Annual Report 2015/16 UNION OF LIBERIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE UK

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1 UNION OF LIBERIAN ORGANISATIONS IN THE UK Annual Report 2015/16 Abstract The paper reports on the activities of the Union in 2015/16 and its plans for 2016/17.

2 Introduction: The Management Committee of the Union of Liberia Organisations in the UK (ULO-UK) is pleased to report on the activities and achievements of the Union during the past year in the Union's Annual Report 2015/16. We encourage members of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), heads of organisations, Liberians and members of the community to take a moment to read our annual report, sharing information about the important work that our Union does to foster unity, development and shared vision in the UK and in Liberia. This annual report centres on the Management Committee s priorities and yearly strategic plan. Achievements: Installation the Union elected new members on 28 th March 2015 in Sheffield. The installation programme for the new leadership was held on 30 th May Hon. Augustine Ngafuan was the installation officer and guest speaker. Also in attendance was Ambassadors Rudolph von Ballmoos and Isaac Nyenabo Liberian ambassadors to the UK and Belgium respectively. Newsletter on 11 th December 2015 the Management Committee of ULO-UK published the Union s first quarterly newsletter. The newsletter features information about upcoming 1

3 events including a yearend celebration held in London on 19 th December 2015, two Liberian speakers at the Ted Euston talk in London, well wishes to members of the community including congratulations messages and get well messages. Communication on coming to office in March 2015, the Management Committee of ULO- UK set communication as a priority. So far the Union has keep members and the general public aware of all of its activities including celebrations, bereavements and general information. Liberia Diaspora Engagement Programme (LDEP) the president of ULO-UK visited Liberian in February 2016 and during her visit she held a meeting with the head of the LDEP. This meeting has established a direct link between ULO-UK and the LDEP. It is the hope of the Management Committee that this link would contribute to opportunities for ULO-UK to support the government of Liberia in its efforts to develop our country. UK Ebola Taskforce March 2015 to July 2015 marked the winding down period for the activities of the UK Ebola Taskforce. Members of the Management Committee were also serving on the taskforce. On July 25 th July the chair of the taskforce was given a platform to report to the community and to award certificates of appreciation to sponsors of the taskforce at the official Independence day celebrations hosted by the Union. The Union hosted a church service on Sunday 26 th July 2015 marking the end of Ebola in Liberia. Constitution Committee the new leadership of the Union promised to draft a new constitution for the Union; one that would allow the Union to conform to the charitable registration requirements of the UK thereby allow the Union to register as a charity in the UK. On the 20 th of November 2015 the Management Committee appointed a five person Constitution Committee and charged the Committee with the responsibility of drafting a new constitution for the Union which would be presented to the AGM in March Website the Union designed and published a new website for the community on. New bank account a new bank account was opened in April 2015 for the conduct of the Union s businesses. 2

4 Telewoyan Hospital The Union donated a television set to the children s ward at the Telewoyan Hospital in Voinjama, Lofa County through its president in February Liberia s 168 th Independence Day Celebrations the Union continued its tradition of hosting Liberia s Independence Day celebrations in the UK every year. The celebrations were held over the weekend of the 24 th, 25 th and 26 th of July On Friday the 24 th of July, the Union hosted a Liberian movie premier in London. Held independence celebrations in London. On Saturday 25 th of July 2015 the official Independence Day programme was held at Merton Hall, 78 Kingston Road, London with Dr Musa Zuanah, Chief Medical Officer at the Telewoyan Hospital in Lofa County. On Sunday a thanksgiving service was at the Worcester Park Baptist Church. The celebrations were concluded with a barbeque on Sunday afternoon held at the home of Mr Morris Barsee (acting Chair of the Family Network) and Mrs Grace Barsee. Support for local organisations unity is one of the focus of the leadership of the Union. Empowerment is also another. The Union has supported two elections in the past year (Grand Gedeh Association in 2015 and LICO in 2016) and has attended events organised by local organisations (Liberian Mandingo Association in the UK and the Liberian Association in Northampton). Community revival discussions are ongoing with Liberians in Manchester to revive the organisation. 3

5 Bereavement ULO-UK has identified with members of the community who suffered losses during the last year including the family of the late Ambassador Rudolph P von Ballmoos. Helping Liberia as stated earlier in this report, members of the Management Committee served on the UK Ebola Taskforce to help raise over 40,000 to help fight the disease in Liberia. In February 2016 the president of ULO-UK donated educational materials to schools in Liberia. EFLA ULO-UK has engaged, where possible with the new leadership of the European Federation of Liberian Organisations (EFLA). Plan of action for the next year: Registration of the organisation as a charity. Hosting of the 169 th Independence Day celebrations. Membership drive leading to a membership data for local organisations. Terminology: ULO-UK is the Union of Liberian Organisations in the UK Union/the Union also refers to the Union of Liberian Organisations in the UK AGM Annual General Meeting Fidel C T Budy Secretary General/ULO-UK 4