----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vision The problems of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, dependency, disease, social inequalities, corruption and the dwindling of natural resources like land, forests and water reinforce one another. One problem leads to the other and feeds on another. Therefore the solutions to these problems must be interconnected, just like the problems themselves. This interconnected nature of the problems neither starts nor stops with the people who are poor - it affects all of us. Our inability to tackle these problems, take the initiative, trust and work with others and overcome the fear to question authority or change life-styles is very much a part of this web of problems and has to be tackled . Goals Our focus currently is to establish a active volunteer base and generate awareness for bigger projects in the future. We organize several talks and colloquia to gain knowledge about various issues affecting India's development. We are also looking to raise funds to support novel and effective developmental projects in India. We need your support in our quest. There are several ways to get involved and feel free to write to us or visit one of our community service hours(CSH) to know more about us. More information about AID and activities can be found on the AID India webpage. Activities of AID Philadelphia AID Inc is a non-profit organization that brings together volunteers and aims to empower the poor and the needy in India through projects in literacy, health care, rural development and women's empowerment in all the regions of India. AID currently has 41 volunteer-run chapters across the US, funding and supporting 100's of projects and major programs in India. AID has received a 4 star rating from Charity Navigator, America 's largest independent evaluator of charities. Visit http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/7135.htm to learn how efficiently AID is run by volunteers. AID's chapter activities can be classified into the following broad categories: 1. Project review and evaluation 2. Coordinating site visits to India, working with other chapters and grassroots organizations 3. Understanding socio-economic issues and supporting campaigns run by like-minded organizations 4. Specialized Knowledge groups in the areas of social development 5. Organizing an annual fund raiser. In the 2005, we organized a cultural dance performance named Bhaav Raag Taal - Visit http://philly.aidindia.org/concert/index.html to learn more about this event organized. In 2006, a bunch of five volunteers raised funds by running the Philadelphia Marathon on November 19, 2006 and the NYC marathon on November 5, 2006. Visit http://www.runforindia.org/runners/list/philadelphia to see how the volunteers trained and ran the marathon 6. Publicity and creating awareness among the local communities We volunteers meet at the Penn campus in the University City campus in Philadelphia fortnightly on Sundays at 2:00 pm. To join this mailing list please email us at philly@aidindia.org and aidphilly@yahoogroups.com. We have volunteers who study at Penn, Drexel, Rutgers and many who work at other places. The single common cause that drives our volunteers with diverse backgrounds to meet is to bring changes in the lives of the underprivileged, the neglected, the exploited people in India. In the CSH's (Community Service Hour), we discuss on various topics ranging from issues, projects to be reviewed, learn from volunteers working at the ground level back in India and plan activities. In addition, we have an annual General Body Meeting (GBM) where its activities over the past year are reviewed for the benefit of the patrons and broad plans for the next year are laid out. Chapter History AID Philadelphia was born on Spetember 13, 2003. Bhagavathi, Venkat,Vijay and Vimla were the first volunteers. The first community service hour(CSH) was held in an apartment in the suburbs of philadelphia. AID Chapter at State college supported us in the initial stages as the buddy chapter. In December of 2003, we registered at the University of Pennsylvania and since then we have grown to about 15 active volunteers from various walks of life. So far, we have completed one project review and several more are being reviewed. Be the difference... Make a difference... Join AID Philadelphia! AID is run by a group of dedicated and efficient volunteers who share a common vision - a vision of a just, equitable, sustainable and developed India. Join us if you share the same vision and have the will to make a difference! We, the volunteers of AID Philadelphia, meet at the Penn campus in the University City campus in Philadelphia fortnightly on Sundays at 2:00 pm. To join the AIDPhilly mailing list please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AIDPhilly/join (an announcement-only yahoo group). You'll be notified about our meetings and events. Please feel free to drop in at our meetings. Also, please write to us. We would love to hear from you. Office Bearers Vijay Seshadri President Parag R. Shah Vice President Vijay Manghnani Chapter Coordinator vijay.manghnani AT gmailNOSPAM.com Subhrajit Bhattacharya Secretary subhrajit83 AT yahoo.co.in 267 252 6638 Smita Mukherjee Event/ Fundraising Coordinator smita3 AT sas.upenn.edu Phone: Kinshuk Jerath Treasurer kinshuk AT wharton.upennNOSPAM.edu Phone: 215 382 8833 Vimla Gulabani Treasurer vimla.gulabani AT gmailNOSPAM.com Nitin Bakshi Project Coordinator nitinpbakshi AT yahooNOSPAM.com Phone: 215 382 8833 Karthik Balasubramanian Fundraising Coordinator bkarthik19 AT gmail Phone: 734 330 3674 Srihari Narasimhan Project Coordinator Association For India's Development executes its task of development at the grassroot levels in India with the help of your continued suppport and donations. AID's efficiency in execution of tasks has been one of the key reasons behind it's success. Visit http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/7135.htm to know how efficiently AID executes its tasks. Donate to AID today and make a difference in India. Your ONE contribution- however small you may think it is, will create a ripple and form a wave - a wave for a just, equitable, sustainable and developed India. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------