As the end of
2016 draws near, we are writing to thank you for being a Pro Bono Volunteer.
Whatever level you have been involved at - whether you have completed a Pro
Bono project, or put your name forward but not been selected, or are still
waiting for a suitable project to come along - we appreciate your willingness
to volunteer your time and expertise. The OR Society’s Pro Bono initiative is
only possible because you and others like you offer your commitment.
Over the last
year, we have completed 24 projects, representing a total of 135 person days,
for charities as varied as Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research and Clifton
Suspension Bridge Trust. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive: for example
“the volunteers were very dedicated and committed to the project skills gap in
our team so added great value for data/insight-driven decisions” and “the work
has allowed us to step back and take a bold decision in the way forward. One
that we hadn't anticipated.” And we know that the volunteers who have been
involved have generally been excited and inspired by the experience.
The scheme has
been beneficial not just for the charities who have benefited directly, and for
those volunteers who have had the chance to take part, but also for the
visibility of O.R. itself. The Pro Bono O.R. initiative has been publicised
widely in third sector discussion fora, publications, and by word of mouth. It
is visible not just to charities, but to their trustees and other supporters
whose day job is in other sectors of the economy, and to other specialist
volunteers through our collaboration
with organisations such as DatakindUK (an equivalent initiative in the
Data Science area) and the Government Statistical Service. And we are
particularly proud that in this last year, we have spawned similar initiatives
from INFORMS and APDIO, our US and Portuguese sister societies, respectively.
So whatever your
involvement has been so far, we do hope that you will continue to stay involved
during the coming year, and to keep in touch with Pro Bono’s successes and
opportunities.
Wishing you a
very merry festive season, and all the best for the New Year
Ruth Kaufman (OR
Society President) & Felicity (Pro Bono O.R. Project Manager)
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