MEMBERSHIP:

1. How do I become a member?
Register your membership profile in www.macatoronto. ca and pay the membership fee of $25 either using PAYPAL facility in the web or sending a cheque to MACA, 54-75 Blackwell Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1B 1K5. You can also handover the cheque to one of the Committee Members of MACA – details under Governance in the “About Us” page.

2. Is the membership for entire family?
Yes the membership fee is for the entire family. You may use the Profile form to update details of members of your family. The member of your family includes your / your spouse’s parents.

3. What are the benefits of membership?
The mission of MACA is try and meet the needs of every member in a family; MACA provides an opportunity - whether you're a parent, who wants to network & socialize, or a grand parent interested in meeting the same age group or a teen waiting to discover your hidden talents. Your membership opens the door to the folks of your origin! Most importantly your membership helps your community through MACA’s many activities.

4. What are the membership fees? How do I make payment?
The membership fee is $25 and you can pay the membership fee either using PAYPAL facility in www.macatoronto. ca or sending a cheque to MACA, 54-75 Blackwell Avenue, Scarborough, ON M1B 1K5. You can also handover the cheque to one of the Committee Members of MACA – details under Governance in the “About Us” page.

5. Are there any restrictions to become a member?
There are no restrictions to become a member. MACA largely consists of people originating from Tamil Nadu, India and you will be comfortable if you happen to be one.

SCHOOL:

1. What is MACA School? What do they teach?
MACA School is devoted to promote our culture, Heritage and Language. The medium of instruction is in English. Madras Cultural Academy (Official name for MACA School) has two locations to cater the needs of our community living in East and West End.
In Tamil classes, the students will learn to read, write and speak Tamil. Using stories, games and other techniques, the instructor will guide the kids to a good understanding of the basics and help them to communicate in Tamil.
In the heritage program for children, the students focus on Slokas, fables, stories, moral values, yoga, understanding the spirit and wisdom of our cultural practices and inherent values of our Ithihas and scriptures.
MACA has been conducting Yoga class which the students will have 40 minutes of asana practice ( Hatha Yoga), 10 minutes of pranayama and 10 minutes of meditation (Raja Yoga). The class size is limited.

2. How do I enroll my kids? What is the eligibility?
You can bring your children to the class room. East end school classes are held every Saturday between 10 AM and 12 Noon, in Vedic Centre, 4345, 14th avenue Markham . West end school classes are held every Sunday between 10 AM and 1 PM in South Common Community Center 2233 South Millway, Mississauga ON L5L 3H7 (Erin Mills Parkway / Burnhamthorpe).
For registration in the East end school, please contact Mrs. Gita Sankaran at 905-948-9657 or email at macafamily@gmail.com
For registration in the West end school, please contact Mrs. Jaya Balu at905-820-2095 or email at macafamily@gmail.com

3. Whom do I contact for School admissions?
For registration in the East end school, please contact Mrs. Gita Sankaran at 905-948-9657 or email at macafamily@gmail.com
For registration in the West end school, please contact Mrs. Jaya Balu at905-820-2095 or email at macafamily@gmail.com

4. Are there any charges for school?
For each child a monthly charge of $20 is payable ($25 if more than one child from the same family) for East & West end Tamil and Heritage classes.
For Yoga students in West end, a monthly charge of $20 is payable ($25 if more than one member from the same family) by a MACA member. Non-members can also attend the program paying $25 per participant per month.

MITRA SERVICES:

1. How do MITRA services help newcomers?
MITRA Services conducts workshops with a focus on functional skill upgrading, interview skills and job search tips. These workshops are conducted with volunteers from Human resource personnel and senior executives.
MITRA Services also provides newsletters containing information, articles and job-links through MACA website.

2. What services are available from MITRA?
Workshops and seminars conducted by MITRA services provide the job seekers to upgrade their approach to job search and provide valuable opportunity for networking.
Job openings for various skills from Member entrepreneurs and executives are posted in MACA website and circulated to members through e-bulletin.

