Kono District Global Organization (KDGO) General Meeting (Conference Call) Saturday, December 27, 2014 Minutes Participating: Aiah Fanday from Maryland, Isatta Sambaya from Maryland, Sahr Edward Fillie from Washington, D.C., Samuel Kanjama from Chicago, Kemoh Sidibay from Boston, Komba Wusu from London, David Solleh from the Netherlands, and Finda Kamanda from Chicago, Miatta Bona from Germany. These are the people that announced their names. Several people logged in but did not announce their names. The meeting was called to order by KDGO Whip Komba Wusu, who explained the rules of the teleconference: that only one person should speak at a time, and that all requests to speak pass through the chairman. Members were welcomed by the chairman, and the meeting opened with Muslim and Christian prayers. CHAIRMANS OPENING REMARKS Chairman Aiah Fanday proposed that two persons be invited to join the board, Peter Andersen and Kumba Yabba, both of whom expressed their willingness to serve. He updated members on the bylaws, and on progress towards applying for 501(C)(3) nonprofit status, which would help in fundraising. He added that the organization had already applied for two grants totaling $6,000. He related his discussions in the past week with the Mayor of Koidu regarding the Ebola outbreak and the KDGO Primary School. He also informed members of a discussion with PC Aiah Ngekia of Kama’a Chiefdom about the Ebola outbreak in Kono. Chief Ngekia stated that most of the Ebola cases were coming from towns in neighboring districts bordering Kono. Chairman Fanday also reported on a conversation with Clint Foday regarding KDGO Primary School sign boards and teachers pay. ADOPTION OF MINUTES The Minutes were distributed to members on Facebook and via the Konos Global Voices listserve. Adoption of the minutes was moved and seconded, and the minutes were approved without objection. BYLAWS Vice Chair Isatta Sambaya updated members on changes to the bylaws which had been proposed and debated in past executive meetings. She said that if there were no further questions she would forward them to members. She requested that members who approved respond by email to inform her of that fact. MEMBERSHIP DRIVE & MONTHLY FEES The General Body was informed that all members would be charged a $50 membership fee and $10 monthly dues, as stated in the bylaws. The Deputy Chair stated that this was to ensure that people are invested in the organization, and to thus encourage them to do more. The Chairman spoke of plans to open bank accounts in the US and the UK. Several possible banks were suggested. There was discussion that the funds could be used for emergencies and in promoting the KDGO School. There was discussion on encouraging membership by emphasizing that the KDGO is different from past organizations where funds have gone missing. Sahr Edward Fillie proposed that Mohammed Tonkara, the recently-elected Madingo chief, be encouraged to join to encourage others to become members. Komba Wusu suggested that members promote membership to people in their own areas. Kemoh Sidibay, the KDGO PRO, said he had received questions as to whether the KDGO is actually global. He stated that KDGO is open to everyone, and would encourage people to express their opinions and feelings, to bring up ideas, and to move the Kono agenda forward in a peaceful and respectful manner, without disrupting the current development achieved by existing members. He added that no one should take actions without the consent of other members. He said he had been contacted by people in Koidu and in Australia who want to represent KDGO in their respective locations.He also read the special report on a crackdown of our people in Angola: There was a crackdown on foreigners lasting almost 4 days in Angola, which disrupted all aspect of lives among foreigners there. The operation was harsh as people were bundled up, beaten, molested and spent the day under the hot burning sun before they were transported to prison. Most people I know there are currently busy checking on our people and their own relatives to know those arrested and their status in the country. Thank God the Government had halted the arrest after much criticism in and out of the country. This incident was posted on Facebook with pictures showing police harassing foreigners. They raided three mosques and took away the lmams. According to Angola’s local TV news, the head of immigration in an interview stated that 3,445 arrests were made in the two days of their operation, which is true. Women and children were among those arrested and they are yet to be released as of now. The Deputy Chair said that criticism would only strengthen KDGO, and that if anyone hears outside criticism they should communicate it to members. She related that KDGO has started a primary school in Koidu with four classrooms, situated on ten acres. The primary school was started by Mr. Solleh, who handed it over to KDGO. KDGO changed its name. Mr. Solleh stated that staffs have not been paid for two months. The Chairman said that if the grants totaling $6,000 are approved, part of the money would be used to pay the teachers. He said KDGO planned to develop the school to include instruction to the secondary and college level. Several members noted that there are established schools that could use support, such as their alma maters. Others responded that those schools could be sponsored and promoted by their alumni, and that since the KDGO is a new organization it could not take on all these responsibilities but would have to look at them one at a time. AOB Kemoh Sidibay said to hold onto peace talks, which was mentioned in the agenda because Social Secretary Balla was not in attendance. Closing remarks and a vote of thanks were made by Deputy Chair Isatta Sambaya
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:42:37 +0000