May 1, 2005 | June 25, 2005 | July 17, 2005 | Oct 1, 2005 | Jan 8, 2006 | April 23, 2006 | June 25, 2006 | July 31, 2006 | Sep 17, 2006 | Nov 27, 2006 | Feb 18, 2007

Meeting Date: May 1, 2005
Meeting Date: May 1st, 2005
Place: US West Coast Taekwondo, Beaverton
Time: 10AM-12PM

The first executive meeting of the new NAO committee was held on May 1st, 2005 at Shuddhodan dai’s taekwondo school in Beaverton at 10am. The meeting was attended by:

Kush Shrestha – President
Dillu Shrestha – Vice-President
Sagar Onta – Secretary
Praveen Chalise – Treasurer
Shuddhodan Ranjit – Member
Helen Ward – Member
Bikram Vaidya – Member
Binaya Shrestha – Member
Sanjeev Pradhan – Member
Daya Shakya – Immediate Past President
Raju Mali – Past President

Agenda
* Handing-over to new executive committee.
* Our programs for 2005
* Discussion over NAO long-range planning and other potential activities

The meeting started with confirmation of personal contact information for NAO purposes.

1. All official announcements related NAO will be communicated through the President or the Secretary. However, all members are encouraged to promote NAO causes in the community and correspond with community members, family and friends to solicit ideas and recommendations.
2. Bikram Vaidya has volunteered to store all NAO equipments and items in his house. If appropriate containers are not available, NAO will purchase storage equipments to house the items. This is to ensure that all NAO owned items are stored in single place, and not scattered around.
3. The transfer of responsibility of writing checks can only be accomplished after previous treasurer Hari Ranabhat returns from Nepal. Until that time, Daya Shakya will be responsible of writing NAO checks.
4. It was decided that summer picnic will take place on July 23rd, 2005. Helen Ward would research on available parks.
5. On August 20th – 21st, NAO will participate in Oregon Historical Society’s Lewis and Clark bicentennial celebration. Sanjeev Pradhan would take the responsibility from NAO side.
6. All executive members would recommend name of local organizations to contact to seek opportunities to collaborate in future programs. Two executive members would be assigned to each local organization to initiate a formal dialogue and cooperation.
7. Peace Corp Volunteers Appreciation Camp Out – Bikram Vaidya would help organize a camping with former Peace Corp volunteers to Nepal and local Nepali family.
8. To assist new Nepali moving into Oregon, NAO has designated Shuddhodan Ranjit to be the point person to coordinate efforts to help them settle in Oregon. NAO would create a list of items that would be provided in NAO website for new members.
9. Nepali Language Class – Helen Ward, Binaya Shrestha and Sagar Onta will restart the Nepali language class for children.
10. Daugthers of Everest – a documentary. Bikram Vaidya and Sagar Onta would approach REI and Columbia Sportswear to sponsor the showing of the documentary. It is part of the national Asian Pacific Heritage Month program.
11. The details and history of the May 15th Nepali music concert was explained. The program would go ahead and NAO will provide adequate support to promote the program.
12. NAO website will be revamped with added features. Sanjeev Pradhan will lead the effort.
13. The dates for next meeting have been set as June 26th, 2005 and August 28th, 2005.
    The meeting adjourned at around noon.
    

Meeting Date: June 25, 2005
Place: West Taekwondo School at Beaverton
Time: 10AM-12PM

Present at the meeting: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Sagar Onta, Praveen Chalise, Shuddodan Ranjit, Binaya Shrestha, Sanjeev Pradhan

