OROKO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION – USA   
2505 Greenes Lane
Powder Springs
GA 30127

05/13/2018

Minutes for Executive Meeting

The Executive meeting was chaired by the Secretary General. The meeting began at 7.20 p.m ET with opening prayers by Tata Emmanuel Ikoe. Thereafter, the Secretary General called on Tata Ebenezer Ekoi of the Chicago chapter to give us some insights regarding their preparation for the upcoming National Convention. On his part, Tata Ebenezer Ekoi, mentioned that, they have secured 15 rooms at Comfort Inn which will cost $109 per day. He continued by saying that, the 15 rooms include 10 double beds and 5 single beds, and if someone wishes to cancel his/her reservation 10 days before the Convention he/she will be reimbursed in full. He proceeded by saying that, he has sent two links at our OCA-USA forum where people can book their hotel. He also mentioned about a boat ride in Chicago for those who may be interested and that he will need people to indicate if they are interested so that he can begin to make the necessary arrangements. He continued by saying that a link for the boat ride will be sent out, so that people can book via the link before the end of the month. He mentioned that for the hall, they found one that will cost $1300 per day with a $300 security deposit. On his part, the Public Relations Officer, Tata Victor Nanje suggested that, all the links for reservation or booking should be sent first to the executive for a review before being sent out to the general assembly. The meeting proceeded with the issue of our humanitarian assistance program in Oroko land.

On that note, the PRO, Tata Victor Nanje mentioned that, just as the Secretary General has mentioned earlier, we are having a backslash for OCA-USA not doing anything for the humanitarian crisis, but that we are trying to raise funds for the program. He continued by saying that they had a meeting with the humanitarian assistance committee and that the minutes for that meeting will be published later. He said the idea for the $100 is not working and that we have to go back to our initial plan of contacting chapters to contribute to this course. He suggested that we have to look for other means of raising funds and that there is a group in Cameroon who can assist us in making this program a success.

Still on that note, the Vice President Tata Mosongo Nanje, mentioned that some members of the Washington D.C chapter where he is president are not convinced of the humanitarian assistance program, but for him, he has already paid his own contribution for the course. He mentioned that members of the Washington D.C chapter were thinking of carrying out their own small scale humanitarian assistance as a chapter. The PRO, said if that is the case then he will have to channel that information to the humanitarian assistance committee to let them know that the Washington D.C chapter wishes to carry out their own humanitarian assistance program by themselves.

Moving on with convention matters, the Cultural Secretary Iya Gwendoline Forseh, on her part, mentioned that she contacted another lady who deals with materials and buys from Nigeria for our national uniform. She said the lady can allow us to order a minimum of 100 pieces as opposed to the previous lady who said we can order a minimum of 500 pieces. She continued by saying that the lady is willing to give us a deal for $70 per piece including shipping and that she needs at least $3500 for down payment. Moreso, she has already given the lady $50 for her to bring us a sample.

On matter arising, the Secretary General suggested that since we have raised a certain amount of money for the humanitarian assistance program we can start something with the little we have in order to motivate people to donate, he continued by saying that we can look areas where the crisis have subsided and start from there with the little we have. The Public Relations Officer Tata Victor Nanje weighed in by saying that with 1 million frs we can do a lot to help our people than to do nothing and that will motivate others who are still to donate to do something. The Cultural Secretary Iya Gwendoline Forseh weighed in by saying that we can suggest a $10 donations for our meetings each time we meet for the course, since the other strategy is not working.

On his part, Tata Paddy Ndole who is a representative of the humanitarian assistance program committee, mentioned that we should have a specific target and work on it why we are trying to raise funds and that some of the groups we are trying to work with in Cameroon are in harms way. He suggested that we should promote this course at our chapter level as well as individuals, so that we can have a fix project, plan and implement it. He mentioned that for now the committee is requesting that we keep pushing the course to raise funds.

Still on matters arising, Tata Ebenezer Ekoi mentioned that he is trying to come up with a brochure for the convention but that it requires a theme. On that note, the PRO, Tata Victor Nanje suggested that he will contact the national executive to come up with a theme that we will use for the convention. Tata Ebenezer Ekoi also appealed to chapters to come up with a play to present at the convention. The meeting ended at 8.pm ET.

Those who attended this meeting include
Tata Mosongo Nanje -Vice President
Tata Victor Nanje- Public Relations Officer
Iya Gwendoline Forseh- Cultural Secretary
Tata Ebenezer Ekoi- Chicago Chapter Representative
Tata Paddy Ndole- Humanitarian Assistance Program Representative
Tata Emmanuel Ikoe – Secretary General

Done by:
Emmanuel Ikoe
Secretary General
OCA-USA