A weekend full of inspiration

As a student, when I first came across the term ‘Not-for-profit’ my capitalist upbringing questioned how an organization could operate without prioritizing profits? I pondered if any organization can ever remain committed to a cause without investor returns and employee bonuses tied to performance. I was perhaps carrying a simple belief cornerstone to Capitalism - monetary incentives drive actions.?

This is quite in contrast to Socialism, the other economic framework prevalent through much of modern history. It argues collective well-being is good enough incentive to cooperate and prosper.?

ChatGPT describes capitalism as ‘an economic? framework that relies on principles of private ownership of resources and the pursuit of profit through free market competition.’?

On the other hand, ChatGPT defines socialism as ‘an economic framework that relies on state control over means of production, distribution and exchange of goods & services to promote social justice and economic equality’.

Both definitions break down economic frameworks into two key components (a) concept of ownership and (b) role of performance incentives. Capitalism advocates for private ownership independent of Government influence, whereby resources create value through free market economics. Conversely, Socialism advocates for State ownership to guarantee equitable distribution of value created by resources.

However, recent history has seen a new framework gain traction - it is commonly known as ‘Mixed Economy’. As its name implies, it combines capitalism & socialism to balance economic growth with social equity and stability.?

ChatGPT defines ‘Mixed Economy is a blend of private ownership & government intervention in the economy. It balances growth with social justice through Government regulation of certain sectors.’?

In a Mixed economy, the Government uses tax revenue and takes responsibility to provide goods & services such as education, healthcare and social welfare that cannot be adequately supplied by private sector. United Kingdom and Canada are good examples. People responsible for running, say NHS in UK or Medicare in Canada, often don’t have to worry about funds and focus more on services. Not that there is an unlimited pool of tax revenue, but having certainty of funds helps focus on improving service delivery and think long term.?

My set up to mention these economic frameworks is to share insights from a recent experience of spending a weekend with USA chapters of a not-for-profit called The Citizens Foundation (https://www.tcf.org.pk)

ChatGPT accurately describes TCF as ‘The Citizens Foundation (TCF) in Pakistan is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality education to underprivileged children. They establish and manage schools in urban slums and rural areas, focusing on communities where access to education is limited. It aims to improve literacy rates and promote social and economic development through education. TCF USA chapter supports TCF’s mission by raising funds, alleviating awareness and engaging Pakistani diaspora in the United States.?

TCF started back in 90s with the determination of a handful of concerned citizens who could no longer ignore the state of affairs in Pakistan. They believed education is central to solving most if not all problems.?

ChatGPT agrees ‘education is a powerful tool for addressing social issues such as empowerment, poverty reduction, health & wellbeing, social cohesion and gender equality.?

I first got involved with TCF in 2006 for a mentoring program named ‘Rahbar’. It required working professionals dedicating 3-hrs every Saturday for several consecutive weeks to mentor teenage students. Rahbar was based on a simple framework of goal setting and believing in a cycle of thought-to-destiny. The goal was to encourage them to continue education despite social pressure to contribute towards household income or deal with other social adversities.?And that not all careers have to end as a doctor or an engineer; an equally successful career could be of an enterprising cobbler or a fruit seller, if it is what the opportunity lies in front of them. ?

It was a profound experience that made me appreciate even more the differences & similarities among socio-economic segments of society. Nothing about neighborhoods where TCF schools operate was relatable, except two things (a) meticulously built TCF school operating on governance principles as good as any other private school and (b) thinking of TCF student, a teenager, who despite their underprivileged settings had same aspirations as any other teenager I know in my privileged surrounding. Now, fathering a pre-teen, I have even greater empathy for how every child must get a fair chance to achieve their aspirations.?

Back then, I got so deeply involved that I left my job to briefly work for TCF full-time. It was a pro-bono engagement meant to help TCF overcome few organizational challenges it faced. It was unnerving decision at that time, but thanks to unwavering support and understanding of my wife, I look back and find working at TCF among most valuable professional learning experience. It gave me insights into inner workings of an organization that best epitomizes a ‘Mixed Economy’ enterprise.?

ChatGPT explains ‘In a mixed economy, private enterprises participate under public-private-partnerships, whereby they could be contracted to provide services that are traditionally associated with government’.?

TCF, however, is not a Public-Private-Partnership and this is what makes it even more praise worthy. It stands as an inspiring example of private ownership (of a network of schools) that is driven by single minded goal of getting children off the streets and into schools.?

What I found most inspiring in recent interaction is the evolution whereby TCF is no longer thinking about building more schools but touching lives of as many children and youth as it can. The underlying commitment to cause remains same i.e. quality education for the underprivileged, but motivation seems to have become far bigger i.e. giving everyone a fair chance to pursue their dreams (through academic skills).?

ChatGPT outlines ‘Big Hairy Audacious Goal is characterized by several key elements (a) Bold, Clear & Compelling view of future (b) Disruptive with long term focus and not near term turbulence (c) Objectively Measurable and most importantly (d) Aligned with Values.?

This one weekend with TCF Supporters and Management showed how a true B.H.A.G. can move an entire community. It was nostalgic to meet old friends and heartwarming to make new ones. I was in utter awe and admiration of how TCF is not living off past laurels and is looking into the future with clarity and a crisp B.H.A.G.

TCF office bearers in their opening keynote showcased multiple quantified indicators of how education indeed has made a meaningful impact to communities it serves. Those statistics brought an elated feeling of pride among supporters preset at the event and who continue to believe in the cause.

Organizers swiftly shifted the conversation from celebrating how 2024 will see 2,000 TCF schools educating 300,000+ TCF students to aspiration of touching 2 million children and youth lives by 2030 through variety of programs. They showcased how TCF schools will continue to be the anchor, however amplification of their efforts will come by leveraging TCF’s talent, systems and processes to activate additional ‘impact’ levers. These impact levers are a mix of running additional schools not built by TCF to Adult literacy and life skill programs.

TCF leadership firmly believes that in a country like Pakistan, meaningful social impact will remain incomplete if over 25 million children are either out of school or get substandard education. And while TCF cannot take responsibility for all but it can focus on as many as they can reach.?It is able to do it because a wide array of Supporters donate generously, which keeps TCF Management focused on its purpose. I find it akin to a Civil Servant in Mixed economy not worrying about the certainty of funds (from taxes collected by the Government) to focus on putting funds to best use for service delivery.

For me, this is an evolution into a broader narrative with clear, time bound measures along with KPI frameworks to ensure social impact indicators are meaningfully tracked. The weekend huddle concluded with TCF sharing four values that define TCF culture and behavior - Sincerity, Service, Beauty & Positive Conduct.?These values best capture what I have seen and experienced of TCF throughout many years of interaction.

ChatGPT says Values are guiding principles, beliefs and ethical standards that shape behavior, decision-making and culture of an organization. They require genuine commitment, alignment, consistency, accountability & adaptability to resonate with employees and stakeholders.?

TCF path to achieve Vision 2030 is not about building hundreds & thousands of new schools as it is not job of a not-for-profit, it is the job of the State. Their plan is to continue to excel at what they do best, while putting a conscious and wholehearted effort to share operating principles, curriculum and textbooks with a wider pool of government and other private schools.

TCF exemplifies a Not-for-profit who pursues a socialist goal (such as same quality education for all) using capitalist principles of management (such as growth & resource allocation to maximize impact).

More power to you, Team The Citizens Foundation to safeguard heritage of the past yet focus on present day necessities and future imperatives.

(Note: all references to ChatGPT are based on actual conversations and are recorded in my chat history. Some assistance has also been taken from Co-pilot, Gemini and MetaAI)

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