1. FINANCES: Most of the data has been compiled. The final check and balance is awaiting Hari Ranabhat, ex-treasurer’s return from Nepal, which is planned to happen in next couple of weeks.
2. TAX-EXEMPT STATUS: Praveen Chalise will take the lead to organize paperwork needed to establish tax-exempt status for NAO. The goal is to obtain the status by Dashain ceremony in October 2005.
3. NAMASTE PUBLICATION: The executive committee has unanimously decided to confer the title of Founding Editor of Namaste Publication to Daya Shakya, who has been instrumental establishing the newsletter even before the formation of NAO. A new Editorial Board will be established with one executive member and two general members. Praveen Chalise would look at the possibility of bulk-mailing the newsletter in the future.
4. HELPING NEW NEPALI: The executive committee has decided that only Nepali who has been in the area for less than one year will be eligible for the items collected for Helping New Nepali. NAO will list the available items online. The future goal of the program is to provide full service of ensuring that the items are delivered to the person in need.
5. DASHAIN: The date for Dashain has been confirmed on October 22. Sagar Onta will call Multnomah Arts Center to reserve the place. An email will be sent to nepaloregon yahoo group to solicit interest to prepare food for the program by September 23.
6. SUMMER PICNIC: $150 has been paid for the venue. Contact Bikram Vaidya to organize the food preparation. Price has been set as $8 for members, $12 for non-members and free for children under 6 years old. It as decided that Muktak Competition would be held and email will be sent on this regard. Shuddhodan Ranjit will organize sports activity for the picnic.
7. NAO MEMBERSHIP: In an effort to encourage participation and simplify administration, the executive committee has decided to increase the one-time membership eligibility to 2 years. Binaya Shrestha is assigned to make brochure to outline the benefits of membership and update the form. It was also decided that the membership drive will made at the picnic with free T-shirt for two-year membership.
8. OHS PROGRAM: Sanjeev Pradhan briefed committee on the current status of the application. He will fax the application. It was decided that local Nepali business would be approached for sponsorship of the booth.
9. ESSAY COMPETITION: In an effort to promote writing habit, NAO has decided to organize an Essay Writing Competition for three categories; High School, Middle School and Elementary School. An editorial board will be established to grade the papers.
10. NEPALI CLASS: Binaya Shrestha and Helen Ward will work together to organize the logistics of putting together the program.

The meeting adjourned at around noon.

Meeting Date: July 17, 2005
The third executive meeting of the NAO Executive Committee was held on July 17th, 2005 at our President, Kush Shrestha's house in Salem. The meeting started around 10:45 am and ended around 1:45 pm. Kush dai and bhauju were kind enough to serve a terrific lunch in between.

Present at the meeting: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Praveen Chalise, Shuddhodan Ranjit, Binaya Shrestha, Bikram Vaidya, Sanjeev Pradhan,

Daya Shakya - Ex President, Hari Ranabhat - Ex Treasurer

The three main categories: of topics were discussed:

1. Summer Picnic

There are an estimated total of 125 people for this year's summer picnic. Bikram Vaidya has the estimation for all the main food to be served such as chicken (for barbeque), hot dog, hot dog buns, garden burger, etc. Below is a table that lists some other items that need to be purchased/managed and the person responsible for each item.

Food and other Items to buy for the picnic:
Barbeque Chicken Bikram Vaidya
Chiwra Dillu Thapa
Bhatmas Shuddhodan Ranjit
Utensils
Soft Drinks Praveen Chalise
Coolers Daya Shakya, Shuddhodan Ranjit,
Grill Bikram Vaidya,Kush Shrestha,
Basanta Thapa, Raju Mali
Ice/ Water Sanjeev Pradhan
Fruits/ Popsicle

Games/Entertainment for the Picnic:
The following games/entertainment will be played during the picnic:
1. Basketball
2. Volleyball
3. Poem/Muktak Recital
Daya Shakya will oversee this aspect which will be held for not more than 30 minutes before the Bingo game.
4. Bingo
Sagar Onta (and /or Pukar Malla) will oversee the Bingo game. This will be the final piece of the puzzle. The cost is $1 per ticket. The following prizes will be awarded to winners:
- NAO T-Shirts
- Gift certificates:
We will try to acquire the following gift certificates:
Bikram Vaidya - 7 course dinner
Sagar Onta - OMSI and Zoo
Shuddhodan Ranjit - unknown

Registration/Address Update
Helen Ward (with additional help) will oversee the registration area which will be a place for people to check in. This will also be an area to persuade people to become members and for them to update their address with NAO. Sanjeev Pradhan will bring a laptop with the current list which can be updated right at the spot.

Wrist Band
This is a new idea that we will be implementing starting this summer's picnic. Binaya Shrestha will look into getting some NAO wrist bands. We will give the wrist band to people who have paid for the picnic. However, we will still provide food for people who won't have wrist bands as well.

