President’s Speech from New Year’s Eve Dance

 

The GOA observed a minute of silence for the members and friends who passed away over the past year.  Special mention was made for the Late Romerio Dias who was the 5^th and 6^th President of Goan Overseas Association in Toronto .

My Executive Committee spent the first 8 years of my 11 years as President focusing on achieving financial stability – getting out books in order and reducing our financial debt.  We spent the next two years developing our vision for the future.  This was done with the help of our membership.  We have now spent the past year implementing our new vision.

One of the biggest challenges facing Goan Associations around the world is finding ways to survive for future generations.  We believe, with our new vision, we have found the solution to ensure we are around for future generations.

As part of our Vision, we plan to focus on Culture.  Over the past year we have done the following,

• Promoted the know Goa Program with the Gov. of GOA.  As a result, 6 individuals from Toronto were selected to participate in this program.
• India’s Independence Day Celebrations – we entered a float in the parade that went through the streets of Toronto – Our float promoted culture and won second prize.  We also had 3 dance groups participate in the celebrations and all the dance groups danced traditional Goan dances.
• We created a new portfolio – the Cultural portfolio.  The portfolio is made up of 3 components, language, cooking lessons and dance.  As part of this portfolio, we hosted a Goan Sweet making event which was sold out.
• At the GOA Christmas tree party for children, we introduced Goan sweet making to help link the kids to their family traditions.

Another key element of our new vision is to promote charitable activities.  We created a Charitable portfolio to support areas of support and need that were outside the mandate of the Goan Charitable Organization.  As part of this portfolio we hosted the Carnival Dance and raised approximately $3000.  These funds will all be sent to a Goan family in Toronto with a child in need.  We also hosted the World Goa Day picnic and raised funds at this event that were sent to the widow of Kennedy DeSouza to help cover hospital bills for her husband who passed away in a hospital in Mumbai.

The Goa will be hosting ‘Viva Carnival’ on February 6, 2010 to raise funds for two individuals, children which need financial support mainly for medical bills.  The 2 children are:

A 5 year old girl, Ann DeSouza who is being fed through a feeding tube.

A 7 year old boy, Ezekeil Rego who has autism.

We look forward to the community’s support at this fundraiser