Module 3

Module

3.2 3.2 Program Organizer

The Program Organizer plays a key part in a filter program. This module explains the role of the Program Organizer and the activities that he/she should pursue.

Module 3.2 Program organizer 3.2 PROGRAM ORGANIZER.....................................................................................................................1 INTRO TO BEING A PROGRAM ORGANIZER......................................................................................................2 Role of a Program Organizer...................................................................................................................2 Expected Participants..............................................................................................................................2 Course Goals............................................................................................................................................2 Learning Objectives.................................................................................................................................3 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE...............................................................................................................................3 SETTING UP A PROGRAM.............................................................................................................................4 Program Goals.........................................................................................................................................4 Initial Assessment.....................................................................................................................................4 Organization.............................................................................................................................................4 Budget.......................................................................................................................................................4 Interactions with Other Individuals.........................................................................................................4 Other Program Aspects............................................................................................................................5 RESOURCES..............................................................................................................................................5

Intro to Being a Program Organizer Role of a Program Organizer The role of the program organizer is to be the supporting sponsor and key driver of a local water and sanitation program. They are the ones that initiate a program and then follow it through. They support all the other workers that are involved as indicated in the following sections. If outside funding is needed, they would be the one to write proposals and find the funding. The program organizer should have excellent communication and organizational skills. They will be the ones that take the initiative and get things done. They are generalists and need to know a little bit of everything but don’t need to know all the details of all aspects of a program. Establishing good working relations with others is essential for the program organizer. They are the center of the activities and need to keep those activities moving to ensure a successful and sustainable program Expected Participants Project or program managers of local country NGOs, individuals (local or ex-pat), health agency, or a government agency. Course Goals The participants will gain a clear understanding of how to organize a BioSand filter program and coordinate all aspects of the program. While the participants will learn how the filter should be built, they will not become proficient in filter fabrication only.

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Module 3.2 Program organizer Learning Objectives Upon completing the program organizer course, the participants will be able to: • Describe how to build a BioSand filter • Identify potential filter technicians, community stewards, filter owners, funding and partner organizations • Write project plans and funding proposals • Describe other water treating options and the advantages and limitations of each • Teach some skills related to filter operations and becoming a community steward • Perform monitoring and evaluation activities

General Knowledge It is assumed that the program organizer has a reasonable level of knowledge on general water and sanitation issues and may be very knowledgeable about the local situation. This local knowledge should be extracted from the program organizer and put to good use in his/her program. To supplement this knowledge, it is recommended that the following topics be reviewed or taught to the program organizer. Some of these material may be shortened or revised from the 4-day workshop version to account for local conditions and knowledge of the individuals. General Water and Sanitation Where water comes from (Water cycle, water sources) What is water contamination? How contaminated water causes illnesses (transmission routes) How water is contaminated How water can be treated to remove contaminants Safe storage of water Good hygiene practices Sanitation BioSand Filter What is it? How is it built? How is it installed? How it is used correctly? What the filter user should know How to maintain the filter

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Module 3.2 Program organizer

Setting up a Program Refer to CAWST’s proposed dissemination model (Module 3.1). Program Goals The local organizer initiates and follows through with the setting of goals for the program. Goals can be broken into long term and short term but it is essential that some goals are set. It is suggested that a full team be involved with goal setting. Since this is the key element that establishes the work to be done over an extended period of time, the more people that have contributed to and bought into the goals, the more likely the program is to succeed. Once the goals are set, it may be useful to establish a program charter where the goals of the program are listed and everyone signs on to them. This charter serves as a reminder throughout the life of the program. Initial Assessment The local organizer ensures an initial assessment is conducted to determine the current state of affairs. This assessment is used to establish the need and may be used to show if the program is meeting its goals. The initial survey helps to determine where and how the work will be done. If several communities are included, the survey can also help to set the priorities and highest areas of need. There are several web sites that have examples of initial surveys that could be used. www.wateraid.org http://www.cdc.gov/safewater/manuals.htm Organization The people that will work within the program are organized by the program organizer. They include the Trainer, Filter Technicians, and Community Stewards. It is not necessary that all the people work for or are paid by the program, but they should all be in direct communication with the Program Organizer. Frequent communication and the building of good relationships is to be encouraged and practiced. It is always easier to work with someone who you know well and can communicate with. The organization can be very flexible to account for the workloads of individuals and other priorities that are happening or it can be fairly rigid which will keep the program running faster and possibly smoother. Budget There will be some expenses and income within a program. The initial start-up costs are probably the greatest concern. Once the program is up and running, the filter sales help to fund the majority of the costs. Paid staff will probably account for the largest cost in any program. Interactions with Other Individuals Some considerations that the program organizer must take into account regarding the various groups listed below include: Trainer Working with the Trainer

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Module 3.2 Program organizer Expectations Filter Technicians Selection Training Support Workspace, tools, molds, supplies, filter delivery Mentoring Business – Plans, Accounting, Microcredit, Marketing Contracting projects (contract, quality control, schedules) Letting go Community Stewards Selection Training Support Health Institutions Communications Use of Lab Facilities Coordination of Workers and Messages Government Agencies Ensuring Compliance (regulations, guidelines) Coordinating Efforts International NGO’s and Funding organizations Funding Proposal Managing the Project Reporting Community (Clients) Filter Owners Subsidies – selecting recipients Other Program Aspects Education Programs On going Monitoring and Evaluations Filter Installation Records Filter Inspection Impact Assessments Expanding the Program

Resources

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Module 3.2 Program organizer The following web site is a good resource to help with running an NGO and has many tools and links. http://www.networklearning.org/

There is also information on starting an NGO within that web site, in an on-line book called How to Build an NGO. http://www.networklearning.org/books/build-ngo.html

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