November 2011

Members Present: Amaravathi, Ashwani, Supraja, Nisha, Trupthi, Himani, Shaifali & Hemalatha
Venue: Shaifali's house
Date: November 16th, 2011
Agenda:
To welcome new member- Amaravathi
To share hobbies, venture to start mini skill sharing sessions
To plan second Annual meeting of Portland Saheli- Wow!!
To welcome new ideas for forthcoming meetings
To share contact numbers
Meeting Minutes & Reflection:
It was nice meeting face to face with the Sahelis. Its amazing to see how PS has grown over the past one year! We have 14 active members so far.
We welcome Amaravathi , our new member! It was great knowing you! It gives me great happiness to see new members joining PS. One of the goals of PS when I first started it, was/is to be a support group to the people who are new to the US. I remember when I had come first to Portland in 2005, my world was just my husband and the vacant streets. Its great to see PS grow and welcome new members as they settle down with their life in Portland or the US.
A small not for Amaravathi, I always encourage new members to read the history and goals of PS, which is also the first post of this blog so that you get more famialiar with the working of PS.
During this meeting, Himani shared a wonderful idea of families also getting to know each other. Planning for this will commence in January for the family gettogether. So far, we discussed the possiblility of booking the hall of the offices of either Trupthi's husband or Hemalatha's husband. Suggestions included of doing a potluck.
For the December- winter session, it was decided that we will not have the monthly meeting but instead have the much awaited Annual meeting. Thank you Supraja for volunteering to host this event!
As we shared our skills/hobbies, Ashwani initiated the starting of knitting sessions during her less stressful class period.
Nisha is into cooking, which is fabulous because when it comes to people like me, I can myself learning so much from her!
Himani how about reviving your painting skills ?
I shared having dancing as one of my passions..My hidden desire-:)I have always wished to choreograph-a dance sequence at the India Day celebration in August every year!:))
Trupthi an engineer by profession, has yet to decide her hobby which I am sure is hiding somewhere waiting to be explored. Hang on there, we won't leave you until you come out with that little secret of yours!
Ashwani and Nisha shared their painting hobbies. Amravathi shared her skill of tailoring. OMG, Amaravathi in PDX this skill I am sure is well sought after! How I wish , I would have learned how stitch blouses and do eyebrows way back from India! So, girls-
if you need some stitching done- who to look for!
I am happy to share that we have people from varied walks of life in our group, Ashwani-a Counsellor by profession, so, we know when we need someone to just listen..whom to go to!
Very interesting indeed..I encourage to those members who were not present to please share your hobbies with the rest of the sahelis.
We have started the email thread of sharing your contact numbers only by email. I DO NOT encourage anyone to share their personal contact information on the blog for privacy purposes.
I got to speak with Amaravathi and was so happy to hear her positive reaction towards PS. Amaravathi could you please go ahead and share your experience at your first meeting of PS, in the comment section or by posting a new topic in the blog.
The meeting happened for a good three hours this time!!
Next on Agenda:
Second Annual Meeting at Supraja's place
January Family meeting planning
Please feel free to add your hobbies, even if you did not attend the meeting and comment on this post!
Winter Getaways for December:)
Lego Display at The Children's Museum
Zoo Lights- Very popular
Peacock Lane Lights
Photo with Santa
Polar Mount Hood Express
Did I miss out some more? Feel free to add to the list!:)
Happy Holidays Sahelis!
Shaifali