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A non-profit organization registered in the state of Maryland. Exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Office of the President, 22310 Bridgestone Canyon Dr, Spring, Texas – 77388
Tel: 281-387-1877 (Cel) http://www.koausa.org , e-mail: [email protected]
KOA Board Meeting – January 18, 2015
Minutes of the Meeting The Board meeting, which was conducted as a telephonic conference call, was held on January 18, 2015
at 5PM (EST). All Board members and Executive team members were invited to this meeting.
The agenda items for this meeting were:
• Welcome
• Vote of Thanks
• Programs and Projects
• KOA Teams
• Introductions
• Contact Info
• Board Meetings
• Quorum & Voting
• Expectations
• Profiles
• Miscellaneous Topics
The following table indicates which Board members and the Executive team members were present in
the meeting:
Name Position Present
Sunil Fotedar KOA President Yes
Anil Mattoo Director, Zone 1 Absent
Raj Kaul Director, Zone 2 Yes
Nirja Sadhu Director, Zone 3 Yes
Shakun Munshi Malik Director, Zone 4 Yes
Madhu Moza Director, Zone 5 Yes
Suresh Sus Director, Zone 6 Yes
Sudesh Saraf* Director, Zone 7 Yes
Veena Kaul Director, Zone 8 Yes
Maneesha Munshi Director, Zone 9 Yes
Sanjay Dhar Director, Zone 10 Yes
A non-profit organization registered in the state of Maryland. Exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Office of the President, 22310 Bridgestone Canyon Dr, Spring, Texas – 77388
Tel: 281-387-1877 (Cel) http://www.koausa.org , e-mail: [email protected]
Rajesh Kachroo* Secretary Yes
Rajeev Kaul* Treasurer Absent
* NOTE: Approved by the board in Jan 18, 2015 telecon
Motion for Vote of Thanks:
To thank the previous KOA administration and the team of volunteers for their services to the
association, the president moved the following motion for the vote of thanks:
• On behalf of our community, newly elected President and the board members would like to
express a vote of thanks to the outgoing President Dr. Surinder Kaul, his executive committee
members - Rajni Kaul (Vice President), Ajay Tikoo (Secretary), Rajeev Kaul (Treasurer), and the
board members for smooth and successful operation of the organization during a critical time
period. Their vision, interest, and hard work with the leadership of Dr. Surinder Kaul has
culminated in a stronger organization. We very much appreciate their effort, time, and
dedication.
The final votes received were:
Name Vote
Sunil Fotedar Yes
Anil Mattoo Yes#
Raj Kaul Yes
Nirja Sadhu Yes
Shakun Munshi Malik Yes
Madhu Moza Yes
Suresh Sus Yes
Sudesh Saraf Yes
Veena Kaul Yes
Maneesha Munshi Yes
Sanjay Dhar Yes
Note: # Electronic vote.
Board approval for the KOA Executive Team (2015-2016)
The Board approved the following Executive team for 2015-2016:
A non-profit organization registered in the state of Maryland. Exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Office of the President, 22310 Bridgestone Canyon Dr, Spring, Texas – 77388
Tel: 281-387-1877 (Cel) http://www.koausa.org , e-mail: [email protected]
BoD
Vote for Rajesh
Kachroo, Secretary
Vote for Rajeev Kaul,
Treasurer
Vote for Sudesh Saraf, Vice-President
Sunil Fotedar Yes Yes Yes
Anil Mattoo Yes# Yes# Yes#
Raj Kaul Yes Yes Yes
Nirja Sadhu Yes Yes Yes
Shakun Munshi Malik Yes Yes Yes
Madhu Moza Yes Yes Yes
Suresh Sus Yes Yes Yes
Sudesh Saraf Yes Yes Yes
Veena Kaul Yes Yes Yes
Maneesha Munshi Yes Yes Yes
Sanjay Dhar Yes Yes Yes
Note: # Electronic vote.
A non-profit organization registered in the state of Maryland. Exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Office of the President, 22310 Bridgestone Canyon Dr, Spring, Texas – 77388
Tel: 281-387-1877 (Cel) http://www.koausa.org , e-mail: [email protected]
Board approval for the KOA Program Directors (2015-2016)
The president discussed various India-bound as well as US-based programs, with an emphasis on US-based programs. The Board approved the
following program directors for various KOA programs:
Program Directors
KOA Program Sunil
Fotedar President
Anil Mattoo
Director, Zone 1
Raj Koul Director, Zone 2
Nirja Sadhu
Director, Zone 3
Shkaun Malik
Director, Zone 4
Madhu Moza
Director, Zone 5
Suresh Sus
Director, Zone 6
Sudesh Saraf
Director, Zone 7
Veena kaul
Director, Zone 8
Maneesha Munshi
Director, Zone 9
Sanjay Dhar
Director, Zone 10
Tej N. Kaul
EAP Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Pran Kaul SAC Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Abstain Yes Yes Yes Yes
Dhiraj Kotwal
Medical Fund Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Chand Bhan**
Medical Fund - fundraiser
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Rakesh Kaul, Sr.
