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INGA Association

Community of Congolese and Friends of Northern California

2008 General Community Meeting’s Report

On February 16, 2008, the annual INGA Association General Meeting took place in Berkeley, at the Jesuit School of Theology as planned.

 

Below is a summary of the meeting’s discussion, but more details will be included in the Inga Newsletter. We encourage you to read the Newsletter in order to grasp more information, not only about the general assembly meeting but also about other community events.

 

The Meeting started at 2:30 PM with a prayer said by Father Jean Nyembo, SJ and ended at 7:00PM. The meeting’s discussion focused on the following key point of the agenda:

1)     Brief recapitulation of the 2007 activities (lessons learned and suggestions)

2)     Annual financial report

3)     Budget Plan for 2008

4)     Future initiatives and perspectives

5)     Other

 

With regard to the first item on the agenda, the President, Mr. Delphin Kyubwa gave the welcoming word and a recapitulation of last year activities of the Association. Then the Assembly discussed the ways to improve our outreach strategies. Beside recurring e-mails on Inga News, some suggestions were approved:

  • Encourage the use of carpools to events’ locations to ease the transportation of our Members

  • Usage of e-vite- tool to get a better estimate of the attendance in events

  • Encourage the Local Council Leaders to take more initiative moves (Phone calls, visits, found who doesn’t know about the event…)

 

On the second and third items (financial matters), the General Treasurer, Mrs. Annie Zombil, gave an overwhelmingly applauded 2007 annual financial report, and then Mr. Delphin Kyubwa, the President, led the discussion of the leadership INGA 2008 Budget proposal.  It was recommended to keep doing the good work and helping those in serious social needs without condition, whether or not they participate in the community life.  After the question-answer session for clarification, the Financial Report and the 2008 Budged Plan were approved by the Assembly. The approved Budget Plan for 2008 is attached to this e-mail, and the 2007 INGA Association Financial

 

Statement prepared for the Franchise Tax Board will be posted on our website: http://www.ingaassociation.org

 

On the fourth item: Future initiatives and perspectives, the Assembly decided to keep the same major activities adopted last year: The New Year event, the Independence Day (Congolese Cultural Day), and The Labor Day weekend BBQ. In order to strengthen the outreach, it was encouraged that the Local Councils organize BBQs this year.  It was also suggested that the BBQ be held in Patterson, where we have many members; this will help them to participate in the community life.

 

In addition to previously discussed INGA major events, the following support activities or projects were presented by individual members of the joint leadership team in charge.

 

  • Mr. Thierry Mukaz, the Social Committee Director gave a brief presentation of the “Social Action for Congo (SAC)” project.  The project consists of collecting unused and old (clean and in good shape) clothes, toys, school materials, etc and ship them to Congo for distribution. Mr. Thierry Mukaz gave details on preliminary contacts made for the shipping and how those goods for Congo will be collected. After discussion, it was decided that Kinshasa will be the pilot phase; with that experience, the project will be expanded allover the country. According to Thierry, the SAC will help us make a bridge with our country, DR Congo. The project was applauded and approved by the Assembly.

 

  • Delegated by the Children Committee Director, Mrs. Mimi Mandiangu Kimfuema, Mr. Fidele Mutima, the General Secretary, discussed the committee plan for the children during INGA’s major events. According to Mrs. Kimfuema, if our children really enjoy attending our events, they will encourage us to participate in future community activities. Some games were suggested to entertain our children during those events. The project was approved by the Assembly.

 

  • Mr. Joel Bulaya, the Grant/Fundraising Coordinator unveiled his vision for INGA Fundraising strategies. For this year (2008), his plan includes carwash (during the summer), organizing dinners with known speakers in our events, exploring opportunities to raise awareness of Congolese issues in our churches and etc... His creative ideas were overwhelmingly applauded and the project approved by the Assembly.

 

  • The Ladies Committee discussed its plan for a community retreat, and plans to use that time to share some experiences, or invite speakers on some topics. A CPR training (certified or not) was also proposed. The Assembly approved the idea of retreats, even though the full funding source wasn’t decided. It was suggested that all men should match in a special contribution, whatever funds raised for this project.  According Mrs. Valy Balata Webster, the Director of this committee, it’s a day off from the family. As for the CPR training, it was decided to think more about the options – Certified or not certified.

 

  • Last but not least, Mr. Calvert Balumbu, the Youth Committee Director presented the project for Youth Members: Encourage our Youth to take Leadership positions in the Community; share with them any information on Job Fairs; help them on Resume Building; let them know that if they need References, we are there for them. For a better participation in our event, see the possibility of using Text Messaging to reach them, encourage them to meet and socialize with other youths in the Community. The project was approved by the Assembly.

 

The fifth item on the agenda - Other

In the effort of avoiding amendment of the Association’s Bylaws all the times, and completing what is not provided in the Bylaws, Operating Rules and Regulations are being written. This effort will also help avoid what happened last November 2007 for the general election. It was also suggested to think about having different kinds of Membership in the Operating Rules and Regulations.

 

We thank all those who came and participated in the decision-making meeting of the INGA Association. Thanks also to those who could not make it this time.  Your continued support is very much appreciated. Also, special thanks to the Congolese Jesuit of Berkeley who not only provided meeting spaces at several occasions, but also participated actively in discussions. Our thanks go also to Mama Mapassa who prepared the refreshment for the General Assembly.

 

For any question, contact us at ingaleadership@yahoogroups.com or visit our website: http://www.ingaassociation.org/

 

 

For the Leadership Team,

Fidele Mutima, General Secretary.