Board of Directors
Harka L Biswa, President
Harka L Biswa
Mr. Harka Lal Biswa is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve in the position of the organization's President for three years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2016. He is also the Registered Agent of the BCI. Since he made Iowa home in Nov. 2010, he has been actively working as a community volunteer offering the Bhutanese populace in Iowa with various services such as translation and interpretation, and ESL classes. Besides, he has also been a backbone behind the foundation of the Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI). Back in the refugee camp in Nepal, he served as a teacher for more than 5 years teaching refugee students at various grade levels through grade 5 to 10. He is currently working as a teacher in Dallas Center Grimes Community School District.
Mr. Harka Lal Biswa is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve in the position of the organization's President for three years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2016. He is also the Registered Agent of the BCI. Since he made Iowa home in Nov. 2010, he has been actively working as a community volunteer offering the Bhutanese populace in Iowa with various services such as translation and interpretation, and ESL classes. Besides, he has also been a backbone behind the foundation of the Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI). Back in the refugee camp in Nepal, he served as a teacher for more than 5 years teaching refugee students at various grade levels through grade 5 to 10. He is currently working as a teacher in Dallas Center Grimes Community School District.
Sita Adhikari, Vice President
Sita Adhikari
Ms. Sita Adhikari is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve in the position of the Vice President of the organization for two years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2015. Back in the refugee camp, she served the Bhutanese refugees by serving as a teacher teaching various subjects at different grades. Since, she made Iowa home, she has been active in organizing cultural programs inspiring families to protect, promote and preserve the Bhutanese cultural heritage. Besides serving as the Vice President, she also manages a grocery store in the South East Side of Des Moines.
Ms. Sita Adhikari is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve in the position of the Vice President of the organization for two years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2015. Back in the refugee camp, she served the Bhutanese refugees by serving as a teacher teaching various subjects at different grades. Since, she made Iowa home, she has been active in organizing cultural programs inspiring families to protect, promote and preserve the Bhutanese cultural heritage. Besides serving as the Vice President, she also manages a grocery store in the South East Side of Des Moines.
Chidananda Dahal, General Secretary
Chidananda Dahal
Mr. Chidananda Dahal is elected to the Board of Directors to serve in the position of the General Secretary of the organization for two years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2015. Since he made Iowa home in 2009, he has been actively involved in the community service at various levels and positions. He is one of the front-men in the formation of the Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI). Back in the refugee camp in Nepal, he worked as a deputy head-teacher serving Bhutanese refugee students at various grades. He has also served in the position of Camp Secretary in the refugee camp. Currently, he is working in the Des Moines Public Schools as a Bilingual Community Outreach Worker serving the Nepali-speaking and other English Language learners at Lincoln High School.
Mr. Chidananda Dahal is elected to the Board of Directors to serve in the position of the General Secretary of the organization for two years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2015. Since he made Iowa home in 2009, he has been actively involved in the community service at various levels and positions. He is one of the front-men in the formation of the Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI). Back in the refugee camp in Nepal, he worked as a deputy head-teacher serving Bhutanese refugee students at various grades. He has also served in the position of Camp Secretary in the refugee camp. Currently, he is working in the Des Moines Public Schools as a Bilingual Community Outreach Worker serving the Nepali-speaking and other English Language learners at Lincoln High School.
Tika Bastola, Treasurer
Tika Bastola
Mrs. Tika Bastola is elected to the Board of Directors to serve in the capacity of the Treasurer of the Organization for three years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2016. Mrs. Bastola has been one of the most dedicated community workers both in the refugee camp and here in Iowa serving the Bhutanese refugees with varied services. She has also worked as a teacher for about 10 years serving the Bhutanese refugee students in the refugee camps. Besides, she also served in the camp management team in the refugee camps at various positions. Currently, she is working with the Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) supporting ESL classes for the adult refugee families in Iowa. Mrs. Bastola made Iowa home in 2008.
Mrs. Tika Bastola is elected to the Board of Directors to serve in the capacity of the Treasurer of the Organization for three years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2016. Mrs. Bastola has been one of the most dedicated community workers both in the refugee camp and here in Iowa serving the Bhutanese refugees with varied services. She has also worked as a teacher for about 10 years serving the Bhutanese refugee students in the refugee camps. Besides, she also served in the camp management team in the refugee camps at various positions. Currently, she is working with the Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) supporting ESL classes for the adult refugee families in Iowa. Mrs. Bastola made Iowa home in 2008.