India Outreach Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Hira Koul Achievement
Award Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Sunil Dhar***
Achievement Award
Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
A non-profit organization registered in the state of Maryland. Exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Office of the President, 22310 Bridgestone Canyon Dr, Spring, Texas – 77388
Tel: 281-387-1877 (Cel) http://www.koausa.org , e-mail: [email protected]
Program Directors
KOA Program Sunil
Fotedar President
Anil Mattoo
Director, Zone 1
Raj Koul Director, Zone 2
Nirja Sadhu
Director, Zone 3
Shkaun Malik
Director, Zone 4
Madhu Moza
Director, Zone 5
Suresh Sus
Director, Zone 6
Sudesh Saraf
Director, Zone 7
Veena kaul
Director, Zone 8
Maneesha Munshi
Director, Zone 9
Sanjay Dhar
Director, Zone 10
Omanand Koul
Transformation Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ashish Kak
Webmaster Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Maneesha Munshi
KOA Youth Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Nirja Sadhu
Membership Drive
Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Suresh Sus,
Sanjay Dhar
Oversight - India-Bound programs*
Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Shakun Munshi Malik
Networking - Health
Professionals Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Anil Mattoo
Networking - Health
Professionals Yes#
Yes# Yes# Yes# Yes# Yes# Yes# Yes# Yes# Absent
A non-profit organization registered in the state of Maryland. Exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Office of the President, 22310 Bridgestone Canyon Dr, Spring, Texas – 77388
Tel: 281-387-1877 (Cel) http://www.koausa.org , e-mail: [email protected]
Program Directors
KOA Program Sunil
Fotedar President
Anil Mattoo
Director, Zone 1
Raj Koul Director, Zone 2
Nirja Sadhu
Director, Zone 3
Shkaun Malik
Director, Zone 4
Madhu Moza
Director, Zone 5
Suresh Sus
Director, Zone 6
Sudesh Saraf
Director, Zone 7
Veena kaul
Director, Zone 8
Maneesha Munshi
Director, Zone 9
Sanjay Dhar
Director, Zone 10
Sudesh Saraf
Networking - Entrepreneur
Yes Yes# Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
NOTE:
* India-bound Programs
** No approval required for fundraising activity (Medical Funds)
*** Approved as Program Co-director for 2015, and as Program Directors for 2016
# Electronic vote
A non-profit organization registered in the state of Maryland. Exempt from Federal Income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Office of the President, 22310 Bridgestone Canyon Dr, Spring, Texas – 77388
Tel: 281-387-1877 (Cel) http://www.koausa.org , e-mail: [email protected]
Besides approval for the directors for the specific programs, it being Jan 18th
, a day before everything
changed for many of our community, a minute of silence was observed for all the misery our community
had to go through.
Several miscellaneous items of discussion were – status of KOA calendar that the president has decided
to send to all the community members – those who are members and to those who we wish to become
members. Additionally, various venues of the July 4th
camp were discussed. Status of KOA forums and
website were also discussed. Back to Zones funds resolution was postponed for further discussion as
Zone 6 director had some reservations.
KOA Board Meeting SlidesSunil Fotedar, TX
Agenda• Welcome
• Vote of Thanks
• Programs and Projects
• KOA Teams
• Introductions
• Contact Info
• Board Meetings
• Quorum & Voting
• Expectations
• Profiles
• Miscellaneous Topics
2January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides
3January 18, 2015
Vote of Thanks
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Motion for vote of thanks -
• On behalf of our community, newly elected President and the board
members would like to express a vote of thanks to the outgoing President
Dr. Surinder Kaul, his executive committee members - Rajni Kaul (Vice
President), Ajay Tikoo (Secretary), Rajeev Kaul (Treasurer), and the
board members for smooth and successful operation of the organization
during a critical time period. Their vision, interest, and hardwork with the
leadership of Dr. Surinder Kaul has culminated in a stronger
organization. We very much appreciate their effort, time, and dedication.
KOA Programs and Projects
• Save a Child Program
• Educational Assistance Program
• Medical Fund Program
• India Outreach Program
4January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides
Programs
India-Bound US-based
• KOA Achievement Awards
• Transformation
• Networking
• Health Professionals, Academics, Entrepreneur, Office Executives, Business Executives
• KOA Membership Drive
• Print Fund + General Donations
• KOA Youth
• KOA Media
• KOA Website
Focus: Emphasis is on building projects for members based in USA:
“Let us bring KOA back to USA”.
Source: http://koausa.org/koa/organization/structure/
• Calendar
• Directory
• KOA Camps (East & West Coast)
• e-Forums
• Newsletter (KPI, Kasheer)
• KOA Website Update - Status
• Miscellaneous
o Update program brochures
o KOA achievements over the years
o Donations (employer gift match)
5January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides
Projects
KOA Programs and Projects
6January 18, 2015
KOA TeamsExecutive Team
• Secretary (Rajesh Kachroo, VA)
• Treasurer (Rajeev Kaul, NY)
• Vice President (Sudesh Saraf, IL)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
• Save a Child (Pran Kaul)
• Educational Assistance Program (Tej N. Kaul)
• Medical Fund (Dhiraj Kotwal, Chand Bhan)
• India Outreach Program (Rakesh Kaul, Sr.)
• KOA Achievement Awards (Hira L. Koul/Sunil Dhar)
• Transformation (Omanand Koul)
• Networking
• Health Professionals (Shakun Malik) • Entrepreneur (Sudesh Saraf)• Academics• Office Executives• Business Executives
• KOA Membership Drive (Nirja Sadhu)
• KOA Youth (Maneesha Munshi)
• KOA Website (Ashish Kak)
• Print Fund + General Donations
• KOA Media
Miscellaneous
• Back to Zone Funds resolution
India-Bound
KOA Program Directors
US-Based
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS OF THE CORPORATION.
