YES Alumni Social Entrepreneur Changemakers Workshop

YES Alumni Social Entrepreneur Changemakers Workshop was conducted from 19 Mar’18 to 22 Mar’18 at Alexandria, VA. It was a one of a kind workshop. The main goal of this workshop was to create a change making project/venture and to craft a plan to achieve the desired outcomes.  

The workshop was split up into various focused learnings spread through four days where words of knowledge and wisdom was taught and inculcated along with creating and executing projects impacting the society at large. Various frameworks of assessment, solutioning and execution were discussed and taught. Towards the end of the workshop, one could get a comprehensive understanding of social entrepreneurship and various approaches for effective ideation, solution, and execution.

Day one focused on understanding different cultures, identifying problems/gaps and how to leverage personal attributes in solving the problems. The workshop began with an Ice breaker to build the bond with fellow YES Alumni from various countries which was very helpful because all had shared beliefs, passions and an urge to become Changemakers.A session on Community Mapping helped one identify the problem or gap in communities. Passions and problems were listed and needs assessments were checked via design thinking. Then, there was a session on Idea Generation to develop action plans. Session on Leadership and Team Building taught one to work efficiently and effectively in a team.

Day Two focused on communication as a key enabler to create public awareness.

Session on Storytelling taught one to narrate the story in an interesting way. An insight into SMART Goals and Objectives was given which helped all to set specific, measurable, attainable, and realistic and time bound goals and objectives. Spending time in small groups on action plans helped one to understand the problems and solutions from different perspectives.

 Day Three focused on effectively communicating the idea and building a team with partners and funders.

To help visualise the project one had to learn the way to make a story board. One of the highlights of the day was Elevator pitch wherein one had to pitch one’s idea to the fellow alumnus in one minute. After working on the pitch and action plan, the next important session was reviewing goals and overcoming obstacles. Before the day closed, the alumni were taken on a journey of a change maker to help understand that the journey had its share of ups and downs and that had to be overcome with positivity.  

Day Four focused on Summarizing and applying the learnings of the workshop. 

On the final day the panel had to be shown the change making project/venture. A go-getter mentality and a feeling of accomplishment and jubilation was experienced on that day! 

                                                                                                                           John Mota

                                                                                                                  YES Alumni, 2013-14

                                                                                                                          [II Year BBA]