2. NAO Membership

NAO Executive Committee on June 1, 2003 has implemented NAO membership on a voluntary basis. The membership categories and membership rates are as below:
Family - $25
Individual - $10
Student - $5

The committee defined the family unit as a NAO member, spouse and their children, as well as parents living with the member family. All family members, older than 18, have the full membership rights, including the voting right.

An adult child of the family may choose to obtain a student or an individual membership in lieu of his or her parent’s family membership. Other members of the family, outside of the nuclear family unit and the live-in parents, are not covered under the family membership. And, those members of the family must obtain an individual or student membership as appropriate.

The following conditions apply:
- Membership will start from July of each year
- For this time, to arrange the previous paid memberships, the time until now will be considered a bonus membership period and their membership will actually start now.
- Membership can be paid for one or two year terms.

3. Expense Hand Over

Hari Ranabhat, the Ex-Treasurer of NAO handed over all expenses and reports to Praveen Chalise, our current Treasurer.
That's all folks! Have a great week!!

Meeting Date: Oct 1, 2005
Location: West Taekwondo School at Beaverton
Time: 10AM-12PM

NAO executive committee on October 1, 2005 meeting finalizes the Dashain program.
1. Students who needed discount rate will be asked to do the hall set-up and clean up.
2. Praveen, Helen, Ganga and Urmila: Registration and Membership. They may need few additional helping hands depending on the flow of folks coming in.
3. Happy Vijaya Dashami banner -Check with Sanjeev.
Daya Shakya has NAO Banner.

Here are the other work assignments for Oct 15th:
Sanjeev Pradhan: Stage decoration and preparation for the Silent Auction
(We may have to collect items for the silent auction-Uma is baking "Baklava" for this; SEL roti should go very well)
Dillu Thapa: Entertainment
Bikram Vaidya & Anupama Shrestha: Food
Main Dishes: Abhiruchi
Aloo Aachar: Bernandine Mali
Sandheko Garbanzoo Bean: Dhurba & Sugan
Cake; Helen Ward

Annoucements:
Magical Night Ticket Sale: Binaya Shrestha
Essay Competition
Namaste Bumper Issue
Membership

Programs:
6:00-7:30 Snacks
7:15-8:15 Cultural Programs
8:30-9:45 Dinner
10:00-10:30 Free Dance
10:30 Clean-Up

Helen will purchase following:
Supplies for Dinner
Drinks
Potato Chips for Kid snacks

Materials
Helen will also check with Diwakar about the dinner table clothes.
Helen and Shuddodhan and Bikram have drink fountain containers.

Bernandine: Prepare Tika Thali
Bhagvati Idol: Raja Shrestha
Ghaila (2), table, table clothes and other items (Kush Shrestha)

NAO Advisory Committee Formation
NAO executive committee on October 1, 2005 meeting also approved the formation of NAO Advisory Committee of five members:
Bimal Pathak
Kanhaiya Vaidya
Krishna Sob
Raja Shrestha
Satish Upadhyay

The committee is an advisory team to the executive committee. The committee’s recommendations are non-binding. The NAO executive committee may act upon the recommendations forwarded by the advisory committee. The term of the advisory committee will expire with the term of current executive committee.

The NAO By-Laws (Rule III) states that the NAO “Advisory Committee shall provide advice, suggestions, and recommendations with the sole purpose of enhancing and improving the working of the Executive Committee and or the committees of the organization.”

Under the stated rule the advisory committee shall work on following areas to council the executive committee:
Strategic Planning for NAO
• Sustainability of NAO funds and resources
• Increase community members participation and collaboration
• Improve community relationship with local governments and other communities
On behalf of NAO executive committee let me welcome each one of you to this new role. The executive committee is looking forward to work with you for strengthening NAO.

Meeting Date: Jan 8, 2006
Location: West Taekwondo School at Beaverton

Member Present: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Daya Shakya, Raja Shrestha, Praveen Chalise, Shuddhodan Ranjit, Helen Ward and Sanjeev Pradhan.

