Annual Board elections information

On Tuesday, November 15, 2016 COLORAMA held its annual public meeting with the intent to nominate, confirm and re-elect members of our Board of Directors.
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COLORAMA by-laws require that 25% of the membership attend such meetings in order to cast a valid vote. Unfortunately, only 8 members were able to be there, one short of the 9 required.

​Therefore, we are resorting to an electronic ballot which, if you are a member, you will have received in an email. The purpose of the document you are right now reading is to provide further information about the indiviuals up for election.

The information below is a compiled from letters of intent written by the candidates themselves, official board recommendations and some inevitable personal perspective.

If you are not a member but would like to have your voice heard in these and other matters, please join us! We are planning our 2017 public meeting for April of this coming year, so stay tuned!

FOR RE-ELECTION 

MEERA GOEL
Here is an excerpt from Meera's letter seeking re-election:

"Dear Fellow COLORAMA members...
I am seeking reelection for another term and… ask for your support so that I may continue to serve in this premier organization.  I have been actively involved with COLORAMA since 2012-2013, first serving as support and help for Dr. Lad's last two visits — spearheading the design and development of the program guide, developing sponsorship programs to foster fundraising efforts and implementing advertising efforts for the event with two time sponsor Nexus magazine. After that, I have served on the COLORAMA board for the last few years as Treasurer and was instrumental in securing our non-profit status with the IRS and Colorado state government.
If I'm reelected to the board, I hope to continue for another term as Treasurer if possible, or in some other capacity that would best serve the needs of this organization. I would greatly appreciate your vote as a message of confidence that I may continue to serve.
Thank you!
Respectfully submitted,
Meera Goel"

The COLORAMA Board unanimously endorses Meera for re-election. We appreciate her diligence and precision with the bookkeeping, and value her input on the other tasks at hand. We are grateful for her good work thus far, and feel deeply relieved that she wishes to serve the COLORAMA community for another three years.


FOR CONFIRMATION / RATIFICATION

AKACIA ROSE
Akacia was appointed to the COLORAMA board in January 2016 to spearhead the Events committee. Here is an excerpt from her letter written at that time:

"To the members of COLORAMA,
My name is Akacia. I am a student, musician, dog owner, outdoor enthusiast and instrument builder with a passion for Ayurveda…
What started as an irrepressible urge to become a student of Ayurveda has evolved into a full embrace of Ayurveda as a life path. I hope to bring forth my skill set to assist in the establishment of Ayurveda as a widely recognized, legitimate form of medicine in this country. This is why I am inspired to serve on the board of COLORAMA."

The COLORAMA board unanimously endorses Akacia to be ratified in her role as Events Coordinator in order to complete the next 2 years of a 3 year term. Akacia has taken on her role with gusto, convening and overseeing an events committee that put on six excellent events in 2016 with the promise for many more in 2017. Akacia is an organizing force with an instinct for innovation and the drive to improve every project with which she becomes involved.


DAVID MCCONAGHAY
Appointed to the board in October 2015, David started as the Membership coordinator and has recently added Webmaster to his list of duties. Here is an excerpt from his introductory letter to the membership:

"Dear COLORAMA members,
My name is David McConaghay, and I am proud to be the newest member of the COLORAMA board.
My first priority is to support you, our existing members. We are working to significantly increase the benefits of being a member, and have already taken strong steps in that direction… COLORAMA is nothing but our members, and our aim is to enhance the sense of camaraderie within this steadily growing community.
As stewards of Ayurveda in Colorado and North America, I feel it is our duty to share this living science with honesty and enthusiasm, so that others may discover and benefit from it just as we have. Thank you for being a part of this mission. We look forward to sharing the journey with you."

The COLORAMA board unanimously endorses David for ratification, so he may serve out the remaining 2 years of a 3 year term. David brings consistent enthusiasm and a work ethic that helps move important initiatives forward. As the sole member of the Membership committee, he is now Webmaster, supports the Events committee and helps with Communications.


NEW NOMINEES

SUJATHA REDDY
Here is an excerpt from Sujatha’s self-nominating letter to the Board:

"Where [do] we stand today as Ayurvedic professionals state wide and in the country? As per NAMA's requirements we are working towards proper certification to be Ayurvedic practitioners at different levels. That satisfies the academic criteria. There are some other issues that need attention:
1. Ethics and Regulation of practice of Ayurveda as per COLORAMA BOARD
2. State Board certification by COLORAMA for practitioners for practicum and supervision hours and Supervisor requirements
3. Accreditation of Ayurvedic schools in Colorado through COLORAMA 
4. DORA affiliation to COLORAMA.
I would like to support and be a part the board in achieving the status that Ayurveda deserves and be able to serve the people in need of our science to achieve good health. I strongly feel the people and our professionals should be protected from unethical practices with continuing education and ethical practice guidelines. 
It is high time that we get recognition as professionals through education and awareness. At the least we can work towards becoming registered professionals. Yoga used to be what Ayurveda is in the 90's. I am sure we can achieve this too. 
My Experience:
AAPNA: Founding member, Clinical chair for two years. 
AAPI: Auxillary Chair for Association of physicians from Indian origin, Ohio 2003-2004
Asha ray of Hope: Non profit Organization which helps victims of domestic violence in the South Asian Community. I am a Founding member and served as Vice president, Direct services chair and Board member for more than 10 years. 2002-2014"

The COLORAMA board is grateful for Sujatha’s willingness to serve. She brings great experience and expertise in the non-profit sector with other relevant organizations. Her focus is on uplifting the professional status of Ayurvedic practitioners, an issue that is ripe for development at this time.

ANUPAMA VAIDYA
Here is an excerpt from AV’s letter of intent, addressed to the board:

Dear Sir/Madam,
This letter is to express my interest in one of the board positions. I understand that the available position is Secretary of Advisory Board in COLORAMA.
After establishing various thriving careers as Project Manager, Senior Engineer and Quality Engineering Manager over last 20 years, I have co-founded Ayurved Sadhana Vidyalaya along with Dr. Bharat Vaidya to provide Authentic Ayurvedic Education to like-minded Ayurvedic and local community.
I have been working as Lead Administrator for Ayurved Sadhana Vidyalaya. I am working with students and teachers for Ayurvedic Practitioner, Advanced Ayurvedic Practitioner and Ayurvedic Doula programs and collaborating with NAMA, CDA and other Ayurvedic partners. I am also working as Web Administrator for Ayurved Sadhana Vidyalaya maintaining all web page updates
Last many years, I am actively involved as Ayurvedic Cooking Instructor and Coach for RMIYA, Sacred Windows and Ayurved Sadhana Vidyalaya as well as Ayurvedic Doula Coach for Sacred Windows and Ayurved Sadhana Vidyalaya.
Thank you in advance for your time. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the position.
Sincerely,
Anupama Vaidya

The COLORAMA board is grateful for AV’s willingness to serve. She brings powerful enthusiasm and vision to all of her work, which can be seen in her personal career as well as her many volunteer positions, not to mention her efforts as the coordinating force behind Ayurved Sadhana.