Section 1. Officers: The officers of the Corporation shall be a President,
Vice-President, Secretary and/or Treasurer. The President shall be
elected by the membership by direct ballot and shall serve as the Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation. The President shall also be the
Chairman of the Board of directors. The Vice-President, Secretary and
Treasurer shall be nominated by the President and approved by the
Board of Directors. The Vice- President must be a Director.
7January 18, 2015
Introductions
KOA Board Meeting Slides
• 2 minutes for each director
• Provide your profile - a short
write-up about yourself and a
color picture for KOA website
(updates included).
As an example,
http://koausa.org/koa/zone1/
8January 18, 2015
Contact Info
• Miscellaneous
o KOA board e-mails will be used for
sharing documentation and casting e-
votes primarily
o Prefer receiving a call over an e-mail.
KOA Board Meeting Slides
• E-mails:
• Availability
o 9am-9pm Weekends (Sat-Sun) and
Holidays
o 7pm-9pm evenings (Monday-Friday)
Board Meetings
• Schedule for 3rd Sunday of every 2-3 months
o Personal preference once every quarter
o Agenda, and supporting documentation, to be sent
one week in advance if meeting is held.
o Cancellations one week in advance (or if no agenda
sent)
• Special Meetings, Waivers, etc.
9January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides
ARTICLE VII - MEETINGSSection 8. Regular Meetings of the Board: Regular meetings of the Directors may be
held on a date or dates and at a time or times to be designated from time to time by
resolution of the Board of Directors (without further notice to the Directors), at such
place or by tele-conference as may be determined from time to time by the Directors.
Quorum and Voting• Quorum of Directors
• 50% (fifty percent) of the Board members shall constitute a quorum for
a Board of Directors' meeting. (Article VIII, Section 2)
• President is 11th director (Article V, Section 1)
10January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides
• Voting
• Meet quorum requirement
• At least 6 BoD in a teleconference meeting
• Possible votes
• Absent – 0 vote
• Abstain – 0 vote
• No – 0 vote
• Yes – 1 vote per director
• Simple majority – at least 6 YES votes
• 2/3rd majority – at least 8 YES votes
• Provide 1 week for e-voting
• Urgent cases – e-Voting (without teleconference)
• Provide 48 additional hours for e-voting
NOTE: No vote will be allowed to change after it has been cast.
Expectations
• Try your best to attend regularly scheduled meeting
• Prepare for each meeting and read the material provided in advance. If any
questions, contact President offline and/or zonal membership before casting a vote.
• Web access for each meeting
• Familiarity with KOA website
11January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides
• For a program geared towards US membership (youth, kids, seniors)
• Provide name of 1 adult and 1 youth to work as a KOA volunteer from respective
zone.
• Engagement with zonal membership
• As a representative from zone, communicate with the zonal members on a regular
basis (social gathering, telecon, random phone calls to members and potential
members)
• Update contact information of members (for KOA Directory and seeking
membership)
• Provide 1 individual for each board meeting to provide 2-3 minute feedback
12January 18, 2015
Profiles
Rajesh Kachroo, VirginiaKOA Secretary
ProfileRajesh was born in Rainawari, Srinagar. He is the son of an eminent professor, Late Dr. Puran
Kachroo and Mrs. Koshaliya Ganjoo, who is a retired teacher. He completed his schooling from
Burn Hall School in Srinagar and then went on to obtain a degree in Mechanical Engineering from
MIT, Manipal. For his postgraduate education, he returned to his home state and completed his
MBA from the University of Jammu, where he also met his wife Preeti. They have two adorable
sons, Aveesh (15) and Arnav (11), and have been living in North Virginia for the last 7 years.
By profession, he is in sales and presently works for a Tier One IT services company where he
has also completed a Strategic Management certification course from Harvard Business School.
Rajesh is a passionate Kashmiri Pandit, a KOA member since his arrival to the US and is always
available for any cause for the greater good of the community. Those on social media know his
passion through his articles, blogs and posts. He is very unassuming and has created an apolitical
group of volunteers from the community to provide assistance where it is most needed.
He believes that everyone has something good to offer, something that lifts oneself and serves a
larger purpose; the ability to find that something is a quality of a true leader.
KOA Executive Team (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
13January 18, 2015
Rajeev Kaul, New YorkKOA Treasurer
ProfileSh. Rajeev Kaul was born in Srinagar and came to USA as a student in 1988. He is a life
member of KOA. He runs a Financial /Accounting advisory firm in New York City. He lives in
Long Island with his wife Dr. Vanita Kaul and son Saagar and daughter Jherna.
KOA Executive Team (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
14January 18, 2015
Sudesh Saraf, IllinoisKOA Vice PresidentDirector, Zone 7
ProfileSudesh Saraf came to the U.S. in 1987 as a graduate engineering student at Illinois Institute
of Technology, Chicago. He got plugged in to the local KOA chapter right away and has been
part of the Chicago chapter of KOA ever since. He currently works in the construction industry
as V.P. of Engineering at an Architectural Engineering firm located in Darien, IL. Sudesh is
married to Ruby (Sunita Pajnu) Saraf since 1989, and they have raised three wonderful kids
(triplets) Kartik, Sneha and Maegha who are 22 years old and have graduated from college.
Sudesh has actively participated in Kashmiri community building at the local level. He also
unsuccessfully contested the Zone 7 directorship in 2005. Currently, he is involved in a local
initiative in Chicagoland area that is focused on teaching the kids in the community about
Kashmir History, heritage, language etc. so they are connected to and proud of their roots.
