Minutes of Asha Seattle meeting on 05/05/2005.

 

Venue: Steven’s Court, UW

 

Attendees: Ravi, Anjali, Rajit, Jayati, Swati, Lakshmi, Srijan, Sunil, Snigdha, Vibhavaree, Vani, Ravi Rajamani, Tapoja, Ashita, Venky, Srijan’s parents

 

  1. Education journal (Ravi)

Education journal proposal was presented. Ravi will find out about the status of the proposal with WAH. It was decided to support the project if it is not taken up in WAH. (11- Yes, 1- no, 4- abstains). Details of proposal- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asha-seattle/files/Education%20journal/

 

  1. Billings middle school (Vani)

Billings middle school has raised tsunami funding $ 700 and they are keen on donating to Asha. They have an event on June 5th, and it will be good if we can go there and talk about Asha. Srijan and Snigdha have volunteered

 

  1. Veerayatan proposal and site visit (Ravi)

The proposal is currently being reviewed by Asha Seattle, SV and Arizona. It was taken up as Seattle chapter has some unused funds marked for Gujarat earthquake affected projects. Details of project proposal and site visit- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asha-seattle/files/Veerayatan/. Ravi presented the site visit report and there were some questions raised:

 

    1. What are the current sources of funding?
    2. Why do primary teachers have lower salary range than few of the ground/administrative/office staff?
    3. What are the policies for hiring teachers and what background do the teachers belong to?
    4. Do they have moral science classes, and if yes, what topics are typically covered?
    5. How does Veerayatan plan to continue financially with their efforts?

 

  1. Kalpavriksha (Sunil)

Sunil needs a volunteer as steward for this project. It’s a project on environmental education in Uttar Kanara. Rajit has volunteered. Details- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asha-seattle/files/Kalpavriksh-SunitaRao/

 

  1. Spastic’s society of Karnataka (Sunil)

Sunil briefly presented the site visit report on the outreach project Asha Seattle is supporting with Spastic’s society. Details- http://www.ashanet.org/projects/document-view.php?id=2815 

 

  1. Bhopal photo-exhibits (Vani)

The exhibit has been moved to Suzallo library on UW campus. She encouraged everyone who hasn’t seen it, to do so.

 

  1. Rural development trust proposal (Ashita)

The project is for starting a Telegu medium school for children from migrant laborers of Andhra Pradesh, who are working in Tamil Nadu. The proposal is for recurring costs like salary of teachers and staff, meals, books/stationary, vocational training. There were some questions, and also request for site visit. Vani will most likely visiting them during her trip to India next month. Details of proposal- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asha-seattle/files/Rural%20Development%20Trust/ . The question raised were:

 

a.      Do they plan to transition the children to Tamil medium of instruction, which might be beneficial in the long run?

b.      Will they be taught Tamil as second language?

c.      When do they need the money, considering they want to start the school from June first week?

d.      Do they have a backup plan? It was learnt that they have not as yet approached any other organization for funding.

e.      What is their long term strategy? 

 

  1. Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride (Venky)

Ashita, Venky and Raji will be coordinating to see if this can be taken up as a chapter wide fundraiser.

 

 

 

 

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