Minute May 3, 2009
MINUTES
NAFA Executive Board Meeting
May 3, 2009
Neighborhood House
23 Mills Street
Board Members Present:
Archana Shrestha, Shreedhar Ranabhat, Pratima Sharma, Krishna Sijapati, Bharat Acharya, Ayodhya Batajoo, Dinar Shrestha, Nijananda Malla, Mahesh Liutel, Abhiman Pachashe
Shreedhar Ranabhat opened the meeting and welcomed new board members followed by introductions.
Secretary’s Report: Nothing to report, just approval of minutes from last meeting. Decision was made that the new board members will not approve minutes from old board meeting.
Treasurer’s Report: Ayodhya Batajoo presented the financial statement including the summary of earnings and expenses for New Year’s celebration. Bank account has been transferred to AB and SR’s name. AB will renew two $5,000 CDs upon their expiration on 5/9/09 and 8/15/09.
AB proposed to create an “Expenditure Check & Balance” by having President authorize checks signed by Treasurer. This will be implemented now onwards.
Purchase of a public address system as well as the MOU for this equipment was approved. SR will have the MOU signed and returned to PS.
Resignation/Vacancies: Mark Grandau’s resignation was accepted and SR will send a ‘thank you’ letter to him. He will also send announcement to general members regarding the 3 vacant positions in the board. Interested members must apply by May 30.
By-Law: Define and create a process for Bi-Law amendments. BA, KS and NM will draft a proposal.
Brat Fest: Volunteer time slots are almost filled. A new request has been received for more volunteers for grilling. Need to decide whether or not to participate in the grilling.
Summer Picnic: Saturday, July 11 at Goodland Park. Park fee is $81 dollars, with additional ~$21 if people choose to take their own liquor. Picnic will be same as usual (cook out and no alcohol from NAFA). Registration deadline date to attend the picnic needs to be decided on, most likely a week before picnic. Planning details to be discussed at the next meeting.
Membership and Fees: Membership fee for B.S. 2066 will be due on May 30. AB will send renewal notice to applicable members and reminders if needed. Membership will be canceled if fee is not paid by May 30.
Discussed a need to set up separate rates for members and non-member as well as early bird and late fees for NAFA functions. The NAFA Google group members email will be categorized into three groups (namely: board, paid members, others) for distinction and dissemination of information. KBS will authorize AB to edit ‘NAFA Google Group” to make the changes.
Bhutanese refugee: The current state of Bhutanese refugee was discussed and things are going smoothly with the Limbu family. It is decided to waive membership and other fees for them for this year. Any request to help them should go through the coordinator, Rebecca Johnson not to duplicate efforts.
NAFA Goals: Define a process for transformation of power and set timeframe for such transfer.
Education and cultural committee is in place. Sports committee will be created.
Budget for NAFA and other occasional programs need to be announced in advance. AB will work on this.
A need to purchase cooking utensils for NAFA programs was discussed. Immediate need will be for the summer picnic in July.
There will be a “Volunteer Recognition’ event. The detail is yet to be finalized. KS suggested issuing certificates to all volunteers. In addition, KBS suggested selecting the top volunteer to energize the volunteering desire.
Everyone was asked to submit their suggestions for NAFA short and long term goals to PS by May 15.
Executive Board Meetings: NAFA board will meet 1st Tuesday of every month from 7-8 pm. AS will try to reserve a room at UW-Research Park.
Meeting minutes shall be submitted to General Secretary within the next two working days. Secretary shall forward the minutes to all board members by 5 working days. Any comments or disputes need to be submitted by next 3 working days.
Meeting adjourned at 3:10 pm.
Submitted by: Abiman Pasachhe