Muskie Messenger Fall 2010 Edition IN THIS ISSUE: Spotlight ............................................ pp.1-5 Alumni Updates ................................. pp.6-7 Alumni Shorts.................................... p.7 SPOTLIGHT Moscow Muskie Club: Motivated to Serve The Moscowbased Muskie Club Alumni Asso the initiative to help Elena and her mother raise Information about Elena and her diagnosis as well ciation, founded in 2005, pursues a goal of uniting moneyforthecostlyoperation. as ways to donate can be found at alumni of U.S. educational exchange programs The Muskie Club started by spreading the word about <www.elenasadikova.com>. into a vibrant community of likeminded and highly Elena and her need for a transplant to other alumni More information about Muskie Club can be found at motivated people. The Muskie Club organizes pro associations, friends and family, coworkers, host <www.muskieclub.ru>. fessional development and networking events to help university contacts, and social networks. The Club did alumni and prospective Muskie fellows connect and share experiences. As membership in Muskie Club not stop their efforts at simply spreading the word grew, leaders of the group recognized a desire among about Elena, but decided to hold a major fundraising the members to promote charitable causes. Within event. They organized a charity ball to attract donations the alumni community, Global UGRAD alumna Elena from individual and corporate sponsors. The ball, Sadikova stood out as an individual in need of help which took place on November 27th, brought together fromherfellowalumni. over 500 USG alumni and members of the Moscow community and raised almost $70,000 for Elena. The Club's first experience with fundraising came The Club oversaw all aspects of the event, including in winter 2009. In cooperation with the Children's the program, sponsors, media support, and invitations. Hearts Charity Foundation, Muskie Club members helped raise money for 6yearold Anton Larionov's “Elena's cause is truly good — she is a brilliant and treatment. This past spring the alumni community strong person who can inspire others to fight for life. learned of Global UGRAD alumna Elena Sadikova's Lena is capable of giving so much to people around urgent need for a bone marrow transplant. A 22year her. And as the alumni community we encourage all From left: Anastasia Ekkert, Chairman of the Muskie Club Board, Miss Russia 2010 Irina Antonenko, Elena old student at Moscow State University, Elena of you to give a little to her. Great deeds start with Sadikova, Oscar Kuchera, a Russian celebrity, and was diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia, small steps,” says Marina Zinovieva (Muskie 1997), Marina Zinovieva, President of the Muskie Club, a serious cancer of the blood. The Muskie Club took thePresidentoftheMuskieClub. at the Christmas Charity Ball. MuskieMessenger [Fall 2010 Edition] page 1 .......................................................................... Alumnus Appointed Chief Advisor to Georgian Prime Minister Newly returned Muskie 2008 alumnusGiorgi Pertaia was a further professional career in my home country... although appointed Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister of Georgia it is still rather difficult to purely estimate the importance of my and the head of the advisor's Group for the Protection of the participation in this program, it would be impossible to be Private Sector. He serves as a liaison to the government for promoted to this position of such political importance without business interests, receiving reliable information about chal having proper knowledge and experience, as well personal lenges faced by local businesses and presenting them to the skills and strength, [for] which I very much feel indebted to government. Pertaia advises the Prime Minister of Georgia theMuskieGraduateFellowshipProgram.” on current business problems and possible solutions. Pertaia graduated from Western Illinois University with a Master's degree in Business. Before the Muskie program Tamila Karpyk he worked in the Customs Department of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia's EUfunded customs project: “Technical assistance for the development of secondary customs legis lation and customs management in Georgia” implemented by Charles Kendall & Partners, Ltd. and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Tbilisi office. He was also a lecturer at Tbilisi State University. While studying in the U.S., Pertaia interned at Booz Allen Hamilton, working on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) AntiCorruption and AntiFraud Project. Pertaia says, “My Muskie fellowship provided me with the opportunity not only to get my MBA from one of the world renowned universities, but also to experience being a part of the