Bengali Association of Southern California Collaboration between BASC & Dakshini Dear Members, It has been felt by many of us that BASC and Dakshini, two of the largest organizations of Bengalis in California/USA should collaborate and co-operate to promote a unified Bengali identity in Southern California with mutual respect and trust. We should not just confine ourselves to programs like Puja/Picnic etc but should also spend time and energy in philanthropic activities, volunteering for community work and promoting “Bengali Art & Culture” and Bengali community in general to the Western world. The main objective of the collaboration is to do community work as a unified Bengali Community rather than two separate organizations. With this idea in mind the current BASC and Dakshini board had some communications and the idea of collaboration has been very well received by members of both boards. Now that the board members are on the same page, we would like to know whether our members see the value in this collaboration or not and hence we are reaching out to you. This collaboration will not have any impact whatsoever on the two organizations’ structures and management. Both BASC and Dakshini will continue to exist on their own and carry out their usual year round activities. Most of our programs, including Pujas, will be conducted separately as usual. Here is a list of probable areas where these two organizations can join hands Cultural Work 1. Actively promote and support each other’s programs. This would start with BASC promoting the “Sraban Sandhya” program by Dakshini on July 13th and would continue down the line. 2. Work with each other towards having an annual calendar for each organization so that conflict on program dates can be avoided as far as possible. 3. Mahalaya on October 5th at Bharat Sevashram is proposed to be a common venture with participation from members of both organizations. 4. It is proposed that Natya Mela, to be hosted in July 2014, be a joint project. An execution committee would be set up shortly after Durga Puja to start planning for this event. Saikat, San Diego will be invited to be a part of it too. 5. Dol in 2014 can also be a combined event. 6. Sports is another area where the two organizations can work together to promote good health and wellbeing. 7. Film screening and even organizing Film Festival may be considered. Philanthropic and Community Work 1. Collaboration on volunteering &NGOs - A Special Interest Group (SIG) needs to be set up with interested volunteers in both organizations who would shortlist NGOs eligible for financial grants and will help & support them. 2. Food/clothes for the Poor - Volunteer teams would engage with the Shelters for the less privileged and help with donations/clothes/food. Volunteers would cook and serve meals. Younger generation would be encouraged to actively participate in these activities. 3. The“5-minute pledge" on Mahalaya day - This is all about pausing for 5 minutes early in the morning of Mahalaya, be thankful for all the blessings in our lives; also set aside clothes, sweaters, jackets, shoes, warm socks, gloves etc. The idea is to be thankful for what we have and to give back. These donations would be brought to Puja for the NGO committee (SIG Committee for the future) to distribute. We hope you will like and wholeheartedly support this new initiative. Attached is a document signed by the presidents of both BASC and Dakshini. Deep Ghosh President On Behalf of Team BASC
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 04:01:49 +0000
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