MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
From: Anupam Wali, Secretary, KOA
Date: Held on Sunday, October 21, 2001, 11/20/01

KOA Board members met through Tele-conference to transact the KOA business as per the agenda circulated earlier (see below).

Following list includes members who were present (P) or absent (A) at this meeting:

Zone
1 Vijay Kaul (Present)
2: Lalit Koul (Absent)
3: Sarla Warikoo (Present)
4: Hira Lal Nakhasi (Present)
5: Kamlesh Moza (Present)
6: Deepak Ganju (Present)
6: Sidharth Ganju (Present)
7: Upender Nazir (Absent)
8: Hira Lal Koul (Present)
9: Vijay Dhar (Present)
10: Amrit Nehru (Present)

Sanjay Kaul (MA): President (Present)
Vijay Dhar (CA): Vice-President (Present)
Anupam Wali (MA): Board/Program Secretary (Present)
Prana Koul (MA): Treasurer (Present)
Arti Kaul (MA): Cultural Secretary (Present)
Vijay Parimoo (NJ): Media/Outreach Secretary (Present)

The Meeting was called to order at 12:00 Noon by President of KOA, Shri Sanjay Kaul.

Sanjay Kaul proposed that KOA board pass a resolution condemning the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks. This resolution was seconded by Hira Lal Kaul of (MI). The Resolution was read and passed by unanimous vote. 

Sanjay Kaul highlighted the various accomplishments since the last Board meeting held on January 14, 2001.

A) Status of Projects for members in the United States and Accomplishments:

1) We produced Koshur Calendar and mailed it in time to all members on KOA's mailing list at a Cost of $5,994 including mailing. To defray the costs of printing and mailing, we raised $3500 by way of donations from members. 

2) Long awaited KOA directory was updated and presented to the community at the Annual KOA Camp in Hershey Pennsylvania. Cost of production including mailing $7288, Amount raised through advertisements $1350. This directory was mailed to all paid members for Year 2000 and 2001.

3) Four issues of newsletters have been published and mailed to all Kashmiri Pandits in the United States and Canada who are on KOA mailing List, printing and mailing cost $3672. Shri Deepak Ganju of FL has taken up the charge of putting the Newsletter together.

4) Kashmiri Institute: In year 2001 for the first time Youth Culture/Language Camp was organized in Washington DC. This was an initiative taken by Komal Bazaz (VA) and Sonal Bakaya (MD) under the able guidance of Shri Lalit Wanchoo. The camp was attended by 13 young adults for duration of 10 days and was taught By Prof. Brij Kachru from University of Illinois (IL) and Prof. Ashok Kaul of Brown University (RI). Board thanked: Both Professors; all the community members who supported the activities in Washington area; and the guest lecturers who came from various parts of the country to teach the Kids. KOA contributed $ 2000 for this course and the rest of the expenses for this Camp were met by registration fee and generous donations by few community members. KOA pledged to support for such activities in future to be arranged both on the East coast and the West coast. For Next Year, Smriti Nakhasi and Preeti Wali have agreed to coordinate the youth camp. 

5) Year 2001 National Camp was held at Hershey Pennsylvania. Seventy-six member families (Approx 300 people) attended the Camp. The highlight of the annual camp was participation of young adults of our community in larger numbers. The camp was very well organized by the organizing team Including Shri Rohit Dhar (NJ), Mrs. Sunita Dhar (NJ), Shri Inder Bhat (VA), Usha Nakhasi (MD) with able support of many volunteers. The Board thanked the organizers and the volunteers for their dedication to the community work.

6) Future Regional Camps: Even though we have been holding a very well attended Annual Camp, not everyone can attend the annual camp due to distances. Sanjay Kaul proposed to all the Zone Directors to explore possibility of having local camps in their own zones at least once a year so that the community can come together. He also recommended that few Zone Directors could jointly work to arrange Regional Camps. He proposed to have regional camps in CA, Texas, Georgia and Chicago area. He asked Directors from these areas to take initiative to make it happen.

7) In year 2001 we tried to bring Mrs. Kailas Mehra (Kashmiri Singer) and Shri Virender Quazi (Shaivism expert) for our Annual Camp Event. Unfortunately, Mrs. Kailash Mehra could not come because of Visa denial, but Shri Virender Quazi was able to come. KOA was able to arrange a lecture series for Shri Quazi at various places. KOA paid the traveling expenses for Mr. Quazi. For year 2002, we are in touch with Mrs. Nirja Pandit to tour the US. KOA board was supportive of bringing Kashmiri singers and other cultural activists to tour the United States for the benefit of our members.

8) Culture and Language School for young children: This year Arti Kaul (MA) initiated a new Sunday school program in Boston area for our children. Monica Dhar and others have initiated similar program in Northern California. These programs were initiated to give information to our children about Kashmir, teach them Kashmiri culture and language in a classroom environment. This is an experiment. To develop a broader structure for holding similar classes for our children in other parts of the country, Artiji has been developing course structure so that the experience can be shared with other Zones.

