Germantown MD – January 25, 2025

The Nepal Education and Cultural Center (NECC) proudly shared its accomplishments from 2024 and outlined its forward-thinking plans for 2025 and 2026 during a community meeting held on January 25, 2025. With a mission to empower the Nepali community and preserve its cultural heritage, NECC continues to focus on leadership, community engagement, and infrastructure growth. The live presentation can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EivSjud5i/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Executive Committee Objectives (2024–2026):

1. Strengthen leadership and collaboration through autonomous teams and workgroups.

2. Enhance community engagement and volunteerism as a selfless service.

3. Address construction, infrastructure, and maintenance needs.

4. Improve financial transparency and expand fundraising efforts.

Key Achievements in 2024:

  • Leadership & Volunteer Engagement:
  • Established effective teams/workgroups (e.g., Mandir operation, Media, Events, Property Maintenance, Site plan, Vegetable Garden, Health clinic).
  • Hosted inclusive community events (e.g., Maha Shivaratri with 900+ participants, Holi, Teej, Deusi-Bhailo, Chhath, Pathshala Kite Festival, PN Appreciation, AGM and Volunteer Appreciation Day).
  • Built strong ties with local elected officials and the AAPI advisory group.
  • Volunteer tracking system established, A total of 144 volunteers logged 7,715 hours contribution in 2024.
  • Construction & Maintenance:
  • Temporary Shiva podium established.
  • Roof replacement materials procured; installation scheduled for February 2025.
  • Contracts finalized for Buddha podium and Phase 1 of barn renovation.
  • NECC vegetable garden and fruit tree orchard created with UMES support.
  • Main building electric heating system equipment procured.
  • Playground materials ordered.
  • Financial Transparency and fundraising:
  • Financial reports published – Quarterly and event specific reports after each event.
  • Timely bookkeeping, digitized reimbursement process, and 2024 audits of NECC finances.
  • Secured new grants: Barn renovation ($126K), Roof replacement ($100K), Pathshala ($10K)
  • Barn renovation and Podium fundraising campaign during and after Deusi Bhailo (>100K)
  • Expanded membership growth.

Challenges/Areas for Improvement:

  • Improve collaboration across teams and taking projects/tasks ownership by some volunteers.
  • Establishing the concept of selfless volunteerism and community ownership.
  • Need to build trust among old community members.
  • Avoid volunteer burnout

Plans for 2025/2026:

  • Leadership and Volunteer Engagement:
      • Continue small team based decision making approach for effective completion
      • Prioritize high impact projects and events and outsource or postpone low impact events/projects
  • Construction & Infrastructure:
      • Complete the Buddha Podium Project, Barn Renovation Phase 1, Playground, Roof replacement.
      • Site Plan Approval.
      • Begin: Barn Phase 2 (HVAC, electrical, partitions), Parking lot with adequate safety features for assembly, Shiva Podium 
  • Financial Goals:
  • Launch donation campaigns (e.g., Deusi Bhailo, “Dollar a Day”) and membership drive.
  • Secure additional grants for barn and podium renovations.
  • Reduce liabilities, including the $357,500 PN balance and $552,628 loan on Beallsville property.

Budget Highlights:

  • 2024 Highlights (Balance Sheet): Assets: $1,785,534 Liabilities: $406,291; Net   Assets: $1,379,243.
  • 2025 Estimated Budget: Revenue: $616,250; Expenses: $696,550; Net Deficit: $80,300. [Deficit expected to be covered by new grants and donations.]

NECC remains committed to fostering a sense of ownership within the Nepali community and expanding its role as a cultural hub. By embracing innovative practices and prioritizing impactful projects, the center is poised for significant growth.

For more information about NECC’s initiatives and how to get involved, please visit [https://neccusa.org/; https://neccusa.org/volunteer-signup/  or contact @info@neccusa.org].