Point noted my brother Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 23, 2013, at 6:23 AM, Charles Male <[email protected]> wrote: > I have read the report and have some comments for your consideration... > > 1) Report should acknowledge the unfortunate incidence that led to the > untimely death of some dear brothers who were on their way to attend > one of the WNF's friday night fndraising events. > > 2) Governance of WNF should be revisited to ensure that all the 11 or > so counties are represented on the Board of Directors - that is: the > board must consist of a board member from each of the counties of West > Nile and Madi. I beleive I may have alluded to this when the > foundation was being formed. We have to clearly separate the role of > teh Executive vfrom that of the Board. Currently, the board is acting > as an executive board. Do we want this to continue? I think WNF must > have separate roles for the board of directors which is to focus on > strategic policy and giving direction to the executive. The executive > must comprise the MD who is the CEO of the Foundation who then > interfaces with the board of directors and the staff once the > foundation is running on full throttle. > > 3) New Listserve -- Thanks a million to Mr Kigundu for generously > supporting us with a free listserve for the last 5 years. Happy that > WNF will explore other options for a website and listserve. You may > wish to consider yahoogroups for a free website/listserve which many > other organizayions are using including kobokonet. You may wish to > reach out to west nilers who can volunteer and build a new website for > free. Once WNF moves to the new website please ensure access is > password controlled. Right now when one googles WESTNILENET, yu can > read all the exchanges between /among members. I was very surprised to > read behind the scened exchanges between the executive members in > which some are clearly frsutrated by the lack of commitment to attend > meetings etc.. Please make sure any deliberations are kep confidential > especially among the executive as it shows lack of professionalism. > > > 4) Transparency and Openeness .. Like many of members, I was surprised > to learn of the WNF Logo and appointment of an interim coordinator. We > expected that the logo would be presented to the members as a draft > but was presented as a fait acompli. Secondly, the executive would > have saved members a lot of frustraion if they had communicated the > appoitment of an interim coordinator. > > > General observation > > 5) An issue arose where Chrsitine Munduru was disconnected from the > net. So far I am not sure whether Chrsistine is back or not. A nmber > of people have been ejected from the net but this was after an outcry > by a lot of members. However, the circumstances leading to Munduru's > exit still remain unknown. perhaps we should once again circulate to > members the code of conduct. > > > This is it for now...I may add more over the coming days... > > > > > On 7/21/13, Maandera <[email protected]> wrote: >> Dear all, >> >> I have read the State of the Net report and some of the related comments >> contributed. I wish to add my contribution, focusing on the following >> randomly selected issues. >> >> *1. The report per se*: I do agree with those who think that this Report >> *is >> * welcome, timely, worth it, etc. Thanks a lot for listening to members >> pleas. >> >> As a "Status" report, I think it is presented with a White hat on (to >> borrow Edward de Bono’s schema), though there are some aspects of the Black >> hat in it: see sub-section 1.5 on "Challenges faced along the way". >> >> >> Considering the nature of the report and the years and activities done, I >> want to take it more as a "summary status report" than a "comprehensive >> status report". The history was new to me, and informative too. >> >> >> *1. 1. Missing document*: Is it an issue of the control system of the WNN >> listserve? One of the attachments said to be attached with the report is >> still missing. And, it is the constitution, which is a very important >> document. Mr. Kiggundu, I know you have done a good job, without >> complaining so far, about providing this service for free. Might you help >> to ensure this constitution is availed to the net. This would be good for >> new comers. >> >> (By the way, those who are long enough in this net might already have a >> copy of this. Though I am rather confused about the issues. One time Mr. >> Robert Ejiku attached the Memorandum of Association of the WNF. And I am >> wondering if this is the same thing . . . I don't want to presume things. >> Please clarify.) >> >> *1. 2. The logo:* I like it. Thanks for the team that made it possible. >> >> >> >> *2. The West Nile Night*: Long live the WN Night and those behind it – the >> Committee and others who might not be members of the Committee! It >> certainly sounds like something worth continuing. >> >> >> >> *3. Education agenda of the WNF*: In 1.4.1, while noting support in >> Tertiary institutions, it is noted that the Foundation will encourage and >> support students in "their activities which the Foundation deems relevant". >> How about including and formally working with the administration of these >> institutions where the Foundation will be supporting the students as well? >> >> *3.1. Model school:* Is the to-be model school going to be a Primary, or >> Secondary school or both? What’s the plan like? >> >> *3.2. Other areas:* Hope in due course we can have some more detail