Bel Chhetri, Member
Bel Chhetri
Mr. Bel Chhetri is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve three years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2016. He is one of the most senior members of the BCI both by age and service. Since he made Iowa home in 2008, he has been actively involved in launching cultural programs and events to preserve our rich cultural heritage. He has played a key role in forming the BCI by bringing all Iowan Bhutanese together and advocating the significance of having a community organization. He has a long experience of working as a community leader back home in Bhutan as well as in the refugee camp in Nepal. He has served in the capacity of Sector Head for 18 years serving the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal through administrative services.
Mr. Bel Chhetri is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve three years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2016. He is one of the most senior members of the BCI both by age and service. Since he made Iowa home in 2008, he has been actively involved in launching cultural programs and events to preserve our rich cultural heritage. He has played a key role in forming the BCI by bringing all Iowan Bhutanese together and advocating the significance of having a community organization. He has a long experience of working as a community leader back home in Bhutan as well as in the refugee camp in Nepal. He has served in the capacity of Sector Head for 18 years serving the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal through administrative services.
Gopal Khadka, Member
Gopal Khadka
Mr. Gopal Khadka is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve two years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2015. Mr, Khadka brings with him a huge repertoire of community services working at various levels and positions. Since he made Iowa home in 2008, he has been actively involved for the betterment of the Bhutanese refugees in Iowa. Back in the refugee camp in Nepal, he worked as a teacher teaching refugee students varied subjects at different grade levels. Besides, he has also worked in the capacity of Camp Secretary ably managing the administration of the refugee camp. Currently, Mr. Khadka is working with U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) as Reception and Placement Case Manager assisting refugees through resettlement process.
Mr. Gopal Khadka is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve two years term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2015. Mr, Khadka brings with him a huge repertoire of community services working at various levels and positions. Since he made Iowa home in 2008, he has been actively involved for the betterment of the Bhutanese refugees in Iowa. Back in the refugee camp in Nepal, he worked as a teacher teaching refugee students varied subjects at different grade levels. Besides, he has also worked in the capacity of Camp Secretary ably managing the administration of the refugee camp. Currently, Mr. Khadka is working with U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) as Reception and Placement Case Manager assisting refugees through resettlement process.
Ranjita Gurung, Member
Ranjita Gurung
Mrs. Ranjita Gurung is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve one year term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2014. Mrs. Gurung has been active in promoting and preserving the Bhutanese culture and tradition through organizing cultural program within and outside the state of Iowa. She was also an active member of the Bhutanese Community in Lanchanster (PA) prior to her migration to Iowa. While in Nepal, Mrs. Gurung has worked as a teacher in a private school for five years. She has also served as a Board Member of an ethnic association called Rodhi Midha while in the refugee camp in Nepal.
Mrs. Ranjita Gurung is elected to the BCI Board of Directors to serve one year term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2014. Mrs. Gurung has been active in promoting and preserving the Bhutanese culture and tradition through organizing cultural program within and outside the state of Iowa. She was also an active member of the Bhutanese Community in Lanchanster (PA) prior to her migration to Iowa. While in Nepal, Mrs. Gurung has worked as a teacher in a private school for five years. She has also served as a Board Member of an ethnic association called Rodhi Midha while in the refugee camp in Nepal.
Man Bhattarai, Member (Nominated)
Man Bhattarai
Mr. Man Bhattarai is nominated to serve the BCI Board of Directors to serve as a member for one year term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2014. He represents Cedar Rapids for the Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI).
Mr. Man Bhattarai is nominated to serve the BCI Board of Directors to serve as a member for one year term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2014. He represents Cedar Rapids for the Bhutanese Community in Iowa (BCI).
Hem Mongar, Member (Nominated)
Hem Mongar
Mr. Hem Mongar is nominated to serve the BCI Board of Directors to serve as a member for one year term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2014. He is nominated as a representative of the Bhutanese youth in the Board of Directors.
Mr. Hem Mongar is nominated to serve the BCI Board of Directors to serve as a member for one year term from Dec. 2013 until Dec. 2014. He is nominated as a representative of the Bhutanese youth in the Board of Directors.
