APPLICATIONS FOR COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Become part of what promises to be a very exciting year for NetSAP - chair one of our committees in 2006!  

NetSAP DC 's Committees comprise the heart of the organization and are responsible for some of its most exciting events. Last year's events included panel discussions and dinners with local political leaders (hosted by the Political Committee), the tremendously successful South Asian Literary and Theater Arts Festival at the Smithsonian (hosted by the SALTAF Committee), trips to plays at the Kennedy Center (hosted by the Cultural Committee) and monthly Third Thursday events (hosted by the Networking Committee).

We have ambitious plans for the Committees in 2006 and, based on member feedback, we will focus on increasing the professional and educational focus of our programming and expanding the scope of existing Committees. Join us and become part of what promises to be a great year for NetSAP.  Each Committee will be run by two Chairs; details (included proposed events) are included below.

TO APPLY: Please send the following in a brief statement (1 page max) to president@netsap.org and vp@netsap.org :

1.  Your goals for the Committee in 2006

2.  A description of your vision for the Committee in 2006, including three potential ideas for programs/activities (of any scope) that you would like to implement this year.  Please feel free to use the descriptions listed below as a foundation for your response.

3.  Your professional background and why you are interested in the Committee

DEADLINE: Friday, January 20, 2006 by 5 pm.

QUESTIONS: Feel free to e-mail Dharmesh (president@netsap.org ) or Amita (vp@netsap.org) with any questions.

The Committees

PROFESSIONAL/NETWORKING COMMITTEE

The Professional/Networking Committee will focus on events that educate and further the professional development of the South Asian community in the DC metro area. As part of the organization's larger vision for 2006, this Committee will play a crucial role in planning events that provide NetSAP members with opportunities for personal development and networking with like-minded professionals. Plans for 2006 include:

(1) Seminars on topics such as financial planning and real estate investing

(2) Monthly networking events co-sponsored with different South Asian professional organizations

(3) Participation in professional development events/conferences in the DC area

POLITICAL COMMITTEE

The mission of the NetSAP Political Committee is to promote the political development of the South Asian professional community in the greater Washington DC area through a series of dynamic, interactive and educational events. The Committee takes a non-partisan approach to educating the South Asian community on relevant political issues, provides forums for discussion and debate, and seeks to (1) increase interaction with politically active and/or accomplished individuals and (2) promote the involvement and understanding of the broader South Asian community in the American political and legislative processes. In order for the NetSAP-DC community to succeed professionally and socially, our members need to understand how America functions politically, and to develop a deeper understanding of the American political system to create a stronger presence within the political community.

2005 events included panel discussions on immigration and political action committees; a small group dinner on lobbying; co-sponsored events with other local South Asian political groups; monthly Chai Chat political discussions on topics such as energy, the Iraq War and stem cell research; and, a landmark survey focused on identifying the most salient political and other issues relevant to South Asian Americans today.

COMMUNITY SERVICE/MENTORSHIP COMMITTEE

The Community Service/Mentorship Committee will focus on organizing events that provide opportunities for members to network, build new skills, and have fun while offering their time and talents to supporting the community. The Committee will work with existing organizations and events such as Asha for Education, the National Gandhi Day of Service, Hands on DC, Race for the Cure to plan a variety of large and small events that will encompass different areas of community service.

A second mission of the Committee will be to encourage NetSAP DC professionals to become mentors for younger members of the South Asian community in the DC metro area.

SPORTS COMMITTEE

The mission of the Sports Committee is to encourage/facilitate the athletic and recreational involvement of our members in sports while meeting other professionals in the DC area with similar interests. For 2006, we seek to provide members with the opportunity to get involved in one or more of the following:

(1) Weekly organized activities (which will meet regularly in DC metro area) for interests such as tennis, running, biking, roller-blading, yoga etc.

(2) Fitness/Nutrition seminars which will be aimed at educating NetSAP members through programs hosted by fitness professionals and nutrition experts.

(3) Spring/Summer Leagues in the form of NetSAP's own leagues and through  member participation in existing leagues for sports such as baseball, flag football, ultimate frisbee and tennis.

(4) One-off trips such as rafting or ski trips to areas within driving proximity of the DC metro area.

CULTURAL COMMITTEE

The mission of the Cultural Committee is to:

(1) Promote South Asian culture in the DC metro area through support of, and participation in, South Asian cultural events and the celebration of major festivals such as Diwali

(2) Involve the NetSAP DC community in the cultural offerings of the DC metro region such as performances at the Kennedy Center and area theaters and tours of the Smithsonian Institutions, special exhibits and other major DC cultural landmarks

(3) Provide members the opportunity to interact around varied interests such as photography, creative writing, wine tasting etc.

NetSAP SPEAKER SERIES (New in 2006)

This is a brand new NetSAP Committee for 2006 and promises to be one of the most exciting. The mission of this Committee will be to invite South Asian and other community/professional leaders to monthly/bi-monthly speaking events or small group dinners which will provide NetSAP members with the opportunity to interact with and learn from such leaders.  Each month will focus on a leader from a different professional background.

SALTAF

The SALTAF Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating all details involved with the phenomenally successful South Asian Literary and Theater Arts Festival.   This is an annual event hosted at the Smithsonian and it features prominent South Asian writers, filmmakers and artists and draws hundreds of South Asians from across the East Coast to DC each fall. SALTAF celebrates the achievements of South Asians in the literature and arts and it has become one of NetSAP DC's most recognized and renowned flagship events.

STAGE

The NetSAP South Asian Theater Arts Guild Experiment provides an outlet for members interested in the theater arts.  STAGE also contributes to the theater arts portion of the annual SALTAF event.

KAHANI

Kahani is dedicated to providing a forum for South Asians interested in creative writing as a career or simply as an outlet for artistic expression.  The group holds regular writing workshops at which members contribute pieces that are read and discussed by other members of the Kahani group. 

FAMILIES

NetSAP Families caters to the interests of married members with young children by offering programs aimed at connecting these members to each other and providing a forum to address issues unique to their priorities and interests.

For your reference, below are the 2005 NetSAP Committee Lists:

Book Club: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-books/

Community Service: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-communityservice/

Cultural: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-cultural

Kahani: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kahanidc/

Mentorship: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-mentorship/

Networking: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-networking/

Photography: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Netsap-Photography

Political: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-political/

Professional: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-professional

SALTAF: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsapsalf/

Sports: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-sports

STAGE: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsapstage

Women's Forum: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/netsap-dc-womensforum/