1. Introduction to UConnect
Connecting with Universities
Presented by
City Date

2. What is Uconnect?
An effort to connect with universities, colleges, training institutions
Introduction of Sahaj Marg at the end
Long term engagement with the institutes
Help engender a “culture of spirituality” in these institutions
Through a program called “Self Development Program or SDP”

3. Self Development Program (SDP) in context of Spirituality and a Practical Approach
Course on various aspects of values, yoga, religion, meditation, self management
Courses of different lengths and duration
Emphasizing practical experience - ALWAYS
During the course, introduce the idea of starting a systematic practice

4. Mission Statement
To offer the youth of this country an aspirational set of values to live by; to help them achieve a balanced life focused on a spiritual goal and an ethical material life; and to contribute to nation building.

5. Objectives
Better understanding of various philosophies and respect for various religions
Inspired and self motivated to pursue a balanced life
Develop a deep interest in a Spiritual Sadhana
Honest and capable students with hopes of a better India and humanity

6. The Approach Open minded and Secular Caring and Inspiring
Focus on Self Development
Less Academic, Intellectual or Argumentative
Importance of practice and personal experience
Sahaj Marg as one of the systems – Voluntary

7. UConnect Org Chart

8. Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibility
UConnect Director
Overall concept design, strategies, continuity and expansion
Continuous involvement to keep the program dynamic and lively
Back office support & PMO Support
Curriculum and Content design
Tracker UConnect activities thru reports and trackers
Regional Co-ordinator/ZIC/CIC
Should be informed and involved in all UConnect Activities in Zone/Center
Logistics, Communication and Resource mobilization
Formation of support teams
Training of the teams
Maintaining harmony in the groups
Ongoing guidance to teams and the work
Local Co-ordinators
Organize, help train and motivate the team
Help in the sound execution
Help create efficiency and maintain harmony
Study this slide in advance and speak to it by emphasising a few bullets each

9. Roles and Responsibilities
Responsibility
Facilitators
Single point of contact for the institute, speaker and local co-ordinator
Is present in all classes
Start and end the class
Conduct Survey and explain result of survey in the next class
Build Good rapport with institute for future programs
Trouble shoot- presence of mind
Class Co-ordinators/ Group co-ordinators
One co-ordinator for each group of participants
Distribution of hand-outs if any
Improving participation and Leading Group activities
Off-class room activities
Collect survey response
Speakers
Deliver the assigned topic with the help of ppt.
Be interactive
Encourage participate
Manage miscreants
IT Support
Previewing the auditorium, Microphone check, Scheduling, calling
Prefects
Give introductory sittings & conduct Satsangh
Work constantly & Prayerfully

10. UConnect Process

11. Step 1: Approaching the Universities
Explore natural referrals
University Contacts thru abhyasis
Prepare the ppt ‘What is Uconnect’ and SDP
Meet the Decision makers
Explain the ppt
Give the Executive Summary document
Explain benefits of the course

12. Step 1: Approaching the Universities
To Students:
Clarity of thought, vision
Ability to cope better – Particularly Stress
Well rounded, Balanced Existence
To University:
Better Results
Better placements
Better Citizens

13. Step 1: Approaching the Universities
If university agrees:
Give format for Letter of Invitation to SRCM (Prescribed format only)
Gather requirement on Requirement Doc (Prescribed format only)
Forward the requirement doc to the UConnect Team
Propose Curriculum to the university
Finalize date and speakers for each class
Fill Bio-data forms for each speaker and submit to Uconnect Team ( sample form available at FTP)

14. Step 1: Approaching the Universities
EXPECTATIONS FROM INSTITUTE (FACILITATOR TO ENSURE)
A lecture hall with multi media capability
A library with Self Development Books, audios and videos
A Meditation room where students and faculty can retreat when there is no class and need for quiet time
Integrating the curriculum into the time table with 1 – 2 hours a week for 10 – 20 weeks
May be offered voluntarily or mandatorily
Offer a certificate of completion
All out of pocket expenses for trainers, speakers and facilitators
Speak to important bullets

15. Step 1: Approaching the Universities
WHAT UCONNECT OFFERS
Curriculum Design
Contents
Facilitating the program completely
Guest Speakers
Training on meditation
On going campus support
Train institute faculty to sustain the program if interested

16. Step 2:Curriculum & Content Design
Once the requirement doc is sent to UConnect team a Curriculum is designed.
The curriculum is based on duration of the course agreed by the institute
As per the curriculum, the content is designed
Content can be modified based on local conditions, with approval from UConnect Director

17. Step 2:Curriculum & Content Design
Delivery Model:
1/3 Practical
1/3 Theoretical
1/3 Interactive
Typical Curriculum of SDP
Week 1 – Orientation
Week 2,3 – Values
Week 4, 5 – Yoga
Week 6, 7 – Religions
Week 8, 9 – Meditation
Week 10 – Self management – We may offer this for more weeks
Week – Systematic Practice (Sahaj Marg)

18. Step 3: QC Review
Review of curriculum and content by the UConnect Director
Approval by the institute authorities
Start the program on the schedule date

19. Step 4: Field Execution APPROACH TO EACH CLASS Self Discovery
Self is the biggest mystery with greatest potential
Take Interest in oneself
Aids to self discovery
Workshops - Interaction, Participation and Learning together
Listening to Speeches
Reading some suggested materials
Keeping a diary
Write one’s observation, Review, Measure and Gain confidence
Preparing and Participative
Less Academic - More practical and exploratory
Key words and key concepts
Adopting practical tips and experimenting on oneself

