In thesaurus – dictionary of synonyms – independent is equal with many words. Some of them are self-governing, self-determining, self-regulating, self-sufficient, self-reliant, and self-supporting. Understanding these words lead us to a great impact on planning of time and budget. We are free to govern, determine, and regulate our time and budget based on our feasibility and capability. Meaning, we should be supportive. One of the ways is by seeking for sponsors. Is it difficult to do so?

The answer can be yes or no.

It depends on how we could stimulate our members to move and act. Therefore, we should be creative and self-reliant. We should find money. Our brain should be washed in the program called Income/Money Generating Activities. For examples, as our environment now is a digital era, we could create an online consultant office, online course, or online library. The point is that we should work out a fantastic idea, which might not be realized. Ideas are expensive. Why do not we publish the ideas? Where could we(?) sell our ideas, of course there are very many sponsors all over Indonesia.

Another thing is that we can think about working together with other communities, institutes, or government that share the same objectives with us – AA VDMS. The activities can be held on the same day with other VDMS Regional Alumni. For Examples, we can do a collaborative program, such as leadership, entrepreneur, personality development, study skill, etc. with a university, an institute, or an organization like “Akademi Berbagi – Akber”.  It is also possible to work together with a local hospital or doctors/nurses alumni. Giving a proposal to a big company as a CSR event of the company is also another opportunity. Fund Raising by selling products or services to get capital or collecting donations from Alumni is a great challenge. Finally, from idea to reality, join a contest which has same purpose with Regional Alumni’ activities.

Last important point is that we are a big family.  Therefore, we should have a forum to discuss or workshop for Regional Alumni members about budget, event planning, and tips-tricks of writing a proposal to the sponsor. Simply, the successful RR and team in fund raising must share their experience to encourage the others.

Advantages

Establishing an AA independent from VDMS gives us two fundamental advantages at the same time, one is benefit and the other is importance.

When this question emerges,”Why should we be independent?” it will lead us to the same following proposition, “What are the benefits of being independent?” This question will be very crucial because one or more of us will step back and claim that being dependent (or independent?) RR’s the members of alumni cannot participate actively and have no idea how to organize one or two activities. This is very logical expression, but why do not we try to think otherwise? In many cases it is proven that birds in golden birdcages are being uncreative, convicted, too lazy to fly, and even they could not fly away to reach sky and sun because their wings are not trained. What I am trying to say is that being independent will give us more and more opportunities to fly away to reach the sky and the sun.

Our mind is limited only by feedings from VDMS, no funding is no activities. Therefore, we should challenge the wide open window in front us to be in. We could not say anything before we get in, try to fly, and take benefit of it. Some benefits of being independent are

• Firstly, we are free to decide any activities we want; we are free to find who and what institutions are our partners, and we are free to invite and choose the participants.
• Secondly, by being independent, we could encourage our lovely RR’s members to be more active, creative, and supportive.
• Thirdly, we could even set up such a big event. Could not you imagine that: we could organize a music concert? We could present a national or an International conference in leadership, entrepreneurship, personality development, study skill, etc.? We could contribute a very beneficial program called “Indonesia Sehat” for the societies who need it? For example, we could go to Elementary Schools and entice students how to wash their hands, brush their teeth, home waste compose art(?) , etc. It is also possible for us to create a movement program, such as Indonesia Hijau – a campaign for a healthy environment, such as tree planting, clean our campus/society. If this program is done by the 11 (eleven) RR’s by assembling many members on the same day regularly, could you imagine the impact of this program for Indonesia?

Besides the benefits, being an AA independent from VDMS is also important for the members.

• Firstly, to overcome the financial problem, all members are challenged to set activities that will take incentives. It is likely that we learn to be an entrepreneur.
• Secondly, the active members will be shown easily, like ants showing themselves when there is sugar. They will participate actively as we provide a room for them to take part and generate their wits.
• Thirdly, we do not need to send our proposal to the office as we have set up ourselves. The bureaucracy can be simpler and easy.
• Fourthly, an AA independent from VDMS will make a great bond among RRs and Regional Alumni members (itself). It will grow a sense of belonging and togetherness. Finally, the most important thing that we should bear in our mind is that being independent means building a good and solid network.

When is the right time to be independent?

One essential point why the eleven RR’s have a trial process first before an AA independent from VDMS is established is that there is a dissenting opinion amongst the eleven RR’s. At one side, some of the Chairpersons are doubtful they can set up activities when AA VDMS is switched from a subsidized RR into an independent. At the other side is the optimist chairpersons’ line. They feel that everything can be handled as they will learn from hands on experience in organizing activities.

Accommodating the two sides, and thinking of other basic problems encountered in engaging AA VDMS activities, I suggest that there should be a transition period from subsidized to an independent AA. Two years is possible if during this time, eleven RR’s are doing and preparing everything well toward an AA independent from VDMS. They should cooperate with VDMS to think about IMGA (Income/Money Generating Activities). Two years is enough to prepare, learn, practice, and set up the program. When this program is running successfully and can be cloned by other RR’s, eleven RR’s will declare An AA Independent from VDMS.

Who are the participants?

The establishment of an organization depends on the defenders. Therefore, all alumni of VDMS are responsible for the establishment of an independent AA. We have eleven RR’s, which is a great capital to be the operators of the members. Simply, we already have some developing organizations to take care of this idea. RR’s are the generator, operator, and facilitator; all of the alumni are the key factors. The alumni are the ants’ troop who will go together bravely to defeat the elephants’. Rather than being quiet, do nothing, and fossilized, we must keep moving forward and do a little helps. Let’s light a candle and illuminate the earth!

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One of the most vital problems of RR’s activities in the current situation is that participants’ engagement is at a low level. In the transition period, it can be a program between offices that take care of everything related to the grantees. The office, the PIC in each collaborative university with VDMS, and the RR’s could develop a program called “Bridging Program”. From the first time they obtain the scholarship, the grantees should be actively engaged in the RR’s activities. It can connect them with RR’s in general. Hopefully, when they graduate from the universities they will already know where to go and what kind of activities they could be in.

Nizammudin Sadiq, RR Yogyakarta-Central Java
Email: sadiq_syah@yahoo.com