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In the month of March this year, there have been significant activities and progress made in several areas. The following is a short summary.

1. Community Participation: The most important and encouraging news to report is the ex-panded participation of community veterans joining and sharing their valuable time to accelerate the momentum for NAC establishment. They have been found to be spending several hours of their precious time for the cause of our community each and every day. The names of the participants can be recognized below.

2. Web development: A major initiative is underway to bring the state of the art new Nepali American Center Website to life. It is hoped to be launched in the Nepali New Year 2067. As re-ported to you last time in this newsletter, this work is undertaken by our young professional team consisting of Deepak Khanal (coordinator), Roshita Mukhia, Ankur Sharma, Binod Dhungel, Sma-rika Sitaula, Sagar Regmi, Birendra Suwal Singh, Angela Khanal, Bishnu Phuyal and Lomash Shrestha.

3. Web content development and editing: Design for the phase 1 web framework is complete. Various materials to put in different sections of the website are being discussed, written, col-lected and are in the process of being edited. The responsibility for this work is undertaken by Rajeev Dahal (coordinator), Birendra Suwal Singh, Sharda Thapa, Shiva hari Achet and Suman Wosti. The necessary support is provided by all the above members of the web development team.

4. Bank account: We have opened a business bank account at Chase Bank on March 30, 2010 in consultation with ANMA president Mukesh Singh and Treasurer Rajendra Khatiwada. This account is currently opened under ANMA which will be the fiscal sponsor for the Cultural Center. This pro-vision allows for any immediate donation to be tax deductible until NAC receives its federal tax exemption status in the next couple of years. Mr. Sharda Thapa has assumed the responsibility of looking after this activity. Current account signatories are Mr. Rajendra Khatiwada (ANMA treas-urer), Mr. Ramakant Kharel and Dr. Bishnu Phuyal.

5. Flier: With the contents provided to Ms. Angela Khanal, she has designed a very impressive NAC flier. This flier gives main highlights of NAC that we know so far. Everybody is requested to use it to understand NAC and use it to explain NAC to others. Please do provide your suggestions. They are highly appreciated.

6. Next Plans: As stated above, website phase 1 development will be complete and will be launched on April 14, 2010 which is Nepali New Year 2067. We will notify you this via NAC website and other media. We will also notify soon in how many ways you can provide your support for funding. We also seek your input on how we can raise funds and make our activity financially vi-able in the long term. This is extremely important and we are all committed for its success.

We have just started this work. As you can imagine, there are innumerable things that are needed before we can see our dream come true. But we know that it will come true. It is only with the help of your suggestions, commitment and active involvement that we can realize it sooner rather than later. We have to begin compiling names, start reaching out to all Nepalese and friends of Nepal, start meeting with government and non-government agencies, potential individual donors, business and community leaders etc… for their support in funding as well as other matters. No matter where we go or whomever we ask for support, there is no doubt that we will first have to make a strong convincing case ourselves with our own serious commitment for this dream. Only then we can approach others. Therefore, I request us all to join this movement to show our unity and commitment in advancing our efforts.

I would like to conclude this status summary with a quote from Sherry Anderson: “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless”.