Dear Community Members,
 
It is with lot of excitement and gratitude, we are writing this note to all of you.  As we have completed the early bird special on Feb 12th,more than 460
families registered either online or using hard copies (we are working to enter the hard copy registrations online so that we will have the complete picture in a week).  The following are the highlights of the convention registration so far. 
 
1.  We never had this many families register for the convention within 1 month after opening registrations in the history of KCCNA conventions
 
2. More than 90% of the registrants registered online (only about 30 registrations came in via hard copy) which is a record in itself proving that our members accepted the convenience offered by online registration (we certainly understand that there were glitches here and there, however for the most part it went well)

3. About 20% of the registrants used online payment system either through credit card (Secure PayPal system) or through bank to bank transfer - We had doubts initially whether implementing online payment would be acceptable, once again our people comfortably embraced the convenience of online payment. 
 
4. Almost all of the registrations were approved online by the presidents and Secretaries of member associations within 48 hours - this approach eliminated the need for people to go and meet local association officials. 
 
We have been getting lot of requests since last weekend to extend the discount for few more weeks suggesting such an extension was always allowed in the past conventions.  Given the success of the program thus far and to extend the benefit to our community members, the steering committee met on Tuesday (Feb 14th) decided to extend the $100 discount until midnight of March 4th 2012.  Check payments for these registrations need to be postmarked by March 5th 2012 for discount eligibility.
 
Sincerely for the steering committee 

Shiens Akasala (President, KCCNA)
Siby Vazhappalli (Secretary, KCCNA)

My dear fellow Knanaya Brothers and Sisters,

It is my great pleasure to inform you that our upcoming KCCNA Convention registration is in great process. As you know there is a special pricing is available for early bird registration which is ending on  February 10th 2012. The entire registration will end on March 31st 2012.

Please mark your calender for Sunday,29th January 2012, 6.00 pm. This is the official kick off day for Chicago KCS and it will be held at our Community Center. I am recommending every one of you to take part of this great event and be part of the KCCNA golden history. 

KCS Executive Board

കെ.സി.സി.എന്‍.എ. കണ്‍വന്‍ഷന്‍ ചിക്കാഗോ കിക്കോഫ് ജനുവരി 29 ന് 
 
ചിക്കാഗോ: കെ.സി.സി.എന്‍.എ.യുടെ ആഭിമുഖ്യത്തില്‍ ഒര്‍ലോന്റായില്‍വച്ച് 2012 ജൂലൈ 26 മുതല്‍ 29 വരെ നടക്കുന്ന  പത്താമത് കെ.സി.സി.എന്‍.എ. കണ്‍വന്‍ഷന്റെ ചിക്കാഗോയിലെ കിക്കോഫ് ജനുവരി 29-ാം തീയതി  ഞായറാഴ്ച വൈകിട്ട് 6 മണിക്ക് കമ്മ്യൂണിറ്റി സെന്ററില്‍വച്ച് നടത്തപ്പെടുന്നു. എല്ലാ ക്നാനായ കണ്‍വന്‍ഷനുകളിലും ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല്‍ അംഗങ്ങളെ ങ്കെടുപ്പിക്കുന്ന ചിക്കാഗോയില്‍നിന്നും ഇത്തവണത്തെ കണ്‍വന്‍ഷനും പ്രോത്സാഹജനകമായ പങ്കാളിത്തമാണ്  ലഭിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്നതെന്ന് കെ.സി.എസ്. പ്രസിഡന്റ് സിറിയക് കൂവക്കാട്ടിലും, വൈസ്  പ്രസിഡന്റ് ബിനു പൂത്തുറയിലും അറിയിച്ചു. ജനുവരി 29-ാം തീയതി നടക്കുന്ന  കണ്‍വന്‍ഷന്‍ കിക്കോഫിനോടനുബന്ധിച്ച് അവിടെവച്ച് തന്നെ രജിസ്ട്രേഷന്‍ നടത്തുവാനുള്ള  സൌകര്യങ്ങള്‍ ചിക്കാഗോ ആര്‍.വി.പി. ഷിജു ചെറിയത്തിലിന്റെ നേതൃത്വത്തില്‍  ഉണ്ടായിരിക്കുന്നതാണ്. വടക്കേ അമേരിക്കയിലെ ക്നാനായ സമുദായത്തിന് അമൂല്യമായ  സംഭാവനകള്‍ എന്നും നല്‍കുന്ന ചിക്കാഗോയിലെ ക്നാനായ മക്കളുടെ സജീവ പങ്കാളിത്തം  ഒര്‍ലന്റോ കണ്‍വന്‍ഷനിലേക്ക് ഉണ്ടാകണമെന്ന് കണ്‍വന്‍ഷന്‍ ചെയര്‍മാന്‍ ജെയിംസ്
ഇല്ലിക്കനും, കണ്‍വീനര്‍ ടോമി മ്യാല്‍ക്കരപ്പുറവും അഭ്യര്‍ത്ഥിച്ചു. 