Sudeshji feels honored and privileged to represent Zone 7 at the national level and is
committed to serving our community with zeal and passion.
KOA Executive Team (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
15January 18, 2015
Pran Kaul, Fremont, CaliforniaProgram DirectorKOA Sponsor-A-Child
ObjectivesTo provide tuition, school supplies and living expenses to Kashmiri Pandit school children (K-12)
in refugee camps in India.
ProfileSh. Pran ji Kaul has been involved with several community programs since 1990 in the wake of
the exodus of the KP community from Kashmir Valley. Having seen the heart rending plight and
abject poverty of the refugees first hand back in 1990 and later, he started the children
sponsorship program in 1994-95 with the help of donations from caring members of the
community in the US, to help our poor brethren to educate their school going children. The
program has grown over the years from supporting about forty children in 1994 to about 350
children at present, thanks to our sponsors. The program was subsequently adopted by KOA a
few years ago to allow sponsors to take advantage of tax benefits for their contributions. He
continues directing and coordinating the program in US while local liaison in Jammu has been
doing so in Jammu.
KOA Program Directors (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
16January 18, 2015
Dr. Tej N. Kaul, Grand Island, New YorkProgram DirectorEducational Assistance Program
ObjectivesTo provide tuition, school supplies and living expenses to college-bound Kashmiri Pandit children
from refugee camps in India.
ProfileDr. Tej Nath ji Kaul joined private practice at Summit Pediatrics, in Niagara Falls, NY. Since July
1999, he has served as President of Summit Pediatrics and Chief of Pediatrics at Mt. Saint Mary’s
Hospital in Niagara Falls. In his spare time, he has been actively involved in humanitarian causes
in the US and India. He was one of the founders of the KOA Educational Assistance Program, and
has been running it since its inception in 1995. Dr. Kaul has established a charitable trust that runs
a non profit High School in Jammu since 1999. This school provides education to the children at
subsidized tuition.
KOA Program Directors (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
17January 18, 2015
Dr. Dhiraj Kotwal, TXProgram DirectorMedical Funds
ObjectivesTo provide financial help to treat seriously ill Kashmiri Pandits from refugee camps in India.
Profile Private practice internal medicine: Milwaukee, WI, 1999-2005
Infectious diseases fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 2005-2007
infectious diseases private practice, Dallas, TX, 2007 to date
Dr. Chand Bhan, CTFundraiserMedical Funds
Profile Dr. Chand K. Bhan was born and raised in Srinagar. He has received training in general internal
medicine and psychiatry. He came to the US in 1974, moved to Massachusetts in 1978, and has
been in private practice ever since. Chand ji has been involved with KOA since its inception in the
late seventies and has been a life member for over 15 years. He has been a member of the KOA
medical program since 2005 when it was initiated and took over as the program director in 2007.
His mission is to serve and give back to the KP community.
KOA Program Directors (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
18January 18, 2015
Rakesh K. Kaul, NJProgram DirectorIndia Outreach Program
Objectives• Partner with various social community organizations in India on preservation of our culture
and heritage.
• Evaluate some programs where in KOA can collaborate for tangible outcome.
ProfileRakesh K. Kaul is a community activist who is focused on Kashmiri culture, arts and
heritage. He has co-chaired The Arts of Kashmir Exhibition at Asia Society in 2008. He has
published articles on Kashmir including - Book on Durga personal and relevant to the times –
The Indian Express, July 2011; Midnight’s Refugees - The Indian Express, August 2011;
The 4 pawns on the Chatarunga Board – Shehjar, September 2008; How KP international
Diaspora can help in finding solutions in Jammu and Kashmir - Shehjar, February 2011; The
Idea of India and Core of Kashmir - The Indian Express, June 2012; Turning off
Shankaracharya’s beacon - The Indian Express, March 2014; NaamaRoopaAham’s role in
Indian History – Kashmir’s case history- Hindu Historiography Seminar Global Hindu Institute
2014, San Jose; India’s 25th Anniversary of the Night of Broken Bangles – The Indian
Express, January 2015
KOA Program Directors (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
19January 18, 2015
Omanand Koul, MACultural DirectorTransformation
Objectives• To lead a renaissance in Kashmir’s Dharmic civilization’s cultural assets.
• To identify and pursue key projects in preservation of our culture and heritage.
ProfileOmanand Koul resides in Burlington, Massachusetts. He has been active in the religious activities of
the Boston area Kashmiri Pundit Community. Over the years, he has been presenting the importance
and significance of various religious activities to the community members at such functions.
KOA Program Directors (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
20January 18, 2015
Dr. Hira L. Koul, East Lansing, MIProgram Director (2015)KOA Achievement Awards
ObjectiveEach year KOA awards one-time achievement award to Kashmiri Pandit College-bound student(s) living
in the USA. Any high school senior student meeting the program requirements qualifies to apply for this
award
ProfileDr. Hira L. Koul is a Professor in the Department of Statistics and Probability at Michigan State
University.
Sunil Dhar, NJProgram Co-Director (2015), Program Director (2016)KOA Achievement Awards
ProfileProfessor and Statistics Program Director, Department of Mathematical Sciences at New Jersey Institute
of Technology, Newark, NJ. Volunteer Teacher, for over fifteen years, at Vivekananda Vidyapith
(http://www.vidyapith.org/) - a school that provides character building education to children ages 5 to 18.
