Please see Steve's recent post on organizing a board.

Biren

 

I have created an our official Mission statement, vision and organizational structure, I will welcome your comments.  - Biren 6/17/05

Mission Statement

§    To improve health of all the South Asians across the globe by performing research and translating the research into daily practice of the community.

 

Value Statements

§    We will keep the community that we server our first and only priority at all times

§   We will work in an open environment

§   We will collaborate to pursue our goals  

§    We will encourage continuous learning at all points in our lives

§   We will work to encourage and inspire others (trainees) to pursue careers that will fulfill our Mission Statement

 

Organizational Structure

§    Registered in NJ (not yet)

§   Individual Collaborators make up the foundation of this organization

§   Collaborators can contribute to one of more sub-organizations under guidance of 3 subcommittees (research advisory committee, finance committee, community connection committee).

§  An Executive Board develops the visions for continued success

 

Executive Board

§   The Executive board will develop the vision for continued success

§   Start with 3 board members, expand to 5 within 2 years

§  

Board Member must be a visionary and a leader who strongly believes in our mission, and values

§   1 from basic sciences

§   1 from clinical sciences

§   1 with technical (IT) background

§   1 with management experience

§   1 with primarily community focus

 

 

Research Advisory Committee

§   3-4 Senior faculty members with research experience, policy making experience 

§   1 trainee representative

§   1 community representative

§   Goals of the committee:

     –    Directions for the future

–    Co-ordinate with other institutes

–    Promote collaboration

–    Promote education

–    Inspire next generation of researchers

–    Research on techniques to translate hard science into daily practice 

 

Funding Committee

§    How to get funding for our organization, projects

§    Keeps list/contacts with government and non-government organizations

§    Create innovative way to sustain organization (funding from our work)

§    Think outside the box

 

 

Community Committee

- Since the end result is to help the community, this is the most important committee

- Liaison with community organizations

- works with Research Advisory Committee to define projects that translate research into daily practice

        - consists of members of community organizations

        - community members

        - researchers

        - social workers etc.

 

Vision at six months

§    Official Organizational structure

§    Starting to build the medical knowledge database

§    Advertise within the academic community of SAHRI, attract collaborators from across the globe

§    Launch SAHRI WIKI and SAHRI.org

 

Vision at 1 year

§    Have an official organization - establish an executive board

§    Start process for 501(c) certification for NPO (can accept tax deductible contributions)

§    Establish a database of medical knowledge (review of current literature completed, accessible to all members)

§    Establish a database of resources (collaborator list, mentor list, subject matter expert list)

§    Continue to work toward an epidemiological study

 

Vision at 2 years

§    Establish a subcommittees: research advisory, community connection, finance

§    Establish a strong link between the network of community organizations and SAHRI

§   

Secure funding for the organization and future projects (establish a small office staff)

§    Continued collaboration and publication of one or two studies with SAHRI affiliations

§    Future direction - establishment of clinic, technology use in home countries to improve research 

§    Continue to work toward an epidemiological study

 

Vision at 5 years

§    Strong organization with secure funding and firm backing of the community

§    Well known research organization with a few publications by its collaborators

§   

Have an office staff with an operating budget

§    Have established 1 community clinic in a local area

§    Have established programs for visiting scholars to the home countries

§    Creation of SAHRI University - an online educational resources for all (patients, trainees, physicians, researchers)

 

 

Vision at 10 years and forward

§    Premiere research institute with growing number of "paid" collaborators

§    First stop for all who want to obtain knowledge and research the South Asian community

§   

Have offices in various countries, with staffing

§    Have established multiple community clinics in various countries

§    Creation of SAHRI foundation - an organization that will fund new researchers

§    Well Established of SAHRI University - an online educational resources for all (patient, trainees, physicians, researchers)

§    Objective that have yet to be thought of

I recently posted something about social entrepreneurship at my 21Publish user blog. The term, "social entrepreneur" combines elements of entrepreneurship as applied to non-profit causes. People at SAHRI may find some of the information interesting as the group thinks about financing, team structure, goals, etc. Also noteworthy during my brief research was the program at Columbia's business school. At that site, you may find some good information about about capital markets, philosophies, people to meet, etc.

For those trained in management and finance, you must excuse my lack of knowledge of theory, practice of management and finance.  The goals of this page is to brain storm on how to accomplish our goals.

What does the term "management" or "operations" mean to a physician.  For most physicians it is the same as "the pain medication conversion table" for the rest of the world.  A few might think it mean managing patients and operating on the patients. 


To me, it meant, I was out of my league.  My experience in management involves managing a team 3-4 (an attending :-), an intern and one or two medical students) for a month at a time.  Prior to medical student, I worked as a systems engineer at Telcordia Technologies (formerly Bell Communications Research).  In my two years there, I certainly was responsible for specific tasks, but due to the smaller team sizes, never really managed personnel. 

So, how do I start and sustain an organization, a Non profit organization none the less?  I certainly have the ideas (don't know if its too much, can't tell you exactly what it will take to get it done, can't tell  you how many people will join and will want to work).  I think its a good idea and because it is for the community, the "good will" of people across the globe make them want to contribute (intellect, time, monies).  Oh yes!  then there is the thing about finances?  I can manage my check book... but is that what finances for an organization look like?  What will a budget for a newly formed organization look like? 

So, let's define some terms. 

First review the goals of the organization.  Actually, the ultimate goal is to improve health of south asians across the globe.  Breaking it down to what gets us to the goal is: Research, and then translation of the research into the daily practice of physicians and the community.

First and foremost, an organization can't accomplish these lofty goals alone.  So, the key is Collaboration. 

RESEARCH:
-  Collaboration with those individuals interested in research and performing research. 
-  Collaborating with the next generation of researchers (encouraging new generation of researchers to focus on the needs of the south asian community). 
-  Collaboration with other public health organizations and others who have complementary goals, providing an infrastructure for better communications.

TRANSLATION OF RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE
- collaborate with professional organizations to distribute the findings that are important for the community to the comunnity physicians and patients.
- collaborate with community organizations and help them accomplish their goals with

TAKE HOME: So, what' s the key to collaboration?  Well, internet has provided us with the tools.  Blogging, Wiki, and other tools that may be helpful.  But by collaborating with those with technology and management background we can accomplish that. 

Successful organization:
How will success be measured? 
- getting a research database constructed where anyone can access uptodate evidence based information on
- performing an epidemiological study to understand the various risk factors
- creating the next generation of researchers (hard to measure)
- creating an effective infrastructure to enable others to collaborate (everything doesnot and should not go through SAHRI). 

SUSTAINABLE organization:
- Needs funding
- needs organizational structure to continue to fulfill the above success measures.

Based on these needs now, we need to find a business model. 

Few thoughts: 
1.  University based models... those studies and research done through SAHRI may be a source of funding.
2.  Asking for donations.

But these are all traditional models, I think for this unique organization, we might need a newer model. 

Appreciate any comments/further thoughts. 
Hey, am I even thinking this the right way?

Biren

The guiding principles behing the day to day operations will be as follows:

1.  total transparency of operations and finances. 
2.  every decision will be based on the answer to the question "what is the best way to accomplish the goals of the organization."
3.  This is an organization that will foster an environment of learning and collaboration.