Social Entrepreneurship: The Practicalities of starting and Sustaining a Non-Profit

Resource Person:

Mr. Murgesh Premkumar

Writer, Founder “The Workshop Factory” a learning and Development Company, Mysore

The Department of Sociology organised a Guest Lecture on Social Entrepreneurship: The Practicalities of starting and Sustaining a Non-Profit on 13 September 2023 at 10.30 am in the college auditorium.

Objectives:

• To understand the role of Social Entrepreneurship in society.
• To identify innovative solutions to the social Problems
• To Inculcate the Practicalities of Starting a Non-Profit
• To Address the challenges in sustaining a Non-Profit

About the Resource Person:

Mr Murugesh Premkumar writer, Film maker and currently the founder of The Workshop Factory” a learning and Development Company is a native of Mysuru and alumni of our college. He has Worked as a Project Support Coordinator at Pratham Mysore, for Government Partnership programs to implement English in Government schools and worked as an International Volunteer Coordinator in Poland at a non-profit as a mentor and is author of two published books.

ABOUT THE SESSION:

The session started with a welcome note and introducing the speaker to the audience by Final year BA student Mr Adarsh.

Mr Murugesh Premkumar initiated his presentation by raising a question for the students that what disturbs them the most when they see some social issues and they think and try to solve it. Some students expressed child begging, transgender’s rights, old age problems, youth suicides etc., with this question the speaker started to express the role and responsibilities of Social Entrepreneurship. The speaker explained the steps to be taken to start up a Non-Profit. He stressed that a clear social mission, figuring out the funding ventures, writing a proposal and prove that we make social impact are the most necessary actions to be taken very clearly. The Speaker also explained on the importance ofthe team building and the essential of different diverse group in reaching our target.

Mr Murugesh Prem Kumar explained that Sustainability begins with a meaningful mission and vision enhanced by a multi-year plan containing strategic imperatives and actions that center the organization.Effective succession planning, creativity, efficiency attracts other talented people, allowing everyone to contribute in ways that exceed their specific roleleads to Non-Profit Sustainability.

He shared some of case studies of Non-Profits like the white Helmet, Black Tulip, Sea shepherd, VETPAW, Azim Premji Foundation working for the social causes.

The speaker threw light on National and International funding agencies for Non-Profit and also shared different mechanisms to find the donors and CSR Funding. He explained that limited government funding, retainment of talented people, accurate budgeting issues are the major challenges of Non-Profit.

Finally, he concluded that Nonprofit organizations have laid the foundation for social services that go beyond what the government can provide and over the years, they have been playing a pivotal role in our society, benefiting people with many different causes to improve the quality of life.He gave a call to the youths to be more responsiveand they have the ability to bring social reform and improvement in the society.

Later on, during the interaction session the students’ doubts were cleared and the programme was concluded with vote of thanks by honouring the guest with a token of appreciation. Mr Nithish Kerketa was the master of ceremony of the programme.

Outcome of the Session:

• The students were able to understand the realities of starting a Non-Profit.
• The students gained knowledge on the problems and challenges of Non Profit.