9) KOA Membership: As of October 2001, we had only 20% renewal rate for membership. He expressed serious concern about such low renewal rate of membership. Zone directors can play an important role in collecting the dues. After all, the success of the organization, and its ability to communicate with its members very much will depend on the availability of funds. The board directors agreed to promote and take responsibility for collecting membership dues. It was suggested that they should seek help from others in their respective zones and make phone calls to the members in their zones.

10) E Mail Service: KOA started an e-mail group purely for exchange of information between its members and within their zones. According to the current setup, any KOA member can post messages at the local zone level. On the national level, only the zone directors have the message posting privileges. Board members are encouraged to use this email service for communication between their zones.

11) Website: KOA is in the process of developing a new website, which will be more dynamic and interactive in nature with tremendous flexibility for future expansion of the site and content. Members can go to the site and update their information while as maintaining their privacy.

12) Unifying, Kongposh (NJ) with K0A: Sanjay Kaul informed the board about his efforts in unifying the New Jersey organization with KOA. In this regard he has initiated communication with Maharaj Kaul President of Kongposh. He had invited Maharaj Kaul to July 4th KOA Camp, and Mr Kaul graciously accepted his invitation. He informed the board about the future developments that might occur and he would keep the board informed.

13) Welcome package: Sanjay Kaul informed the board that Shri Ashok Raina had taken the responsibility to come up with the Welcome package. He believes that Shri Ashok Raina will have the package ready by next board meeting.

14) Elections: By the end of 2001, six zones are up for election of Zone Directors. The zones are 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 10. The notification for the announcement of the election will be sent by October 24, and the closing date for nominations will be Nov. 18. The Nominations will be verified by November 24th and Ballots mailed by Nov. 28. The Ballots for elections will be received by Dec. 20 and opened by Dec. 22. The results of elections will be announced by December 23, 2001.

B) Sanjay Kaul presented a status report of the various projects underway in Jammu and the efforts to streamline the activities of KOA so as to serve the community better in India. Projects for helping community in India:

1) Educational Fund: This fund is managed by Shri Tej Kaul of NY. Last year we raised about $54K and this money was distributed to 210 Students. This year we have raised about $44K by Now. We have received 160 new applications, and we have sufficient funds to support only 76 new students. All board members were asked to help get new sponsors.

2) Sponsor-A-Child Program: Shri Pran Kaul of CA managesthis program. This year 235 students are being supported with help from 135 sponsors. Many more children need help. All board members were asked to help get new sponsors.

3) Medical Help: From members we raised $7,200 and mailed it to one Mr. Talashi for kidney transplant. He is doing OK. Another person Sh. M.L. Bhat needed help for the cost of his medication, and KOA is supporting him, a check for $100 was sent.

4) Help to Needy: One young KP died in a train accident and left behind his wife and two young daughters. KOA contributed $220 equivalent to Rs 10,000 and we are supporting one of the girls through S A C program and the second will be supported from January next year.

5) Help to Needy: As per a list published in Koshur Samachar, 20 families from camps in Jammu needed help to meet their basic need. Khosa JG Foundation of IL donated $2200; KOA matched $1100, each family got $165, about Rs. 7500/- each.

6) School at Udhampur: In year 2001, two checks of $1500 each were given to Shri Bhat Memorial Trust. KOA contributes towards the operating cost of Rishi Memorial School at Udhampur.

7) Earth Quake: For Gujarat Earth Quake, an amount of $6,900 was raised from members. KOA contributed another $2,000, and a total of $8,900 was sent through CARE International.

C) New Business-Setting Up Committees: 

Various committees were setup to look into issues facing the organization and then develop plans, make recommendations to the board for approval and implementation.

Following Committees were set up:

Vijay Parimu (NJ), Sidharth Ganju (GA), Rajinder Kaul (WA)
i) Membership Cost: To Review KOA membership dues structure.

Amrit Nehu (CA), Hiralal Nakhasi (MD), Lalit Wanchoo (MD)
ii) Develop Event Sponsorship Criteria for KOA: Which events/organizations can we sponsor if approached.

iii) Criteria for Who/Which Community/Organization should be invited or allowed to address our members at our organized events.

 

Siddharth Ganju (GA), Vijay Dhar (CA), Vijay Kaul (NY)

iv) Defining the role of Directors and Chapter Presidents,
v) How to deal with a situation of "Conflict Of Interest" for KOA office bearers
vi) Define Action Plan: When any of KOA members misinformsor misrepresents the information about the organization.

Arti Kaul, Anupam Wali, Deepak Ganju
vii) Organizing cultural events: Who to invite and how to coordinate
such programs.

D) Issues Voted:

1) Shri Sanjay Kaul proposed that immediate past president of KOA be included in the executive committee for their guidance and information for smooth transition and provide continued support for projects. Shri Hiralal Nakhasi (MD) seconded the proposal and was passed.

