Chapter Presentation Summary - Minneapolis

AID-MN was a group that was in existence from 1996 as LAMP (Literacy as a Movement of People), University of Minnesota, and merged under the AID umbrella in 1998. We are a vibrant, motivated group consisting predominantly of students, and a few working professionals. We have had an increasing trend w.r.t the numbers of active members and volunteers over the period of our existence, and currently we are about 35 members strong; a typical CSH has an attendance of 15-20.

Strengths and weaknesses

Our strengths lie in fundraising, community outreach and visibility. Although our core member strength is 35 only, many more from the community volunteer for specific fundraising events. Our annual cultural event, Aksharotsav, held to raise awareness about development issues, has become a very visible event on the Twin Cities' Indian events calendar. This year, we had about 100 volunteers working for it. Another major success in the last year is our promotion and successful execution of the concept of shramdaan, which has been the major source of our funds.

Inspite of being quite successful in the fundraising arena, we fall short on progress made in funding projects. In general we have been slow in reviewing and approving projects, but a greater source of delay stems from having to get our projects re-approved by other chapters. So much so, that we have not yet funded a single project as AID. (We have funded projects in the past as LAMP, and those are the ones listed as our past projects.)

Have questions? Please send them to Archana Purushotham.