about >> other areas such as Agriculture, Health (as already suggested by one member >> in responding to this report). >> >> >> >> *4. Membership*: Under 2.2 “West Nile Foundation Education Trust Fund >> (Trust deed)” there are 3 sub-sections. Under subsection 2, the “Tentative >> list of paid up members” is provided. It has 22 members, who have paid up >> membership fee of UG.shs 20,000 /= and an annual subscription of 10,000/= >> (which only 5 of the listed members have paid.). Just to synch my >> confusion: in the Memorandum of Association referred to above and attached, >> there was a list of 101 “founding?” members. This list of 22 persons being >> the only list of “paid up members” in this report, I am left with a >> question: Is this membership for WNF Education Trust Fund *only* or is it >> the paid up membership status update for the general WNF? (See also my >> comment under 6.2). Forgive my lack of understanding but a confusion also >> arises for me because when in 2011, issues of membership were discussed in >> this forum, I thought the figure agreed upon was UG.shs 50,000/= for >> membership fee (of the WNF). Before the failed General Meeting of 2011, I >> even paid this 50,000/= to the Treasurer for membership and have his >> acknowledgement to this effect. (Though my name has never surfaced anywhere >> as a member of the WNF). >> >> >> >> *4.1 For curiosity’s sake*, Mr. Kiggundu, would it be possible to let us >> know just how many people are subscribed into the WNF? I know there are >> people who have kept on asking to be deleted from the list. An update would >> give a good idea of what the potential is. I bet it will also help us >> appreciate how many members are ROMs (*R*ead *O*nly *M*embers) and why they >> choose / prefer to be ROMs. Much appreciated. >> >> >> >> *4.2 What’s in a name?* Under 2.6, “Tasks accomplished to date”, it is >> noted among others that “The Trust Deed for the WEETF has finally been >> developed and it is in the final stages of being duly registered . . .” >> >> *4.3 Draft Strategic Plan:* I remember a Draft Strategic Plan was issued in >> 2011 and was shared in this Net. I think some people commented on it too. >> Under 2.6.(6) in the Report, there is mention of this: a “Draft Strategic >> plan of WNF has been drawn and this will be shared with members in due >> course”. Is this the going to be an updated version? Waiting to see the >> changes. >> >> * * >> >> *5. The Executive serving as volunteers: *I was rather surprised at the >> membership of the Interim Executive, put in place at “DMO’s place” with >> others co-opted along the way. Members, we have a full house, complete with >> Standing Committees! Moreover the task of leading this Foundation is what >> the members are said to have “gladly accepted to undertake” (1.3, Report). >> From the “look” of things (or readings in the WNF), it would appear that >> some members of the leadership might have a completely different adjective >> describing their experience. Anyhow, thanks still for having gladly >> accepted to do this task. >> >> >> *5.1: The Gender Committee: *I notice there no males in the Gender >> Committee. Any specific reason? It would be good to have the perspectives >> of the other side as well. >> >> >> *5.2 Coordinator of WNF activities:* One of the positive propositions of >> the Interim Executive has been the appointment of Richard Okuti Boroa as a >> Coordinator for 6 months. I hope will sort out some of the Foundation is >> facing, particularly in pushing things forward. And thanks Richard, for >> offering to run the activities from your private office. (Where can we find >> this office?) >> >> *5.3 The TOR of the Coordinator of the WNF.* I have a request to make – >> that the said TOR for the Coordinator (which has been “adjusted to suit the >> 6-month period”) be made public in this Net. This will serve several >> purposes like ensuring members do not expect more from him than he is >> mandated to; enabling members to make suggestions on the TOR; and enabling >> members to support the Coordinator or appraise his work, considering the >> conditions under which he is working. >> >> *5.4 Specification of the 6 months*. Just a question: Has this 6-month >> period already begun? If “No”, when will it begin? >> >> >> >> *6. What’s in a name? * >> >> *6.1. WNF – is it a Lugbara thing?* I think the observation is apt. It even >> made me wonder if that was one of the reasons why one also hears of a >> KKnet? Who knows, other districts / areas are also thinking of doing the >> same or have started similar ‘organs’? >> >> Anyhow, the suggestion of members of how this perception of WNF as an Arua >> thing, may have come about holds water. In addition, members might want to >> consider the fact that sometimes things have centred in Arua simply because >> of the historical role Arua has played in the region, and for >> practical-cum-infrastructural reasons. This was also an underlying factor >> in the establishment of Muni University (initially called West Nile >> University). >> >> There are also good suggestions for how to alter this perception. Let’s >> grab these and make this organization move forward for the good of the >> region. >> >> *6.2. Clarification of status*: One person (Tabu) has already asked this: >> Is the status that of “a development pressure group, civil society >> organisation, a community initiative, a company limited by shares or just a >> Foundation”. If you search this Net, you will find that on 14th Oct, 2010, >> Mr. Alaka posted to