2014 - A Year in Review

The 2014 CIC events are all done. In our recent Board meeting, we looked at our current financial state (healthy) and also reviewed the feedback from Diwali 2014. As we shift our focus to 2015, it is only fitting that we take a moment to look back at what we achieved as a group in 2014.

2014 was the biggest year for the Cambrian Indian Community by every measure. We had the most number of events, easily the largest number of attendees and every record has been shattered. The participation from the community has been beyond fantastic. The number of families who moved into the community and instantly started actively participating in events is heartwarming. So what is all this stuff I am talking about without real data? You asked, so here we go.

Major Events of 2014

• Easter Egg Hunt - May (50 attendees)
• Rama Navami Concert - April (75 attendees)
• Chaat Party -May (100 attendees)
• Seniors Day - June (14 Seniors)
• Camping Trip - August (60 attendees)
• Sport Day - August (75 attendees)
• Mehndi/Dandiya Night - October (90 attendees)
• Diwali - Nov (370 attendees)

Note that some events were organized prior to the formal creation of the CIC NPO and when we did not have a website to communicate with everyone. 

Ongoing Activities of the Community

• Cambrian Soccer on Saturday mornings at Lone Hill Park
• Ladies Hike on Saturday mornings
• Gents Hike on Sunday mornings
• Cambrian Volleyball on Sunday evenings at Lone Hill Park

Please drop us a note here if you are interested in any of our ongoing activities or Seva events. 

Milestones

Voting for first ever CIC Board

After months of discussion and meetings, we filed our paperwork to be a State recognized NPO. This was approved in July 2014. This was a huge milestone for the community as a whole as it allows us to formalize and streamline a lot of our efforts. This also allows us to serve not just the local Indian community but a broader audience around us through charitable efforts and other Seva like the one we are doing regularly at InnVision. 

Community Outreach and Seva

The Cambrian Indian Community believes strongly in "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" meaning "The world is one family." To this effect, we have been engaged throughout the year in contributing our time and money to local causes that are near and dear to us. Our biggest recipient this year was the Community shelter network InnVision. Cambrianites have cooked and served fresh homemade food at the San Jose InnVision center in addition to contributing a portion of our Diwali proceeds to the cause. CIC did Seva at Innvision in May, July, August, October, November and December and will continue these efforts into 2015.

In addition, CIC will contribute a portion of any money we collect as part of our events. This is our small way of giving back to the city that has brought us all together. 

Looking Ahead

Well, we cant reveal everything in this post, can we? Keep guessing. We will be back with a tentative lineup of events for 2015, sometime early next year. Until then, on behalf of the CIC, here is wishing all of you a peaceful and enjoyable holiday and a wonderful New Year ahead.