CTB-Some Suggestions

[Dr. Saeed Ismail]

Salam

Attached is my brief profile as requested by Danny and Shahbaz.

Following are some suggestions for the CTB project. As I had to leave earliar I  am not aware of the final decisions made. Some of the suggestions may seem repetition or may have already been dealt with.My apology for that.

 

 

 

1. Somebody needs to dream about it. Already done

2. One or two persons completely committed to the dream need to lead with persistence. Already done

3 Gather a group of like minded people interested in the project. Already done

I think with the completion of the above three tasks half the work is already done. Congratulations

Next would be to identify the human resource needed, the activities that need to be conducted and the funding requirement for the same.

M Imani already had a list of professionals required to accomplish the task. We need to identify them and ask whether they would be available on voluntary basis otherwise we will need to hire them. Alteast one technical person well versed with the requirements for printing a book should be on board as soon as possible. We need to have a postal address where our members can send materials they have and are willing to share. If the material is their own then they should also give permission to use it both in the book and the website. Meanwhile a system for permission and use of copyright material needs to be developed.

Wherever funds are a highest degree of transparency is required. Thus formation of a Non Profit Organization is desirable. My suggestion is to register under Societies Act. If a Society is formed than inclusion of some well known and respected Karachiites would be helpful. The funds would then be sought in Societies name and any profits generated would be utilized to achieve the Societies objectives. We like our FB page because it reminds us of the good old days and I presume we all hope that some of the goods of old times return to Karachi. The Society could work to make Karachi the tolerant society it once was.

Formation of a website for collection of materials, photographs, videos, sounds etc and inter action of members would be useful. Material collected can be used both for the website and the Book. Name suggested by some group members for the domain like maikolachi.org.pk or hamarakarachi.org.pk seem good. Meanwhile our face book page of ISWMKB can continue. If we already have a web designer on board fine , otherwise I suggest 4M designers. They are looking after the website of Shaukat Khanum, SIUT, Avari towers. They have also designed the website of HANDS and Karachi Grammer School.

For the funds I think we will need to collect about 2 Million to complete the project. Mr imran estimated the cost of book to be around Rs 600-700. Even If we take it to be Rs 1000, about Rs 2 million should be enough for the first 2000 copies. Another 2000 or so copies could be sold to Corporate Donors simultaneously or later. For the initial expenses for the first lot of books sponsors must be sought amongst our members. If 80 members pitch in Rs 25,000 each we will be able to reach are target. Some may donate more if possible. I am willing to sponsor the first Rs 25,000. I f that no of sponsors are not forthcoming than we can ask a few members to join in to complete our task .Their amount can be returned once the books are sold.

I won’t be able to attend the next meeting (Which I presume is on 30th June) as I will be leaving for USA on 20^th june for about 4 weeks.

With Regards

Dr Saeed Ismail

 

 

[mohammed.imani]