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NEKK Executive Committee is pleased to announce a new flexible membership structure for Koota members for 2011-2012

Along with the familiar yearly membership, now you have the option to renew membership for five (5) years, or become lifetime members. You can apply for a membership throughout the year. Committee members will be available at every major NEKK event to accept applications, and you can visit http://www.nekk.org to apply online. Available options are:

• 1 Year Family membership (@ $ 50): Apply online or during any major annual NEKK event like Ganesha Habba, Ugadi, or Children’s day. Membership expires the following year at the same annual event or at the end of the specified month. For example, a 1 year membership taken at the Ganesha Habba event on September 24^th 2011 expires either at the Ganesha Habba event in 2012 or on September 30^th 2012 (in case of event cancellation).
• 5 year membership (@ $200): Apply online or during any major annual NEKK event like Ganesha Habba, Ugadi, or Children’s day. Membership expires in five years, at the end of the calendar year (December 31^st).  For example, a 5 year membership taken at the Ganesha Habba event on September 24^th 2011 expires on December 31^st 2016.
• Life membership (@ $500): Become a sustaining member of NEKK for life and enjoy all events discounted or free for a lifetime as determined by Executive committee! Apply online or during any major annual NEKK event like Ganesha Habba, Ugadi, or Children’s day.
• Life Patronage (@$1000): Become a sustaining member of NEKK and enjoy these additional patronage benefits: 1)Reserved seating during ticketed Koota events, 2)Recognition during Koota events like Ganesha Habba, Ugadi, 3)Recognition in Darpana and the Koota web site (www.nekk.org)

• 1 Year Student membership (@ $20), 1 Year Single membership (@30)
• Non-member Per Event(Ugadi,Ganesha,Children Day) Admission is $25 per family
• Non-Kannadigas accompanying NEKK members, please contact Treasury or Reception committee for Event admission fee.

  There are 3 ways you can become an NEKK member:

• Register online (Quick and easy. Secure online payment)
• Print the NEKK Membership Form (see links below) and bring it along with a check / cash to an event.
• Print the NEKK Membership Form and mail it (alongwith Check Payable to “NEKK” ) to Mandaara - New England Kannada Koota, 5 Kestrel Lane, Westford MA-10886
• Printable or Editable NEKK Membership Form:  English version

Membership Privileges:

• Be part of one of the oldest Kannada Koota’s in the United States.
• Attend NEKK organized programs, enjoy the wide variety of entertainment & socialize with the vast Kannadiga community in the New England Area.
• Help your kids participate and perform in the various programs and to instill our culture in them.
• Take advantage of the various group discounts that NEKK is pursuing for its members.
• Borrow the various Kannada Movies and / or books donated by other members.

NEKK is in process of getting Non-profit exempt 501(c)(3) status from IRS. Once approved, all contributions (starting from Ganeshostava 2011) made to NEKK are 100% tax deductable (consult tax professionals for advise!). Take advantage of this opportunity and help build a strong Kannada community in New England!.

Q: I am a life member or a life patron. Does the free admission at events extend to guests (friends, visiting parents or relatives) for free?

A: The NEKK constitution defines a family as husband & wife and their children. Members are encouraged to invite guests to NEKK events. Visiting parents of the life members (or patrons) are allowed free entry, but other guests must buy non-member tickets for the event.

Q: I am a life member or a life patron. Must I purchase lunch or dinner coupons or is it included in the membership for my family?

A: All NEKK membership types entail only free admission to the events. Members must pay for lunch, dinner and snacks served at events.

Q: I am a life patron. Do I get preferred seating at special events? Will I get to meet and have dinner with the celebrities?

A: Yes, life patrons are assigned preferred seating at special events (like, star nite and celebrity performances). The executive committee reserves the right to decide post-event dinner logistics and ticketing.

Q: I am a life member. Do I get preferred seating at special events? Will I get to meet and have dinner with the celebrities?

A: Life members are not assigned preferred seating at special events. The executive committee reserves the right to decide the post-event dinner logistics and ticketing.

Q: I am a life member or a life patron. Can I get free admission to special events (for instance, star nite and celebrity performances)?

A: All members get free admission to regular events at NEKK (like Purandara Dasa Day, Ugadi, Summer Picnic, Ganeshotsava, and Deepavali-Rajyotsava). The executive committee reserves the right to decide admission rules for an event. Life member and patron are not guaranteed free admission at special events.

Q: Can I upgrade my membership? How and when can I do that?

A: Yes, you can upgrade from a 5 year or a life membership to a higher level. You can upgrade any time by contacting the current treasurer. The upgrade amount will be prorated based on your current membership status and the number of months or years the current membership was in use.

Q: I am a life member or a life patron these past few years. I will soon be moving out of New England permanently. Can I cancel my membership and get a prorated refund?

A: No, you will not get a refund. All paid membership dues are non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances. NEKK will continue to recognize you as life patrons or members at our events and in our publications. Please remember that membership dues are tax deductible and you have already availed of that benefit by becoming a member.

Q: I have a single membership for the current year and I just got married. Can I pay the difference in amount and upgrade to a family membership for the year.

A: Yes, you can upgrade by paying the difference. Contact the treasurer for more information.

Q: Can I become a member or upgrade my membership anytime of the year?

A: Yes, you can apply for membership or an upgrade anytime of the year. Download a form English version. We are also planning to enable payment via PayPal on our website.

Q: What if a committee spends all the money collected through life, patron, and 5 year membership?

A: We are making a constitutional amendment to set limit on how much you can spend from long term membership fees. A committee can spend only up to 20% of money collected from 5 year membership in a year and only up to 10% from life and Patron memberships.

Q: I always renew my membership during Ganesha habba, can I continue to do so in this new structure?

A: Yes, if you choose to take yearly membership at a particular event, you can continue to do so.

Q: Do I get a membership renewal reminder?

A: We are in the process of developing automated reminders, along with having a membership booth at every NEKK event. You can get all the information you need at the booth or online at http://www.nekk.org .