ATA kick-starts 12th convention with $250k fund raising
Atlanta, GA: American Telugu Association (ATA) held its Board meeting in Atlanta, GA on March 19th, in Hilton Hotel with a huge gathering of Telugus across from US under the leadership of ATA President Dr.Rajendar Jinna. Besides ATA Board members, large section of Telugu community attended the board meeting including ATA standing committee chairs, regional coordinators and various prominent local Greater Atlanta Telugu community members including TAMA (Telugu Association of Metro-Atlanta) & GATA (Greater Atlanta Telugu Association) leadership team.
In opening remarks President Dr.Jinna reported on various activities that were undertaken in the last quarter highlighting how ATA is focused on serving Telugu Community by explaining on ATA assistance to student of Tri-Valley in the immigration "sham". Dr.Jinna also briefed the board about upcoming community service activities that are planned in various US cities for next two years.
In his report Satyanarayana Kandimalla, Treasurer ATA presented the Treasurer's report for the last quarter and reminded everyone that how ATA has been committed for years on providing financial reporting transparency by placing the reports on ATA web site and ATA magazine 'America Bharathi'. Speaking at the Board meeting Karunakar Madhavaram, President-elect said "ATA Board unanimously approved a motion to do the 'ATA Vedukalu' in India during December time frame and planning is underway to do the same with main focus on encouraging and promoting Telugu Culture & Heritage". Narender Chemarla, ATA Office Coordinator on his membership report explained how overwhelming new registrations that ATA has been receiving since January and thanked all the Regional Coordinators for their support for 'Each one Bring One' membership drive.
Highlighting the need for importance of Youth & Experience for conducting successful convention, President Jinna declared at the meeting that Board unanimously selected Mr.Karunakar Asireddy as convener to bring ATA commitment for youth leadership. Mr.Jinna also said to provide experience to the Convention team. ATA unanimously selected prominent local experienced community leader Dr.Jagan Mohan Rao, Past-President HTA (Hindu Temple of Atlanta) and TAMA (Telugu Association of Metro-Atlanta) founding member & its 1st president as Convention Coordinator. Mr.Jinna promised to make the 12th ATA convection a grand success and reminded everyone that the convention team has experienced leadership like Dr.Sandhya Gavva, Past-President ATA, Mr.Srinivas Pinnapureddy, Past-President & Past-Convener ATA and Mr.Rajeshwar Tekmal Past President TAMA (Telugu Association of Metro Atlanta), Parmesh Bheemreddy along with strong existing current ATA leadership team.
On his selection as Atlanta Convention convener Karunakar thanked the board for opportunity and said he will bring uniqueness to the convention by bringing youth & older generation on the same platform by promoting Telugu culture & language and at the same time providing greater networking opportunities at the convention for all sections of Telugu community. Dr.Jagan Mohan Rao, Coordinator emphasized the need for involving more youth in the convention and reminded everyone how important it is to involve every member in the convention fund raising efforts. Speaking at the Board meeting Mr.Narender Reddy past Atlanta ATA convener for 2000 said 'ATA selected the right balanced team for Atlanta Convention and expressed confidence that upcoming 2012 convention will beat all expectations set for previous Atlanta Convention'.
In the evening Atlanta convention team hosted a glittering Banquet for ATA leadership team & for local Telugu community, over 500 Atlanta prominent local Telugus attended the event. Rammohan Konda, Secretary ATA 'reiterated at the Banquet on how ATA leadership is committed to make the Atlanta convention the best ATA convention ever by announcing with thunderous applause from the attendees that ATA has raised over $250K for the convention in a span of an hour from ATA Leadership and from some prominent local leaders at the Banquet". Attendees enjoyed the brilliant entertainment performance by local group. President Jinna and ATA Leadership team thanked host Atlanta team for their excellent hospitality. At the end, ATA Atlanta team thanked the ATA leadership and Local Atlanta Telugu community for attending the board meeting & making the event a grand success.
ATA (American Telugu Association) is an established community service focused non-profit organization serving Telugu community in North America for over 25 years. For more details about ATA and its services to Telugu community and for upcoming community events from ATA, please visit ATA website at http://www.ataworld.org
News Posted: 21 March, 2011
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