KOA Program Directors (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
21January 18, 2015
Ashish Kak, VirginiaKOA Webmaster
ProfileAshish Kak is formerly from Srinagar Kashmir and moved to USA about 16 years back. Currently, he is part of mid-level management at one of the Top Five consulting firms. Ashish functioned as Vice President, Director Zone-4 and Secretary in the previous KOA administrations. He was part of the KP extended family in multiple states including Northern California, Washington (Seattle), Illinois (Chicago), Eastern Michigan and presently resides in Washington DC metro area with his spouse Meenakshi and kids Aditya and Annika.
Ashish is an active member in the KOA Zone-4 (Washington DC Metro area) and continues to contribute to the KP community besides being a customary volunteer for his firm sponsored community work. He believes in the intrinsic vibrancy and capabilities of the KP community, which when harnessed can do wonders for our culture and people.
KOA Webmaster (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
22January 18, 2015
Maneesha Munshi, Northern CAKOA Director, Zone 9 (2015)Program Director (2015-2016)KOA Youth
Objective• To establish KOA Youth with their Zonal Director’s, Chapter Presidents.• To identify key initiatives that youth would like to undertake.• Create a database of youth with the help of youth representatives at zonal and chapter levels.• To identify need for regional youth camps.
ProfileManeesha Munshi was born in Sheetalnath, Srinagar and was there until her 3rd grade. Post exodus, her parents; Ashok, Meena and sister, Aneesha moved to Hyderabad which eventually became their second Home. She has been in the United States since 2008. Her passion for Kashmir started from seeing how her parents and grandparents longed to go to this place they once called Home. She thinks that the youth with their enthusiasm and the elders with their experience can bring the community together and help every one of us stay connected to the land of our roots.
KOA Youth (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
23January 18, 2015
Dr. Shakun Munshi MalikKOA Director, Zone 4 (2015-2016) Program Director (2015-2016)Networking – Health Professionals
Objective• Create a database of community health care professionals in USA.• Identify key projects that could benefit our community and KOA in long run.
ProfileThe experience of serving as zone-4 president over the last 2 years has been very enriching to Dr. Shakun Malik. She has come to know a lot of great people who have further enriched her knowledge about her Kashmiri heritage. She is particularly proud of our youth who have been active in her zone with Sunday school where they discuss our heritage and teach Kashmiri language to the younger ones.She considers Kashmiri Pandits a part of an extended family. “Our families all look and think different and it’s always been so. Families are whom you love because it provides support and a framework of values to each of its members. Family members teach each other, serve one another and share life’s joys and sorrows”.A family works together to overcome struggles and to provide happiness to each of its members.Shakun Malik is a graduate of Kashmir Medical College and is serving as the head, Thoracic and Head & Neck Cancer Therapeutics at the Clinical Investigations branch of National Cancer Institute/NIH. She is married to Rajat Pamposh Malik (a gastroenterologist by profession) and has two children Raevaand Hersh.
KOA Webmaster (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
24January 18, 2015
Sudesh Saraf, ILVice PresidentKOA Director, Zone 7 (2015-2016) Program Director (2015-2016)Networking - Entrepreneurs
Objective• Create a database of community Entrepreneurs• Initiate Youth workshop for Entrepreneurship in USA.• Identify key projects that could benefit our community and KOA in long run.
ProfileSudesh Saraf came to the U.S. in 1987 as a graduate engineering student at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. He got plugged in to the local KOA chapter right away and has been part of the Chicago chapter of KOA ever since. He currently works in the construction industry as V.P. of Engineering at an Architectural Engineering firm located in Darien, IL. Sudesh is married to Ruby (Sunita Pajnu) Saraf since 1989, and they have raised three wonderful kids (triplets) Kartik, Sneha and Maegha who are 22 years old and have graduated from college. Sudesh has actively participated in Kashmiri community building at the local level. He also unsuccessfully contested the Zone 7 directorship in 2005. Currently, he is involved in a local initiative in Chicagoland area that is focused on teaching the kids in the community about Kashmir History, heritage, language etc. so they are connected to and proud of their roots.Sudeshji feels honored and privileged to represent Zone 7 at the national level and is committed to serving our community with zeal and passion.
Networking – Entrepreneur (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
25January 18, 2015
Nirja Sadhu, NJKOA Director, Zone 3 (2015-2016) Program Director (2015-2016)KOA Membership Drive
Objective• To actively seek membership
ProfileNirja Sadhu was born and brought up in Rainawari, Kashmiri She received her master’s degree in botany from Kashmir University. Like a lot of other KPs, she was forced to migrate from Srinagar after the Jan 19, 1990 events. She lived in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi until 2000, before moving to Dubai for a year. New Jersey has been home to Nirja and her family since 2002.She had been involved in the cause of Kashmiri migrant teachers while living in Delhi, and in recent years has played an active role in the temple reconstruction projects in Kashmir.She has a strong desire to bring the members of the US Kashmiri community together for social, cultural and networking purposes. Nirja is looking forward to working closely with the NJ-PA community to make KOA more meaningful and responsive to all age groups, especially our youth members.
KOA Membership Drive (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
26January 18, 2015
Suresh SusKOA Director, Zone 6 (2015-2016) Program Director (2015-2016)Oversight – India-Bound Programs
Objective• To assist in India-bound programs and create guidelines for operations of these programs
ProfileSuresh Sus was born and raised (Nave Sadek, Nursing Garh) in Srinagar Kashmir. He went to school at Hindu High School, Sheetalnath, and then on to DAV Higher Secondary School, Hazoori Bagh. Married to Phoola Ogra, the couple migrated to US in 1976. They have two sons – Neel and Nikhel(Nik).Suresh and Phoola are part of a thriving KP community in the Research Triangle Area, (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill, NC) and have supported and participated in the cultural and social activities, in this area and within Zone 6. He was recognized for starting the Eastern NC Chapter of KOA Zone 6 in 2010, and was first elected to KOA Board of Directors, in May of 2013.
