A: Havyaka Association of The Americas (HAA) was founded 43 years ago and later registered as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO). We have a total of 20 HAA local chapters across the Americas. Ironically, we’ve only 243 life and 14 patron members so far out of approximately 5000 families living in the Americas. This makes us look like a weak organization without any voice. We’ll be heard only when we stand united in strength. Many communities in the USA have built strong, well-organized networks and thriving memberships. It’s time for us Havyakas too to come together and build a strong membership based organization. This is the reason why Havyakas should become HAA members. It’s also the reason for this reach out and the intent of the membership drive.

A: As a registered NPO, HAA has responsibilities and obligations to serve not only HAA but also humanity around us. Hence, HAA makes charitable donations to alleviate poverty and promote education and health in the USA, Canada, and abroad (mainly India). Apart from that HAA needs funds to manage organizational upkeep expenses such as IT maintenance, tax filing, 501(c)(3) registration renewal etc. In recent years HAA has started sponsoring Havyaka Youth activities so that the next generation Havyakas understand Havyaka values and stay connected. Obviously, HAA needs funds for meeting above objectives, hence a fee for membership becomes essential.

A: Please see below chart to know more about the new membership plan.

In addition to the above benefits, the existing members will continue to have voting rights in GBM, gain eligibility to become HAA office bearers, receive convention souvenirs irrespective of convention attendance, etc.

A: Please continue to collect the nominal fees (if any) at the chapter level as usual. There is no change to that. The benefits passed on to the chapters is a one-time benefit to drive HAA membership. And also the benefit to the chapter is available based on the new HAA membership from that chapter.

A: The local HAA chapters could purchase useful assets/items and claim expenses for chapter’s activities based on the total new membership benefits. For ex; the chapters could buy extra chairs, tables, audio system etc or claim hall rental, picnic spot rentals etc.,

A: Yes, all HAA members (existing and new members) will receive a one-time 2026 convention registration fee discount as mentioned below

● Life members – $50 per family

● Patron members – $250 per family

However, the chapter benefit is applicable only in case of new HAA membership.

A:The HAA convention budget will be absorbing the membership benefit cost. It will be a huge burden for the HAA convention budget, if chapter benefits were to be activated retrospectively. Hence, only the new membership benefit is passed onto the respective chapters.

A: No, all Havyaka families should continue to pay the local chapter’s nominal fees (if any) as usual irrespective of their HAA membership status. The benefit passed onto the local chapter is a one-time benefit and it is made available for increasing HAA membership.

A: The HAA member family will receive the convention registration fees discount irrespective of where they move. And the chapter where they lived at the time of their membership will receive the benefit.

A: Our Treasurer Shri Ranjan Hegdeand his team will keep an account of the membership benefits available to local chapters based on the membership from the local chapters. The VPs can plan for using the benefit based on this information.

A: VPs can send the receipts to Shri Ranjan Hegdeand claim the expense reimbursements based on the fund collected for the chapter.

A: The unused fund will remain as seed fund for the subsequent years for the chapter. However, HAA encourages to use the available funds for the benefit of the local chapters.

A: You can contact us through havyak.org, or reach out to the HAA President, Secretary, or your local chapter VP.