Pay it forward

The concept

I recently re-read about the movie, Pay It Forward. In the movie, a schoolboy is given a task by his teacher to come up with a plan that will change the world through direct action. He then comes up with the plan to “pay it forward” by doing a good deed for three people who must in turn each do good deeds for three other people.

Isn’t it just an amazing concept, when you be good to someone, instead of them returning the favour they pass it on to three other people.

Why the IT Community?

Today, the IT Industry affects all facets of life, and the growing IT Community can be be a powerful force to help society at large. The very nature of the IT industry is that it can make things happen in the fastest most powerful way if it is channeled correctly.

Aren’t there people already doing it?

There are a number of organizations out there who are helping others, a number of individual companies who’re stepping up with new programs, take for instance Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential Program or The One Laptop Per Child Project, Organizations such as NetHope etc. However, what is needed is a movement which engages the grass roots IT worker, the IT Community. An organization dedicated to this task.

Ok so now what?

Well here is what I came up with…an organization with the,
Objective: To inculcate and encourage: pride, respect, passion and commitment in the IT Community members to help non-IT Communities members.

In order to achieve the above, it would have to do the following:

Step 1: Identify & Acknowledge

Identify and promote IT Heroes to submit information about their IT activities in communities. These could be where they have helped physically challenged people become IT Literate, under privileged children, Women, Jobless people or other non-IT individuals and communities. Promote this under a common brand under INETA, CULMINIS, PASS etc.

1. Feature them on Microsoft.com and on Culminis, INETA, PASS web sites and local Regional Microsoft sites. ( NOT in some internal obscure location on company web sites, but on the Front page. Remember the Pride part in the objective.)
2. Acknowledge them via
   1. Issue certificates of commendation to each contributor
   2. Give them a T-shirts (I’m making a difference are you)
   3. Introduce them in technology conferences as the TRUE HEROES(Pride again, make them feel worthy and respect.)

Step 2: Enable Conceptualizations

Invite them to submit proposals for funding of their key community projects(Fuel the Passion). Each project would be rated, based on

1. IMPACT
   • the no. of other IT Professionals & other entities it helps get involved.
   • The number of people it affects
2. Uniqueness
   • Technology usage, the more cost effective the better
   • Is it enabling self sustenance for the people involved.
   • Is it making a difference in the life of the people involved, are their basic needs being helped.

Step 3: Support

1. Provides 100 grants per year of value up to USD25,000 per approved project.
2. Encourage the community.
3. Grants are given on the basis of the following(Encourage their initiative and commitment) :
   1. Impact/ Involvement
      1. Corporate involvement: If Involvement of 1 local or international organization to support the project in any of the following ways
         • Publicity e.g. if a local news paper publicizes their intention, if a corporate steps in to help with promoting e.g. an INTEL, or other corporation promotes the activity on their website
         • Resources: Old Computers, Volunteers from the organization
      2. The project is supported by a local support group for the particular segment of people E.g. the Local school for underprivileged students provides a venue for the project meetings etc.
   2. Uniqueness of project
      1. Maximum people in the community vote for the project.
4. Use other media to feature and promote these IT Heroes (T.V, Newspapers, Online, the works. PRIDE remember :-)

Step 4: Encourage and enable other corporate communities to get involved.

INTEL, SEGATE, NOKIA, APPLE, IBM, HTC, SAMSUNG, SONY, HP, DELL, Mitsubushi

A corporate can sign up online to get involved either for the whole IT Heroes Project or for key community projects. Each Corporate involved needs to commit to one of the following:

1. Promote the project online on their web site (If it’s not front page, they don’t count).
2. Provide usable resources
   • Cash
   • Hardware/Software
   • Volunteers
   • Promotion resources

Now wouldn’t that be Awesome!!!! Yeah I know, needs further refinement… however, I’m happy with the initial plan…. wot say ye?