Oversight – India-Bound Programs (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
27January 18, 2015
Sanjay Dhar, Southern CAKOA Director, Zone 10 (2015) Program Director (2015-2016)Oversight – India-Bound Programs
Objective• To assist in India-bound programs and create guidelines for operations of these programs
ProfileDr. Sanjay Dhar has been in US for last 17 years and lives in Irvine, CA. Prior to settling down in California, he lived in Bethesda, MD and Boston, MA. He has been involved in community activities for a long time. He has previously served as the Membership Director of KOAUSA. He and his wife Jyotisuccessfully organized a Kashmir Awareness Event in Irvine, CA highlighting the genocide and mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits.Dr. Dhar is a scientist by profession with doctorate in molecular biology. His research is currently focused on the therapeutic applications of stem cell regenerative technology. Besides, he has been an avid sportsperson as well, and has represented the State of Jammu & Kashmir in Cricket at various levels (Ranji Trophy, C.K Naidu under-22 and Cooch Behar under-19) and Badminton (Junior Nationals). He also represented and led the Kashmir University Cricket and Badminton teams on several occasions.
Oversight – India-Bound Programs (2015-2016)
KOA Board Meeting Slides
Profiles
Miscellaneous Topics
29January 18, 2015
Back to Zone Funds Resolution
• The KOA board in 2007 passed a resolution to return a certain
percentage of the total membership fee raised, back to zones for
offsetting the expenses incurred in organizing local events:
http://koausa.org/resolutions/2.html
• The ‘Back to Zone Funds” are to be used for purposes that are
completely in line with the mission of KOA. This includes cultural
events, community celebrations, publications that support our
mission, etc.
• Tabled for right now
KOA Board Meeting Slides
30January 18, 2015
Benefits of KOA Memberships
Benefits of KOA Membership
Websites & e-Forums
Publications(KPI, Kasheer)
Youth Scholarships & Language Classes
Directory & Calendar
National & Regional Camps
Organize Lectures, Debates &
Symposiums
Promote Exchange of Artistes & Cultural
Activists
Programs to supportKP refugees in India
KOA Board Meeting Slides
31January 18, 2015
• Kashmiri Member Directory • Kashmiri Calendar• Kashmir Pandit International (KPI) Newsletters• Magazine KASHEER
• Part of the membership money comes back to the zone for local chapter activities.
• Culture/Language classes for children (Age group 5 to 15 years)
• Provide Youth Camp/Language Course under Kashmir Institute for our Youth (Age group 16+)
• Provide Merit Scholarships for college bound children of paid members
• Organize National Camp and Regional Camps• Organize lectures, symposiums, and debates
• Promote exchange of Artistes and cultural Activists
• Produce and release music cassette/CD to preserve poetry and music
• Produce books, journals and periodicals to preserve culture
• Maintain 10 zonal e-groups to promote information exchange at Zonal level that connects every member in the US
• Maintain two web sites: koausa.org is a repository of information on history, culture, music, and, Kashmir-information.com provides Political Education
• Meet with officials to promote the cause of our community with focus on social and cultural issues
• Support fund-raising for our brethren in India. Some of KOA’s special programs structured for KP refugees in India include:
o Sponsor-A-Child program designed for school going children (Age group 5 to 17 years)
o Educational Assistance Program for college going children (Age 17+)
o Financial assistance to community members for medical and social conditions,
o Provide financial help for National calamities in India.
Benefits of KOA Memberships
KOA Board Meeting Slides
32January 18, 2015
• Printed calendar to members and potentialmembers – 1500 in number
• Shivratri in February this year, Navreh in March
• Each month sponsored by 1 family or multiple families
KOA Board Meeting Slides
KOA Calendar
33January 18, 2015
KOA Annual National Camps
• East Coast – July 4th
• West Coast – Labor Day
Source: http://koausa.org/koa/camps/
KOA Board Meeting Slides
KOA Forums
History
• KPnet privately run from 1991-1996
o Praveen Raina, Subhash Kak, Shivi Fotedar, Sunil Fotedar,
Lalit Koul as moderators – in that order
o KPnet owned by KOA from 1997 through 2001
o KPnet goes private in 2001, called KPandit (Lalit Koul)
• KOAUSA and KOAzonei (i=1,2,3...,10) created in 2001-2002
o KOAUSA last updated during 2005 elections
• Currently has 405 approx. e-mail ids
• KOAzones have a total of 1500+ e-mails.
