GOAN ASSOCIATION CALGARY

NEWSLETTER SPRING 2011

DATED 1ST APRIL 2011

DEAR MEMBERSHIP  

We would like to thank the members who attended the AGM for their support and welcoming us The New Committee for the Year 2011-2012. We look forward to an eventful year and participation by each and every member.

Please bookmark our website www.goacalgary.com  as it will be updated regularly with the events for the year. If any member would like to have an announcement or input for the website please email or call The General Secretary. All emails sent to members will be approved by the Executive Committee to ensure that the content is of interest to GAC Membership.  If you do not receive our emails you may contact any member to get your email added to the list.
 
Our first event is the Family Day/Membership Drive to be held on Saturday May 7^th, 2011 at Huntington Hills Community Association 520, 78 Ave NW Calgary T2K 0S2.  There will be entertainment for the kids and whist/bingo for the adults followed by music and dance. Members can also use this event as an opportunity to renew their membership. We would also like to welcome new members. So feel free to bring any prospective members with you along with an application form duly filled in, which can be downloaded from the website.
 
While there is no charge for the entertainment part of this function members/new members are welcome to drop in. However, there will be food service available for a price and if you just want to come and enjoy without food, then there will be $5.00 Cover charge.  We would appreciate if members/new-members would confirm their attendance either by email or by informing any committee member. Since we are restricted due to fire regulations, only members/new members who have confirmed their attendance will be given first preference.

  
COMMITTEE 2011-12
 
PS: We will do our best to contact members who are not on our mailing list. If you know of any member who has not received our email please let us know.

From the President's Desk.

It has always been my pleasure to serve the Goan Association of Calgary since 1993. During

the length of my service, I have had interesting experiences, although some of them not so pleasant.  

I have always come back stronger and I know that when I bring in a new Committee, its only to serve you better and introduce them to the way things are run, in the hope that someday they would rise up to the occasion and be leaders of our Association. 

This year again I have the privilege of bringing in another 5 new members to the ranks of the Committee. Please show them the gratitude they deserve. They are our future, and hope they will stand up to the challenge, as we grow older. 

Any established body is guided by rules of conduct in order to function sensibly. The rules are not carved in stone. To suit times and circumstances, those rules may at times be changed. If the majority of members agree, rules can be changed to suit our present needs. 

AGM's are held to reflect the change of times and see what we can do to improve our club which is primarily shown by presenting our yearly accounts and electing a new committee. When personal issues arise however, they have to be discussed and resolved at the Committee level before bringing it to the AGM.  

Life is short as we are all aware, and no one knows what is in store for us tomorrow. That being said, let’s put that into practice and respect present and future committees, who sacrifice their quality time away from their families, so as to give you the members a better time.  Issues are bound to come up every now and then so, let’s find solutions to the problems together and only look at life in a better way. 

This is not the time for divisions, pettiness or personal gratification. We struggled in the past to find committees. We have grown since then, so let’s embrace what we have achieved and promote our Goan Culture within ourselves, and also bring awareness to the City that we live in, and show them that we are proud of our Heritage and Legacy that we inherited.  

I would like to conclude with a big thank you to the outgoing committee members for all the help they have given this past year, especially entertaining Vancouver and Edmonton Goans who still speak on what a good time they had!  Also I would like to send out gratification to all of you who supported us in all that we organized. We hope you will continue to be consistent this year as my committee and I are counting on your enthusiasm, participation and utmost support, making us feel that the time we put in, is well received by you all. 

WILSON SOARES

Events Calendar.

PLEASE KEEP THESE DATES FREE !!!

Our Committee Members would like to say a few words.

Vice President

This is my second year on committee; I would like to thank every member of Goan Association for the excellent turnout at every event organized last year and for your positive feedback.
Do not hesitate to call me if you have any new ideas, we will try our best to implement it.
 
I am looking forward to seeing the same kind of support and participation this year.
 
GOD BLESS

Thank You,
Gustavo Vaz

General Secretary

As it is my first time on the committee I would like to thank all of you for your support and confidence in me as your new general secretary. I plan on exceeding your expectations and bringing out the best from our Executive team to all you current supporting members and incoming members! I look forward to working with you all and welcome your enthusiast ideas, comments and recommendations. After all, the future leaders of our club are the Youth of our Club!

If you need anything please let me or any of my fellow committee members know and we will be more than happy to be of assistance.

Just a gentle reminder that the deadline for the renewal of membership is 30^th May. The renewal fee is $10 for person of 18 yrs and over. Free membership applies to persons who are over 65 yrs old and have been active members for the last two years. After May 30th requires re-enrollment as a new member costing $20/person and the yearly membership fee of $ 10.00.forms can be downloaded from the website.

Thank You,

Aaryn Sequeira

Treasurer

One year's experience in my pocket as the treasurer is definitely an asset. I am confident that our committee this year will continue with a delivery of exceptional events in the anticipation of entertaining each one of you’ll. Similar to last year we are looking for your continuous support and participation to make this year successful. I would like to thank you’ll for electing us and hope to meet your expectations this year.

Social Secretary

As I take over the role of Social Secretary for the GAC this year, I look forward to working together with our team and the members of our culturally rich community to bring to you events and activities that are fun and vibrant.  I have always enjoyed the functions organized by the GAC and would like to take this opportunity to reciprocate as a committee member.  However, we need your help and support in maintaining a caring community and hope to have the active participation of all our members.  Keep those suggestions and ideas coming!

Thanks,

Elsa Affonso

Sports Secretary

As your Sports Secretary for the year 2011-2012, I would like to thank every member in advance for your support and participation. I look forward to working with you and fellow committee members at all our functions. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
God Bless.

Thank You,

Alexy Fernandes

Committee Member

As a Member of the Committee, I feel an obligation to building a strong Goan community in Calgary. It is my hope to continue the work so well carried out in the past by the founding members and previous committees of GAC for which I can only ask for your continued support and participation in the events planned for the year. I look forward to another progressive year ahead so our children can be exposed to our very own Goan heritage and culture.

Thanks You,

Dean Barneto

Committee Member

Having been a member of the GAC for several years and enjoyed the activities it has offered, I appreciate the selfless efforts of all those who have held office.  This has led me to volunteer my services this year and I hope to be a worthy member of the Committee.  Let’s all have a good time!

Thank you,

Desmond Gonsalves