OROKO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION – USA   
2505 Greenes Lane
Powder Springs
GA 30127
Minutes for Executive Meeting. 04/15/2018 

The Executive meeting was chaired by our National President Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje. The meeting began at 7.23p.m ET with opening prayers by Tata Nambili Namongo. This was followed by opening remarks by the National President as well as a roll call for the executive members present in the meeting. The National President Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje began the meeting by thanking Tata Ebenezer Ekoi of the Chicago chapter for been present in the meeting, and with that note she gave him the floor to give us an insight on the new chapter. On his part, Tata Ebenezer Ekoi mentioned he and his wife are the core members of the Chicago chapter, and they have about 7 other people to make up the membership for the Chicago chapter. He continued by saying that for the upcoming national convention they have secured a hall which is closer to where they live, but the problem they are having is lodging, since most of the hotels around their area have already been booked due to the numerous events that will be coming up during the labor day weekend. However, he said there is a hotel which is about 10 minutes from their residence so they will try to reserve it. He continued by saying that by next Saturday they will be coming up with a brochure and by next meeting they will have an insight on what to present to the national executive since they are looking forward in holding the first chapter meeting.

On that note, the national president mentioned that, they should come up with an estimate on the hall and other items for the convention and also make a draft of a tentative budget for the convention to be presented to the national executive. Still on convention matters, Iya Gwendoline Bake mentioned that she posted 3 uniform designs to the general assembly forum and that it was advised that we should use all the 3 designs on the uniform. She continued by saying that we can order the uniform from Cotonou or Cameroon but that the one from Cotonou will have a better quality as compared to that from Cameroon and she further noted that we have to order a minimum of 500 pieces which will cost about 17,500 Frs CFA. Iya Naomi Ebile on her part mentioned that it will be better if we can have the uniform by July, so that people can have time to sew them. She further suggested that since the national don’t have enough money to place the order for the uniform, the chapters can give in some money and then sell the uniform to their members in order to recover their money. Tata Ebenezer Ekoi on his part suggested that, the uniform will not be feasible for this year’s convention because of the mechanics and technicalities involved. Tata Emmanuel Musongo of Georgia chapter also ask what will be the cost for the 500 pieces and Iya Gwendoline Bake said it will cost 17,500 FCFA plus shipping fee. She continued by saying that the issue with the cost of the uniform is that, we can only order a minimum of 500 pieces. Tata Emmanuel Ikoe, weighed in by saying that even if we can’t make it available this convention we still need to start working on it in terms of the finance and other technicalities involve so that by 2019 convention we will prepare to use it.

The meeting proceeded with the issue concerning our humanitarian assistance. On that note, Tata Paddy Ndole mentioned that they had a meeting but members of the national executive where not present and they were waiting for the national executive to write an agenda to be sent to the humanitarian committee in order for the committee to be able to come up with a criteria for selecting volunteers on the ground to help in the humanitarian work. He continued by saying that the frequency of their meeting should be twice a month due to the urgent nature of the crisis. The national president weighed in by saying that with respect to the initial planning of the humanitarian assistance program, a lot has changed on the ground and so we too will need to change our strategy on how to manage the crisis. She said a lot of houses have being burnt across villages and many people are now living in the bushes. Tata Paddy Ndole continued by asking which of the target group are we going to based our strategy since we have so many people in need i.e from the prison population, hospital and those living in the bushes. Tata Ebenezer Ekoi weighed in by saying that our condition is worse because most of the people are now living in the bushes. Tata Chief Victor Obie mentioned that we can target a hospital and pay the bills for those who will be going there for treatment. Tata Paddy Ndole also mentioned that a whatsapp group was created by Tata Adolphus Ati to help facilitate the circulation of information with those on the ground but due to security reasons the group was later cancelled and individuals working on the ground will be contacted individually.

On matters arising the Cultural Secretary Iya Gwendoline Bake mentioned that each chapter should prepare a presentation for the upcoming convention and everyone should be in their cultural attire on Friday cultural night.

The meeting closed at 9.00 p.m ET.

Those who attended this meeting included;

Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje – National President
Iya Gwendoline Bake – Cultural Secretary
Iya Naomi Ebile National Treasurer
Tata Nambili Namongo – Executive Adviser
Tata Paddy Ndolo – Humanitarian Committee Representative
Tata Chief Victor Obie – Former Georgia Chapter President
Tata Emmanuel Musongo – Secretary General Georgia Chapter
Tata Winston Okole – Dallas Chapter President
Tata Emmanuel Ikoe – Secretary General.

Done by:
Emmanuel Ikoe
Secretary General
OCA-USA