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 35
Challenges
To make members look forward to receiving KOA e-mails
• Zonal forums KOAzonei (i=1,2,3...,10) moderated by zonal director
o Zonal forums were moderated a couple of times in the past
o Zonal forums should always serve local/zonal community and be independent of KOA
executive
o Because of the moderation, zonal members have now created their own private mailing
lists to communicate with local members that are outside the control of KOA
administration
• Private e-groups outside of KOA control
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 36
Going Forward
We understand that "business as usual" is not going to work. Going forward, KOA
admin should manage only 1 mailing list. We propose the following:
• Discontinue KOAUSA and de-centralize all the zonal forumso Let zonal issues stay local, and let the private e-mail groups be controlled by the local
members. Zone 2 member, as an example, does not need to hear views of any member
sitting in zone 8
o If the zonal group does not have a private e-mail group, we will provide e-mail ids of that
zone to create their own e-mail group
• Create a new mailing list for KOA's official communication with KPs living in US -members as well as potential-members (e.g. MailChimp)
o This is not going to be a discussion group
o A member is encouraged to provide feedback, ask questions, etc. by writing directly to the
executive and his/her own director who is his/her representative
o This approach is not to be confused with Moderation of a group. This is, in fact, how other
associations work that do not allow their members to broadcast their message using their
platform
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 37
KPI – Official Newsletter of KOA
This newsletter, if not published monthly, should at least come out quarterly.
o President's Message to the members
o Activities of association
o Updates to various KOA programs
o Board Resolutions passed
o Minutes of Board meetings
o Accounts (money raised for various programs, expenditures, etc.)
o Membership status
o Birth announcements/obituaries, etc.
o Some informative articles about our culture, religion, etc.
o Appeal for membership
o Advertisements
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 38
KOA Website Update - Status
KOA Web Update Status
• Tasks
o TASK 1: DYNAMIC WEBSITE UPDATE
o TASK 2: MATRIMONIAL
o TASK 3: MOBILE SUPPORT
o TASK 4: ETAPESTRY DATABASE REPLACEMENT
o TASK 5: STATIC WEBSITE UPDATE
o TASK 6: MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS & UPGRADES
• Phases
o Phase 1: Task 1 + Task 2 + Task 4
o Phase 2: Task 3
o Phase 3: Task 5 + Task 6
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 40
KOA Web Update Status
• Detailed Software Requirements written
• Sought bids from 7 India-based software companies
• 6 bids received and evaluated by KOA Web Evaluation and Selection Team
o Each bid evaluated for technical expertise (years of related work experience
of the company and the personnel being provided), clientele, and cost
o 2 bids rejected
o 4 remaining companies contacted to arrange for a one-hour long
presentation and question/answer session
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 41
Evaluation Criteria
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 42
Summary of Proposal Evaluation Score Weight (%)
1. Technical Evaluation Criteria 70
2. Commercial/Financial Evaluation Criteria 30
TOTAL SCORE 100
Technical Evaluation Criteria
• Quality of Technical Proposal (40% of score)
• Expertise of Personnel (40% of score)
• Experience of Company (20% of score)
KOA Web Evaluation & Selection Team
• KOA Webmaster
• Rajesh Kachroo
• Anil Kachroo
• Rahul Tikoo
• Madhu Moza
• Ajay Tikoo
• Naveen Dhar
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 43
Action Items for Board of Directors
• Pay Membership dues – must lead by example
• Sponsor 1 month of Calendar + 1 sponsor from zone
• Volunteer for 2 sub-committees
• Pick 1 adult and 1 youth to be a KOA volunteer
• Provide 1 individual for each board meeting to provide 2-3 minute feedback
• Communicate with the zonal members on a regular basis (social gathering,
telecon, random phone calls to members and potential members)
• Update contact information of members (for KOA Directory and seeking
membership) – Provide contact information of chapter presidents, local
volunteers, events organizers.
• Prepare for each meeting and read the material provided in advance. If any
questions, contact President offline and/or zonal membership before casting a
vote.
• Familiarize with KOA website koausa.org, and update zonal website with
activities
January 18, 2015 KOA Board Meeting Slides 44
KOA Board of Directors
46January 18, 2015
KOA Board of Directors (2015)Dr. Anil Mattoo, New YorkDirector, Zone 1
Dr. Anil Mattoo was born in Karan Nagar, Srinagar in Kashmir. His father Mr G.L. Mattoo is a Civil
Engineer and his mother Mrs. Krishna Mattoo (Adalati) worked as a school teacher. Dr. Mattoo is
a product of Tyndale Biscoe School in Srinagar. He graduated from Govt. Medical College
Srinagar in 1989. He also completed post graduation in internal Medicine from G R Medical
College, Gwalior. In 1996 Dr Mattoo moved to the United States and completed a residency in
Internal Medicine from Rush Westlake Hospital in Chicago and subsequently a fellowship in
Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine from Winthrop University Hospital in long Island, New
York. He is currently working as a consultant physician at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital in
Patchogue, NY. Dr Mattoo is married. His wife Nita Kaul is also a physician. He has two beautiful
children Harshil and Himani.
Raj Kaul, MassachusettsDirector, Zone 2
Raj Kaul was born and grew up in New Delhi, India. He was born to Shanta and M. L. Kaul as
their third child. He has two older sisters, Anita and Renu, who also live in the United States.
Raj is an Engineer by training and has an MBA. He has predominantly worked in mechanical
engineering industries and held several positions in varied areas of the business. Raj has worked
in companies in India, the UAE, Germany and the USA.
He is married to Jyotima and they have two beautiful daughters, Zitni and Tara.
Raj loves to play Cricket and follow Football. He is also a good cook and can sing a bit. His
favorite food is Roganjosh and Lobster. He also likes a Malbec, once in a while.
KOA Board Meeting Slides
47January 18, 2015
Nirja Sadhu, New JerseyDirector, Zone 3
Nirja Sadhu was born and brought up in Rainawari, Kashmiri She received her master’s degree in
botany from Kashmir University. Like a lot of other KPs, she was forced to migrate from Srinagar after
the Jan 19, 1990 events. She lived in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi until 2000, before moving to Dubai for a
year. New Jersey has been home to Nirja and her family since 2002.