In the beginning we decided on some meeting dates for the future. Here they are:
2nd Meeting - April 2nd, 2006
3rd Meeting - June 15th, 2006
4th Meeting - September 10th, 2006
5th Meeting - October 8th, 2006

The following dates have been decided for the upcoming events:

1. New Year Celebration
April 15th, 2006 @ Multnomah Arts Center

2. Summer Picnic
1st Choice - July 22nd, 2006
2nd Choice - July 29th, 2006

3. Dashain
October 21st, 2006

New Year Party Ideas
A lot of time was spent talking about the New Year party and how we can make it so everyone will enjoy it and be involved in it. There will not be a cultural program this time. Instead, there will be an open dance floor. We will collect some good dance music (both Nepali and Hindi) for the event. Here are some other ideas that have come up for the party:
- Get sponsors and do a raffle ticket with door prizes
- Silent Auction
- Food?? Find a place that has both rental and food. The hardest thing to do is to find a balance between food price and pleasing people with type of food

Here are some food options for the New Year party:
1. Cater from a Chinese restaurant
Helen didi will get quotes from several restaurants
Raja dai will also get a quote from Mandarin
Items - Kung Pao Chicken, Schezuan Chicken, Rice, Stir Fry Vegetables, Chowmein, Egg Roll

2. Backup plan will be to cater from Abhiruchi restaurant like we've done before

Drinks:
If it all works out, we will bring keg and sell beer
Wine coolers might be an option too for people who don't drink beer
We can also look for donations from people for alcohol

Price:
Member (including students) - $15.00
Non - Members - $20.00
Children (6-12 years) - $10.00
(Under 6 years) - Free
At door (everyone) - $25.00

Namaste Bumper Issue
We also spent time talking about the 20th issue for Namaste which is the bumper issue. It seems like we will not be able to publish this by April 15th in time for the New Year Celebration. Here are some things that we discussed upon:
- For mailing, we need to update the member address list
- Get business advertisements
- Urge people to submit more articles. We don't have many so far.
- Praveen dai will get business profiles from the Nepali businesses

That is about all regarding the first meeting of the New Year. Have a good rest of the week!

Meeting Date: April 23, 2006
Helen Ward’s House

Members Present: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Sagar Onta, Praveen Chalise, Binaya Shrestha, Shuddodhan Ranjit, Sanjeev Pradhan, Helen Ward

Guest: Pukar Malla

1. Review NY 2063 Celebration Party
2. NY party Income/ expense and Membership:
3. Summer Picnic
4. Dashain Venue & Date
5. Namaste Publication for October 2006
6. NAO Entertainment System

1. Nepali NY 2063 party was reviewed. Food shortage was discussed. Under-estimate of adult led to food shortages. It was decided to have a paid confirmation ahead of the program. Also, two separate menus fro kids and adults do not work.

2. Praveen presented NY 2063 Income / expenses on hand as follow:

3. Summer Picnic was decided to organize at Cooks Park, Tigard on July 8th 2006. It was decided to gather around 1PM.

It was decided to not charge fee for the picnic. NAO will provide main dishes (Chicken BBQ, Hot dogs)
Helen will prepare Channa Tarkari and Aachar for all.
NAO will ask picnic attendees to bring snacks/ deserts/ drink items under $5-$7.
Contact Basanta Karki for BBQ grill
Shelter was already reserved.

4. Dashain program will be organized on Saturday, October 14 at Multnomah Arts Center.

5. NAO executive committee asked Pukar Malla to help publish Namaste Bumper Issue in October. Sagar will hand over the materials regarding profiles of Nepali businesses in Oregon. Pukar will involve other members as needed for the project.

6. Sanjeev has volunteered to collect all NAO Public announcement system at his place and look for possibility to sale it on the Creg’s list.

Meeting Date: June 25, 2006
Present at the Meeting: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Sagar Onta, Praveen Chalise, Binaya Shrestha, Shuddodhan Ranjit, Sanjeev Pradhan, Helen Ward

NAO Advisory Committee Members: Bimal Pathak, Kanhaiya Vaidya, Raja Shrestha, Satish Upadhyay.

1. NAO Sound System: Sanjeev reported that he is going to put the NAO sound system to the sale with consultation with Dibesh. He plan to put an ad on Neplaoregon and local community website for its sale, if not, he will publish the sale ad on Creg’s list website.

2. Update on Essay Competition: EC agreed that two entries to the essay competition should be given a participation award of $25 gift certificates, since not enough entries came by the deadline. The participation award will be given to the participants at the summer picnic 2006.

3. Namaste Publication: Discussion on Namaste publication was differed for the future date.

4. NAO Website: Sanjeev and Binaya showed the proto-type of the new website design toe the EC and AC members and sought their inputs. The new website will have a database of NAO members. Privacy issue has to be worked out for the member access to the database. Website will have non-members and restricted member’s area (need password).

