NAFCA Ten Year Anniversary

NAFCA also known as Nepalis and Friends Cultural Association celebrated it's Ten Year Anniversary on September 5, 2008. NAFCA is a nonprofit and nonpolitical organization that was established in Davis, California, on September 5, 1998. NAFCA has been officially registered as a nonprofit organization in the state of California since February 4, 2000. NAFCA’s mission is to preserve and promote Nepali cultural heritage and foster mutual cooperation among Nepalis and friends of Nepal.

The very first general meeting to discuss the need, purpose, objective, and goals of the proposed organization for the Nepali Community in Davis, Sacramento and the surrounding area was held on January 31, 1998 at the residence of NAFCA’s Honorable Members: Mr. and Mrs. Janaki Pradhan.

The second meeting was held on February 21, 1998 at the residence of Dr. Ganga Prasad Deo under the chairmanship of Mr. and Mrs. Janaki Pradhan. In the 2nd meeting, a group formed an Ad-Hoc Committee to develop, detail and suggest the actual name of the organization, purpose, objective and the by-laws of the proposed organization in a written form. The bylaws of NAFCA were written by members of the Ad-Hoc Committee and at least nine meetings were conducted before NAFCA officially became an organization on September 5, 1998.

In his letter written on August 26, 1998, the chairman, Mr. Janaki Pradhan, congratulated all of those members who worked very hard on preparing the constitution of the Association. And on September 5, 1998 a meeting was held at the Davis Community Park in which the people voted to form the organization NAFCA, adopt the bylaws and elect the first Executive Committee.

The first donation to NAFCA came from the late Dr. Pran Nath Vohra, a long time colleague of Mr. Janaki Pradhan and an associate of the Davis Nepali group. He wanted to see a place for Hindu heritage and cultural development and gave a very generous donation of $10,000 for the cause.

NAFCA's Executive Committees have worked hard to stand on principal and to follow NAFCA's Mission and Bylaws ardently. At the same time the Executive Committees have sought to build a stronger community through positive interactions and outreach to the community at large. NAFCA started as a small organization, which celebrated two main Nepali holidays – New Years and Dashain. It has expanded to be so much more and can be so much more, which is only limited by our imagination. Today, NAFCA has grown in numbers of attendees, events celebrated and activities. With the help of NAFCA’s website, we are able to tell many more about our organization and the communities of Davis, Sacramento and Woodland. The website allows us to reach out to the community and public to promote Nepali cultural heritage.

Since NAFCA’s inception in September 1998, NAFCA has grown from 30 members to more than 300 members. It has also increased the number of activities and fund raising that NAFCA has done. NAFCA’s activities have been mentioned in numerous news articles and websites. With the continued growth of the community and the continued growth of NAFCA it became important to amend the bylaws to accommodate that growth and preserve the future of NAFCA. On December 2, 2007, NAFCA hosted a Historical Public Meeting and formed the new Board of Directors whose duties are to be both a support and a check and balance for the Executive Committee. The BOD is also one of NAFCA's links to the community, including members, the public, and the media. Clearly articulating NAFCA's Mission, accomplishments, and goals to the public, as well as garnering support from important members of the community.

You can click on the link below to see some brief highlights of NAFCA in the last three years :

In Conclusion, NAFCA Executive Committee Members have worked hard to promote NAFCA and Nepal and all it's diversity to the community at large and this should not be overlooked. Let's all work together to build a strong and positive community and remember the hard work done by the current and past members of NAFCA. If you are concerned about your community, if you are interested in preserving Nepali culture and teaching the community about Nepal and Nepali culture, if you are interested in helping others, then you should look to becoming a Member of NAFCA.