April 2018: Updates

 

Quiet and unassuming, Clara used her vast administrative and organisational skills to improve the working of the KCA, always being available to help and assist in a wide variety of tasks – from building repairs, to Charity Commissioner matters, to handling staff issues.  She took on the additional responsibility of organising our 4 events each year, as head of the Cultural and Recreation Sub-committee.

 

A dynamo of energy, and the ‘behind-the-scenes’ man, Vernon has taken on several tasks well beyond the call of duty of his role as the Hon. Treasurer.  Besides, being the ‘go-to’ person for any crisis, he oversaw the first round of repairs at the KCA, and used his considerable experience in event management to revamp our hall booking process.  He also transitioned the KCA to an upgraded ERP Accounting System, and ensured that the Accounts of the KCA are always up-to-date, and in order.

 

An institution like the KCA is subject to many rules, regulations, and laws, and Praveen helped to ensure that we followed them to a ‘T’.  He spearheaded the transition from the previous committee, and helped to streamline processes around hall and hostel administration, while also handling staff matters, member correspondence, and member grievances.

 

‘Eric the Terrific’, as we like to address him, has been a great source of inspiration, and encouragement to all of us on the Managing Council, especially the young team of Office Bearers.  With an energy that belies his age (and the fact that he is a cancer survivor), he has been driving force behind several initiatives of the Managing Council, including the Amchi Khobor News-Magazine, the Life Membership drive and the Monti Fest.

 

He has used his vast experience as a successful entrepreneur, and founder of an NGO, to help the KCA on many different fronts.  Importantly, Eric is the designated ‘witness’ in the ongoing court case concerning the Noble Chambers Office, and he makes the long journey to the court, month after month, for the hearings.  At a recent hearing, the judge commended Eric for his spirited effort to protect the interest of the KCA – and we are extremely grateful to Eric for taking up this onerous task.

 

Ryan is a senior executive with wide experience in the corporate sector, holding various positions in the banking and hospitality industries.  Along with Eric, he has been the longest serving member on the Managing Council, and has often been the calming influence, and a voice of reason during our sometimes heated discussions!  Ryan was recently co-opted onto the negotiating team tasked with reaching a just and peaceful settlement in our legal dispute with Model Bank.

 

Lidvina served on the Legal and Finance Sub-Committee before joining the Managing Council.  As a recently retired senior banker, Lidvina has considerable experience in Finance and Banking, and was instrumental in helping us to study the KCA Accounts for the 8 years prior to 2015, and having the same approved by the General Body in 2016.  She is also spearheading the streamlining of our property, and building related compliance issues along with the appointed Architect and Consultants.

 

Arvind is a well-respected former IRS-Officer, and recently retired as Chief Commissioner of Income Tax.  Arvind also served on the KCA Legal and Finance Sub-Committee before joining the Managing Council.  He currently practices as an Advocate in the High Court, and serves on various committees, and boards of community institutions in Mumbai.  He has taken a keen interest in resolving the legal dispute with Model Bank, and his counsel and advice, is much valued by all on the Managing Council.

 

Walter is a well-known, and highly successful entrepreneur, and runs one of the largest fire services businesses in the country.  He is an IIT Graduate, and served on the Balloting Committee of the KCA before joining the Managing Council.  He has also been advising the KCA on the building and property related compliance issues, and is working with our Architect on the matter.  A well-respected and prominent Member of the Kanarite Community, Walter has been instrumental in attracting many new Life Members to the KCA.

 

Merwyn recently retired from the Merchant Navy, and has been actively involved in KCA activities for several years.  Merwyn served on the Sports Sub-Committee before joining the Managing Council, and was instrumental in the revival of sporting activities at the KCA culminating in the inauguration of the Sports and Fitness Centre in 2017.  A great ‘people-person’, Merwyn is the leader of his parish prayer group, and senior citizen cell, and helps the KCA on many fronts, including handling staff issues, helping in overseeing building repairs, and most recently, getting the KCA Counseling Centre, off the ground.

 

Anne-Marie served on the Social and Charitable Sub-Committee before joining the Managing Council, and has been instrumental in reviving our charitable activities, which is one of our core objectives, as an institution.  An acclaimed musician, and active in civic affairs in Bandra, Anne-Marie and her Team, have streamlined our charitable outreach under the Educational and Medical Assistance Funds with a clear process and transparent guidelines for disbursal of funds.

 

Joan has been actively involved in KCA affairs for several years, and served on the Managing Council on many previous occasions.  Her considerable administrative experience, and involvement on committees of other institutions, and gymkhanas meant that her views and opinions on various issues faced by the KCA were much valued.  Joan was also instrumental in reviving the weekly Housie at the KCA, and served as Chairperson of the Housie Sub-Committee, ensuring that it was professionally run, with the help of the Sub-Committee Members, and the dedicated band of member-volunteers, and KCA Staff.

 

Jessie served on the Balloting Committee before joining the Managing Council.  A well-known, and widely respected educationist, she was the former Principal of Jamnabhai Narsee School, and is currently a Trustee on the Jamnabhai and Narsee Monjee Educational Trusts.  Jessie’s advice and guidance was much respected in the Managing Council, and her positive energy and support of various new initiatives of the KCA was much appreciated.

 

Neville has served on the Managing Council of the KCA from the 1990’s, and has been a former Vice President of the KCA.  An experienced former executive in the corporate sector, Neville has been a mentor and guide to the Office Bearers throughout the last 3 years, especially during the first year, when there were several ups and downs.  Subsequent to his stint on the Managing Council, Neville served on the Sports Sub-Committee, and also played a key role in the revival of Sports and Fitness activities at the KCA.

 

Another unassuming and ‘behind-the-scenes’ Member of the Managing Council, Christopher carried on the tradition of his parents and grandparents, prominent members of the Kanarite Community, who served on the KCA Managing Council in the years gone by.  A math and computer wiz, he was instrumental in computerising the member database, updating member details, identifying ‘missing’ members, and getting the KCA web-site up and running.  Subsequent to his stint on the Managing Council, Christopher served on the Balloting Committee of the KCA.

 

Christopher Alvares, Sunita Pais, and Aloysius Rego also served on the Managing Council for a short time.  Their contribution is much appreciated.