SHERPA CULTURAL CENTER

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A. INTRODUCTION

Sherpa people have been coming to New York in vast numbers. From only a handful in the mid-eighties to almost two thousand now, our community has grown considerably.

With the growth of our community, came along, naturally, the social need of gathering for communal celebrations such as Losar celebration, Buddha Jayanti celebration, wedding, birthdays, Nauran, and various other gatherings. Every time such need arose, Sherpa people have been renting halls or restaurants. And in such gatherings, and in private, topic of need for a place of our own has been discussed.

The growth of our community also brought out the vital need for a place of worship – a monastery. It can be an Educational center which can function as a school where our young generation of Sherpas can learn our language and culture. There's no doubt it will help us preserve and foster our culture and customs.

Seeing this need for the community, first major step towards building or buying a community center was taken by the board members of the 4th Sherpa Kyidug. The dream was again revived by the current board members of 7th Sherpa Kyidug; United Sherpa Association (Kyidug) of 2006 –2008, and decided to form a Sherpa Cultural Center Committee. In a board meeting of the Kyidug on June 24th , 2007, a decision was reached to form this committee which will work under the umbrella of the Kyidug and their term will be for five years, ending at the Losar Party of the year 2013.

At the meeting of the September 23rd, 2007, 21 board of trustees were chosen for various duties for the newly formed committee to buy or build a Sherpa Cultural Center in New York.

B. OBJECTIVE

The committee’s ultimate goal is to have at least a two story building, with the 1st floor consisting of a party hall and the top floor with a monastery setting, like Sherpa Gumba in Kathmandu.

Having the above settings as an ultimate goal, sort of a long-term one, we do see a need to have short-term goal(s). Following are the choices to attain our goal(s), depending on the fund-raising results.

  1. Buy – If the fund-raising results are suitable $1,500,000), buy a building of at least 7000 Sq. feet.
  2. Build – If the fund-raising is so successful ($3,000,000) within the time limit we set out, buy a plot of land and construct the building to our likin

C. RENTING OF OUR PROPERTY

Upon acquiring of a building, the property will be rented to Sherpas and non-Sherpas generating income for the Committee. All income will be accumulated with the long-term or the ultimate goal of the Committee in mind. Upon fulfillment of the ultimate goal, the funds will be used for the uplifting of the Sherpas and Sherpa culture in New York and Nepal.

Rental of the market value will be charged to any individual willing to rent the space. After filling up the yearly calendar of Kyidug’s activities, space will be rented on open dates to anyone on first come first serve basis.

Trustee members will receive 50% discount on the rental of the space.

Depending on the type of the building and if suitable rooms are available, space will also be rented, but not limited to, for the business of day care, restaurant, store, office etc.

D. OFFICERS RUNNING THE BUILDING

Board of trustees will try to run the center. But if feasible, Officers will be chosen from the Sherpa community by the board of trustees in consultation with the Kyidug. A contract will be signed for the running of the building. Contract will be renewed as per the satisfaction of the committee and the officer/manager in charge. A pre-determined weekly salary if we're capable would be paid to the employees.

E. FUND RAISING

Success of fund raising is the backbone of this project. Depending entirely on how successful we are in raising funds, our structure will take shape place. Following will be the donors we will be after.

  1. Sherpas - Fund raising will begin with solicitations from Sherpas in the New York area and Sherpas in other parts of the United States and Canada.
  2. Non-Sherpas – While visiting the local Sherpas in New York, receipt books will be distributed to them to solicit donations from their non-Sherpa friends, including, but not limited to, people they work with, bosses, friends and families from other communities etc.
  3. Friends of Sherpas – Non-Sherpa individuals who are active in promoting Sherpa Culture or visited Solu Khumbu region and are likely to help us will be seriously sought after. Some bosses of, that are very close with their Sherpa employees, upon letting the committee know, we will approach them with our proposal with the request for financial help.
  4. Corporations – Many companies and charities that are in the United States will be sent with request for aid.
  5. Sherpas abroad – As interest have been shown from as far away as Australia to help our cause, we will make arrangements to solicit not only in Australia and Europe but also in Nepal. By asking for donations in Nepal, it will be more symbolic and let the Sherpas in Nepal feel their involvement in doing something for the Sherpas in New York.
  6. Web site – SherpaKyidug.org will also be used to take donations. Web site or the Committee or the Kyidug will acquire merchant’s account to accept credit cards and Pay-pal

F. ACCOUNTING

Four part receipt books will be accompanying the fundraisers. Part 1, Original will be given to the donor. Copies of Part 2, 3 and 4 will be for Treasurer of the committee, coordinator and the receiver respectively.

In addition to the receipt to the donor, he/she will be acknowledged in periodic updates in the form of letters/newsletters or other means of mailing. The web site, SherpaKyidug.org will feature a page of its own where the donors’ names will be listed and the update on the project will be posted.

These forms of different acknowledgements will ensure the donors of their contributions reaching to us safely and any mistake occur can be corrected immediately.

All funds received will be in an interest bearing bank account of the Sherpa Cultural Center Committee. Funds will also be put in different accounts where the interest on the funds can be generated more.

All updates, including the receipts of interests, will be posted on the web site and mailed in periodic publications.

OBJECTIVE: Keeping in mind that our Sherpa community has felt a need to have a place of our own for communal and personal gatherings, a committee be formed to realize this wish. Choices should be either to buy an existing building that meets our needs or to construct a building from scratch.

