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Minutes of the Meeting of Keralites

Please mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Picnic for Malayalee Families and their friends, which will be at Zorinsky Lake Recreation Area on Saturday, June 12th. The Picnic will start @ 4 PM and will go till dusk. There are restroom facilities, grills, walking trails, and swing sets/play areas for kids. Volleyball and Frisbee games are planned. We will provide charcoal & lighter fluids for grills, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice and coolers. Picnic will include a pot luck dinner at 5:30 PM. The entrance to the picnic area is from 156th street between Center and Q Street, the south-east (F Street) entrance. (see attached map) A general body meeting and the Christmas celebration was held by the Kerala Samajam members on Dec 6th, 2003. Thanks to all the volunteer’s efforts, the function was a grand success. The general body elected the office bearers for 2004. The 2004 Office bearers met on March 21st, to discuss the policies and activities for 2004. President: Joe Mathew Vice President: Simon Ommachen Treasurer: Sarah Andrews Secretary: Vimal George Executive Committee members: 1) Mathew Panicker 2) Dennis Chackalakkal 3) Leela Sebastian 4) Baburaj Kunnummal Entertainment Committee: Naveen Nambiar and Rina Dinesh Banquet Committee: Leela Sebastian The decision was made to keep the current status of the organization as a pay as you go group. Collections will be made at the Onam and Christmas functions from the attendees, to cover overhead costs in lieu of collecting an annual membership fee from everyone. Each family is requested to contribute $10 and one dish as requested by the food committee. Each individual member is requested to contribute $5 and students are encouraged to make voluntary donation or bring pop/drinks. The picnic will be pot luck with no collections. Also, please mark your calendar for the following three planned functions for 2004: The 2nd Annual Malayalee Picnic will be held at the Zorinsky Park, 156th street (between Center and Q) in Omaha on June 12th from 4PM - ??, with food served at 5:30 PM. Onam will be held at the Barn adjacent to the Alpha Omega Retreat Center, 110002 N. 204th street, in Elkhorn on August 28th from 5:30- 9 PM. The Christmas functions will be held at the Social Hall adjacent to the Church of Christ – Southwest Omaha, 2600 S. 124th Street (124th and Center) in Omaha on December 4th
A meeting was held to discuss and decide on the Onam Celebration
  • A meeting was held to discuss and decide on the Onam Celebration. The Onam will be celebrated by the Malayalees of Mid-West, at the Hindu Temple Social Hall in Omaha on September 6th from 5:30-9:00 PM. We will be making a donation of $150/- towards the hall.
  • Elsie Panickar has graciously agreed to coordinate the food once more. The community would like to Thank her for stepping up to the platter to take leadership of this important task. Please provide all the assistance you can to her. Also, if you can provide some contributions towards the entertainment portion please contactLizzy D'Souza. Songs or any other forms of entertainment are encouraged. Maya Krishnanhas agreed to coordinate decorations.
  • To offset the costs each family is required to contribute $10/- and one(1) dish as requested by the food committee. Each individual member is required to contribute $5/-. Students are encouraged to make a voluntary donation or bring pop/drinks.

A meeting to discuss Christmas function and formation of an organization of Keralites was held at Sree & Ambika Nair's residence on October 13, 2002.

The following are the minutes of the meeting.

Attendees: Sree & Ambika Nair, Sunny & Shanti Andrews, Robinson Luke, Prema Thommi, Sanjay & Veena Varma, Ronnie Thomas, Mathew & Elsie Paniker, Simon Oommachan, Joseph Mathew.

Feedback of Onam gathering:

-Should have similar programs two or three times a year
-Some cultural significance to be taught to younger generation
-More people needed to assist
-Name tags needed at gatherings
-Help with telephone calls and directions
-Communicate better - Why are we collecting money. Send e-mail to everyone
explaining where the money collected was spent. For example the money collected during Onam function was used for donation to Prosanctity church where the function was held and the balance kept for future use.
-Events should be held on a more timely fashion

Christmas Celebration:

Decided to celebrate Christmas on December 14, 2002 at Church of Christ,

Southwest Omaha at 127th and West Center Rd. 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Social hour,
6:00 - 6:30 p.m. Entertainment, 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. meeting and 7:00 - 9:00 dinner

Voluntary contribution of $5.00 for family and $2:00 for individuals for the Christmas function.

Committee Chairpersons for Christmas celebration:
Food: Elsie Paniker
Entertainment: Robinson Luke
Decorations: Simon Oommachan

Santhi Andrews will find out the church's limitation on shoes and decorations Elsie Paniker will decide on food items P. T. Krishnan will make the necessary flyers

The meeting decided to formalize the organization. The name of the organization shall be "Kerala Samajam" Sree Nair will incorporate the organization to indemnify the members and office bearers from liabilities.


Suggested annual membership fee: $15:00 for family and $5:00 for individuals. The people present at the meeting felt that there has to be designated individuals to take responsibilities. There has to be a beginning.

A slate of nominations for 2003 was unanimously recommended by the attendees of the meeting.
The Slate:
President - Joseph Mathew
Vice President - Sanjay Varma
Secretary - Ronnie Thomas
Treasurer - Shanti Andrews
Executive Committee Members - Mathew Paniker, Prema Thommi and Robinson Luke
Committee Chairpersons - Publication & communications: P. T. Krishnan
Education: Simon Oommachan
Banquet: Elsie Paniker
Entertainment Elizabeth D'Souza
All committee chairpersons will also be executive committee members.

The current nominations for office bearers are tentative. Anybody interested to take the responsibilities of these positions may please inform Sree Nair before Dec. 5th. During the Xmas function on Dec. 14th, we will have the general body meeting and finalize the office bearers for 2003

Each year the General Body meeting of the Kerala Samajam will be held during Christmas celebration.
 

 

 

 

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