Here are matters to report - a sort of Presidents report for the end of term :
A year with me as president is coming to a conclusion. The founders of this organization maintained excellant records and minutes of previous meetings - unfortunately, this team has been very poor at doing that, and it is important that this error be corrected by the next team.
The president was side lined on many matters and there was a poor attitude by the members of the Board to work in unison with the president - a matter I am taking responsiblity for and hereby acknowledging and acknowledging. The organization is NOT to be run by the secretary, rather by the president. A written constitution is to be prepared and this will be presented at the anual general body meeting - as this was approved at the last Governing Board, with me, being given the responsiblity to draft, such a constitution.
The family is far from cohesive and there is an unspoken respect and unity - yet a very poor colaboarative nature in the large family we are. This needs to improve.
There was a regional gathering in malabar on April 11, 2010, and this is a good thing. We should have 3 such gatherings and the 4th one being the anual gathering - in my opinion.
My proposed minimum 10 points for the constitution :
1. The term of office bearers is only one year. Return to same office by past holders only after a year of being not in the same post.
2. Elections be done by ballot that is mailed, so the elections do not cloud the annual gathering.
3. The secretary MUST NOT be the treasurer. There is need for a treasurer who reports monthly to the board and the general body in writting.
4. Draw up a strategic plan and develp a tust fund, with participation from anyone who is interested being welcomed.
5. The directory publishing committee MUST have the right to review material before it is publised. The material should NOT become the work of one individual, and there must be an open forum wherin ideas and suggestions are welcome.
6. Daughters and grand dauaghters who have ties to Theempalangad family must be allowed to become associated members of the organization - invited to annual gatherings with their families. These dauaghters may not have voting rights - however, they must be welcome to the annual gathering and welcomed as part of family. There is a negative trend to married daughters and their families - and we must improve the relationships with the families that have become affiliated with theempalangad through marriages.
7. A new branch has come to be - called Alphonsa. There are 4 branches now. A more clear history of the reason for the former names and their use and purpose must be evaluated. I for one has always identified with theempalangad and not with any of the sub groups.
8. There must be minutes maintained of all meetings of the Board, and all discions taken. Meetings must be announced 2 weeks in advance to give time for people to plan to attend.
9. There is need to have a greater sense of co-operation and collaboration. The meetings must be chaired by the president and the agenda must be prepared ahead. meetings must be conducted in a proffessional manner.
10. Youth must be encouraged to participate. I suggest we have presidents for each of the 4 groups in the family. A chairman and a president.
This was written sometime in May of 2010 and is posted now.. though it was existing as a draft.. so here it is.. still true. A few things I would change though..