MONASTERY AND COMMUNITY HALL: Possibility - financially or otherwise - be seriously looked into and decided at our earliest convenience on choices (and needs) of having a Community Hall with a monastery on the second floor.

BOARD OF TRUSTEE: Sherpa Kyidug of 2006-2008 formed this “board of trustee”. As discussed at the board of trustees meeting on September 23rd, 2007, this committee will serve autonomously, under the umbrella of current and the future Kyidugs, to solely fulfilling the goal of owning a place of our own.

Due to the changes that come with election every two years of new board members of the Kyidug, new ideas come with them. As the work of buying or constructing a building is huge and need of continuity an utmost priority, a “Permanent board of trustees” is deemed necessary.

  1. TERM: Although called “permanent” this committee will serve for the duration of Five years.
  2. MEMBERS: Sherpas who've pledged $5000.00 or more with knowledge to this endeavor, Sherpas active in the community and other Sherpas will serve in this committee. Non-Sherpas, in the future, as their help, financially or otherwise, is deemed helpful for our cause will also be invited to join this committee.
  3. BOARD OF TRUSTEE: Twenty-one members (17 from the board of trustees and 4 from Sherpa Kyidug) will serve in the board of trustee. Board of Trustee will, with the help of members, chart plans that will be carried out in achieving our goal(s).

Board of Trustee will consist of following titles with specific duties.

  1. Coordinator– Oversee the entire committee and its activities. Give guidance where needed. Call and preside over meetings. Represent the committee.
  2. Deputy Coordinator –In the absence of Chairman, fulfill the chairman’s duties. Legal matter with the government will be in sole charge of Deputy Coordinator. Spearhead the fund raising for the committee from the community and outside.
  3. General Secretary – Write to community and others with consultation with the Chairman about the activities of the committee. Update the community periodically in both English and Nepali languages.
  4. Secretary – Keep minutes of the meetings, fulfill that duty.
  5. Accounting– Audit periodically committee’s treasurer and sign off on treasurer’s accounting. Any mistakes be reported to Chairman and corrected immediately.
  6. Treasurer – Collect funds from the fund raising committee. Book keeping of the entire committee, banking and others.
  7. Joint Treasurer–Assist Treasurer and act on his behalf when in absence.
  8. Spokesman – Voice of the Board of Trustee. Public Affairs and Media relation.
  9. Project Directors – Design an early version of a building that should fulfill our requirements. As time goes on and we get closer to our goal, change design accordingly.
  10. Cultural Coordinator – Spearhead fund-raising by organizing cultural programs.

Above duties will be performed with the help of other members of the committee. Depending on the need of the Executive Board Member of the Board of Trustee and his duties, other members will be chosen from the trustee members with the expertise and desire to help.

Furthermore, above duties of Executive Members are not limited to just that. As need arises, other duties will be performed as well, and more importantly, assistance will be provided to other members at all times.

SOME RULES:

  1. Board of Trustee can call a meeting as often as needed to discuss and plan their respective agenda(s).
  2. Executive board member, with consultation with other executive board members, will select members to work with him. Depending on the nature of his duty, number of members will be assigned by the whole body of Executive board members.
  3. Executive board member, not fulfilling his duty and working in a way detrimental to the whole body of Executive board, will be, after discussion of the Executive board will be asked to step down by the Coordinator.
  4. If Coordinator is found by some to be not fulfilling his duty and working in a way detrimental to the whole body of Executive board, after discussion of the Executive board, will be asked to step down by the Deputy Coordinator, or the Sherpa Kyidug President.

SAFE KEEPING OF THE MONEY AND TRUST: Any money received from our community and others will be recorded in the book. Receipt will be given to the donor on the spot or as soon as possible.

Every once in a while, list of donors will be released to the public. This will not only make aware of the financial activities of the committee, it will also update the general public of the funds we are amassing for our cause. This will work as well to double check ourselves if we missed recording any receipts of funds.

Executive Board Members of the Cultural Center:

Coordinator              : Mr. Chhongba Lama (Lapche)
Deputy Coordinator       : Mr. Mingmar Sherpa(Khumjung)
General Sec.             : Mr. Chongba Sherpa(Bagam)
Secretary                : Mr. Sangay Sherpa(Bhojpur)
                         : Mr. Ang Babu Sherpa(Dolakha)
Accounting               : Mr. Phurnima Sherpa(Dolakha)
Treasurer                : Mr. Pasang Sherpa (Tapting)
Joint-Treasurer          : Mr. Jangbu Sherpa(Ramechap)
Spokesperson             : Mr. Chhongba Lama (Chunakpu)
Project Directors        : Mr. Phuri Sherpa (Thalleri)
                           Mr. Kaji Sherpa (Junbesi)
                           Mr. Nawang Sherpa(Mendopake)
                           Mr. Ang Kami Sherpa(Okhaldung
                           Mr. Tendi Sherpa(Chulemu)
                           Mr. Karma Sherpa(Chutok)
Cultural Coordinator     : Mr. Tenzi Sherpa (Mendopake)
                         : Mr. Ang Babu Sherpa(Lura)
Members                  : Mr. Rinzi Sherpa (Jaidu)
                           Mr. Dawa J. Sherpa(Loding)
                           Ms.Chhamji Sherpa (Kurima)
                           Mr. Ang Galjen Sherpa(Darjeeling)
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