5. NAO application for the IRS Tax-exemption status: was completed and shared with the EC and AC present at the meeting. It was decided to formally apply for the tax-exemption with the IRS. The application fee will be $150. The CPA service sought to verify the application service will cost $250.

6. NAO Table Tennis Tournament: The tournament details will be worked by a group of 4 members: Sanjeev, Binaya, Shuddodhan and Samdup (NWTC). Announcement will be place on NAO website and announced at the summer picnic.

7. Summer Picnic Preparation: It was decided to remind the RSVP date by phone.
NAO will send another reminder with request for the RSVP (Done). No fee for non-members but decided to encourage them to become member. Confirmed RSVP will get “wrist-band”
Bikram will get chicken for BBQ, He will also bring one Gas Grill, another grill will be provided by Pradeep Baniya.
Dillu will buy chicken dogs.
Three families will prepare Kauli Tarkari;
Two families will prepare Chhana Jhol Tarkari;
Two families will prepare Aalu Aachar.
Binita will provide all soft drinks
Daya Shakya will provide Corn Chips & Salsa.
Sangrila (Eugene) -Corn Chips & Salsa

We need volunteers for registration/ memberships.

8. NAO Group Email Guidelines

NAO Group Email Guidelines: A detail discussion over the Email guidelines prepared by the NAO Advisory Committee took place. It was agreed to adopt a hybrid approach to the AC presented two options.

Option one state that only NAO official email will be posted. Option two allows NAO email to be posted. Other discussion type of information will all be referred to discussion group (blog). If dispute occurs, the moderator will refer it to the EC and EC’s decision will be final. All information posted on the NAO website will be NAO property and as such public distribution of email must meet the NAO guidelines. The AC member Bimal has taken responsibility to refine the guidelines based on the discussion. The EC will publish the guidelines and also request all current subscribers of Nepaloregon email group to provide the moderator subscriber’s name & phone number (optional) along with the email address. The moderator will be appointed by the NAO EC.

In addition, EC decided following directives at the meeting:

1. NAO will maintain both the NAO email distribution as well as exchange of information. Issues that generate discussion will be directed to the discussion group and email to this effect will be sent to the group.
2. NAO will reserve the right to accept or decline to broadcast or place it in the discussion blog. The opinions expressed in the nepaloregon email group site are that of the writer alone. The email is distributed as a general or specific interest to the NAO email group subscribers. Therefore, NAO is not responsible for the content of the email or its implications.
   NAO is a non-political social organization that aims to foster collaboration, communal harmony and preserve cultural identity of the Nepali and Himalayan community in Oregon and southwest Washington.
3. Email or its subject matter, if in dispute, moderator will forward to the NAO EC for the decision. The EC decision will be final.
4. The EC will appoint the moderator.
5. Since NAO is not an advocate group for any particular Nepali ethnic communities, NAO shall not have a position on any issues or discussion pertaining to any Nepali ethnic communities and their agenda
   
   

Meeting Date: July 31, 2006
Posting of the NAO Email Guidelines on the NAO webpage

NAO executive committee has adopted a guidelines as well as disclaimer language with regard to posting of emails on the Nepaloregon email group. Please read the attached document (in pdf format). These guidelines are in place to continue sharing relevant and useful information to the community.

As part of the new guidelines, we are requiring that all subscribers of the Nepaloregon group provide their names to the moderator. This list will be used for the sole purpose of NAO communications to its members.

We are very thankful for your suggestions to the NAO Advisory Committee while they deliberated the guidelines. The NAO Advisory Committee deserves our appreciation for their contributions to this process.

Pipal_bot is a moderated discussion forum of Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO) for the Nepalis and friends in Oregon and southern Washington

Disclaimer:
The Nepaloregon email group is a moderated forum. Messages or information of interest to local community members are circulated. The material on this discussion forum may include the views of the email group subscribers, which do not necessarily reflect the views of the Nepali Association of Oregon (NAO). The email writer, not NAO, is solely responsible for the content of the posting.

Membership in Nepaloregon group would imply that you consent to be included in the mailing list that NAO (and others) use to communicate with NAO members. It will also imply that you consent to provide your name and email address to the moderator for the sole purpose of NAO communications to its community members.

