Over the past few weeks, some of you have been constantly criticizing GBNC council members for their ýinactivityý. You should be critical, of course. But, you should criticize in a constructive manner, in a decent way. Besides, it would have been nice on your part had you done some research on the councilýs activities so far this year before making these baseless allegations. Let me make our case on what the council has done this year and how our programs differ from past GBNC programs. As our President mentioned to you earlier, organizing entertainment programs and social parties should not be the sole purpose of this organization. Moreover, the organization should focus on other substantive challenges of 2,000 plus Nepalese professionals, students, and workers and their families residing around the Boston area. We did not find any of these issues and challenges addressed in our organization before. At the beginning of the term, the council brainstormed over various challenges faced by Nepalese students, professionals, food service industry workers, families, and children. To address these challenges effectively, we formed special interest groups (most of them are GBNC council members) under the organization. These groups are responsible in conducting meetings, panel discussions, workshops, etcetera to address various issues and challenges in our community. Having said that let me give you a list of programs the council has organized so far: 1.Momo Party 2.Organized Student Career Transition Workshop 3.Published Quarterly GBNC E-Khabar 4.Formed Professional Development Network 6.Formed Social Issues Special Interest Group Besides, we organized few entertainment programs for our community- Happy Hours, Sur Sudha musical concert, etc. We are also organizing career workshop for food service industry workers, families, students in near future (please read our Presidentýs postings on these issues earlier in this forum). On the socializing front, we will be organizing barbeque, hiking, and Dashain program in coming days. There are other Nepalese organizations like Tamu Samaaz who are also organizing many social and entertainment programs for our community. We should laud their efforts in bringing such programs to us and give them our helping hand. Now, let me ask you some questions. Have you participated in any of our programs? In what ways have you contributed to GBNC? We are putting our best efforts to bring this community together by addressing their substantive issues and challenges. You should not forget that we council members have our full time jobs. Still, we are trying our best to serve our community in many different ways. I am not saying the council has performed at its best as per membersý expectations. We have our constraints, we have our shortcomings, and we have failed somewhere. To make this organization more effective and to cater the needs of our members, we have urged GBNC members so many times to come forward and play a role in taking this organization to a new level. Instead, you are trying to discourage our dedicated, hardworking council by waging indecent verbal war on public forums anonymously. Why canýt you come forward in person to share your thoughts with us? The President holds GBNC office hours, why canýt you call him or any of us to discuss about GBNC issues? We will be glad to discuss with you. And one more thing-success of GBNC programs do not depend entirely on the President and the executive council, but it also depends upon the level of cooperation and participation from its fellow members. Cheers! Ishwar Khatiwada Vice President, GBNC