Rotarians are always asking how to do a good project. The answer is simple: "Learn more about Rotary. " And learn about representing Rotary as a Matching Grant (MG) Project Contact.
Rtn Scaria Jose has a few suggestions.

RI has developed a website packed with information that is available at the click of a button. Rotarians can browse through the RI website at www.rotary.org and other Rotary related websites to gather details of projects in progress and those that have been completed.

Here are a few points that will help Rotarians in implementing projects effectively and efficiently.

Project Identification:

This is a very important aspect. Each year Rotary International gives emphasis to a particular area of service. Try to adopt a project accordingly. Do not try to create a project for the sake of doing a project. Go around your community, study the needs of the people and pick up a project that needs urgent attention. Give a name to the project and prepare a detailed report. Try to keep the cost to a minimum while meeting the project objective. With less money involved, more clubs will come forward to sponsor your project.

Selling the Project

I remember one of my project contacts from abroad wrote to me saying, "Send me project that I can sell." What does this mean? A project once placed before the members of the sponsor club should attract their attention, it should appeal to them. Why not give a suitable name for the project, highlighting its benefits? "Healthy family, healthy generation" for toilet blocks and "Mother and family welfare" for a sewing machine project definitely add to the appeal of the project.

Project Criteria

While preparing projects, keep in mind that money is scarce everywhere in the world. Undertake a project only if it needs urgent attention. Nothing other than this should be the criteria.

Looking for International Sponsor

As soon as you work out a project, register it with the WCS Project Exchange. Before your District Governor-Elect leaves for the Rotary International Assembly, submit your proposal to him with a request to find a sponsor for your project.

The best and easy way is to write directly to other clubs in other countries. Nowadays clubs are easily accessible through the Internet. So a club can be contacted by email or via ordinary mail. It is always advisable that your club too has a website. Sometimes it may take a long time but you are sure to find a club that will take interest in your project. GSE team members can also help you find sponsors for your projects.

You may have friends in another country who are Rotarians or your club member may be visiting other countries. As a Project Contact, you should also try to visit clubs in other countries. RI has a chairman and area coordinator for each zone - you can approach them for help with your project.

Encourage your members to attend as many RI Conferences as possible - the project fair at the Conference is a good place to find a sponsor.

Project Completion in time and Retention of Friendship

Many clubs fail to continue their friendship with the international sponsor club or even break the relationship, mainly due to delays in submission of reports. We must do what we are asked to do as per the agreement of the Matching Grant. Doing a service project in another country is not the only aim; the core of the WCS programmes is to create better friendships among people of different nations.