Berkeley Annapurna Lions Club

Brief History

The club was initiated by threesome Lion Gyanu Panta, Lion Rajen Thapa and Lion Mani Nepali, Lion Suman Dahal, Lion Jagannath Goutam, Lion Khagendra Dhungel, Lion Laxmi Chaudhari, Lion Dhruva Thapa, Lion Ram Chandra Dhakal. The first initial meeting of the proposed Lions Club of the Himalayas was conducted in the Taste of The Himalayas, Berkeley on February 8, 2006, chaired by the Guiding Lion of Richmond Pinole Club Lion Gyan Panta. The other members present were Lion Rajen Thapa the adviser of District of Lions club in Nepal, and the Founder president of Unnatisil Nepali Samaj, Nepal, Mr. Mani Nepali Paneru.

Just after three days of the first initial meeting chaired by the Guiding Lion of Richmond Pinole Lions Club, Lion Gyan Panta, (Berkeley February 8, 2006), a fruitful mass meeting of the prospective Lions was held on Saturday, February 11, 2006. As a result of active participants of the first initial meeting the Guiding Lion Mr. Gyan Panta. Lion Mr. Rajen Thapa and Lion Mani Nepali Paneru, The meeting was honored by the presence of Ms. Linda Griffin PDG. Amidst a remarkable and an exciting gathering of thirty Nepalese individuals, all the participants vowed to serve as dedicated Lions.

The meeting was initiated by evocation of Ms, Linda Griffin (PDG), followed by a pledge in Nepali language. Starting with Ms. Linda Griffin, all the participants introduced themselves. Mr. Jagannath Gautam read the objective of the Lions Club. Guiding Lion of Richmond Pinole Club Mr. Gyan Panta highlighted on the history of Lions Club sharing his exciting personal and organizational experience on his long journey of Lionism. PDG Ms. Griffin praising the enthusiastic participation of the Nepalese in the Bay Areas explained ten reasons why we should be lions. Mr. Rajen Thapa further highlighted on the urgency of founding and running of an independent Lions Club of the Nepalese community. PDG Ms. Linda Griffin closed the social meeting with closing remarks. Mr. Mani Nepali Paneru, Secretary of the proposed Lions Club, minuted the meeting.

The orientation was held on February 29, 2006. It was decided that the Charter Night will take place on in a grand manner on April 29, 2006. March 11, 2006

A great pride was taken by all the charter team being a part of this historical lions club of the Nepalese community. As far as we know, Lions Club of Berkeley Annapurna is the first such club in the state of California and the second in the USA.