OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ExStudents_StPauls_StJosephs_Belgaum] PBW 2010 Update & WIP 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 From: Morris Vaz <[email protected]> View Contact I am pleased to report that the PBW 2010 Grand Reunion is progressing steadily towards a final countdown. We have received an overwhelming support to our initial online survey designed to estimate an attendance count and representatives from various Class groups have spontaneously volunteered to come on board the organising committee to help make this meet a memorable success. Planning of the requirements for the event that the proud Paulites of Belgaum want to put up is at an advanced stage. Infrastructure quotes for stage, lighting, décor, PA system, audio-videography, seating arrangements, transport, security, etc. have been procured and contracts are waiting to be awarded. We plan to broadcast the event on big screen LIVE - outgoing on Twitter and incoming on Skype - so we can even chat with Paulites in India and overseas who have been unable to make it here. We have deliberately kept the participation rates very low (Rs 500 for Paulites, Rs 250 for spouse, Rs 150 for children and Rs 500 for guest) in order to garner maximum participation (some have actually been asking how we can manage to provide 2 light breakfasts, 2 lunches & 1 dinner with this amount!). But knowing the Paulite spirit, several Paulites have already generously contributed more than the mandatory participation fee requirement, with one Paulite, who prefers to remain anonymous, committing Rs 10,000+ almost immediately after the Belgaum venue was announced on the St Paul’s site by Ollie. We applaud, with a special vote of gratitude, the Class of 1985 who have jump-started our Funds Collection drive by donating a sum of Rs 101,000 from their pool towards the event (this does not include their individual participation fees). Included in this amount is a voluntary contribution made by the wife of a late Paulite from the 1985 batch to further the spirit of the Paulite vision and put it onto a broader platform. This has spurred more Class representatives to work with their own batches to snowball collections of their own. As it stands today, we have 120 Paulites registered and over 200 attendees on board with collections having crossed the Rs 230,000 mark of which ~Rs 150,000 are exclusively donations. Thoughts and ideas have been submitted in order to make this meet goes beyond a party and into community outreach projects. Projects under serious consideration are: * Formation of the “Paulites of Belgaum Alumni Association”: (it's about time! The 150-year Jubilee souvenir lists several unsuccessful efforts towards this end since 1940!) Launch of the Association by the School Principal is slated for Sat 4th Dec. Nominal annual / life membership fees are planned to be collected during the event and we certainly hope that every Paulite participating in the meet will enrol. Formation of Board and nomination of office bearers will follow. At least two paid employees will be needed to man and run the Alumni office and Recreational Centre (see details below), if our vision converts into a reality. * "Visible" projects For, By & Of the Paulites: o Recreational Centre for all Paulites: We are in talks with the Rector for building space in the Jesuit House where we hope to set up a Recreational Centre for past, present and future Paulites. Land space also permits inclusion of a badminton court and later even a tennis court. Depending on funds collected and an approval from the Jesuit Provincial (else, we have to look elsewhere to operate from), we will start modestly with our own PBW office, a table-tennis room, chess, carrom, library, etc. o Career Guidance Cell: This unit is sorely needed in today’s competitive world and will benefit existing students from the IX & X standards. We hope to involve established local Paulites as: * distinguished speakers for mentoring students. * industry captains to enroll students as apprentices on a stipend scheme during vacations and train for future employment on a service-bond basis. * doctors and other professionals. * help to organise seminars and workshops. o Assistance to: § ex-students & teachers who, due to circumstances, have fallen on difficult times. § the poor & needy through vetted NGOs. § individuals & groups to implement worthwhile projects for the deserving that they would like to fund & run. Other long-term projects could also be undertaken once PBW is properly formalised and has the means to execute them. However, we will not limit ourselves or create parameters as long as sheer determination and vision have not been fettered. * Paulite Link: (as advised by Ollie) Handing down alumni association responsibilities and other PBW arm duties, like publication of the "Paulite Link" magazine, to the younger generation. A VERY ‘PAULITE’ APPEAL We are aware that all these grandiose ideas will depend on the generous and regular contribution / sponsorships from Paulites worldwide. Hence, we appeal to well-placed Paulites who are in the higher economic strata of the comfort zone to donate generously to convert these visions into a reality. We believe in the Paulite solidarity and look forward to your annual financial commitment, however small, towards these causes. Your gesture will certainly be ensconced into the uppermost echelons of the Paulite camaraderie. At the end of the day, we can only succeed if we risk failure. Let us keep the Paulite spirit alive and shining! Let us put on the armour of Light! Cheer, Boys, Cheer! The Organising Committee welcomes any suggestions from Paulites worldwide in order to make this Grand Reunion a grand success. Morris Vaz Co-ordinator PBW 2010 - For Registration : http://allaboutbelgaum.com/Paulites rene barreto Class 56 exStudents St.Paul s High School - Belgaum India <[email protected]>; 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ _/ tambdimati: the Goa review is a community blog of original _/ art, writing, music, news and commentary from and about the _/ smallest state in the subcontinent. check out the newest _/ member of the Goanet family daily at _/ http://www.tambdimati.com. _/ _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