The NAO Executive Committee, through the Moderator, reserves the right to deny posting of emails if its content is deemed not relevant or inappropriate to the discussion and that it do not conform the published guidelines.

Guidelines for usage of group mail:

1. Allowed content
a. Share information that is relevant to the local community
b. Announcements of general interest to local community
c. EC announcements for local events
d. Posting from outside local area only if it is relevant to local community
e. Posting should have a clear subject line and context for better reading

2. Contents that will not be allowed
a. Personal attacks or posting encouraging violence or bodily harm
b. Divisive, derogatory comments of other sex, race, caste, nationality, religion, racial epithet or any sexually explicit vulgar language
c. Petty squabbles and disagreement between individuals or groups or long and unending discussions among small group of people
d. Promoting one’s viewpoint by denigrating other groups including race, sex, caste, religion or age
e. Illegible writing, without proper context or subject line, links to other sites without any contextual background
f. Self-promotion of individuals or commercial advertisements seeking business.

A follow-up meeting to discuss the proposed NAO Email Guidelines was scheduled on July 23, 2006 at 10 AM to noon at Beaverton Taekwondo School.

Meeting Date: Sep 17, 2006
Place: Beaverton US West Taekwondo School

Agenda:
Dasain Food & Other Costs
Dasain Rates
Programs
Volunteers for Dasain Programs

Updates:
Namaste Publication
Membership Renewal
Magical Night Ticket Sale
NAO Website
NAO Sound System

Present at the Meeting: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Praveen Chalise, Bikram Vaidya, Helen Ward, Sanjeev Pradhan, Shuddhodan Ranjit

Guests: Pukar Malla, Jagat Shakya

1. Dasain Program:
Dasain event rates were set as follow:

Rates: Member Non-Member
Adult $16 21
Youth (6-18) / Student $13 18

At Gate (Everyone) $30
Children under 6 Free

At the gate, paid members will be given a wristband.
Paypal will be operational from Sept 19 through midnight October 7. Check payment should be made before Oct 7. Dasain information will be emailed to the community as well as posted on the web.

A list of current NAO membership (just the names) will be distributed to the community through email ASAP.

Food: will be catered by Abhiruchi restaurant for $8 per person. The main food includes:
Snacks: Pakoda
Main Dishes: Rice, Nan, 3 Curries, Tanduri Chicken
Dessert: Lalmohan
Jitendra Bajracharya will prepare mutton curry.
Helen Ward will provide cake
Shiba Bhattarai will provide Nepali Cucumber pickle
Corn Chips/ Salsa (sponsored by local families)

Beer/ wine sale for $2. NAO has already obtained liability insurance. Praveen will buy a keg of Beer.

Time will be extended from 6-12. Needs confirmation from MAC.

Volunteers are needed for
Pukar has volunteered for decoration.
Bikram, Sanjeev and Dillu will work with the sound system.
Dillu Thapa will coordinate Entertainment
Praveen will coordinate Membership & Registration

We will call for more volunteers by the first week of October.

2. NAO Sound System:
The NAO sound system will be used in the Dasain program on October 14, except for the tall speakers. If found difficult to set-up and operate on a regular basis the system will be sold.

3. Magical Night Ticket Sale:
It was decided to sale the tickets at the Dasain event.

4. NAO New Website:
Sanjeev demo the new website, specially the member registration features. He mentioned that it should be operation in October 2006.

5. Namaste Publication:
Pukar and Jagat updated on the status of Namaste publication. All the materials for the publication have been edited, except for advertisements. Pukar asked for NAO executive committee member’s group photo. A publication draft will be done by Sept 23, 2006.

It was decided to distribute printed copies of Namaste to current members at the Dasain event. NAO website will have a PDF version of the publication for non-members. About 20 copies will be distributed out of state associations.

Meeting Date: Nov 27, 2006

Present at the Meeting: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Praven Chalise, Bikram Vaidya, Shuddhodan Ranjit

Election Committee Formed
To conduct the forth-coming election of NAO in April 2007, a four person election committee is formed. The following community members were asked and consented to be in the committee:
Satish Shrestha
Diwaker Maharjan
Sushil Aryal
Dhurba Munakarmi

Satish Shrestha was asked to be the coordinator of the committee. The election committee will conduct the election independently of the executive committee, following the NAO constitutional guidelines. The executive committee will provide the committee the updated list of all current members with voting rights. The committee will set the election rules and communicate to the community independently.

