Chapter 1 & 2: Intro Meeting Notes
UC Scout and Laurel Springs
UC Scout is more affordable and easier to use compared to Laurel Springs.
Clients prefer UC Scout over Laurel Springs.
Meeting Notes and Roadmaps
Detailed notes, organized by theme with action items and links, are provided after each meeting.
A roadmap will be created in the next meeting.
The Crimson app will be introduced as a useful repository.
College Counseling Platforms
St. Mark's uses a platform for college stuff, possibly Naviance or Score.
The Crimson app is a technology opportunity and a platform that's considered very good.
Grades and Transcripts
A report card shows performance for a semester, while a transcript is a record of performance throughout high school.
All grades should be updated in the Crimson app.
GPA and Course Weighting
GPA calculation is straightforward on a 4.0 scale.
Elite private schools are moving away from weighted GPAs.
Colleges consider the rigor of courses along with the GPA.
The goal is the highest GPA with the most rigor.
California and possibly Texas do not give honors credit for ninth grade.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses can boost GPA when colleges recalculate.
Online Courses
Consider taking online courses during the summer after tenth grade.
Economics and statistics may be required in college.
Taking practice courses without credit can be beneficial.
Tenth Grade Difficulty
Tenth grade is generally considered less challenging than eleventh grade.
Starting early with preparation is beneficial.
Volunteering in Nepal
Meeting in Nepal is a possibility, likely in July.
Two meetings are scheduled in July due to the Crimson package.
The capstone program can be started early for a three-year mentorship.
The capstone involves working on a final project.
A reconnaissance mission to assess needs in Nepal is planned.
The existing nonprofit focuses on tutoring and homework help.
Assess the needs in Nepal, considering the context of orphanages versus schools.
Consider the trauma experienced by children without parents.
Time Commitment and Manpower
The trip to Nepal is scheduled from July 12 to August 1.
Determine the time commitment and manpower available for volunteer work.
The number of volunteers could range from one to seven or eight.
Consider the role of relatives and their fluency in the local language.
Needs Assessment
Prioritize understanding local needs before imposing external ideas.
Determine what the community values and what resources can be offered.
Start with existing skills in tutoring and homework help.
Consider starting a small program in Nepal, similar to the one at home.
Focus on sustainability to ensure the program continues beyond initial involvement.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow's hierarchy: physiological needs, safety, love/belonging, esteem.
Address basic needs before focusing on higher-level goals.
Determine the needs of the community, such as supplies versus tutoring.
Show respect by asking the community about their needs.
Scaling and Partnerships
Focus on one or two organizations initially.
Each organization will have a different mission.
Making an Impact
Document activities to make the impact readily visible.
Consider a website, Instagram, and media coverage.
The key is that the college should want to admit students which shows it ll live beond you. It’s not a vanity project. Right?
Expansion and Differentiation
Differentiate the nonprofit by incorporating empowerment and college preparation.
Gain the trust of schools, teachers, and families.
Training Local Tutors
Consider training high school students to be tutors.
This approach is more sustainable.
Create a community and partnership within the school.
Best Buddies model: peer-to-peer interaction can make the training organic.
Connecting with Schools in Nepal
Feel out the needs of schools in Nepal.
Approach elite schools and offer to train students as tutors.
Position the nonprofit as a partner to the school.
There is consideration of connecting with a remote village or high school as well.
Motivation for Elite Students
Make volunteer work easy and accessible to make something organic.
Target younger students (ninth graders).
Highlight the importance of volunteerism for college admissions in the US.
Emphasize making the school community a better place.
Partner School
Find a partner school that will collaborate.
Leverage family connections to a remote school.
Reproduce the existing tutoring model, where 12-15 tutors reach 20-25 students.
Consider in-person events and visits twice a semester.
Virtual vs. In-Person Tutoring
Explore both virtual and in-person tutoring options in Nepal.
If possible, connect with the high schoolers and show them how they can become role models for the more rural village students.
Connect students in Kathmandu with students in rural areas virtually.
App Development
The app should facilitate tutor recruitment, student matching, and hour tracking.
Tutors should track their hours and activities in a session.
Check-in with tutors monthly to monitor progress.
Ask all the kids what they need (supplies, tutoring, etc)
Program Structure
Aim for tutoring twice a week with homework help.
Offer monthly training to stay with best practices.
Find a school that values the tutoring program.
Serving Younger Students
Determine who you serve - high school or middle school kids?
Focus on the Community
Teach others why it matters to get involved with kids and that's how it will go further.
Define the Mission
Define whether the organization is a tutoring agency or a tutoring empowerment agency.
Tutoring can sometimes seem “ubiquitous” where so many places offer those services.
Scale up either within one school or across multiple schools in Dallas.
Survey and Research
Survey participants to assess the impact of the program.
Gather research on community needs in Nepal.
Key goals
Number one- what do you need?
How can i help you?
Getting other Nepalese kids to help the Nepalese kids.
Connecting The Nepolise
Is there a teen book group for poly kids?
Have a party and get to know them/let them know that this is an avenue they want to explore!
Mandated Reporting and Liability
Address safety and liability in volunteer activities.
Adhere to mandated reporting requirements for child abuse.
Develop liability forms and policies appropriate for Nepal.
Next Steps
Schedule a follow-up meeting.
Plan on speaking after there is one meeting with community.
Gather information about his friend and if he has some connection with other schools in Kathmandu.
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