Minutes of the chapter meeting held on 04/28/07 at 4.30pm. 


Present: Amrish, Vinay, Dileep, Kavitha, Ravi. 
New : Laxmi Dasika 
Palamoor NRI: Ravi Mayreddy, Srini, Vijay. 


1. Discussion on Mobile Science and Library proposal (a representative 
from Palamoor NRI Forum will be present to speak about the proposal) 
2. Presentation of 2006 financials by Vinay 
3. Discussion on KNUC WAH proposal 
4. Preparation for Team Asha Marathon training program and 
arrangements for info session and kick off meeting 


Minutes: 


1. Discussion on Mobile Science and Library proposal 


Ravi Mayreddy, Srini and Vijaya from Palamoor NRI forum were present. 
Ravi Mayreddy made a presentation covering the background of Palamoor 
NRI forum, its objectives, activities, projects taken up so far, etc. 
He discussed the Model School project that is currently in 
implementation in 22 schools. He also discussed the proposal on the 
Mobile Science laboratory project with new updates. In the updated 
proposal the budget for the mobile van increased to Rs 7 lakh. The 
proposal was received well and reviewed. It was suggested that the 
Palamoor NRI interact with Science on Wheels (SOW), Vasundhara, and 
obtain information on implementation, experiments, suppliers, etc.. 
There were also questions on the staff resources, and commitment 
necessary to make the project successful. Dileep asked about their 
plans for  the coordination and day-to-day planning. Amrish emphasized 
the importance of a dedicated person for the success of the project. 
He wondered how comfortable would Asha be in supporting such a high 
cost budget. Amrish suggested that it is better to start small and 
gain experience in implementation and operations, and understand the 
issues. He felt that it would be more meaningful to start small, show 
results and come to Asha for more funds to scale it up, and Asha would 
be more comfortable in supporting the high cost proposal based on the 
results. Laxmi enquired if an alternative like renting a van or a 
vehicle was considered as opposed to buying and customizing the van in 
the beginning itself. This suggestion was well received and there was 
a broader agreement that this would be a good approach and starting 
with a rented vehicle would mean that the project can take off with 
small budget sooner. At this juncture, it was felt that Palamoor NRI 
forum could revise the proposal based on this input and come back to 
the chapter with a revised proposal that includes greater details on 
all aspects of the project. To this Ravi Mayreddy responded that they 
would go back and work on the details, and come back to the chapter in 
one or two months or so that they would be able to implement the 
project at the beginning of the academic year. 


2. Presentation of 2006 financials: 


Vinay provided the summary of the financials of the year 2006. 
Opening balance: $28 364.54 
Total inflows: $40, 590.37 
Total outflows: $25, 297.63 
Closing balance : $43, 657.28. 
Detailed statement will be posted soon. 


3. Discussion on KNUC WAH proposal: 


Could not be discussed due to lack of time. 


4. Preparation for Team Asha Marathon training program and info 
session: 


Could not be discussed due to lack of time. 


Posted by Ravi.