Minutes - OBA EC, SSKZM, 16-08-2008

Minutes Of Meeting - 1 ST OBA Executive Committee meeting held at SSKZM on 16 August 2008 AT 1630 hrs

1. The following attended the meeting:-

SSKZM
(a) Colonel B Ajit Kumar, Principal SSKZM and Patron, OBASSKZM.
(b) Lt Col MC Thomas, Registrar and Old Boy (1260/ 1982).
(c) Lt Col K Raghu, Headmaster.
(d) Mr. K Rajendran, Master - Coordinator OBASSKZM.

OBASSKZM
(a) Captain Louis George Meprath (642/1972), President.
(b) Col Nietzsche Balan (928/1979), Vice President
(c) Mr. Sanu George, (1378/1983), Vice President
(d) Mr. G Jayakumar (892/1979), Treasurer.
(e) Mr. Raj Kumar S (2569/1995), General Secretary
(f) Cdr Rajeev Maroli, Joint Secretary (954/80)
(g) Mr. Ajith Prabhakar (782/77), EC Member 1976-80

2. The points discussed are as shown below:-
(a) Welcome address by President, OBASSKZM.
(b) Address by Patron, OBASSKZM.
(c) Projects at SSKZM - Gurudakshina.
(d) SAF - Helping cadets.
(e) High Fees paid by cadets.
(f) Computerisation of all OBA records.
(g) Membership to XII th standard Cadets on the eve of passing out of SSKZM.
(h) Golden Jubilee Celebrations 2012.
(i) OBA Assets.
(j) Role of OBA - what should OBA do?
(k) Batch reps / Chapter reps
(l) OBA EC Spokesperson.
(m) Revenue by means of advertising on our site, google adsense to start with.
(n) OBA Chapters around the globe.
(o) Use of OBA name for collecting funds.
(p) Helping Alumni.
(q) Projects outside SSKZM by Alumni
(r) Prizes distributed during Commemoration Meeting.
(s) EC Mailing list.

Welcome Address by President, OBASSKZM

3. The meeting began at 1630 hrs by observing a minute's silence in memory of the dear departed Alumni. Thereafter, the President in his address welcomed the gathering and thanked Colonel B Ajit Kumar, Principal SSKZM and Patron, OBASSKZM, Lt Col MC Thomas, Registrar and Old Boy (1260/1982), Lt Col K Raghu, Headmaster and Mr. K Rajendran, Master - Coordinator OBASSKZM and the OBAEC members for taking pains
to be present for the EC meeting on a Saturday afternoon.

4. The President informed that the OBA would continue to work in synergy(as was already being done) with the School authorities for the development of the cadets. Address by Colonel B Ajit Kumar, Principal SSKZM and Patron, OBASSKZM

5. The Principal stated that he was very happy to be associated with such a vibrant OBA and he thanked the Alumni for the same. He briefed the gathering on the happenings at SSKZM during the last few months. The following significant points were brought out:-

(a) Prizes won by Cadets. SSKZM Cadets participated in a cultural festival held at the TVM International School. They won prizes in Malayalam Declamation (I st) and in Science as well as Mathematics Quiz (II nd as well as III rd prizes for both). In addition, the Cadets won the II nd and III rd prizes for Ramayana recitation and Quiz conducted by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, TVM.

(b) South Zone Championships. SSKZM won the III rd place overall in the SZ Championships.

(c) NCC Camps. Cadet Mukul Narayan Chaubey (Roll No. 4389) of the present X th standard was adjudged 'Best All Round Cadet, Kerala' in the RD NCC Camp held during Jan 2008 and received the Chief Minister's Gold Medal.

(d) Independence Day Parade. The SSKZM contingent (XI th and IX th standard cadets) was adjudged 'Best (non-police) Contingent' during Independence Day parade 2008 held at TVM.

(e) Inspections. The School was inspected by Air Vice Marshal SC Mukul, AVSM, VM, VSM, AOC - in - C, HQ SAC and Chairman, LBA on 04 Aug 08. Colonel RS Nehra, Inspecting Officer from Sainik School Society also inspected the School from 08 to 10 Aug 08. Both the senior officers have given glowing reports about the various aspects and spick-and-span appearance of SSKZM.

