Kaveri's constitution (Article IX) provides for an advisory body comprising its former Presidents to assist and advise its Executive Committee (KEC) at the request of the latter on any matter pertaining to the functioning of Kaveri. As per the recommendations of a special Committee established by the Kaveri General Body (GB), an existing informal advisory body consisting of past presidents was replaced by a new Board of Trustees (BOT). BOT's principal function is to administer the long term management of Kaveri financial and other assets in accordance with the priorities determined by the General Body (GB). In addition, BOT is also entrusted with the responsibility of performing any advisory functions which may be requested by GB or KEC. Specifically, BOT would have responsibility for the tasks noted below:
As per the recommendations of the special committee set up by the GB, an initial Board of Trustees was set up subject to following terms:
The criteria used by KEC for proposing/approving BOT members:
The role of BOT is to develop investment approaches for the Corpus, administer strategic programs utilizing the income generated from investing the Corpus, and monitor the program's implementation. The BOT will also provide an annual report to Kaveri's General Body. In general, the BOT will serve as a source of advice and counsel to KEC. However, both BOT and KEC will report only to the GB, and no hierarchical relation is envisaged between the two. While KEC will be fully responsible for planning and implementing Kaveri's day-to-day activities, it will consult with BOT on any major initiatives which impact either on the use of the Corpus or on Kaveri's Constitution, or span multiple years., all of which are subject to final approval by GB.
Section 1 - Primary Functions: The BOT is a body created by the General Body of Kaveri to advise the latter and also KEC on the following matters, with a view to serving the best interest of the institution.
Section 2 - Number, Tenure and Qualification
Section 3 - Meetings of Trustees: The Board of Trustees shall meet at least thrice a year. A majority of the trustees shall constitute the quorum. The business of BOT may be conducted either at meetings or through conference calls.
Section 4 - Disbursement of Funds: The Corpus shall be held by Kaveri in an account which is separate and distinct from its other accounts, but will be overseen by the KEC Treasurer. BOT has sole responsibility for all decisions concerning the use of Corpus resources. When BOT reaches specific decisions on the allocation of funds, its Chairperson will authorize the KEC Treasurer to issue checks or use other means of transferring money to the intended recipients.
Section 5 - Compensation of Trustees: No Trustee shall receive any pay or emolument for their service.
Section 6 - Rules of Order: Rules of order shall be in accordance with Robert?s Rules of Order, as last revised, which are the normal governing parliamentary procedure rules. The Chair of the meeting will resolve all questions concerning such rules.
Section 7 - Process for Induction of New Trustees: It is expected that vacancies will arise from time to time in the Board of Trustees because of resignations, retirements, removal, ill-health or death. As and when vacancies occur in the BOT, KEC in consultation with the BOT shall nominate potential candidates for induction into BOT. All such nominations shall be subject to approval by the GB. The process used for identifying nominees and the criteria for selection are similar to those used for forming the initial board as described below:
List of Possible Projects for Support: Kaveri members were invited both prior to the distribution of the interim report and thereafter to forward proposals for future consideration by the trustees subject to final selection by the latter. These and other suggestions from Committee members are noted below. Upon their appointment the trustees will review these and any others which may be received later, and finalize their decisions.
The list below includes both potential beneficiaries and established vehicles through which assistance can be channeled. It should be regarded purely as an interim list which will be expanded as identities of new potential beneficiaries emerge, and is intended only to give a head start to the trustees. BOT will continue to receive suggestions from Kaveri members and may also seek outside advice. BOT may also be required to gather additional information and consult with the intended recipients and other knowledgeable sources before making any awards.
1. Karuna Trust. Under the leadership of Dr. H. Sudarshan, the Trust has done some pioneering work among the soligas (a very backward tribal community) inhabiting the Biligiri Rangana hills in Karnataka.
2. Joida. This is a very backward and densely forested area in Uttara Kannada district. The backward communities in the area were isolated for a long time, and have only recently been contacted to establish self help groups (SHGs). The reaction is positive, and much remains to be done.
3. Children's Love Castle Trust. Established about seven years ago in Bangalore by a former Kaveri member, it is dedicated to the educational advancement of needy children, particularly to ensure they do not drop out of school.
4. Schools for blind students(e.g. Samarthanam), either for general education or for promoting arts such as dancing.
5. Janapada Loka at Ramanagar
6. Upakar Foundation. The Upakar Foundation was founded in 1997 to provide assistance to needy students of Indian origin to pursue undergraduate studies. Assistance is limited to students who are citizens of the US or green card holders, and are ?descendents of Indian Immigrants.?
7. Association for India's Development (AID). AID was originally started by Indian students in the University of Maryland, but has since developed into a country-wide program to mobilize resources for well-conceived projects in India, which are also under capable management. All work is done on a voluntary basis, and 100% of the donations reach the beneficiaries.
8. Kaveri Kannada KaliyoNa Program: KEC has started a Kannada teaching program for Kaveri kids at three different locations. Around 90 kids are attending these classes every week and the program is proceeding very well. The program needs financial support for expansion and class room material.
9. Literary Contest. Literary competition to promote Kannada literature and to establish a Kaveri brand, with the winner receiving an award from Kaveri.
Among the proposals the Committee received was one to establish a Karnataka or Kaveri Bhavana in the Washington area along the lines of a similar facility in Delhi to serve the future needs of Kaveri, and hopefully some other Indian organizations as well. While the proposal certainly merits consideration, the Committee felt that its financial magnitude is entirely beyond the reach of the Corpus and that it differs significantly from the other proposals, and hence did not include it in the above list. The Committee also believes that it is important to conduct a pre-feasibility study of the proposal, followed by a more detailed study if warranted. The Committee recommends that KEC should follow this up, and appoint a group comprising Kaveri members specializing in architecture, engineering, real estate and finance to undertake a preliminary study. Based on the conclusions of the study, further steps could be initiated following a full discussion at a future meeting of Kaveri's general body.