May 25, 2007

Rishi Memorial School Salary Increase Funding Resolution

Dear Members,

Namaskaar !!

Another resolution that was recently put to vote in KOA Board was regarding the funding of salary increase for the staff at Rishi Memorial School, Udhampur. For details, please see the communication enclosed below. 

The resolution was passed with all board members voting in favor. 

Regards,
Lalit Koul
Secretary, KOA
************ ********* *

Resolution email to the board

Dear Board Members:

Namaskaar!

Pamposh Zutshi, KOA Program Director for Rishi Memorial School at Udhampur, has been in touch with the Rishi Memorial School management for past 2 years. He has personally met with school management twice, once in 2006 and most recently in January 2007 during his visit to the school in Udhampur. Based on his evaluation of the school's most pressing needs, he has proposed a recommendation which has been reproduced below for your approval.

The Rishi Memorial School is a tangible success story of collective community effort. It educates approx. 175 kids through the 8th grade, an overwhelming majority of whom are refugee KP kids. The school employs 17 staff (1 principal, 13 teachers and 3 support staff), out of which 15 are refugee KPs. The current salary of the school principal is Rs. 2550 per month, and that of most teachers is under Rs. 2000, which I find appalling. The principal has been with the school 9 years.

For broad information about the school, please review the Program Brochure at:

http://koausa. org/programs/ rishi.html

ACTION REQUESTED: I would like the board to vote on the following recommendation by Friday, May 18, 2007 (inclusive):

1. $1419 for the year 2007
2. $1419 for the year 2008

to be sent to the school for an increase in their salaries, which is less than $3000. This is in addition to $2000 per year that KOA is already committed to, that pays for its operational costs.

If you have any questions, please contact Pamposh. He can be reached at pamposh_zutshi@ hotmail.com or 512-300-1117.

Thanks.
Best wishes,
Sunil Fotedar
San Antonio, Texas
************ *******
Pamposh Zutshi's email to Sunil Fotedar

Sunil Ji,

Based on the information we had requested from the school management in Jammu, please find attached my analysis of the salary expenses at the Rishi Memorial School. No matter which way you cut it, staff salaries at the school are abysmal.

Based on my analysis and my conversations with key people in Jammu, I recommend that:

1) KOA underwrite a 20% across the board salary increase for teachers and support staff, and a 25% raise for the principal;

2) We commit funds for a 2-year support of this initiative. The total cost to KOA of executing this recommendation is under $3,000 over the two year horizon. Either part or all of this amount would be paid out of the funds raised for KOA Education Programs at the Chicago convention in 2006.

3) We make this raise effective the first fiscal day of May 2007;

4) Out of respect for the individuals whose personal information is contained in this file, we should not distribute this email except on an as-needed basis.

This increase in compensation will help mitigate the risk of the Rishi School losing teachers. As you know, the refugee camp at Battal Ballian is in a remote location and the probability of the school finding new teachers is minimal.

I look forward to getting your and the KOA Board's approval at your earliest convenience.

Regards,
Pamposh Zutshi