Vokkaligara Parishat of America (VPA)

Followup Meeting - May 15th, 2011 for 12th VPA National Convention

The convention committee met at Mrs. Meena Gowda's House on May 15 2011 Sunday.

Attendees:

Dr. Anasuya Swamy - National VPA President vpap.anasuyas@gmail.com
Dr. Anuradha Reddy - CME Committee Chair anured2005@yahoo.com
Dr. Gayathri Prabhakar - Co-convention chair gayathrivpa@gmail.com
Mr. Nagaraj Reddi - Convention Treasurer mnreddi@msn.com
Mr. GopalaKrishna - Finance Committee chair gopala56@gmail.com
Mrs. Swarup and Dr. Seetharam Gowda - Program Committee chair gowdasr@gmail.com
Mr. Ramesh Reddy - Facilities Committee chair rameshvreddy@yahoo.com
Mr. Muddappa Rangappa - Hospitality Committee Chair mrangappa@vsu.edu
Mr. Sreenivas - Awards and Recognition Committee Chair vmail9000@yahoo.com
Mrs. Meena Gowda - Women’s Forum Chair gowdameena@yahoo.com
Dr. Cheene gowda - VPA-East President chnngowda@gmail.com
Mr. Babu Prabhakar - Meravanige committee member babuprabhakar@gmail.com
Mrs. Sujatha Gowda - Registration Committee chair sgowda99@hotmail.com
Mrs. Leela Sreenivas - Meravanige Committee chair vmail9000@yahoo.com
Mrs. Nalini Anjanappa - Food committee member nnanjanappa@gmail.com

Pictures from the meeting:

Dr. Anasuya Swami informed all the Committee chairs their travel to Boston, Chicago, Detroit and New Jersey trips.

Dr. Gayathri informed the committee chairs that there is only 6 weeks to go for the convention and today's format will be concentrated on what we have to do in the next 6 weeks

Dr. Sreenivas - Awards and Recognition Committee chairs
- Excellence in Community Service
- Excellence in Professional Achievements
- Excellence in Arts and Music Award
- Special Recognition Awards
When the core committee approves, the committee will send the email to all VPA members asking for nominations. The committee is looking for 20 - 25 awards in all 4 categories. They are planning to purchase Tropies. Dr. Anasuya Swamy suggested that the tropies should be given to all the BOT members and also the chapter presidents.
Mr. Nagaraj Reddi - Business forum member
- Mr. Sandesh Gowda, the Business Forum chair was in India on Business. Mr . Nagaraj Reddi stepped in and informed everyone that the Business forum has the following activities planned for the convention
  - This year theme is Learn, Share, Network
  - Some of the topics are mentoring program for younger generation
  - Panel discussion
  - Retail business opportunities- is franchising for me?
  - Securing finance for your business
- Some of the members wanted to know if there is topic on financial planning?
Dr. Anuradha Reddy - CME Committee chair
- Anu informed that the CME topics and speakers have been selected.
- For Electronic Medical Records also she has 3 speakers and one of them is Maryland delegate Dan Moraham
- She was requested help from other CME committee members to raise funds.
Mrs. Nalini Anjanappa and Dr Anasuya Swamy - Decoration Committee members
- Both Nalini and Anasuyakka are in touch with Mrs. Vanita Kuppalli. They will talk to Vanita on the requirements for decoration. Sujatha from Registration committee wanted the registration table to be decorated with flowers and a statue.
- Vanita will decorate the entrance to the hotel. Other logistics will be discussed with Vanita by Mrs. Nalini and Dr. Anasuyakka.
Mr. Ramesh Reddy - Facilities Committee Chair
- Mr. Ramesh Reddy has received quote from EventQ.
- Hotel informed Mr. Ramesh that the stage that they provide is not designed for dancing. We need to get contract for stage's
- Mr. Ramesh informed that he has couple of quotes for DJ's.
Dr. GopalaKrishna - Finance Committee Chair
Mr. Nagaraj Reddi - Finance Committee member
- Dr. Gopala Krishna informed that they are making good progress.
- Mr. Nagaraj Reddi informed that so far they have collected $63,463.00.
- He will let everyone know the number of people registered in a day or two.
Food Committee - Mr Prabhu Gowda
- Mr. Prabhu Gowda is still in India.
- The changes that were made in the menu was sent to Mr. Vittal Gowda and he has sent an updated quote per person.
Mr. Rangappa - Hospitality committee chair
- Mr. Rangappa informed that he will work with the Registration committee to find out when the chief guests and the artists will arrive and will work with their accommodations.
Mrs. Leela Sreenivas - Meravanege Committee chair
- Mrs. Leela informed that Merevanege topic is Cavery to Chesapeake.
- The other three chapters will represent the three rivers Krishna, Godavari, Cavery. VPA East chapter will represent Chesapeake.
Dr. Seetharam Gowda and Mrs. Swarup - Program Committee
- Dr. Seetharam informed everyone that he has finalized the program.
- Most of the artists have confirmed, he has also given a spot for Mr. Muddukrishna and his Troop who will perform on Saturday.
- Dr. Seetharam will work with VPA-East chapter executive committee for the Inauguration segment.
Mr. Babu Prabhakar - Publicity Committee member
- Mr. Babu Prabhakar informed that he has worked on three banners and has sent them to the convention core committee for review.
- He is also working on the posters for all the forum's, to place them in front of their meeting rooms.
Mrs. Sujatha Gowda - Registration and Reception committee co-chair
- Mrs. Sujatha had brought samples of bags and water bottles for the registration. She will order 350 bags and water bottles for the convention.
Mrs. Meena Gowda - Women's Forum - Chair
- Mrs. Meena informed that she will not have Zumba class in the Health and Fitness.
- Mrs. Meena has invited Dr. Mary Atwater doctorate in Clinical Psychology to give a talk on Parent - Child Communication.
- Mrs. Meena also has the speakers lined up for Power of Attorney, Financial and Health care

Meeting Adjourned

On behalf of the VPA convention committee we would like to thank Mrs. Meena Gowda for hosting the meeting in her house.