The Annual General Body Meeting of the Goan Welfare Society – Kuwait, was held at the Carlton Tower Hotel in Kuwait City on 18th June 2010 from 11.00 am. Until 1.30 p.m. Due to the crisis faced by GWS, there was a poor attendance however, all those members who attended were appreciative of the initiative taken by the Managing Committee to find a suitable solution to the existing crisis. The Meeting was called to order, by the President, Mr. Wilson Coelho, at 11.45 a.m. In his welcome address Mr. Coelho explained the reason for the situation and held the ex-General Secretary, Gasper Almeida, responsible for the situation that has come about. He urged all those present to bear with the situation and to feel free to express themselves and voice their opinions and suggestions, for the continuance of the spirit of cooperation and social bearings among Goans. Thereafter, the President conducted the business in accordance with the Agenda. The General Secretary, Mrs. Sharon De Souza, read out the Minutes of the last AGM which were unanimously adopted by the General Body. It was followed by the Annual Activities Report for the term ending May 31, 2010, which was very elaborate and precise. In an explanatory note, the President explained the conditions under which GWS is functioning and had a word of praise for the Goan Community at large, who always stood by GWS, in every social cause and issue taken up by them. In his Annual Financial Report, for the Year Ending 31 May 2010, the Treasurer, Rabindra Pimenta, presented the financial status of GWS and went on to explain that no additional funds could be generated due to the prevailing situation. However, he was proud that GWS is on sound footing. The financial progress of GWS has been hampered, mainly, due to the un-resolved financial crisis, for which, Ex- President, Carmos Santos is a part. The issues related to taking action against the erring members, was taken up and the President, named four of those members who were responsible for the crisis and who were placed under suspension (Ex-President Carmo Santos, Ex-General Secretary Gasper Almeida, Ex-Member Suresh Naik and Ex-Member Caetano Pinheiro). Their issue was placed before the General Body to decide on their fate. The General Body decided to terminate their membership and a Resolution to that effect was passed, with an overwhelming majority. The Membership of the four members named in the Resolution (Ex-President Carmo Santos, Ex-General Secretary Gasper Almeida, Ex-Members of the Managing Committee Suresh Naik and Caetano Pinheiro), stands terminated with the passing of this Resolution. An issue regarding the Membership was raised and the matter was discussed and debated. Finally, a decision was taken that the members who have re-registered within the time limit, will enjoy the privileges of being full-fledged members of GWS. Those that failed to register, have yet another chance to register themselves, by approaching the Managing Committee of GWS with full proof of their membership status. In the process of re-registration, the Managing Committee has discovered that there have been some manipulations in the Membership Cards which were issued by the ex-General Secretary, Gasper Almeida, and the same needs to be scrutinized and corrected, with proof of Receipt of fees paid and details on the Membership Forms. A resolution contemplating to do away with the Death Benefit Scheme, and refund the amounts paid, of genuine members, whose desire to get their Members fees refunded, were passed unanimously, however, those members who have re-registered and desire to seek refund of their membership fees paid, were welcome to approach the Managing Committee with their details, including Membership Cards. In another Resolution, which was unanimously passed, GWS has decided to distribute the funds held in their Accounts, towards accredited charitable Institutions, namely, Goa America Heart Foundation (GAHF) and St. Xaviers Center (XIRS) located in Porvorim, with a condition that the GWS name is prominently displayed as donors and to abide by the terms and conditions mutually agreed upon in writing, a document which is to be registered at the time of transfer of funds. The members of GWS were invited to put forward proposals for further donations to charitable institutions, on need based cases for due consideration. Also the members were informed about the 20th Anniversary of GWS and the celebration is planned for September-2010 for Members and their specail guests. MANAGING COMMITTEE _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. https://signup.live.com/signup.aspx?id=60969