American society for almost two years. During my MBA studies I obtained [the] business skill necessary to tackle complex business issues that [I] deal with on a daybyday basis and to succeed in promoting Georgia [in] the global economic arena. I use lots of the ideas in my current projects that I've seen and learned in the U.S. My academic qualifi cations and professional training allowed me to advance to Georgi Pertaia at work. Alona Dorosh Fellow Draws on Business Knowledge as a Community Volunteer Rashid Beisenov (Muskie 2009) recalls discussing the con After completing over 60 hours of community service at SBDC, cept of service with other new Muskie fellows at predeparture Beisenov felt that there was still more that he could contribute orientation in Kazakhstan. “I had a remote understanding of how to the center and was delighted to find a fulltime academic community service is organized in the U.S.,” comments training position with SBDC for fall 2010. According to Beisenov, Beisenov. After arriving in the U.S., the business student found “helping the community has helped me to broaden my horizon, an opportunity to serve oncampus at the Alabama A&M Small through acquiring firsthand experience in how small busi Business Development Center (SBDC), which delivers nesses are organized in the United States, as well as how non counseling, training and technical assistance in small business profit organizations such as SBDC support entrepreneurs.” management. At SBDC, Beisenov learned about service while Beisenov plans to contact small business centers in Kazakhstan sharing his business knowledge with aspiring entrepreneurs. to share his experience and promote community service. Beisenov's first task was to revise a business plan for an assisted living facility. The entrepreneur leading the project was inspired after visiting the assisted living home where her mother lived. “She saw the facility where her mom was and she wanted to create a better facility,” said Beisenov. After working with Beisenov to conduct market research and revise her business plan, the entrepreneur went on to receive a one milliondollarloanforherproject. Beisenov was pleased that the Director of SBDC treated volunteers like real employees. In addition to business plan reviews, Beisenov also attended meetings and facilitated seminars at the local Chamber of Commerce. Beisenov drew from his marketing background to lead demographic research and to prepare a marketing checklist to be used as a tool for otherconsultants. SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT Mr. Beisenov, far right, with SBDC staff. SPOTLIGHT page 2 MuskieMessenger [Fall 2010 Edition] ....................................... ........................................................................... Grant Writing Secrets: Sharing Opportunities with Ukraine's Rural Communities Giorgi Pertaia Writing successful grant applications can be a challenge for UkraineBelarus of the European Union (EU). This program Ukrainian colleges and universities. Local Ukrainian NGOs and targets specifically the regions of the three abovementioned state authorities often do not have resources for preparing countries that have borders with each other or lay close to the successful grants and project proposals. While students and border. Ternopil is eligible for the funds under this program. scientists in the larger cities of Ukraine have better access to However, due to the lack of expertise in preparing grants and information and training, people in small towns have limited projects, Ternopil representatives never applied for this worthy opportunities. As a result, regions such as Ternopil receive EU program. It made me sad when I evaluated projects from fewer grants from international organizations, foundations and Lviv and IvanoFrankivsk (other Ukrainian cities) but did not see foreign governments. Noting this problem, Tamila Karpyk a single project from Ternopil. So, I decided to conduct a num (Muskie 2004) conducted a number of trainings for secondary ber of seminars and share my experience in writing successful school teachers and for the local university students on such grants as well as give more information to people about topics as “Secrets of Writing Successful Grant Applications,” possibilities of foreign assistance. Currently, I am a recipient “Writing a Winning Resume,” and “Leadership and Making of the grant under Careers in Public Service Program (CAPS),” the Team.” Karpyk conducted the seminars during fall 2010 Karpyk notes. Karpyk is not only a successful grantwriter and in cooperation with the Ternopil Regional State Administration a 2010 CAPS grant recipient but is also a Project Coordinator and the Department of Education of the Ternopil City Council. at the Youth Reformation NGO, which also represents Ukraine “Currently,