She had been involved in the cause of Kashmiri migrant teachers while living in Delhi, and in recent
years has played an active role in the temple reconstruction projects in Kashmir.
She has a strong desire to bring the members of the US Kashmiri community together for social,
cultural and networking purposes. Nirja is looking forward to working closely with the NJ-PA community
to make KOA more meaningful and responsive to all age groups, especially our youth members.
Dr. Shakun Malik, MarylandDirector, Zone 4
Dr. Shakun Malik is a graduate of Kashmir Medical College and is serving as the head, Thoracic and
Head & Neck Cancer Therapeutics at the Clinical Investigations branch of National Cancer
Institute/NIH. She is married to Rajat P. Malik (a gastroenterologist by profession) and has two children
Raeva and Hersh.
The experience of serving as zone 4 president over the last 2 years has been very enriching to her. She
has come to know a lot of great people who have further enriched her knowledge about her Kashmiri
heritage. She is particularly proud of our youth who have been active in our zone with Sunday school
where they discuss our heritage and teach Kashmiri language to the younger ones.
KOA Board Meeting Slides
KOA Board of Directors (2015)
48January 18, 2015
Madhu Moza, TexasDirector, Zone 5
A computer engineer by profession, Madhu Moza has volunteered for several social gatherings
over the years, including Texas Kashmiri camps (Shivratri). She has volunteered as a Houston
chapter president in 1997-1998, and as its treasurer in 1991. She has also been volunteering as
ESL (English Second Language) tutor for Advanced Literacy Houston Organization.
Suresh Sus, Director, Zone 6Suresh Sus was born and raised (Nave Sadek, Nursing Garh) in Srinagar Kashmir. He went to
school at Hindu High School, Sheetalnath, and then on to DAV Higher Secondary School, Hazoori
Bagh. Married to Phoola Ogra, the couple migrated to US in 1976. They have two sons - Neel and
Nikhel (Nik).
Suresh and Phoola are part of a thriving KP community in the Research Triangle Area, (Raleigh,
Durham and Chapel Hill, NC) and have supported and participated in the cultural and social
activities, in this area and within Zone 6. He was recognized for starting the Eastern NC Chapter
of KOA Zone 6 in 2010, and was first elected to KOA Board of Directors, in May of 2013.
KOA Board Meeting Slides
KOA Board of Directors (2015)
49January 18, 2015
Sudesh Saraf, IllinoisDirector, Zone 7
Sudesh Saraf came to the U.S. in 1987 as a graduate engineering student at Illinois Institute of
Technology, Chicago. He got plugged in to the local KOA chapter right away and has been part of
the Chicago chapter of KOA ever since. He currently works in the construction industry as V.P. of
Engineering at an Architectural Engineering firm located in Darien, IL. Sudesh is married to Ruby
(Sunita Pajnu) Saraf since 1989, and they have raised three wonderful kids (triplets) Kartik,
Sneha and Maegha who are 22 years old and have graduated from college. Sudesh has actively
participated in Kashmiri community building at the local level. He also unsuccessfully contested
the Zone 7 directorship in 2005. Currently, he is involved in a local initiative in Chicagoland area
that is focused on teaching the kids in the community about Kashmir History, heritage, language
etc. so they are connected to and proud of their roots. Sudeshji feels honored and privileged to
represent Zone 7 at the national level and is committed to serving our community with zeal and
passion.
Veena Kaul, MichiganDirector, Zone 8
Veena Kaul has lived in Michigan since 1984 and before that she lived in Scranton, PA for 8
years. She migrated to USA along with her husband JB Kaul in 1976. She along with my husband
was involved with KOA from its inception and is still passionate about it. She believes in KOA and
the principles it stands for. Her dream for KOA is to have 100% membership and have successful
programs to uplift our community here and in India. She believes in networking for the benefit of
our community in terms of jobs, guidance for higher education, matrimonial and making sure that
we provide a platform for our youth to meet and make long-term friendship.
KOA Board Meeting Slides
KOA Board of Directors (2015)
50January 18, 2015
Maneesha Munshi, CaliforniaDirector, Zone 9
Maneesha Munshi was born in Sheetalnath, Srinagar and was there until her 3rd grade. Post
exodus, her parents; Ashok, Meena and sister, Aneesha moved to Hyderabad which eventually
became their second Home. She has been in the United States since 2008. Her passion for
Kashmir started from seeing how her parents and grandparents longed to go to this place they
once called Home. She thinks that the youth with their enthusiasm and the elders with their
experience can bring the community together and help every one of us stay connected to the
land of our roots.
Dr. Sanjay Dhar, CaliforniaDirector, Zone 10
Dr. Sanjay Dhar has been in US for last 17 years and lives in Irvine, CA. Prior to settling down in
California, he lived in Bethesda, MD and Boston, MA. He has been involved in community
activities for a long time. He has previously served as the Membership Director of KOAUSA. He
and his wife Jyoti successfully organized a Kashmir Awareness Event in Irvine, CA highlighting
the genocide and mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits.
Dr. Dhar is a scientist by profession with doctorate in molecular biology. His research is currently
focused on the therapeutic applications of stem cell regenerative technology. Besides, he has
been an avid sportsperson as well, and has represented the State of Jammu & Kashmir in Cricket
at various levels (Ranji Trophy, C.K Naidu under-22 and Cooch Behar under-19) and Badminton
(Junior Nationals). He also represented and led the Kashmir University Cricket and Badminton
teams on several occasions.
KOA Board of Directors (2015)
KOA Board Meeting Slides