Welcome to the Wish Granting Process

Granting a wish is likely to call forth the entire reservoir of your talents. Initiative, detailed planning skills, and creative leadership are necessary, yet these abilities must be balanced by your role as a flexible team member. Successful wish granting is always a collaborative effort. One moment you must be a keen listener, the next perhaps facilitate consensus to make a decision. Some situations may call for gentleness, others may demand direct, assertive action.

The information presented in this document contains Make-A-Wish Foundation^â of India’s accepted wish granting procedures (in accordance with MAWF International guidelines). They have been developed over time, taking into account the collective learning experiences of countless wish granting volunteers. This document represents a blueprint or guide to help you create joyful wish experiences.

1. Complete training/orientation program and keep current with changes.
2. Average commitment of 10 hours per month. (Volunteers are expected to regularly visit wish kids as per the regulations of the hospital.)
3. To complete the wish referral process and the wish granting process with help and guidance from the Wish Coordinator at the National Office. 

Volunteer Duties:                    

• Fulfil all aspects of wish granting process in a timely manner by means of a fun and creative process.
• Make no promises to the child and family.
• Work cooperatively with other wish granters, apprentices, local staff, and local leadership.
• Conduct wish child and family interviews to identify the child’s wish and maintain contact until wish is completed.
• Ensure all necessary paperwork is completed and delivered to the MAWF office in a timely fashion, including thank-you notes, in-kind donation forms, etc.
• Keep the best interest of the child and Foundation in mind when interacting with difficult people, keeping in accordance with all policies.
• Actively seek donations for wish items and services needed to grant a wish. (Wishes are not free…it costs the MAWF of India an approximate Rs. 3000 to grant a wish. Donations and contributions to the MAWF of India make a huge difference to the lives of our wish kids.)
• Continually update MAWF office on progress made during the fulfilling of a wish—remember communication is the key to a successful wish experience for everyone involved!
• Work as a team, remember to teach apprentices; remember learning comes through experience, but also keep in mind that you will learn something new on each wish.
• Offer suggestions on how to improve the process.
• Know when you need a break.

The Make-A-Wish Volunteer

Skills & Qualifications:

ü      Strong communication skills, especially with children

ü      Compassion and non-judgmental attitude

ü      Available to make and receive calls during daytime hours and in emergencies.

ü      Available to attend to the children at the hospitals twice a week for 2 hours prior to lunch.

ü      Available to attend volunteer meetings regularly

ü      Ability to be resourceful and creative

ü      Detail oriented

Desired Values: 

·        Team Member/Player

·        Honesty/Integrity

·        Flexibility, Responsiveness, Positive Attitude

·        Proactive

·        Respectful

Benefits:                       

• Opportunity to create joy in the lives of wish children and their family
• Opportunity to expand and explore ones skills in creativity and resourcefulness
• Acquire more refined negotiation skills
• Team-based learning, cooperation, and enhanced communication skills
• Network with others in the community
• Make a difference in not only your own life, but also the life of a child
• Have FUN!!!!

Please note that when you volunteer for the Make-A-Wish foundation® of India, you become the face of this Foundation and all public perceptions will be based on your interactions with the people you meet in context with wish granting. Please make sure you create the right impression. And that will only be possible when you believe that the power of a wish can make a huge difference to the lives of seriously ill children and that the Make-A-Wish mission is truly your own!!

Experience the thrill of life…
Forget about my illness for a while…

Visit: www.mawindia.com

Note: The MAWF of India is a Registered with the Mumbai Charity Commissioner’s Office as a Charitable Trust. All donations to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of India are exempt u/s 80(G) of the Income Tax Act of 1961.