(f) Principals' Conference at Delhi. In the recently concluded Principals' Conference (held at Manali from 19 May to 21 May 08), the RRM remarked that the Sainik Schools in the country were doing a wonderful job and commended all the Principal as more than 40 % of the NDA cadets were from Sainik Schools across the country. RRM also indicated that more Sainik Schools are likely to be set up in states like Chhatisgarh. In all such cases, the Ministry of Defence is requesting these State Govts. to sign a MoU with the MoD before permission is given for setting up the Sainik School. This is to ensure that the states do not neglect the Sainik Schools in the long run.

(g) Voluntary retirement of Mr. SB Sasikumar. Shri SB Sasikumar who was one of the most inspiring and loved teachers, left SSKZM in June 2008 to take over as Principal, International School at Thodupuzha. Principal stated that SSKZM's loss would be Thodupuzha's gain.

(h) School Magazine 2009. Principal stated that he had received large number of requests for the School Magazine printed in March 2008. As the requests were received late, it was not feasible to send the Magazine to all. Alumni are requested to inform SSKZM well in advance, if they require the copy of School magazine 2009 which would be printed in March 2009. The cost would be around Rs. 150/- per copy (including cost of dispatch in India).

6. The OBAEC congratulated the Principal and his team for the excellent all-round show by our cadets. The agenda points were thereafter taken up for discussions.

7. Projects at SSKZM - Gurudakshina. The EC discussed in detail regarding the procedure for finalising Projects to be undertaken at SSKZM. Projects at SSKZM by Chapters / Groups / like minded Alumni should continue. All such projects should initially be discussed with SSKZM by the respective Alumni, so that it is established that Alumni are giving something to SSKZM which SSKZM requires. Once the matter has been initially sounded to SSKZM, Alumni should approach the OBA EC for taking up the matter with SSKZM and working out the way ahead. Projects that would be taken up at SSKZM could be finalised in this way. Principal intimated that it was his endeavour to get maximum work done by the State Govt. He promised that, wherever the State Govt could be asked to take up Projects at SSKZM, it would be his top priority to request the State Govt to do so. Only such works that the State Govt. would not normally undertake should come as projects from OBA side.

8. Students' Aid Fund (SAF). The President intimated that the existing procedure of identifying SAF beneficiaries by the School Authorities was adequate. The amounts given to each cadet under this scheme was initially Rs. 1000/-. Last year, this was raised to Rs. 5000/- (for 05 cadets). This year, it is planned to give Rs. 5000/- each to 07 cadets. However, this could be enhanced on a case-to-case basis. Shri Jayakumar, Treasurer OBASSKZM indicated that an amount of approximately Rs. 71,000/- was left over from the funds contributed by Alumni for the Harshan Memorial BUST. As decided earlier, this money has been transferred to the SAF. In addition, there were discussions held on the proposals by a few of our Alumni that they were willing to sponsor the complete fees of deserving cadets right from class VI till they are gainfully employed. The decisions taken are as under:-

(a) At present, the full fees for a year is Rs. 43,400/-. The State Govt reimburses only Rs. 14,000/- and MoD gives Rs. 2000/- (in some cases where MoD scholarships are eligible, the amount is Rs.10,500/-). Cost of messing is around Rs. 12,980/- per year
(Rs. 44/- per day). Cost of uniforms, books etc. would be extra. In short, a full scholarship holder would still have to pay around Rs. 25,000/- per year. The EC was of the view that this is the group (i.e. full scholarship holders) which the Alumni must help. At present, full scholarship holders are around 250 cadets approximately.

(b) Alumni desirous of helping such cadets would be required to contribute about Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 30,000/- per year. However, the EC was of the opinion that sponsoring right from Class VI till the cadet was gainfully employed may not be a good idea. This is because the parents' income may change every year. A cadet may no longer be eligible for scholarship if his parents' income increases beyond the exemption limit. In addition, if the cadet does not exhibit good potential, the necessity of funding him would need to be reconsidered. Considering all these facts, the EC decided that it would be better to contribute to the SAF rather than sponsoring individual cadets. However, in case any Alumnus is still desirous of sponsoring individual cadets, the EC has no objection. It was recommended that such sponsoring should be on a yearly basis only.

