Board & Volunteers

Who Leads NEST?

NEST is led by a volunteer board of community members who give their time, energy, and care freely. No board member or volunteer receives a salary. There is no paid staff. What exists is a group of Nepali community members in Thunder Bay who believe that giving back matters, and who act on that belief, alongside full-time jobs, families, and their own lives.

Board members are elected by the community through the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The current board began its term in 2026.

The Spirit of Service

Board service at NEST is a responsibility, not a privilege. Those who serve are not above the community, they are part of it. They show up earlier and stay later. They plan, coordinate, cook, call, organize, and follow up. They absorb the stress of logistics so that the rest of the community can simply enjoy the event.

They do this because they understand what it means to arrive somewhere new and not know anyone. They have been there themselves, and they remember the moment someone helped them, and chose to pass that help forward. This is our sewa, our service.

NEST Belongs to the Community

The board leads NEST, but NEST belongs to the whole community. Every Nepali person in Thunder Bay is part of this. You do not need to be on the board to have a voice. You can volunteer, attend events, become a member, offer ideas, and support programs. The AGM is the community's formal opportunity to hear from the board, ask questions, and participate in the direction of the organization.

Volunteer Recognition

NEST honours the volunteers who give their time across events and programs throughout the year. Members who volunteer at two or more events, or contribute approximately 20 hours of volunteer work per year, are eligible for a NEST member certificate recognizing their contribution to the community.

Patience and Understanding

Our board members have full-time jobs, families, studies, and other commitments. Community work happens alongside all of that. We ask the community for patience when replies are delayed, when capacity is limited, and when things take longer than anyone would wish, and we ask the same patience of ourselves. We are always grateful for every person who chooses to help rather than criticize, to build rather than wait on the side.