Welcome to SEALNet

Here are some questions I've asked myself about the organization I am working with.
What is SEALNet?
SEALNet's mission is to bring service to Southeast Asia and to promote the spirit of service leadership in the region. We strive to accomplish this by building and nurturing a community of service leaders who are passionate about social development in Southeast Asia.

Where can I learn more about the Cambodia Arts project?
http://cambodia09arts.ning.com/
Read this, there is a lot of great information about what we intend to do in Cambodia and why we are doing it. You can also participate with us virtually by reading our blog.

How does SEALNet work?
http://www.sealnetonline.org/about_us/sealnet_model

Where can I find out more about the organization and the other projects?
http://www.sealnetonline.org/

What will Ninad do there?
Arthur and I are the co-mentors for Project Cambodia Arts ’09. We have been acting as mentors to the two project leaders in the previous months as they plan for the project. On the ground we will be responsible for helping them to observe their own leadership choices and options. Another goal of ours is to identify candidates from the core team that may be interested in being project leaders for their own project. The Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center has generously offered up their facilities as a venue for our two final performances this year in return for two 2-hour business seminars which Arthur and I will prepare and present.

How is SEALNet structured?
Board of Directors – sets the direction of the organization and chooses co-presidents
Co-Presidents – Chosen from the pool of the last year’s PLs to organize and facilitate all of the administrative functions of the current year’s projects
Project Leaders – Propose a project, then organize the logistics of bringing in a team to implement it
Project Mentor – Guide the project leaders and help them grow through their successes and failures
Partner Organization – Each project engages a local non-profit service organization to assist them while on the ground
Core Team – A group of about 20-25 college students from leading universities around the world that create and deliver curriculum and exercises that promote leadership and service dedication.
Local Students – High school students that are open to developing their skills and have an interest in volunteerism
Sponsors – These projects would not be possible without the generous support of individuals and organizations that provide money, time and skills

Where does the money go?
SEALNet is run on a shoestring budget. There are no paid staff, there is no headquarters rent, we don’t throw lavish fundraising parties. All participants pay for their own airfare. Each project usualy costs between $10-20k. Which covers the lodging, matierials and venues for the project. Administrative cost, promotional material, and shortfall funding for projects that did not manage to raise enough to meet their budget are all supported by the SEALNet general fund.

When do I see the results?
SEALNet doesn't go somewhere to dig wells. They don't go there to even teach people how to build wells. They go to a place and teach the next group or leaders how to organize their community to build wells.

Why am I doing it?