Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
We actually had a really close nit organization in NC called Pakistani American Anjuman (PAA and formally knows as NCPAA).
It used to organize events from picnics to special days (eid, 14th aug, etc etc) to musical shows and many "just for the sake of it" functions. Once a month gathering where any new Pakistanis in the area were specially invited. Becauase community was not to large (in Raleigh), there was not much politics involved as in many other metro areas.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
How did you guys trace down new pakistanis to invite them?
We actually had a really close nit organization in NC called Pakistani American Anjuman (PAA and formally knows as NCPAA).
It used to organize events from picnics to special days (eid, 14th aug, etc etc) to musical shows and many "just for the sake of it" functions. Once a month gathering where any new Pakistanis in the area were specially invited. Becauase community was not to large (in Raleigh), there was not much politics involved as in many other metro areas.
Sounds cool but why "had" and "were"? I hope it has not ceased to exist. :(
We have the “Pakistani Association of Greater Boston” - they throw some very big events a couple times a year. They help out Pakistani students by having a great liason relationship with the Pakistani Student Associations at all the various university and colleges in the area. I know many people that were helped out in regards to finding roomates and apartments.
In our area, its just word of mouth. So many people belong to it that anytime they meet a new person or family, they mention it to them and encourage them to join since its a great way to meet new people.
For funding: This is a non-profit organization but there is a minimal yearly membership fee. The individual/18+/non-student fee is only 20 bucks.
From my experience here the last few years its pretty well organized because the events are put together pretty well and everyone has a great time attending.
If u don’t have something similar to this in your area why dont u get one started PCG? And others?? Pakistan Association of Greater Boston → Boston’s website u could get ideas from.
Other than this - I have mentioned a bunch of times on this forum that we have a “Your Dil” chapter in Boston. Young professional Pakistanis organize this and run it completely. Its a non-profit organization that organizes events and activities where all of hte proceeds are 100% donated to helping schools in Pakistan. I have made a lot of friends thru this and we always have a ton of fun planning the events and activities as well attending these things. Examples include: outing to comedic theater, sheesha night, balls, halloween parties, etc.
Right now there are chapters in: NYC, Boston, Austin, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.
If there isn’t one in your area and u live in the us… one could contact them and start a chapter in your city. 
YOUR DIL - Educating the Future
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
your dil is an interesting organization with an interesting vibe ... :)
as far as general groups, chitown has many diff pakistani organisations and events range from melas around eid to independence day stuff, poetry events with noted poets attending, music nights,
the funding comes from membership fees in some cases but mostly through sponsorships by businesses, renting ads in event guides, providing booth space at events.
They do a decent job with it, I am not much into it but people behind it work really hard.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
We have some events that get put on in Miami just like that but I think the folks who were into organizing those things are either having massive heart attacks and strokes, or they're just walking away from it because of general unprofessionalism. None of the uncles who used to organize these events trained younger people to coordinate them, so no one in my generation knows how to put on a concert, etc. At least that's what I know. There's prolly people around, and its just a matter of bringing all the youth on one platform and figuring out how everyone can contribute.
X2, what is the name of your organization that puts that stuff on?
Sounds cool but why "had" and "were"? I hope it has not ceased to exist. :(
Fun is still on, its just hat I moved from Raleigh after living there for around 7/8 years
How did you guys trace down new pakistanis to invite them?
Mosque, Desi Grocery shops and restaurants were the prime spots to meet new people. As I told you it was not a large community so, one can easily identify new people.
We have some events that get put on in Miami just like that but I think the folks who were into organizing those things are either having massive heart attacks and strokes, or they're just walking away from it because of general unprofessionalism. None of the uncles who used to organize these events trained younger people to coordinate them, so no one in my generation knows how to put on a concert, etc. At least that's what I know. There's prolly people around, and its just a matter of bringing all the youth on one platform and figuring out how everyone can contribute.
X2, what is the name of your organization that puts that stuff on?
there are multiple organisations, some are in similar situation as some of the miami groups where old fogeys are clinging on to leadership roles for dear life, some have a mix, and have brought in different people. some groups are just run by younger folks period.
I am not involved in any of them anymore, was involved in a few a while back.
some are purely social and community organisations, some are service groups with a social function as well.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
We have these kinds of community gatherings, they are extremely fun. They organise BBQ's in the summer, including sports activities for the men, women and kids. They do eid parties, iftaar events and they organise a lot of cricket matches in the summer where the aunties can go and chill out, have their picnics, and the young girls and boys also get involed bouncy castles and games for the kids etc. They are fun.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
I run a mile from any gathering of Pakistani organizations.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
I also lived in NC for 9 years, and like Decent 6Chora mentioned the Pakistanis there are few in number but pretty active. They have the regular independence day/eid day stuff, then they also have a 'ladies only party', so females can get really dressed up or wear things that they might not feel comfortable wearing in a mixed group, and they also dance at this party. Hmm... sometimes they organize shows with actors/singers. There is also a local poetry club kinda thing called 'urdu majlis', and once a month they meet and recite shaiyari, nazmai, ghazals etc and drink chai and have snacks and it runs late into the night.
Other than the community pakistani group, I think Duke, unc-ch, and state all have their own desi groups and have events/shows throughout the year.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
pakistani organizations need a lot more work. it seems like people are less passionate about them. if you compare a psa organization to an msa one, the psa one has fewer members and events. but mainly, people prefer to devote more time to fewer organizations and they'll give msa more priority since it deals with religion... (the whole thing that we're defined by religion then ethnicity). but i don't know how community organizations work, maybe they're better because it gives uncles and aunties a reason to meet up.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
That's the thing. I think there is a HUGE population of people who are not involved in MSA's. MSA's are mostly found for college students, first of all. I dont see young professionals involved in them as much. I don't see high schoolers involved in MSA's much either, unless they have their own local youth groups through masjids.
Even then, you leave out nearly 75% of the population, at LEAST, I think because you go to these MSA events, and sure they have people, but they're NOT packed!
I'm not sure if PSA's dont work as well because of lack of activity. It's not like there is an Ali Zafar concert every two months in town, you know? So, the issue becomes - what other events can you put on in a cultural group that would keep people coming?
Sure, you can do a religious event, like a lecture or something. But a group like what I'm talking about needs to be more cultural. I'm in the process of developing one, and so the ideas are there. I just need people to help out with it, and I want ideas on what other groups are coming up with .
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups
^
in terms of a cultural group... i'm going to use psa as an example (i know, another college example)... the events are just sooo repetitive! i've heard this about different psa's too, there will be melas with the same types of skits, lifeless MCs, and with people attempting to dance- they just get no applause or get booed. I would stay away from those ideas. if you ever do a mela or a show, make sure you have real talent who want to show the community what they're good at.
Basant would be a good event. Volunteering events would be good too, gets the high schoolers and all ages involved. Here's an idea i just thought of... how about a food contest?- that would excite the competitive aunties- like the best main course dish or dessert. Try getting support by offering advertisement or vendor opportunities to the desi stores and restaurants in Miami.
Re: Pakistani Cultural groups