empathy I doubt many of us have. I hope your energy and spirit never flag. The orientation was an interesting experience. To understand what ivolunteer does and to hear about possible opportunities from an organisation was educating. Given the lives we lead, even with the best of intentions, we might not be able to devote the time we want to. So, to offer us the opportunity of working on weekends, in administrative capacity, on one-time volunteering activities, is ideal. I think iVolunteer is doing a great job and I wish you great success and a growing body of volunteers, of which I hope I can be an effective one. I look forward to working as a volunteer.

iVolunteer volunteer, Mithilendu Jha:

The orientation program proved very helpful to me as I took my very first step towards volunteering. After meeting so many different but yet like minded people, I felt very energized and my idea of volunteering became even more firm. The orientation was very interactive and informative and the group presentation part was absolute fun.

iVolunteer volunteer, Veena:

I was happy to meet you at the Orientation Session which was conducted by you with lotsss of energy vigour.. The session was informative as well as enjoying. I must say that with your levels of energy and loads of passion Volunteering is going to be more contagious... I take this opportunity to thank you and the Organisation for giving me avenues to do something for the society.

Experienced iVolunteer volunteer, Ajit Pillai:
The volunteer orientation programme held on the 17th of January was a very informative one. It got me close to, many new enthusiastic faces.
Thanks to such orientation programmes.

iVolunteer volunteer, Anita:
First of all I really want to thank you for the informative session that you presented & made us understand by way of activities. I think it was really important to have this orientation programme and know the Do's & Dont's, the reasons of volunteering, about ivolunteer, etc. It was actually a very serious message told in a friendly way :-) To me it bought lot of clarity and very importantly an opportunity to volunteer. I regret coming in contact with volunteering so late.

This I believe in itself explains why do I attend orientation for volunteering!!! Thanks and enjoy volunteering!!!
Best Regards, Prarthana Prarthana UnkalkarHead - iVolunteer Centres
iVolunteer -- Your skills can change lives.www.iVolunteer.in

“We need a massive number of volunteers to change the fortune of our country!”

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