Vision

Vision Statement

#1 Strengthening Our Cultural Roots in the USA

Physical & Digital Community Assets:

• Temple and Community Center: Advocate for constructing a Kashmir-themed temple and community center in the U.S.
• Modernize IT Infrastructure: Upgrade the website and member database and enhance digital capabilities to support both new and existing programs. Leveraging digital media for enhanced transparency and timely communication.

Deepening Engagement Across Age and Interest Groups:

• Welcome Program: Assist and support new Kashmiri Pandit families and students settling in the U.S.
• Career Support Program: Offer guidance on college applications, career mentoring, internships, and job search assistance.
• KP-Exclusive Professional Events: Collaborate with business and technology leaders in the community to host meet-ups, webinars, and discussions on various industry topics.
• Sports Initiatives: Create new sports programs, such as a cricket tournament, to foster community connections.
• Senior Engagement: Establish social outlets and community bonding activities for seniors.
• Heritage Program: Develop and enhance educational programs that promote our cultural heritage and preserve our history; for different age groups.
• Pro Bono Consultations: Build a skill database and offer a platform for volunteers to provide free consultations in fields like Medical, Legal, CPA, etc.
• Performing Arts Clubs: Support talented artists within the community by creating clubs for singing, instruments, and theater to nurture new talent and produce creative content.
• Stronger Youth Alignment:
• Engage and Empower Youth: Collaborate closely with KOA youth to empower them and align their efforts with various KOA programs with a senior mentor.
• Conduct Youth Needs Assessments: Gather feedback from youth to tailor programs that reflect their interests and preferences.

Expanding Membership and Adding New Chapters:

• Membership Focus: Implement initiatives to increase membership by using frictionless technology to retain current members and attract new ones based on the value provided by various new U.S.-based programs like ‘Welcome Program’. Evaluate membership options and consider introducing new tiers, such as 5 or 10-year plans, alongside annual and lifetime memberships.
• Identify New Locations: Assess cities and towns with strong community interest as potential sites for new KOA chapters.

#2 Reconnecting with Our Ancestral Homeland

Reconnect with Kashmir:

• KP-Focused Tourism: Develop initiatives that create meaningful experiences and lasting memories of our homeland. Facilitate safe multi-generational family or group trips to visit Kashmir.
• Foster Economic Ties with KPs in Kashmir: Engage KPs residing in Kashmir to support KP-tourism initiative and create economic opportunities for them.

Preserve Our Heritage:

• Preserve Our Temples: Strengthen connections to our ancient places of worship.
• Protect Heritage Sites: Raise awareness of historical sites significant to KP heritage and encourage support for their preservation.

#3 Supporting Community in Jammu Migrant Camps

Enhancing Existing and Creating New Programs:

• Holistic Approach: In addition to financial support, also consider mentorship, job search assistance and educational opportunities within India and US; helping to cultivate future KOA leaders.
• Engage Past Beneficiaries: Encourage former beneficiaries to remain involved and contribute back to the programs.
• Broader Community Engagement: Collaborate with the wider Indian KP community to enhance program support.
• Advocacy: Focused effort to work with Government to ensure our community is well-supported through all available programs.

Core Operating Principles

Establish Sub-teams: Create sub-teams for all programs with dedicated leaders; complemented by youth leads to support each initiative.

Focusing on Local KOA Communities:

• Empowering Chapters/Zones: Strengthen local chapters and zones, fostering a close-knit community and empowering grassroots efforts.
• Volunteers: Encourage volunteer participation from all chapters and zones to support various KOA initiatives.

Collaborative Community Impact:

• Shared Purpose: Collaborate with stakeholders who share our vision for community improvement, ensuring unified efforts.
• Partnership Building: Actively seek partnerships with organizations that align with our mission to amplify our community impact.
• Resource Sharing: Promote the sharing of knowledge, skills, and resources among partners for greater efficiency in meeting community needs.
• Celebrating Collaboration: Recognize and celebrate the contributions of all stakeholders to reinforce the value of working together for the greater good.

Fostering Open Communication:

• Develop Communication Guidelines: Create clear guidelines for effective use of communication channels and ensure open forum moderation.
• Establish Communication Channels: Standardize communication methods within each Zone and Chapter.
• Regular Updates: Hold regular virtual meetings and distribute newsletters to keep everyone informed. Ask me anything ( AMA) sessions for general KOA Membership.

Recognition of Achievements:

• Strengthen Awards Program: Enhance the annual awards program to celebrate exceptional achievements in diverse fields.
• Member-Nominated Awards: Establish a system that allows community members to nominate their peers for awards, celebrating diverse contributions.
• Share Impact Stories: Highlight inspiring stories of individuals making a difference through their contributions.

Manifesto PDF

100 DAY PLAN

I’m focused on ensuring a smooth transition and swift progress on KOA’s key projects. Here are the main points of my 100-Day:

Foundational Operating Structure

• Sub-teams / expanded teams for new initiatives and existing programs with clear charter.
• Establish goals and success metrics for each initiative.
• Operating structure to turn it into a true bottoms-up organization with youth embedded into these programs.

Review Membership Structure

• Membership drive
• Review membership tiers and benefits

IT Initiatives Needing Immediate Attention

• Revamp of KOA website
• Membership data quality
• Ease of payments (membership dues and donations)

Review and Refresh Communication Strategy and Channels

• Review and revise moderation for FB and Email groups
• Establish townhall for regular communication