(c) In addition to the above, Shri Rajendran intimated that the cadets join in VI th standard. It therefore becomes very difficult for the House Masters and School Administration to identify suitable candidates from VI th standard. OBA EC therefore recommended that it would be better to start such scholarships from VII th standard, as SSKZM would get a fair picture of the background of the cadets once they have spent an year in SSKZM.

9. High Fees paid by cadets. Fees paid by parents are very high (around Rs. 44,000/-). Shares of State Govt and MoD are very meagre. As a result, even a full scholarship holder's father / mother pay around Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 30,000/- as fees. Poor but deserving children are thus deprived of good education, as their parents are unable to afford the high fees!! Salaries of teachers and other Staff and pensions are paid out of the fees paid by the Parents. This is the problem faced by most of the Sainik Schools in India. The Tuition Fees are expected to go up once the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations are implemented. It was the general opinion that the salary and pensions of the Staff should be paid either by the State Govt. or the Central Govt. This burden should not be placed on the poor parents. The EC decided that the OBA would extend all support to the Parents' Association in taking up the matter with appropriate authorities.

10. Computerisation of all OBA records. It was decided that OBA should computerise all its records- Circulars, Bulletins, Magazines (School+ Magazines / Souvenirs issued by various batches), accounts, photographs etc. to be computerised. Outsourcing may be resorted to. This point is also covered under 'Golden Jubilee Celebrations' .

11. Membership to XII th standard Cadets on the eve of passing out of SSKZM. At present, cadets who pay Rs. 500/-, are enrolled as life members of OBA just before passing out (as against Rs.1000/- for normal life membership). This is a totally voluntary contribution by the cadets. EC discussed whether we continue with this system or whether we should resort to Student Membership i.e. once students pass out of the school, they should be enrolled as 'Student Members' only. When they start earning, they could be enrolled as 'Life Members'. Shri K Rajendran clearly stated that this was purely a voluntary payment and no cadet was forced to take membership on passing out. He further stated that last year, XII th standard cadets had approached him and requested to be enrolled as life members of OBA. This indicated the keenness of the cadets to enroll as OBA life members. The EC decided to maintain status quo i.e. to continue with the practice of enrolling cadets on the eve of passing out as Life members of OBA on payment of Rs. 500/-.

12. Golden Jubilee Celebrations 2012. Preliminary discussions were held. It was unanimously agreed that the School's Golden Jubilee Celebrations must be conducted on a grand scale. The EC decided the following:-

(a) As a first step, OBA and SSKZM are to undertake a joint project to digitise all records - Circulars, Bulletins, Magazines (School+ Magazines / Souvenirs issued by various batches), accounts, photographs etc. Alumni are therefore requested to forward any such articles in their possession to OBA / SSKZM. It would be preferable if the Alumni forward a scanned copy of the documents they have with them (to avoid loss of these invaluable documents in case these are sent by normal post). More details of how to go about this mammoth task could be obtained from Shri Rajkumar (General Secretary OBASSKZM) who has volunteered to be the OBA rep in this mega project. SSKZM would also be nominating a rep for this purpose.

(b) Alumni to be requested to forward suggestions on conduct of 'Golden Jubilee Celebrations' . Once suggestions are received from Alumni, OBA EC and SSKZM would work out the way ahead.

(c) Sponsoring batch for OB Day 2012 i.e. 1987batch is also to be actively involved in these activities.