3. How do I contact MITRA?
For MITRA services you can contact Partha Sankara at 905-502-0686 or email your request with details to macafamily@gmail.com

MACA PROGRAMS:

1. How does my child participate in MACA programs?
You may contact the Program Directors of any MACA Event or email your request with details to macafamily@gmail.com

2. Are admissions to MACA programs free?
Admission to Annual PICNIC of MACA (July) for all members and their family are free. We also screen 2 to 4 FREE SUNDAY movies. Admission to other MACA programs and events are generally ticketed programs, with special rate for members. For details of specific programs refer to the relevant e-bulletin from MACA.

3. How do I present a program in MACA event?
You need to coordinate with the Entertainment Committee of a MACA Event. Details for specific programs will be available in the relevant e-bulletin from MACA.

TRADE PROMOTION:

1. How do I promote my trade / service through MACA?
There are several ways.

2. Can I post trade information in MACA Website or MACA E-Madals?
You can use our web portal advertisement slots and book for a period

3. What is the tariff for trade advertisements in MACA Website or E-Madals?
The tariff depends on your mode of advertisement. You can contact Vasan Srinivasan at 416-292-3877 or email your details to macafamily@gmail.com

4. Can I sponsor MACA programs? What is the process?
Yes, you can sponsor MACA programs. You can contact Vasan Srinivasan at 416-292-3877 or email your details to macafamily@gmail.com

VOLUNTEERING:

1. How do I enroll as volunteer for MACA Events?
You can call any of the Committee members (see Contact Us page for details). You can also email your details to macafamily@gmail.com.

2. If I work as volunteer, as a student, do I get volunteer hours?
Yes, eligible students who work as volunteers can obtain from MACA the credentials for having served as volunteers in any MACA event.

MANAGEMENT:

1. How is MACA managed?
An Executive Committee of 14 elected members governs MACA. The committee elects office bearers lead by President. The Secretary assisted by Joint Secretary takes care of the administrative aspects while the Treasurer supported by the Joint Treasurer looks after the financial and accounting matters. The President and the Vice-President provide leadership. The Executive Committee meets once in two months. The day-to-day decisions are debated through MACA eGroup

2. How do I become a Committee Member?
Committee Members are elected through an election process defined in the Constitution of MACA. E-bulletins will be sent to all members inviting nominations as and when election is due. You can respond to such invites emailing your details to macafamily@gmail.com

3. How do I become an Office-Bearer?
Executive Committee is elected by the Committee Members through an election process defined in the Constitution of MACA. MACA Committee Members’ e-group communications will be sent the election officer to all committee members. If you are a committee member, you will receive such communication and you can respond to that for becoming an office bearer of MACA.

MISSION:

1. What is the Mission of MACA?
The mission of MACA is to meet the needs of every member in a family - the big happy family of ethnic Tamils from Tamil Nadu settled in Canada; MACA provides an opportunity - whether you're a parent, who wants to network & socialize, or a grand parent interested in meeting the same age group or a teen waiting to discover your hidden talents.

YUV-NET:

1. What are the opportunities for YOUTH in MACA?
Other services of MACA include various personal requests from members. As one big family, MACA strives best to provide such services- e.g. communicating the request for travel companions for senior members, Sastrigal for religious rites etc.

2. Whom do I contact for such services?
You can email your details to macafamily@gmail.com

OTHER SERVICES:

1.What are the other services MACA provide?
Other services of MACA include various personal requests from members. As one big family, MACA strives best to provide such services- e.g. communicating the request for travel companions for senior members, Sastrigal for religious rites etc.

2. Are there charges for such services?
MACA provides communication help and there are no charges for such services.

3. Whom do I contact for such services?
You can email your details to macafamily@gmail.com

COMMUNICATION:

1. Whom do I contact in MACA for help?
You can contact any of the Committee Members (see Contact Us page for details). You can email your details to macafamily@gmail.com

2. How do I communicate to MACA?
A detailed email to macafamily@gmail. com will be ideal.

MACA MUSIC:

1. What is MACA Music?
MACA Music is part of MACA that brings together the carnatic music lovers within MACA. Monthly and seasonal programs by members, member-children and others are provided. Aradhanas and seminars also provide platform for learning and quench the music thirst of MACA members.

2. How do I join MACA Music?
MACA music group has their communication through a web group. You can mail your details to macafamily@gmail. com to become part of the MACA music group.