Mangaluru, Sep 19:The Konkan Overseas Returnees Welfare Association (KORWA) held its AGM at the St. Sabastian hall, Bendur on September 15 2021.
The AGM began with an invocation by Mrs. Gretta Gomes . President of KORWA, Elias Sanctis welcomed the gathering and thanked all the members for their co-operation during his two years tenure as president. In his welcome speech, addressing the members, he said, “ we had planned many community activities in the last two years but due to the on and off lockdown of COVID Pandemic, we could not do much. We feel a sense of satisfaction that despite against all odds, we could still reach some of the most needy during the pandemic, and we are grateful to the committee members and office bearers who has done their best in these trying times.The President continued saying, today as I am handing over my responsibilities to the new president and the new team which would be elected shortly, I will assure my whole hearted support to the new team. I am confident that new governing body will continue to work towards the upliftment of the under privileged of the society.
Secretary Mr. Lancy D Souza read out the last AGM minutes of the meeting and the annual report. Both were approved by the members. Treasurer Mr. John Cruz Moras presented the accounts statement for the year 2020-2021. It was also approved by the members without any changes. President Elias Sanctis thanked the office bearers who were on the dais and asked them to take their place among the audience to pay the way for the election of the new team for the years 2021-2023. He then invited Archie Menezes the nominated returning officer, for conducting the election.
The returning officer explained to the members the process followed in conducting the election, He mentioned that members were notified as per the byelaws to file their nominations by 5th of may 2021. But due to lockdown, the election was postponed to 15th of September and the members were notified accordingly and as there were no two nominations received for any of the office bearers post, elections are not required. He announced the new team as follows:
President – Mr. Lancy Menezes
Vice President – Mr. Lancy D Souza
Secretary – Mr. Henry Castelino
Joint Secretary – Mrs. Gretta Gomes
Treasurer – Mr. John Cruz Moras
P R O – Mr. Elias Sanctis
Cultural Officer – Mr. Suraj Rebello
Returning officer Archie Menezes congratulated the newly elected President Lancy Menezes and new office bearers and invited them to the dais to take over further proceedings. In his acceptance speech, new president Lancy Menezes thanked the outgoing president Elias Sanctis and office bearers and requested their continuous support and guidance. He promised to hold the first meeting of the executive committee soon to lay out plans for the next two years. The new team requested Mr. Louis Lobo and Mr. Archie Menezes as advisors to the executive committee and to guide the team in their future endevours.
Mr. Lancy Menezes along with the immediate past president Mr. Elias Sanctis distributed cheques amounting to Rs. 1,28,000/- to the needy students for their education support. Most of these students families were severely effected due to the sad demise of their bread earning members due to COVID. The children were extremely grateful to this timely support by KORWA in continuing their education.
The newly elected secretary Mr. Henry Castelino rendered vote of thanks.