(quotations are excerpts from BAGN constitution) • "We, the Bengalees living in the Greater Nashville area and having roots in Indian subcontinent, decided to unite among ourselves for the purpose of celebrating common traditional festive occasions, to foster friendship, goodwill, and cooperation between ourselves and other members of the community at large. We have resolved to form an association by agreeing to and adopting the rules, principles, and objectives stated in the" Bengali Association of Greater Nashville (BAGN) constitution. • BAGN "is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code." • "BAGN will sponsor various cultural programs in a year, such as, picnic, festive celebrations, social and cultural programs, and volunteer services, as determined by the BAGN Coordinating Committee (CC) and or General Body. To ensure greater participation of the Bengali community of greater Nashville, e-mail communications should be sent about these programs to all members of the community, irrespective of the membership status."