Following Frequently Asked Questions will help you to know more about the past, present and future of FeTNA. If you have any further questions, please contact us.

What is the Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America?

It is an umbrella organization of Tamil Sangams that function within the North American Continent. FeTNA is a registered, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. It was founded in 1987 by five Tamil Sangams: Tamil Association of Delaware Valley, Tamil Sangam of Washington & Baltimore, New York Tamil Sangam, Ilankai Tamil Sangam and Harrisburg Tamil Sangam. An assembly of over 400 Tamils near Philadelphia celebrated the inauguration in the spring of 1988. Since then the Federation (FeTNA for abbreviation) has organized an annual convention each of the subsequent years.

1988 - Broomall, Pennsylvania
1989 - Washington, Washington DC
1990 - Staten Island, New York
1991 - Hoffman Estates, Illinois
1992 - College Park, Maryland
1993 - Kenosha, Wisconsin
1994 - Somerset, New Jersey
1995 - Toledo, Ohio
1996 - Stamford, Connecticut
1997 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
1998 - Edwardsville, Illinois
1999 - Atlantic City, New Jersey
2000 - Tampa, Florida
2001 - Southfield, Michigan
2002 - University Park, Illinois
2003 - Trenton, New Jersey
2004 - Baltimore, Maryland
2005 - Dallas, Texas
2006 - New York, New York

2007 - Raleigh, North Carolina

2008 - Orlando, Florida

2009 - Atlanta, Georgia

2010 - Waterbury, Connecticut

2011 - Charleston, South Carolina

Why is FeTNA needed?

The Tamils in this country are spread over the entire country. Distance has prevented us from forming large communities. A few well-organized Tamil Sangams are present in large metropolitan areas where there is sufficient number of Tamils present to obtain a sense of Tamil Togetherness. By and large, most Tamil Sangams consist of less than 100 active families. These are too small to form active communities and develop community features and resources, and fragile enough to fall prey to factionalism. Networking with other Sangams offer the possibilities of connectivity, stability, and increased resources. FeTNA meets this need. FeTNA provides for developing connectivity among the Tamil Communities in North America. Its primary objective is the preservation and growth of Tamil Language, Culture, and Community.

What is our objective?

The Federation is a non-profit, literary, educational, cultural, charitable, secular, and nonpartisan organization.

• To establish a centralized organization comprised of elected representatives of Tamil associations in North America and of individuals living in North America who have contributed to the objectives of the Federation and who join as Life Members.

• To cultivate, promote, foster, and develop the advancement of knowledge in Tamil language, literature and culture.

• To cultivate, promote, and foster the exchange of ideas and understanding between the Tamil people and other cultures.

• To promote better understanding and foster friendship among various Tamil associations in North America and to encourage the formation of new Tamil Sangams.

• To act upon charitable causes directly concerning the welfare of Tamil community living throughout the world.

What is our Bylaws?

Click here to read Bylaws document
Click here to read Amendments document

What has FeTNA done to date?

FeTNA has been principally responsible for bringing together Forty Tamil Sangams to celebrate annually a festival in which the individuals and groups from member Sangams have presented artistic programs or interacted in one of many activities organized during the convention weekend. People who have attended the past fifteen conventions have almost all had been complimentary in describing their experience. It has been tremendously heartening to note that the annual convention is an event to be at with the family. The youth have especially complimentary.

The second accomplishment has been FeTNA's sponsorship of twenty four Tamil Scholars in the past fifteen years to visit the US and the various members Tamil Sangams. FeTNA is committed to sponsor at least two Tamil Scholar each year. The other accomplishments of FeTNA include the project for a Tamil chair and hence the support FeTNA has provided to the University of California, Berkeley Tamil Chair Project.

Why should a Tamil Sangam become a member of FeTNA?

Local Tamil Sangam is analogous to your immediate family and FeTNA is your larger family. Another analogy that might describe the relationship is, FeTNA is a community while local Tamil Sangam is a single home in the community of FeTNA. By becoming a member of FeTNA, the local Tamil Sangam is eligible to FeTNA sponsored activities such as the Tamil Scholar Program. Perhaps the most important benefit to local Tamil Sangam is the connectivity it will develop with other Tamil Sangams in North America. Such benefits as job, business, and marriage connections have already benefited many.

What should a local Tamil Sangam do to become a member of FeTNA?

To qualify to become a FeTNA member, the objectives of the local Tamil Sangam (within the North America) should be compatible with those of FeTNA's. Your Tamil Sangam could obtain a copy of FeTNA's constitution by a simple e-mail or phone call. The formal process of application requires that a letter expressing the interest of the local Tamil Sangam together with a copy of its constitution or by-laws and a statement of the strength of its membership should be submitted to:

Dr. Dhandapani Kuppuswamy
222 Mossy Aak Way
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

What does membership in FeTNA cost?

The membership costs are nominal and is proportional to the member Sangam's membership strength. For example, membership for a Sangam with 50 to 149 adult members is $100 per year. More detailed schedule is available.

How is the interest of the Local Tamil Sangam represented at FeTNA?

Member Sangams appoint delegates to the board of FeTNA, which is the governing body of FeTNA. The number is proportional to membership. The interest of the Sangams is represented through the governing body.