Nepali New Year (Bikram Sambat 2064) 2007
The election of the new NAO executive committee will be organized during the Nepali New Year celebration on April 15, 2007. NAO will reserve the venue at the Multnomah Arts Center.

Special Momo Bhela
Bikram Viadya has agreed to explore the possibility of organizing a fundraising event. The proceeds from the fundraising will be donated to the yet to be selected NGOs in Nepal.

Note to Formation of Election Committee: Since the nomination, Diwaker Maharjan has declined to be in the committee due to his other commitments in April 2007. Therefore, Subhash Poudyal has been nominated to replace Diwaker Maharjan.

Meeting Date: Feb 18, 2007

Location: West Taekwondo School at Beaverton
Time: 10AM-12PM

Attendance: Kush Shrestha, Dillu Thapa, Praveen Chalise, Sudhodan Ranjit, Helen Ward, Sanjeev Pradhan, Sagar Onta
Invitees: Bimal Pathak, Satish Shrestha, Subash Poudyal & Sushil Aryal

1. Greater Nepal Documentary Showing - June 9th
The executive members, representative of NAO Advisory Committee and Election Committee, discussed the planned showing of Greater Nepal documentary on June 9th, 2007. The venue has yet to be decided. Venue is anticipated to be free of cost. Helen is going to inquire at the local library. Sanjeev is going to inquire at his company. Subhash Poudel will check with the community center at Gresham. 50 people are anticipated to attend. NAO will send email to try to estimate number of participants.

2. Sanjay Shrestha Concert - June 16th
Hall still needs to be deiced. No detail discussion took place.

3. Election Committee (EC)
Definition of family membership was discussed. Two proposals were put forward. Further discussion still needs to be held before final decision is made.
Option I. Family Membership = spouse + kids (even older than 18 yrs) + parents.
Option II. Family Membership = spouse + kids under 18 years.

The Executive Committee and the Election Committee (Satish Shrestha, Shushil Aryal, Subhash Poudyal) members discussed the procedural details of conducting a fair election.

The EC will set the rules governing the election on April 14, 2007 based on the NAO Constitution. The current paid membership will constitute the voters list for the election and the executive committee will provide the list to the EC. The candidacy nomination process will be managed by the EC independently.

4. Outstanding Volunteer Award
Executive Committee decided to award Gifts From Afar with Outstanding Volunteer Award for their continued contribution to NAO. Suddhodan dai to look into placard to be presented. Kush dai to provide the wordings.

5. Outstanding Community Contribution recognition
Executive Committee decided to recognize seven outstanding individuals who have continuously performed at NAO events. They will be given certificate and pre-paid credit card, worth $25. The individuals identified are Nelly Tamrakar, Shelwa Tamrakar, Rashmita Budathoki, Senji Lama, Susang Lama, Dipita Thapa and Manisha Shrestha.

6. Nepali New Year Celebration - April 14, 2007
The Nepali New Year and NAO Election will take place on April 14th at Multnomah Art Center. The event will include brief highlight of NAO activities for the year. A short Talent Show will be announced so that community members can come out and show their skills. It will be followed by singing and dancing. Food will be catered from restaurant. The ticket prices are tentatively set at:
Member Non-Member
Adult: $16 $21
Student: $12
Children 6yr-12 yr: $8
At Door: $30
Children under 6yr: FREE

Sponsors for the event will be sought from businesses in the community.

Election Committee:
Sushil Aryal <sushilaryal@hotmail.com>,
Subhash Poudyal <scpdl5@hotmail.com>,
Satish Shrestha <rupasatish@hotmail.com>,
Dhruba Munakarmi <Dhruba@cecs.pdx.edu>,
Satish Shrestha <rupasatish@hotmail.com>,

Advisory Committee:
Bimal Pathak <bimal_pathak@yahoo.com>,
Satish Upadhyay <upadhyaysatish@hotmail.com>,
Raja Shrestha <Rajasuni_shrestha@hotmail.com>,
kanhaiya Vaidya <klvaidya@yahoo.com>,

Sanjeev Pradhan (for Sagar Onta)
NAO General Secretary, 2005-2007