India Association

Congratulations to all the members that we have come a long way together to celebrate the 25th Silver Jubilee from a handful people in 1987 when India Association was formed with only 36 members and 8 founding families. I hope all of you have received the membership directories that were mailed out a few days ago. If there are any mistakes in this publication, please let us know as we will do our best to correct them!

Throughout these years, we have celebrated together and at times shared sorrows as well. People from all over India and the sub-continent, who came to Fort Myers and adjoining counties, have found a common platform to express and associate themselves in a variety of ways through this Association. We have helped one another by running this Association with the well-coordinated and planned efforts of your elected representatives at the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees. I am glad to say that the Association is now our larger and extended family outside of our immediate families.

Our children over these twenty-five years have benefited the most from the Association by participating in a variety of cultural functions and leadership roles, and I am sure the parents realize and appreciate role of this association. We, as adults, have learned too.

The Executive Committees' members throughout these years together with Trustees have worked closely with you, have donated money and time besides voluntary labor, and in return you have recognized them. Thank you!

Many members question the worth they receive out of membership. In monetary benefits alone, the Association has given you back a total sum of $14,240 (Republic Day: $2,166 + Holi: $2,051 + Independence Day: $1,219 + New Years Eve: $6,004 + Talent night: $2,800), that is, $72 this year as against your $50 yearly subscription for families. It does not include all other expenses. Thus you got back $22 more than you paid to the Association, besides benefiting from invaluable, social and cultural activities and interactions.

As we had our annual dues ($50 for family membership and $30 for Singles) unchanged for over 15 years, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved an increase starting next year - $75 for families and $50 for Singles.

Correspondingly, there is an increase in amount for the life membership as well - currently it is $750 for families and $450 for Singles. This is going up from next year to $1000 for families and $750 for Singles. We feel that this not only defrays our expenses per event, but also aids us in creating a capital to build/purchase a property that serves as our future CULTURAL AND YOUTH CENTER. In this context, I urge all of you to consider becoming life members before next year - you will get a discount for the dues that you have already paid this year. That is, if you have a family membership, all of you have to pay is only $700 before January to become a life member.

Thanks to the voluntary efforts by you, the Executive Committees and the Board of Trustees, and strict oversight of monies spent conservatively over these 25 years, has resulted in a moderate sum of some $194,358 in our coffers. We intend to double this amount in the next 3 years by tightening our expenses and through a variety of fund raising activities to enable us procure our own property for the future needs of the Association. The Board of Trustees have, once again, unanimously approved a plan to purchase a property of our own and we are actively looking for possibilities and options. If you have any leads or ideas towards this goal, please contact me.

We, the Trustees, are sure you will see the wisdom behind this Association and hope you will support it even more in future. Our current goal is to leave a legacy for next 25 years and beyond!

Thanks and God bless you all!
Kunwar Jain
Chairperson
Board of Trustees
India Association of Fort Myers

This being my first news letter, I would like to “THANK YOU” all for giving me an opportunity to serve our community as the president for the India Association of Fort Myers (IAFM) for the year 2012. We have a strong and enthusiastic executive committee with diverse talents and skills; we rolled up our sleeves and are planning to have fun filled events for the year 2012.

I enjoyed being part of the 2011 Executive Committee and I would like to congratulate the EC members for all their hard work in giving the community a wonderful year.

I would like to request all the members, friends and supporters of IAFM to support us in all activities and events. We are here to have FUN and make this a great year for all of us. If you know of someone that is not a member, please encourage them to join us, it is a great way of showing the support.

I am thankful that IAFM has given all of us Indians a common place to meet, celebrate, donate, volunteer and have fun together. We will try our best to make this year as a memorable and fun year with your support and involvement.

Please visit our website (www.iafortmyers.org) frequently for the updates and upcoming events.

IAFM belongs to all of us, please come forward to support it and attend all the events. Our first event will be the celebration of Diwali on Saturday November 5, 2011 at Harborside Event Center.

On behalf of my executive committee, I wish you a very happy Diwali and we look forward to seeing all of you at the Diwali Celebrations.

Best wishes,
Prasad Kasireddy

After nearly two decades of participating and serving this association, I am extremely grateful and proud to accept the position of President of the Youth-Wing. Seeing this as the culmination of my years with my friends and family in the area, I am ready to put my best foot forwards for the Youth-Wing. This year the Youth committee and I have begun to strive towards strengthening the image of the Youth-Wing in the local community and within the India Association itself.

Volunteerism focused events will encompass the majority of our activities, and we hope to instill a love of volunteering within all those members who do join in the committee’s efforts.

In addition to our involvement around the community, the Youth-Wing will continue its attempts at amazing the association with our fabulous fashion show. With guidance from the executive committee and support from our community, I believe the Youth Wing will make great strides in achieving its goals and having a fantastic year! Our first meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2011 from 1-2 pm at Centennial Park, after which I hope all Youth Wing members can join the Association in setting up for the Diwali function later that day.