Onboarding Advisors-01/09

Date: 1/9/2021
Time: 9:00 AM (MST)

Location: https://meet.google.com/ang-fwap-aeq

Attendees:
Executive Team: Anil Thapa, Shailendra Simkhada, Radha K.C., Sanju Timilsina, Bishnu Pandey, Ayush Panta, Asha Adhikari
Advisory Team: Som Dahal, Gyan Neupane, Pradeep Karna, Prem Khatri, Tilak Mahato, Santosh Sapkota, Sara Hamal, Amrit Tuladhar

Agendas:

  1. Team Introduction
  2. Role of Advisory Team
  3. Our Achievements so far
  4. Our Plans for 2021 – 2022
  5. Agendas for NAFA’s Annual Meeting 2021
  6. Q & A

Discussions:

  1. 2001 – 2002 Executive Members are not fully populated on the website. Will need help filling this in. – Anil
  2. Gyan Neupane – EIN Number should not be made public and only provided upon request for valid causes. Santosh Sapkota also seconded Gyan Neupane’s concerns. 
  3. Financial information still needs to be transferred to the new Executive Team.
  4. Santosh Sapkota – Make the membership Tiers on the website as separate buttons instead of a dropdown. The users seem to prefer separate buttons rather than the dropdown from Santosh Sapkota’s experience.
  5. Receipts for donors are provided manually for now. Need to look into automating the process in the future. – Anil
  6. Where is the amended version of NAFA? We have been unsuccessful in tracking it. May have to amend the original copy again. Need to set up a deadline to move on with amending the original version if we can not find the amended version. Suggestions to reach out to Sriram ji.
  7. Add founding members to the NAFA ByLaws and Recognize them. This is one of the agendas for the upcoming Annual Meeting.
  8. Membership Fees should not be fixed in the ByLaws as they will be subject to change in the future. Word the clause in the ByLaws in such a way that the Executive Team has the power to change the membership fees without amending the ByLaws. 
    • Needs some help with proper terminology to be used that minimizes any legal objections. It will be greatly helpful if someone in the community with legal expertise can help with proper word choices/terminologies for the needed amendments.  – Anil
    • ByLaws was last amended in 2007 where membership information was changed. However, unsure about clauses that discuss the Advisory Board. – Tilak Mahato
    • Pradeep Karna will form and lead a team to help with the NAFA Bylaws amendment.
  9. The annual meeting is planned for Jan 30th. 
  10. The General Assembly and Annual Meeting should not be considered the same thing. General Assembly meeting requires additional participation and perhaps be organized at the same time as Dashain and New Year Event where there is greater community participation. – Gyan Neupane.
    • Planning two events at the same time may burden the Executive Team. Will need extra help – Anil.
    • Having a General Assembly meeting during a fun event may not provide fruitful results and serious participation – Tilak Mahato.
  11. Gyan Neupane – Ask the Executive Committee and Advisory board to be life members. Should promote more. 
  12. What are the benefits of being a member? Especially for Students and the new arrivals.  
    • Need to add/revise this on the website per the advisory team’s feedback.
  13. Gyan Neupane – There is a need to boost our identity in Arizona. Oftentimes we are put in a broad category of Asians or Indians. Need to organize events that help solidify our identity in Arizona.
    • Plans to invite State Legislators, Mayors, Local news channel, etc. on future events – Anil
  14. Pradeep Karna – Webinar with Nepalese Professionals.
  15. Som Dahal – Look to see if volunteering hours can be matched as financial support by your employer.
  16. Amrit Tuladhar – Do you need to be a member to be on the Advisory Board?
    • It’s not a known requirement but being a member helps NAFA.
  17. Tilak Mahato – Pima County Health Department and IRC Collaboration organizing event specifically for the Nepalese community. Jan 16th. 1 PM to 5 PM. PCR Test, results within 3-4 days. Who has the NAFA banner? Pradeep Ji will drive to town next week

Conclusion/Action Items:

  • Do not display EIN Number on the NAFA Website – Anil
  • Make the Membership Tiers as separate buttons (perhaps Radio Buttons) instead of drop-down – Anil
  • Financial information needs to be transferred to the new Executive Team/Treasury – Radha K.C, Som Dahal
  • Track the amended version of NAFA Bylaws and set a target date. If not found, move on with using the original copy of the ByLaws – Advisory Board Members; Anil to connect with Sriram ji. 
  • Pradeep Karna will form and lead a team to help with the NAFA Bylaws amendment.
  • Revise and expand upon the benefits of being a NAFA member on the website per the Advisory Team’s feedback.
  • Does your company match your volunteer hours at NAFA and provide donations in monetary value? Look into this as it will help recognize NAFA among various companies and also will boost NAFA’s financials – All
  • Participate in the free covid testing organized by NAFA in collaboration with Pima County Health Department and IRC being organized on Jan 16th – All Community Members.
    • Display NAFA Banner at the event booth.
    • Pradeep Karna to grab the NAFA banner from Som Dahal on his next trip to Tucson.