20. Step 4: Field Execution CLASS FORMAT
Talks and Lectures from Scholars and Professionals
Videos – Podcasts, DVDs
Group Discussions, Workshops, Presentations
Progressive Meditation Sessions
s of additional materials and Handouts
Volunteer work to inculcate social responsibility
Continuous assistance available from the SRCM facilitators

21. Step 4: Field Execution HOW TO PREPARE FOR CLASS (FOR SPEAKERS)
Go thru the Faculty Training Manual of UConnect
Study the PPT with notes given at the bottom of each slide
Read the supplementary materials and vidoes
Customize the ppt to suit local audience, if required
Rehearse to suit your own style of delivery taking note of time
Submit the materials to the facilitator in advance to prepare the class room arrangements
Dress nicely and neatly
Be confident

22. Step 4: Field Execution IN SESSION
Pay attention to short attention span of audience
Deliver in a rhythm & Repeat the rhythm
Use more of Stories, Homor, Cartoons, Images
Use Inspiring Quotes
Provoke Key Questions, Interact
Watch a short Video
Group Activity –Practical, Discussions, Presentations
Manage the miscreants precisely
Don’t let them hijack the program
Involve them, Talk to class coordinators separately, Be tactful

23. Step 4: Field Execution PRACTICAL SESSIONS
Emphasize personal experience
Practicing 10 minutes of quiet time daily - Same place, same time
Meditate on an idea, ideal
Meditate using a system

24. Step 4: Field Execution WHEN TO INTRODUCE SAHAJ MARG
Find out early how many will be inclined to practice any system of meditation.
In a longer program of 10 – 15 weeks
5th to 10th session
In a shorter duration session start early. Depending on the size and interest

25. Step 4: Field Execution TIPS FOR FACILITATOR AND SPEAKERS
Unifying aspects of religions and spiritual systems
Stronger Self is the Inner Self
Balanced Existence
Will not make empty promises of stress reduction, concentration etc.
Sincere practice will yield tangible results of moderation of tendencies
Will not talk much on Master and the Mission
Sahaj Marg as one of the systems – Voluntary to choose

26. Step 4: Field Execution FOR FACILITATOR - PARTICIPATION FROM STUDENTS
Students will be organized into groups of 10 – 15 in each (depending upon size of the class)
Each group will have a coordinator
Individuals participants will get an opportunity to share
Ask them to write diaries
Ask them to participate in Surveys
Ask them to read suggested reading material at home
Ask them to Give Feedback

27. Step 4: Field Execution MAKE A SUSTAINABLE MODEL
Plan to sustain – long term relationship with the institute
It is easy to introduce people to Sahaj Marg but difficult to retain
Ask for commitment from the institutions
Meditation hall / room
Library
Time table
Weekday sittings and Satsangh should be encouraged within the campus
Integration planning
How to integrate those that start in the campuses into Sahaj Marg
Refer to Life Cycle Management ppt

28. Step 5: Feedback & Measurement
FOR FACILITATOR
Take feedback in the prescribed format after each session
Submit feedback to UConnect team
UConnect team shall modify ppt if feedback is relevant
Submit regular class reports and tracker info to UConnect team

29. Step 5: Feedback & Measurement
If the institution wants you may:
Define a progress metrics in consultation with the University
Measure the progress of the group / Campus
Chart activities for the Self (Diaries) and the student bodies both inside the campus and in the community
Measure progress over a period of time–3 years!

30. UConnect on FTP UConnect material available on FTP
This includes all formats like letters, executive summary, requirement docs, feedback forms, bio-data forms
Presentation material including ppt, videos, jokes etc.
Case study material – MALIBA

31. Case Study – Maliba Univerisity
Maliba was just not a university campus in Bardoli
Maliba was an opportunity
Maliba was a positive, sincere experiment
Towards a definite purpose
Carefully crafted
Attentively implemented
With constant Guidance from Kamleshbhai and Revered Master
To participate in His vision of a spiritualized humanity
Youth is the gateway to the future

32. Flashback Sep 2012 – Open house and 125 students started
But could not provide a method to sustain them… We had another opportunity
Oct 2012 – Kamleshbhai gave the responsibility to Kannan
Dec 2012 – Self Development course started
4 support teams formed. 4 new prefects made
Feb 2013 – 60 faculty members were introduced. Entire Surat center got involved with Maheshbhai taking responsibility for sittings
Currently SDPs are being conducted in 4 colleges yearly and we have weekly satsanghs
About 40+ are participating in weekly Satsanghs
University is constructing a meditation hall

33. Areas of Volunteership
Apps Development
Prefect, Speaker, Facilitator etc.
Designing & Content help
Coordinator or any administrative help
Visit:

34. Communication for Volunteers
Acknowledge
Respond in Time
Use modern communication tools - Phone calls, s, SMS, Whatsapp etc. to stay connect with the team
Add your contact number to signature on
Body language - Open, listening and engaged
Maintain harmony in the team, work and the center

35. Thank you
If you would like to volunteer or introduce Uconnect in your universities or institutions please contact your ZIC/CIC or Area Coordinator Note the following links and IDs