Seminar on "Managing NGOs Effectively"

The Seminar on Managing NGOs Effectively was held on 19th February 2008 at the auditorium of KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research, Mumbai. The event took off with the traditional Prayer of Somaiya. Mr. Ernest Fernandes, Chairman Management Week Committee, from BMA welcomed the Guests & Speakers & mentioned the intent of Celebrations of Management Week in his introductory speech. Mr. Inderpal Singh, Ex-President, BMA & Ex-Head of Production at Godrej Industries was the Chief Guest of the seminar. Mr. Singh emphasised on the importance & relevance of Non Government Organisations in today’s changing corporate landscape. He also expressed his gratitude that the youngsters are also coming up for social cause & helping in building a just & happy society. Mr. R.Subramanian, a renowned Management Consultant & a Guest faculty at SIES, Nerul was the next Keynote Speaker. He laid emphasis on the spiritual relevance of doing the Social work & also thrown some light on the various social developmental activities taken up by various religious institutions & how they are managing their resources in the greater cause of the nation.

Mr. Ramesh Khanna, who has served on the board of various PSUs in the past & is currently practicing financial consultancy spoke on the importance of maintaining transparent accounts. He emphasised on the criticality of effective reporting of finances to all its stakeholders for a public entity, especially NGOs. More transparent an organisation is, more is its credibility & in a way that also increases the efficiency of the NGO. It was Prof. Isaac Jacob, Marketing faculty at KJ SIMSR, Mumbai & Ex-Marketing Head of various MNCs, who spoke about the Marketing dimension of NGOs. He focussed his speech around an AIDS campaign by some NGOs with a Protagonist named BALBIR PASHA & showed some print & TV advertisements. Mr. Savio Vegas presented some crisp facts about the NGO Sector in India & emphasised the need of institutionalizing the NGO Sector. He also apprised the audience about the presence of a framework which certifies the NGOs & also gives them rating before making the forum open to audience for Questions & Answers. Representatives from various NGOs had some doubts in their minds relating to the legal framework which were answered by Mr. Vegas.
Mr. Gladwyn Pinto, Executive president, BMA who also was amongst the distinguished guests expressed his gratitude. Prof (Dr.) Suresh Ghai, Director of KJ SIMSR & Secretary of BMA, concluded the seminar & gave vote of thanks to all the distinguished guests & representatives of NGOs & expressed his gratitude as a host of the event. The Seminar ended with the National Anthem.