this net a Certificate of Incorporation for West Nile >> Foundation Limited, dated 8th October, 2010. (Being a “njuka” in the WNN >> then, I downloaded and saved a copy of it). I remember, members were very >> happy about this achievement and many did express this in black and white >> on the Net. >> >> I guess when one reads under 2.6.3 in the Report that “The Trust Deed for >> the WNETF has finally been developed and it is in the final stages of being >> duly registered”, things get a little murky. Though for purposes of >> separate accountability, it does make sense to have a separate account for >> the Education agenda. Still, some clarification would be useful, as to the >> purpose of this specific registration considering the fact that other areas >> / agenda’s of the WNF are still going to pick up. Does this mean each area >> of activity (e.g. Health, Agriculture, Environment) will be separately >> registered? I thought we would use the already registered organization to >> open separate accounts if/when needed. You may have to forgive me for being >> this duff: registration of organizations is like football to me J What >> necessitates this other registration of the WNF Education Trust Fund or >> Trust Deed is what I do not understand yet. >> >> >> >> *7. Associate membership:* I guess the Constitution would have clarified >> this, to address concerns of the many who are not native to the WN but have >> interests for the good of the region. Anyhow, thanks Caleb for the >> clarifying response. >> >> >> >> My humble contribution. >> >> >> Maandera >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 2:17 PM, Robert Ejiku <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> Presida, >>> >>> Banduga raises a good point here and I think we should be able to improve >>> our communications and actions to capture our rich diversity. >>> >>> Thanks >>> >>> Ejiku >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Jul 18, 2013 at 11:55 AM, banduga ismail >>> <[email protected]>wrote: >>> >>>> Thank you Caleb for this elaborate report. For many of us who did not >>>> know well what had happened and was happening, this report gives us an >>>> insight. I think it is high time we paid up our membership and annual >>>> subscriptions. >>>> >>>> One thing in the report set me thinking for a while. The thinking that >>>> WNF is a Lugbara thing is an aspect we should collectively try to >>>> dispel. >>>> In my experience, most institutions that begin actually do so from an >>>> idea >>>> of one or two individuals, who in most cases may be of the same tribe, >>>> faith or come from the same place. As the thinking spreads with time, >>>> this >>>> challenge often comes up. In the way the President put it, it does not >>>> seem >>>> to be an alarming thing; however, I think we should try to demystify it >>>> so >>>> that we enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining as the people of >>>> West >>>> Nile. >>>> >>>> It possible to understand from the organizers Foundation events e.g. the >>>> West Nile Night, Education Trust how the attendance or participation has >>>> been in terms of diversity of West Nile (different ethnic groupings) and >>>> whether there are reasons other than interest or lack of it to explain >>>> the >>>> trends. >>>> >>>> "your greatest enemies are not those who shout at everything you say; >>>> they are those who keep quiet" >>>> >>>> ------------------------------ >>>> *From:* Godfrey Mundua <[email protected]> >>>> *To:* A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]> >>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, 17 July 2013, 16:01 >>>> *Subject:* Re: [WestNileNet] State of the Foundation Address >>>> >>>> Counsel, >>>> Good and timely response with this comprehensive report. >>>> I hope this finally puts doubting minds to rest. >>>> Time now for everyone in the mailing list and all concerned about WNF to >>>> respond to the report with positive criticism and suggestions if any. >>>> Thanks once again. >>>> GOD BLESS! >>>> >>>> Mundua Godfrey (IT) >>>> >>>> >>>> On Wed, Jul 17, 2013 at 2:43 PM, tabua butagira >>>> <[email protected]>wrote: >>>> >>>> Thanks, Caleb, for this detailed write-up. I hope the emerging >>>> discussions on this report by members (after perusal) will be hinged on >>>> action needed, not free-wheeling rhetoric. Let's invest our time, ideas, >>>> professional or personal networks, cash/material or other such resources >>>> to >>>> fully lift the initiative off the ground. >>>> >>>> That appears tto be he clarion call in the President's message, if I >>>> haven't adulterated the intepretation. >>>> >>>> Except for some dropped words, the document is comprehensive and >>>> informative. >>>> >>>> I'm hoping the Foundation leadership particularly clarifies WNF's >>>> status; >>>> do we categorise it as a development pressure group, civil society >>>> organisation, a community initiative, a company limited by shares or just >>>> a >>>> Foundation so that its operational relationship - opportunities and >>>> limitations - with other stakeholders is easier to discern and >>>> rationalise. >>>> >>>> I bow in respect, Counsel! >>>> >>>> Tabu Butagira >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> *From:* Onugbea Williams <[email protected]> >>>> *To:* samuel andema <[email protected]. _______________________________________________ WestNileNet mailing list [email protected] http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). 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