13. OBA Assets and Role of OBA - what should OBA do? It was suggested by some Alumni that OBA should be a powerful pressure lobby. One of the major factors for achieving this is that OBA should have financial strength - need not be cash, but it should have assets in the form of land or buildings. So, should OBA own assets? It could be land or building (office space or anything). This should also be linked to the 'Role of OBA'. Considering all the factors above, what should be the role of OBA was discussed in detail by the EC. Should we go all out to increase Assets and to take on additional responsibilities? The EC was of the view that the OBA as a group should limit the main OBA activities to organising OB Day, coordinating Projects at SSKZM, Students' Aid Fund etc. so that we remain focused on core issues. Rest of the activities could be delegated by the main OBA to be conducted by Chapters / batches / like minded Alumni. It would be better to remain a manageable entity (with sufficient funds) than to grow into an unmanageable entity that would give rise to associated problems. The EC also decided that it would request Alumni who have prior experience in Managing Projects to forward a Project Report for buying of land + constructing of a building / buildings for OBA that would serve as guest house, office, Multipurpose hall etc. Project report is to include ideas for generation of funds, income tax and other Govt regulations to be followed, maintenance of such assets once construction is complete etc. Alumni volunteering for this task may forward their details to General Secretary.

14. Batch reps (e mail id) / Chapter reps (e mail id). E mail ids and contact details of batch representatives (1965 to 2008) should be available with OBA. Similarly, details of Chapter members (all over the globe) should also be available with OBA. This is for ease of networking. Shri Rajkumar (General Secretary, OBASSKZM) was requested to inform Alumni accordingly. Batch reps + Chapter reps are also requested to contact Gen Sec (at least two members each).

15. OBA EC Spokesperson. EC decided that the official statements of the EC will be made by the President or any other EC member on behalf of the EC as nominated by the EC. In such cases, the member will state that it is on behalf of the EC or the statement has the approval of the EC.

16. Revenue by means of advertising on our site, google adsense to start with. Suggestions have come that our mail site could be used to generate huge amounts of revenue. Gen Secretary was requested to get more suggestions from Alumni on how to proceed ahead. How do we go about it? What about the legality of these schemes? What about Tax issues? What about Security issues?

17. OBA Chapters around the globe. These should be strengthened. Alumni visiting these places must be taken care of. Chapter get-togethers must be organised. All these activities must ultimately lead to a stronger OBA. These Chapters must have their own elected representatives who would look after the Chapter. Funds for running such Chapters efficiently should be generated by the Chapters themselves.

18. Use of OBA name for collecting funds. EC decided that Chapters / batches and other Associations of groups of Alumni (of SSKZM) should not resort to collect funds in the name of OBASSKZM. It should be clarified to the members that funds being collected are for use by Alumni of that Chapter/group / batch only.

19. Helping Alumni. Members were of the opinion that Alumni are generally reluctant to approach OBA for help (especially financial help). It may be better if the individual batch-mates work out some schemes to help their batch-mates, who are in need of help (could be financial, psychological etc.).

20. Projects outside SSKZM by Alumni. EC members' views were that It should be left to the discretion of the Alumni of the various Chapters / batches / groups etc. to initiate projects outside SSKZM viz. Kazhak's Clubs at various places, Old Age Homes (for Alumni), Children's Shelters, Guest Houses, New School(s) etc. Once again, the cardinal rule should be that no funds should be collected in the name of OBA for projects which have not been put up for approval of the EC.

21. Prizes distributed during Commemoration Meeting. Members felt that more than a hundred prizes were distributed by the OBA on OB day (during the Commemoration Meeting). This tended to be a very boring affair, often resulting in Alumni as well as others to leave the Auditorium midway through the Prize Distribution. It was decided that Prizes for classes VI, IX, X and XII would continue to be given on OB Day during the Commemoration Meeting. All other prizes would be distributed on other suitable occasions like Annual day etc.

22. EC mailing list. EC decided that in addition to the elected EC members, any Alumnus holding the post of Principal, Headmaster or Registrar would also be included in the OBAEC mailing list, during their tenure at SSKZM.

23. The OBAEC also took this opportunity to welcome Lt Col K Raghu, the new Headmaster of SSKZM .There being no other points, the meeting was adjourned. It was decided that the next OBAEC meeting would be held in Dec 2008 / Jan 2009. After this, the EC members were taken on a tour of the newly inaugurated Multimedia Lab. Principal intimated that such a facility has greatly helped our dear cadets. More computers (internet cafe) would be housed in the proposed room under the Clock Tower.

Warm regards,

Rajkumar
2569/1995
General Secretary OBASSKZM

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