ചിക്കാഗോയിലെ കണ്‍വന്‍ഷന്‍ കിക്കോഫില്‍ കണ്‍വന്‍ഷന്‍ കമ്മറ്റി ചെയര്‍മാന്‍  ജെയിംസ് ഇല്ലിക്കല്‍, ജനറല്‍ കണ്‍വീനര്‍ ടോമി മ്യാല്‍ക്കരപ്പുറത്ത്, മറ്റ്  കെ.സി.സി.എന്‍.എ. ഭാരവാഹികള്‍ തുടങ്ങിയവര്‍ പങ്കെടുക്കുന്നതാണ്. ചിക്കാഗോ  കണ്‍വന്‍ഷന്‍ കിക്കോഫിന്റെ സമ്മേളനത്തിലേക്കും, രജിസ്ട്രേഷന്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നതിലേക്കും  മുഴുവന്‍ ക്നാനായ സമുദായാംഗങ്ങളുടെയും ആത്മാര്‍ത്ഥമായ സഹകരണം കെ.സി.എസ്.  എക്സിക്യൂട്ടീവ് അഭ്യര്‍ത്ഥിച്ചു. 
സൈമണ്‍   മുട്ടത്തില്‍

Dearest Knanaya Community Members,

We are happy and excited to inform you that the Online Registration for the upcoming 2012 KCCNA convention at Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando, FL is now open.  
2012 KCCNA Orlando Convention Online Registration is Open at HTTP://CONVENTION.KCCNA.COM

There are 2 ways people can register for the convention.

1.            Online Registration (Preferred Method: 3 Steps)

a.     Primary Registrant creates an account for himself/herself
b.    Registrant completes the Registration Form and submit for online approval by his/her respective Association Leadership (President/Secretary)
c.     Registrant completes the payment after his/her registration is approved by his/her respective Association Leadership

2.                   Manual Registration (If all possible, try to avoid this method: 3 Steps)

a.       Primary registrant print out the registration form from the convention website and manually fill the paper copy of the form
b.       Get the signature of his/her respective associations president or Secretary on the form
c.        Mail the completed form with all necessary signatures from the local authorities (President/Secretary) and payment (Check) to the KCCNA Convention address on the registration sheet.


The new dates are as follows:

1)            "Early Bird" registration discount will be available till Feb 10th.  In order to receive the discount the approved registration form and payment must be received by KCCNA on or before Feb 10, 2012. It is advised that payment be completed within 2 weeks of registering at the most.
2)                 Last date of Registration will be April 10th, 2012.

Contacting Convention Committee for support:
You can contact Convention Committee via online at: http://kccna.com/support 

Thank You. 
Shiens Akasala (President, KCCNA)
Siby Vazhappalli (Secretary, KCCNA)

Dear Family and Friends,
Let me take this opportunity to wish you best of the season! May the up coming year bring you much luck and prosperity. I hope the year 2012 brings extraordinary achievements for the the whole world, especialy for the Knanaya people.

The year 2012 will be a landmark for KCCNA. This is because 2012 is KCCNA's Silver Jubilee and host the 10th convention here in North America.
I believe it this is the time to thank the leaders who originally presented this great idea to this organization. More than 24 years ago, some visionaries
thought of having the Knanaya people of North America under one roof every 3 years. Once we realized that was not often enough we changed to
every 2 years. Although the role of the Association was different back then, the core agenda and the goal has never changed. Starting in 2001,
The syro malaber knanaya region churches have experienced tremendous growth in North America, but it will never be able to keep our unique identity separate. I know most of you realize this, but the people who immigrated to the US after 2001 don’t realize how important the role of the association  in protecing Knanaya traditions in North America.

 We need churches and priests to fulfill our spiritual needs, but in order for us to stay together as a community we need to support and help the Association grow. In order to grow the Association's strength and influence, as a member, you should participate and help in all of the Association's programs and gatherings. It has been proven in the past that your contribution was essential in the Association's growth.  As we all face new challenges, your involvement with the Association is more important than ever. As strong Catholics and followers of Jesus, we the Knanaya people should strive together for one common goal; a 100% Knanaya Parish and strong leadership for our churches and associations. Therefore, I ask each one of you to come and join us in Tampa Bay, Florida for the 2012 Convention.


In order to pass down some of the savings we received from the convention facility in Tampa Bay, the KCCNA is offering a special for all the sponsors who sign up early. The family sponsor amount has been determined to be $1299. However, if you register before Jan. 31, 2012, you would receive
all the benefits for just $1199.I urge all of you to take advantage of this special price and register for our 2012 Convention. If you get the opportunity, pass the word around and encourage others to also participate in the 2012 Convention. With all of your help, we can make this a memorable one for you and your children.

