Lunch Meeting was called to order at 12:00 at Chinese Buffet, Casa Grande. Quorum was established.

Executive Board Members

Honorary Board Members

Members

• Annual Meeting was conveyed at 1:15 pm with opening speech from Secretary, Satya Chataut.
• Brief self introduction by the attendees.
• NAFA president, Siru Prasain, delivered a vote of thanks speech. She also mentioned that Honorary board members are to be felicitated on 2011 New Year event at Phoenix. The president opened following list of items for discussion:
  • NAFA’s financial standing and charity events
  • NAFA Health Camp
  • Blood Donation Drive
  • Event Insurance
  • Financial concern about renting a hall for dashin event at Tucson.
• Financial Status report was given by the treasurer, Kalyani Panta.
  • Total Balance as of today: $6137.52
• NAFA web page updates were presented by Achyut Shrestha.
  • NAFA web page is revamped with new outlook and additional features to make it user friendly.
  • Classified ads, picture gallery, articles, RSVP features, Life Member Updates, Web Links are some of the added features.
  • Members are requested to be more proactive using the web site.
• Sports update by Gajendra Shrestha
• Open group discussion on various issues:
  • Dr. Prakash Thapaliya appealed for health screening (Lukemia, Cancer) on US residing Nepalese women. The group welcomed the idea. The test can be performed at various centers at Tucson and Phoenix. Special can test event can be organized depending upon group interest. Dr. Thapaliya will update about the screening details via email.
  • Rohini Sharma stressed on maintaining sustainable fund within the organization. The group voted unanimously to approve budget not exceeding $200 for a charity event for the year 2011/2012. The event is to be decided by ex-comm.
  • Rohini Sharma recommended on event liability insurance. So far NAFA programs have been conducted without any insurance.
  • It was suggested that all the players sign injury insurance waiver before participating in NAFA conducted sports.
  • Rameshwar Adhikari, past NAFA president, volunteered to develop Insurance Waiver Form.
  • Gajendra Shrestha (PHX) and Tilak Mahato (TUC) would make sure all players sign Insurance Waiver Form at respective regions.
  • Based on group suggestion Ex-comm decided to add Disclaimer Note at the end of NAFA related emails and letters.
  • It was decided to discontinue the NAFA organized Health Camp. However, Nepalese doctors at PHX and TUC have volunteered to continue advice for needy registered members. Dr. Deepak KC is willing to coordinate on this.
  • The motion to exclude Hindi Items during NAFA cultural events was approved with a condition that the native individual/group can perform at most one item during an event.
  • Aditya Puri, senior NAFA member, suggested that NAFA should aspire for greater goals besides just limiting to regular scheduled programs.
  • Group stressed on strengthening organization’s funds. Fund raising subcommittee, comprising Puru Shrestha, Punya Khanal and Pradeep Karna, was decided. Following are some suggestions from members to strengthen fund status:
    • Restructure the event fee such that Non-members pay more than registered members. This may encourage individuals to be a registered member.
    • Registering NAFA with United Way, a community based support organization.
    • Organizing Cultural event by inviting external Nepalese professional artists.
  • Group decided to hold upcoming Bhanu Jayanti at Tempe Public Library, Phoenix.
  • Kalyani Panta brought up the idea on feasibility study of fund raising and providing additional entertainment to the NAFA community by organizing event with Nepali celebrity and Cine/musical/comedy artist.
  • Gyan Nepaune recommended that NAFA take initiative to organize Kids Nepali Learning Programs. Tilak Mahato , Gyan Nepaune and Shashi Gyawali would work on this and suggest the Ex-Comm accordingly.

Venue Arrangement: Prem B Tamang

Annual Meeting Event Pictures

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 pm