2) Shri Sanjay Kaul proposed that we appoint a Youth Representative on KOA board. Shri Vijay Kaul (NY) seconded the proposal and was passed.

New Planned Projects:
1) Open a liaison office in Jammu: Board approved the idea of having a liaison office in Jammu. Cost involved to be estimated and then present a proposal.
2) Assistance with Board Exam Fee: Set up a fund and a committee to oversee it.
3) Medical Assistance: Set up a fund and a committee to oversee it
4) Mail New Year Cards: Mail New Year Cards with membership renewal and soliciting donations for the organization
5) Restructure of the organizational setup: Promote more chapters in major urban centers
6) Scholarship for children in USA: Shri Hiralal Kaul of Michigan has suggested we start a Scholarship of $1000.00 for college bound children here in the USA. Hiralalji will come up with criteria and communicate with the President and the KOA board as to how to fund this scholarship activity.
7) Kashmiri Institute: Plan next years Language/Cultural classes in DC and West Coast, estimate costs involved and then present requirements to the board.
8) KP Leadership Weekend Retreat: Plan a KP leadership Weekend retreat Next Year

This was followed by questions and answers. The president then asked for any other business. This meeting was called to an end by the president.

AGENDA FOR THE KOA BOARD MEETING - October 21st, 2001:

The KOA Board of directors met on October 21 for their biannual meeting through tele-conference. Agenda included the following: (Minutes of the meeting will be published in the next newsletter) - See above

1. Pass a resolution for the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack on the USA

2. Status of Projects in India:
Funding of Udhampur School, S-A-C Program, Educational Fund Program, Medical Help, Help to Needy in Camps Help to Earthquake Victims in Gujarat.

3. Status of Projects in the USA:
Koshur Calendar, Member Directory, KPI Newsletter, Kashmiri Institute: Youth Culture/Language Camp, Sunday School: Kashyap Vidhyalya, Annual Camp, Future Regional Camps, Artists from India under cultural exchange program: this year, next year, Membership Drive, Web Activity: E-mail groups, Current and new Web sites, Status of unifying Kongposh with KOA, Welcome Package, Funds to Zones for local activities, Survey of membership, Yearly Journal, Election 2001( for Board Members in six Zones)

4. Issues to be voted on:
a) Expand Executive Committee to include past president for past information and experience.
b) Include Youth representatives on the board

5. Set up committees:
Setup a committees which will look into following issues that are important for the organization. These committees will develop plans and provide their recommendations to the KOA board for their approval and implementation:

a) Membership Cost: Is it time for it to be increased, should it be increased, if not why not. 

b) Event Sponsorship Criteria for KOA: Which events/organizations can we sponsor if approached. Develop criteria for who and what can/should KOA sponsor. 

c) Criteria for who/which community organization should we invite or allow to address our members at our organized events. 

d) Organizing Cultural
events: Who should we invite and how best to coordinate such functions nationwide. 

e) Defining the role of Directors and Chapter Presidents: Minimize conflict and improve coordination 

f) Conflict of Interest for office bearers of KOA: Can a member be a KOA office bearer and also represent other community organizations. How do we safeguard the integrity of KOA from getting dragged into issues of conflict? 

g) Define KOA’s Action Plan: when any community member misinforms/misrepresents information about the organization.

6. New Planned Projects:

• Open a liaison office in Jammu; 
• Assistance with Board Exam Fee: Set up a fund and a committee to oversee it; 
• Medical Assistance: Set up a fund and a committee to oversee it; 
• Mail New Year Cards, with membership renewal and soliciting donations for the organization; 
• Restructure of the organizational setup: Promote more chapters in major urban centers; 
• Scholarship for children in USA: Shri Hiralal Kaul of Michigan has suggested we start a Scholarship of $1000.00 for our children here in the USA; 
• Kashmiri Institute: Next year Language/Cultural Classes in West Coast; KP Leadership Weekend Retreat

Resolution to be passed by the KOA Board:

BOSTON: Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) condemns terrorist attacks carried out on September 11, which resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives. This was a tragedy of colossal magnitude and Kashmiri Hindu community worldwide is deeply saddened and shares in the grief and sorrow of the affected families. KOA also condemns the use of biological weapons to terrorize innocent public by the Islamic terrorists.

As Kashmiri Hindus, we have been deeply touched by these acts of terrorism; we have ourselves been victims of terrorism and fundamentalism. Our community has been uprooted from our homeland “Kashmir” in India as a result of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism against Hindus. We were forced to flee our ancestral homes. We relate to and are part of the pain that American public is feeling today.

KOA believes that terrorism is the ultimate refuge of cowards. The perpetrators of these attacks have shown that they are against any and every democratic and peace loving society and must be brought to justice. We support the US public and the government in pursuit of peace, freedom, life, and liberty.