The first steps in organising the 7th Convention of the Alumni Assocaition have been taken. A meeting was held on 30 June 2007 and was presided by the Chairman of the Association, Prof. C. Bahsker Rao, office-bearers and resident members. The agenda of the meeting and its minutes are enclosed below.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING FOR ORGANISATION OF SPANDANA-2008

Date: 30 June 2007

Venue: Department of Prosthodontics Seminar Room

Agenda for the Meeting

1. Registration with IT Department
2. Section 80-G registration to be done
3. Spandana-2008 organisation
4. Swimming pool complex
5. Website update
6. Additional matters/concerns

The President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Achut Devarhubli, called the meeting to session in the presence of the Chairman Prof. Bhasker Rao, Secretary Dr. Satyabodh Guttal, Treasurer Dr. Anand Tavargeri and other members of the association.

1. Registration with IT Department
   
   The secretary informed about the registration of the Alumni Association, SPANDANA, about a week ago, as well as certain hurdles faced during registration. These included the Income Tax Department regulation that for a registered organisation, a general body meeting is mandated every month although our Alumni Association meets only once in two years. The Chairman suggested “mini” general body meetings often, with an “extra-ordinary” meeting once a year and regular general body meetings once in two years.

2. Section 80-G registration
   
   The President and Secretary proposed to request for donations from the alumni towards SPANDANA. Such donations are liable for tax deductions. Moreover, the donations will help raise funds for the swimming pool complex.

3. Spandana-2008 organisation
   
   It was decided by the office-bearers in consultation with the Chairman and other members, to hold the 7th Convention of the Alumni Association tentatively in the last week-end of April 2008. To facilitate travel plans of alumni members, it was deemed essential to convey the preliminary date for the Convention immediately to all members.

4. Swimming pool complex
   
   Prof. Sanjay Ganeshkar raised a query as to whether a specific plan existed for the swimming pool complex. To this, the Chairman replied that the cost has been worked out to approximately Rs. 30–40 Lakh. He suggested that past and present students can be requested to contribute. Initiation should be from past student members. The chairman also suggested that the area between the water treatment plan and ladies hostel has been identified as the site for the complex.
   
   One of the members enquired how funds may be raised from overseas students. The President suggested that web-based communication portals such as ‘Orkut’. Correspondence by advertisements on these portals as well as through email groups would be useful, he said. Contact may also be established through city-based interactions of local alumni. The communication should be passed along a specific chain—past students → postgraduates → undergraduates. The Chairman also suggested that diverse commercial establishments may be requested to make contributions. It was mooted to set up an exclusive account to receive donations for the swimming pool complex.

5. SPANDANA Website
   
   The Secretary stated that the SPANDANA website had just been updated, with a link to the swimming pool complex on the home page. The Chairman suggested that details of the swimming pool complex, including pictures, a report on the project and names of significant contributors should be made available on the website.

6. Additional matters/concerns
   
   The Treasurer provided the gathering with information of the current balance of the SPANDANA account, which is mostly in fixed deposits. The Chairman suggested regular utilisation of the alumni funds constructively. In response, the President suggested that the interest accrued from account can be utilised for student scholarships.
   
   The Chairman suggested that continual dental education programmes and short-term courses should be included as part of SPANDANA’s activities. This enables strengthening the college alumni links. The Chairman also suggested including the achievements of SPANDANA in college’s quarterly magazine ‘Tidings’. The magazine could also be made available as a subscription to the alumni for a nominal charge.