 As time flies by, everyone realizes that our kids are growing up and are ready to take us to the next level. This is not without new problems, though. As we all learn our new roles in personal and public life, I think it is time to rethink the process and procedures used in the past. We need to come up with creative ideas and plans to lead our community in the coming years. As we all learn from our past, we will strive to make this convention safe, knowledgeable, fun, and entertaining for each participant. We have many young adults involved in this process to introduce new concepts and KCCNA is determined to do what it takes to make this the best possible convention .


I really want to thank you for all your support, and once again wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Sincerely.
Shiju Cheriyathil
RVP of KCS Chicago.

My Dear Fellow Knanaya Family Members,I wish to offer you the greetings of this holiday season and I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Saviour at your hearts and homes.  As many of you might have heard already through KCCNA communications, I have been selected as the chairman for the 2012 Knanaya Catholic Congress of North America’s (KCCNA) Convention. The 2012 KCCNA Convention will be a special Occasion as we are celebrating the Silver Jubilee of our organization. Furthermore, in its 25 year existence the KCCNA has held 9 National Conventions and the 10th National Convention will be held here inOrlando, Florida on July 26,27,28,29. I am writing you this letter to invite you to embrace this forthcoming Convention and make it your own as a testament to our success in establishing ourselves as a vibrant community in North America.

This Convention is unique in nature because:

1. Tampa Assocaition and KCCNA procured a great Convention facility, Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida.  We are confidant that this will be a wonderful facility that will provide us with the best convention experience.

2. All activities will be under one roof and the cost is affordable for all segmnts of our community, whether large families, young families, single adults or youth.

3. We are using our collective experience in planning and organizing past convenitons to establish the infrastructure to create a framework to allow for a great convention experience.

Tampa unit is very excited for the opportunity to host this wonderful celebration, we strongly suggest you to register yearly for this Knanaya Family Sangamam. Registration for the 10th Annual KCCNA National Convention has already begun. To reward those who register early, we are offerring a discounted registration fee until January 31, 2012, so please take advantage of this opportunity. I am encouraging everyone to join your fellow community members in Tampa to make this Convention the best, ever for our community.

Each convention is a grand occasion to preserve our community as well as Knanaya Heritage and we use this occasion to show our children, our way of life as well as our Knanaya pride. We must put aside whatever differences we may have had or pain we may have felt and do what is best for the future of our community when it is time for the convention.

The accomplishment of reaching the Silver Jubiliee for our federation cannot be revered enough and those who helped to establish and ensured the success of our organization cannot be admired or exalted enough.  Almost 1700 years ago, our ancestors left the shores of Canaan to the Malabar Coast and despite moving to an unfamiliar territory, our community and culture not only survived but thrived. In the 20th century, we have left the shores of Malabar to the shores of North America, the land of opportunity, and now it falls upon us to ensure that our community and culture thrive in this land for another 1700 years.  So plan to join for our 10th "Sangamam" and lets togehter celebrate our Jubilee of being an organized community in North America. This will be an opportunity to ensure that we will commit to another 25 years of continued growth and prosperity in this promised through our future generations.

I wish everyone a safe, peaceful, happy, 2012.

If you have any further questions, comments, concerns or suggestion for the smooth conduct of 10th convention please email me atkccnaconventionchairman@gmail.com or call me any time at (813) 230 8031. Thank you for your time. God bless our community.

Sincerely for the Convention Committee,

James Illikal, Chairman

 
Please see below a message from our young adults who are leading the planning of 2012 Convention along with me.


Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family!!! The planning of KCCNA Convention 2012 is moving full steam ahead even through the holidays to make sure that this event exceeds all expectations.While we are all aware of the general "Template" that is usually followed for Kna Conventions, this time great thought is being put into breaking out of the mold and making sure that the needs of all participants are taken care off. One of the first decisions that KCCNA National Council took was to appoint one of us as the co-chairman for the convention with the responsibility of addressing the needs of the "Next Generation of Kna's".  This is first of its kind in the history of our conventions.

We can assure you that this Convention Committee cares greatly and are working with both of us very closely in all decisions. While there has been some displeasure related to the activities of our Youth at past conventions, a lot of planning is being done to insure the safety of all while insuring that the convention remains a joyful and memorable experience. Please find below some of the decisions that has been made in a short period of times related to "Next Gen Kna's". We hope to share more initiatives with you throughout the planning stages.

1. The Banquet will be arranged as a family gathering where all parents and children sit together at the table for the dinner.
2. Convention committee is planning to provide onsite professional Daycare/Babysitting service for parents with young kids3. There will be "Knanaya Vallam Kali" (Boat Race) for the first time for all to enjoy

4. There will be age appropriate enterntaintment programs for next generation Knanaites


ThankYou, 
Anish Nadakuzhiyikal - KCYLNA President/Youth Chair
Vipin Chalungal - Convention Co-Chair

The 2012 KCCNA Convention will be held in Orlando, Florida. The convention will be hosted by the Tampa Knanaya Association. It is scheduled for July 26, 27, 28 and 29th in Orlando. 

The convention will be lead by Mr.James Illickal as the Convention Chairperson and supported by Mr.Tomy Myalkarappurath as General Convener.