ఇంకా ఎన్నికల పారాణి అరలేదు అపుడే నాంది పలికిన మరో తెలుగు సంఘం

From: Atlanta Telugu Volunteers
Date: Sun, Dec 6, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Subject: A plea from a few of us who are interested in serving the community

Dear friends and members of the Telugu community of Atlanta,

The hour is nigh (upon us) and we must all be busy participating in the electoral process. We either would have cast our vote or would be casting our vote to whoever we think will best represent the Telugu community.

First of all we would like to express our stand on this elections. We supported whoever we thought would best represent the democratic processes in TAMA. We supported whoever promised to support and respect the needs of the Telugu community in Atlanta and not focus on extraneous affairs. As such we feel that there are good candidates on eithers and bad apples too and leave it to your wise judgment to make the right choice. We waited to make this announcement so that we not lose sight of the issues at hand in TAMA. We did not want to shift focus from the point at hand.

That said a few of us got together and brainstormed as to whether TAMA best represents an outlet to our zeal, service, creativity and culture. We came to a conclusion that TAMA which is indeed a storied organization has grown to be a monolith and we needed to find an alternative outlet. We have been getting requests from a lot of friends to conduct various programs which are not really feasible under TAMA's outlook. To facilitate this we have decided to launch an organization which will represent the interests and cultural needs of the Telugu population of Atlanta.

We can hear the rumblings now that we have made this announcement. Why are you trying to break the community? Why cant you work in TAMA etc. etc.? For this one time we would like to take the pains to explain our stand in this matter. We live in a society where "monopoly" is not a good word. Eventually it is all about the best interests of the "consumer" in our case the community. We go to the Sai Temple and to the Hindu Temple of Atlanta. Our experiences in both the places are different and neither is less than the other. No one asked us "Why do you go to the Sai Temple". In the true spirit of Indian culture we believe in the fact that "Each person seeks his salvation in his own way". We do not want to compete with TAMA. We do not consider ourselves and alternative to TAMA. We welcome anyone who will come and participate with us in our activities whether they are from TAMA or any other organization. We believe that we are all still one big family. Please do not forget that most of us are and will still be members of TAMA.

We humbly request your support, blessings and critique(Steel burnished by fire is more stronger than steel lying idle in the cupboard). We hope you will support our ideas and come share in the joy of "service" with us.

Following is our manifesto:

Atlanta Telugu Sangam - Out of the ashes a new hope rises.

After observing, participating in and challenging the status quo for the past few years we believe that we have observed and noticed “How not to run an organization”. At the behest of well wishers and supporters a few of us came together and realized that we may have some ideas to create and run an organization which does not cater to the whims and fancies of a few but serves the needs and causes of many. To truly succeed in this endeavor we need your support and participation and “some of us” need to become “many of us.” To facilitate this we would like to share with you the birth of “Atlanta Telugu Sangam.”

Our pledge to Atlanta Telugu Sangam:
We will ensure that nobody’s personal agenda or ego affects the long term and short term goals of "Atlanta Telugu Sangam".

We promise not to have a hierarchy of positions, which are then coveted by all and sundry. The bare minimum positions required for the operation of the organization will be designated and no managerial positions will be designated. No President, Vice President etc.

We promise to look into the needs of the local Telugu community first and foremost.

We promise to work with any organization without reservation if we believe in that particular cause.

We promise to be volunteers of the organization and not covet any positions in the organization.

We will not give scholarships in Hyderabad.

Any member of the organization can come forward and form a group with other members to facilitate any event. The members needn’t wait for the organization to do something. The organization is like a Jathara where everyone can do their own thing but governed by some rules and regulations. We will encourage our kids to be more involved and let the teens run some of the cultural events.


What we plan to do?

Service: Helpline
Number bank.
Blood type registry.
Carrer Assistance for University Students or someone wanting to shift
Family Emergency Assistance
Awareness Clinics (Life Insurance, Medical Check ups,…)
Medical Assistance to Visitors from India(Group of telugu doctors who are willing to take calls and provide first line of help)
Battered Woman
Student Insurance
First family (Assign a family to anyone who just moves from India)


KIDS
Clubs and activities that are strategically aligned to our organization, as we want to build a living community organization. The goal is to let children meet other children and make new friends who have the same values and culture and parents get to know other community members.

Big Brother – Big Sister:
Children Clubs: Computer Club, Video Games Club, Reading Club, Chess Club, Art Club, Dance Club
Improve Leadership: Group Discussions, Creative Writing, Analytical Thinking, Leadership.
Outdoor Kids Activities: Hiking Club, Cycling Club

Members:
Networking
Sports Events
Movie Nights (Old Movies)
Mens Club
Womans Club

Cultural:
Provide a platform for children to show off their talent in front of an appreciating audience.

Literary:
Support visiting Telugu scholars.
Support budding local talent.
A monthly online telugu magazine.

Disaster Response:
Natural Disasters
Emergency

With Warm Wishes & Regards
Atlanta Telugu Volunteers