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By John C. Elakkatt

FIRST EXECUTIVE BOARD OF KCS – November 1983-1984

PRESIDENT    MR. THOMAS THARAYIL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. RAJAN KALLADANTHIL 
SECRETERY    MR. PRASAD POOVATHUMKAL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR.JOSE CHACKALACKAL 
TREASURER    MR. JOSE PANANGATT 
The first Executive Board worked hard to build a solid foundation for KCS.  They appointed a committee consisting of Chacko Poovathumkal, Rajan Kalladanthyal and Kurian Thattarettu to review the KCS Constitution and make necessary additions and subtractions.  They began the process to establish KCS as a Not for Profit Organization.  The first KCS Picnic, Christmas and Easter Gathering was conducted.  Since this was the start of the organization, many obstacles were faced and this Executive Board handled them very well.  

SECOND EXECUTIVE BOARD OF KCS- November 1984-1985

 PRESIDENT    MR. JOHN C. ELAKKATT 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. MATHEW JOHN (MATHAI) PADINJARAL 
SECRETARY    MR. JOY VACHACHIRA 
ASST. SECRETARY   MRS. MARY KARAPILLIL 
TREASURER    MR. KURIAN NELLAMATTOM 
The first woman to be a member of the Executive Board of KCS was Mrs. Mary (Pennama) Karapillil. This Executive Board continued the process of getting the Not for Profit Status and Tax exemption and achieved it.  They continued the routine activities and took care of the Knanaya Catholic Mission.  As the Knanaya Catholic population increased, the membership also increased.  We started the process of conducting the first Knanaya Night but as the governing period ended in November we could not conduct a Knanaya Night. The Ecumenical Council of Kerala Churches in Chicago was organized in 1984 with Rev. Corespicopa Kurian Thottupuram as President.  K.C.S represented the Knanaya Community until 1995 when Rev. Fr. Simon Edathilparampil became director of the Knanaya Catholic Mission. There-after, under his direction, the Knanaya Catholic Mission represented the Knanaya Catholic community in the Ecumenical Council.   

THIRD EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1985-1986

 PRESIDENT    MR. JOHNY JOSEPH PUTHENPARAMBIL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. CYRIAC LUKOSE PUTHENPURAYIL 
SECRETARY    MR. JOJO VATTADIKUNNEL ASST. SECRETARY   MR. JOY CHOOTTUVELLIL 
TREASURER    MR. JAMES KUNNESSARIL 
In this period, in addition to the usual activities, the first Knanaya Night was staged.  Talented artists within the Knanaya community performed in a Drama conducted by KCS along with a variety of other entertainment programs.  The first Knanaya Catholic Convention was held in New York which led to the formation of K.C.C.N.A.  

FOURTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1986-1988

 PRESIDENT    MR. JOY VACHACHIRA 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. KURIAN NELLAMATTOM 
SECRETARY    MR. SIMON PALLIKUNNEL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. JOSE PINARKAYIL 
TREASURER    MR. PHILIP KOOVAKADA 
During this period, the duration of the KCS executive term was changed from one year to 2 years. Knanaya Night was modified with more items and competitions. This term saw significant growth in membership and plans for purchasing a Community Center began.   

FIFTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1988-1990

 PRESIDENT    MR. MATHEW PADINJARAL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. MATHEW KULANGARA 
SECRETARY    MR. JOY CHOOTUVELLIL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. MATHACHAN CHEMMACHEL 
TREASURER    MR. MICHAEL MANIPARAMBIL 
This Executive Board convinced community members of the necessity of a Community Center. They began fund raising in various means.  Mega Star Night with Mammooty was a great success and made about $25,000 in net profit.  They started the news letter for K.C.S.  Knanaya Catholic Youth League of Chicago (K.C.Y.L) was established.  First President of KCYL was Joy Chemmachel.  Vice President - Benny Vachachira, Secretary- Joseph (Shibu) Thandacheril, Joint Secretary – Jomon Mathew, Treasurer- Ninal Simon Mundaplackel.  The first Knanaya Catholic Souvenir was published in 
1990.  It was called the Knanaya Chronicle.  As the community grew, there were some differences of opinion and based on that there were some disputes among members, executives and sub-committees.  To solve such problems within the organization, KCS felt the necessity to form a Liaison Board with mature, respected and capable members.  Accordingly, the first Liaison board was elected.  The first Liaison Board Chairman was John C. Elakkatt, first Vice Chairman, Kurian Nellamattom, and first Liaison Board Members were – Philip Puthenpurayil, Johny Puthenparambil and Philip Elakkatt. 

SIXTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1990-1992

 PRESIDENT    MR. CHACKO POOVATHUMKAL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. SIMON ELLANKAYAIL 
SECRETARY    MR. JOSE NADUPARAMBIL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. PHILIP(KUNJUMON) CHOOTUVELIL 
TREASURER    MR. PETER KULLANGARA 
During this period, the Knanaya Olympics began.  Competition on Forana basis started.  The K.C.S news letter was modified and the responsibility for the content was given to the president.  Also during this time, a comprehensive address list of members was put together due to the efforts of Jose Naduparambil.  He was also the person that was depended on to keep the list updated for some time even after his term in office.  To this day, he is sometimes still referred to as “Secretary Jose”.  The fundraising committee for the Community Center expanded and a regional committee was formed.  K.C.S constitution was revised and made up to date.  Many fund raising functions were conducted and raised $200,000.  K.C.S building fundraising committee started the unit system of $500 per unit.  The major fund raising event was a drama of Kozhikode Drama troop and one music concert.     During this period K.C.S bought a Nissan Sentra for Mission Director Rev. Fr. Cyriac Manthurathil which was handed over to succeeding mission directors Rev. Fr. Simon Eddathaparamil and Rev. Fr. Philip Thodukayil. 

SEVENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1992-1994

 PRESIDENT    MR. SIMON ELLANKAYIL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. JAIBU KULLANGARA 
SECRETARY    MR. JOSE AIKKARAPARAMBIL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. JOSE NADUPARAMBIL 
TREASURER    MR. CHACKO POOVATHUMKAL 
The main achievement of this executive board was the purchase of the long awaited Community Center.  The efforts of this Executive Board as well as the previous three Executive Boards made this purchase possible.  I remember with thanks the involvement of Rev. Fr. Cyriac Manthurathil.  He visited houses with the various regional committee members to collect and take pledges for the purchase of the community center.  In 1993 the price of the community center was a little over $400,000.  There was no bank loan or any other debt. Mr. Kurian Karappallil and Chacko Poovathumkul served as building fundraising committee chairmen with 7 or 8 area coordinators. Joy Kottoor, Joy Vachachara, Kurian Nellamattom, Simon Viruthikulangara, Raju Kanjirathumkal, Kurian Thottichira, Mathew Idiyalil, Thomas Kaidampallil, and Mathachan Chemmachel were some of the area coordinators.  John Elakkatt and Simon Pallikunnel were account keepers with general ledger and individual ledger from the beginning until the purchase of the community center. This Executive Board also contributed to the success of the 2nd Knanaya Catholic Convention in New York. 

EIGHTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1994-1996

PRESIDENT    MR. JOY VACHACHIRA VICE PRESIDENT   MR. KURIAN THOTTICHIRA 
SECRETARY    MR. JOSE KANIYALI 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. GEORGE NELLAMATTAM 
TREASURER    MR. JOY KOTTOOR 
During this period, the community center was remodeled to hold the growing number of members.  Subordinate organizations such as Kids Club, Woman’s Forum and Yuvajenavethi were established.  This Executive Board obtained the real estate tax exemption for the Community Center. They worked hard to host the third K.C.C.N.A convention in Chicago.  Jose Kaniyali, the secretary at the time was the president of the K.C.C.NA.  It was the largest and one of the better organized conventions ever held.   

NINTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1996-1998

PRESIDENT    MR. CYRIAC LUKOSE PUTHENPURAYIL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. SIMON PALLIKUNNEL 
SECRETARY    MR. JOSE AIKKARAPARAMBIL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. JOSEPH (SHIBU) THANDACHERIL 
TREASURER    MR. PRASAD POOVATHUMKAL 
This Board reinforced the property tax exemption status of the community center.  His Eminence Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil and His Grace, Arch Bishop Karattabra visited the Community Center and had dinner with the Executive Committee and Rev. Fathers.  

TENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 1998-2000

 PRESIDENT    MR. SIMON PALLIKUNNEL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. PETER KULLANGARA 
SECRETARY    MR. MATHEW IDIYALLIL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. TOMY NELLAMATTOM 
TREASURER    MR. CYRIAC CHORATH 
In 1999, September 18, the K.C.S conducted a fund raising stage program – Thalam Melam 1998.  They were a major part of making the 4th
  K.C.C.N.A Convention in Houston a success.  Seminars, Medical Camp, Essay Competitions etc. were successfully conducted. A memorial Service for Late Bishop Makil, Bishop Choolapparambil and  Bishop Tharayil was conducted in the community Center.  A car was presented to Bishop Moolakkatt.  A car was also given to Fr. Simon Edathilparambil.  

ELEVENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 2000-2002

 PRESIDENT    MR. JOY CHEMMACHEL VICE PRESIDENT   MR. SABU NADUVETTIL 
SECRETARY    MR. GEORGE THOTTAPURAM 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. BIJU THURUTHUMALIL 
TREASURER    MR. FRANCIS KIZHAKKETTKUTT 
As the Community grew to about 800 families and 4,000 people, the present community center was not big enough for the community to get together.  So this executive started to look for a bigger and better one and started fund raising.  They visited homes and collected money and pledges for the community center.  Womens Forum staged a show – Vasanthowlsavam which was a new step in K.C.S.  The profit of this program was given to 10 poor families to get their daughters married.  The community center building fund    committee raised in cash and pledges about $1.5 million.  A grand reception was given to Bishop Jacob Angadiath in the presence of Bishop Kunnessary in the community center.  A K.C.S charity fund and website was started.  The first retreat for children (kids club,K.C.J.L) was conducted in the community center.  A Talent Night show was also conducted.   

TWELVTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 2002-2004

 PRESIDENT    DR. MATHEW THIRUNELLEPARAMBIL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. JOSE PINARKAYIL 
SECRETARY    MR. JOYCE PUTHENPARAMPIL 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. SUNNY MUNDAPLAKAL 
TREASURER    MR. SHIJU CHERYIATHIL 
This Executive Board continued the K.C.S Community Center fund-raising programs.with a stage program called Vasantholsanam.They conducted the 4th K.C.C.N.A Convention in Toronto, Canada.  K.C.S did a good job to make it a success.  They gave a grand send off to K.C.S mission director Rev. Fr. Philip Thodukayil and gave a warm welcome to new Mission director Rev. Fr. Abraham Mutholuth. They worked hard to buy a church propertty in Bolling Brook, but it did not work out.  

THIRTEENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 2004-2006 

PRESIDENT    MR. MATHEW NEDUMAKKEL 
VICE PRESIDENT   MRS. MAYAMMA PETER VETTIKATT 
SECRETARY    MR. CYRIAC KOOVAKATTLE 
ASST. SECRETARY   MR. SABU KATTAPURAM 
TREASURER    MR. TOJO CHORATH 
The second woman executive member after an interval of twenty years was Mrs. Mayamma Peter Vettikatt as Vice President. A special K.C.S general body was called and a motion was presented to agree to buy a church for the K.C.S Mission and it was passed unanimously.  During this period the Maywood Church was purchased and we finally had our own parish church.  Also, two fund raising programs called summer in USA 2006 and Family Fest 2005 were conducted.  In addition, this Executive Board, to recognize that the Community is where we are today due to the contributions of all past Executive Boards, honored all the past Executive Board members by calling a special meeting in the Community Center .  They worked hard to buy a new building in Wheeling but could not do it due to zoning issues. 

FOURTEENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of KCS- November 2006-2008 

PRESIDENT    MR. SHAJI EDATT 
VICE PRESIDENT   MR. JAYAN MACKEL 
SECRETARY    MR. ROY NEDUMCHIRA 
ASST. SECRETARY   MRS. RUBY JOYCE PUTHENPARAMBIL 
TREASURER    MR. BIJU KIZHAKKETKUTTU 
This executive provided leadership in arranging several extra curricular activities for our members such as the drama club, Yoga etc.  This executive board also included the third woman to hold executive office, Mrs. Ruby Joyce Puthenparambil.  They, along with, previous Executive Boards played a major role in purchasing the 7 acres of land in Hoffman Estates to build the anticipated large Community Center.  They conducted  fund raising programs called Biju Narayanan Show 2007 and the Jayaram Show 2008. Women’s Forum Conducted a raffle with a Lexus Car as the first prize under the leadership of Mrs. Mayamma  Peter Vettikatt. All the Executives from 2001  onwards were doing fund raising programs to add money to the new  building fund.    

FIFTEENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of K.C.S.   2008 - 2010 

PRESIDENT                        Mrs.Meyamma P. Vettikkatt.  
Vice PRESIDENT                Mr. JOHN  PATTAPATHY 
SECRETARY                      Mr. JOSE  THOOMPANAL 
Joint  SECRETARY             Mr.STEPHEN CHOLLAMPEL  
TREASURER                      Mr.NINAL MUNDAPLAKAL 

SIXTEENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of K.C.S    2011 - 2012

PRESIDENT                        Mr. CYRIAC CHANDY
Vice PRESIDENT                Mr. BINU POOTHURAYIL
SECRETARY                      Mr. SIMON MUTTATHIL 
Joint  SECRETARY             Mr. MATHIAS PULLAPALLIL  
TREASURER                      Mr. JOMON THODUKAYIL

SEVENTEENTH EXECUTIVE BOARD of K.C.S    2013 - 2014

PRESIDENT                         Mr. GEORGE THOTTAPURAM
VICE PRESIDENT                Mr.
JESSMON PURAMADATHIL
SECRETARY                        Mr.
JUBY VENNALASERIL
JOINT  SECRETARY            Mr.
BABU THAIPARAMBIL 
TREASURER                       Mr.
JUSTIN THENGANATTU

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