To All Gambians and Friends of The Gambia in the Diaspora:

There is already considerable interest in SAVE THE GAMBIA FUND/ ASSOCIATION,
and over twenty people have pledged sums ranging from $5-$25 a month until
2006 and possibly beyond.  I urge you in the name of The Gambia and its
children to make a pledge immediately to Joe Sambou or I.

In light of the growing interest over the FUND/ASSOCIATION, I have drafted
some guidelines, a working document in progress, to provide both structure
and direction for the FUND/ ORGANIZATION.  Your input is important and
needed to ensure that the organization is open and accountable to its
membership.  As Joe Sambou pointed out in an earlier email, every cent will
be accounted for.  Once your input is made, I, with the help of others will
craft a more comprehensive document.

I Encourage Gambian women and women friends of The Gambia to become members
and play leadership roles.



SAVE THE GAMBIA FUND/ORGANIZATION


1.  PREAMBLE:
The name of the organization shall be: SAVE THE GAMBIA FUND/ORGANIZATION.
It is a non-profit organization and is open to all Gambians and friends of
The Gambia, regardless of political orientation, race, gender etc.  What
unites the organization is our collective desire to support peaceful
democratic change in The Gambia.

2.  OBJECTIVES:
It is a political interest group geared to increasing awareness about the
political, social, and economic issues in The Gambia.  Its explicit goal is
to raise financial resources devoted exclusively to the support of a
coalition opposition political party to effectively contest and possibly win
the 2006 presidential election.  The FUND/ORGANIZATION will also support
other political activities that support our primary objective of peaceful
democratic change in The Gambia.  A LISTSERVE will be started and managed by
members of the FUND/ORGANIZATION.  Only members of the FUND/ORGANIZATION
will be subscribed to facilitate discussion and decision making.  This
LISTSERVE is not intended to usurp nor undermine the Gambia-L or
Gambia-Post, we will work collaboratively with them.

3.  MEMBER PLEDGES:
A pledge of $5, $10, $15, $20, $25 or more MUST be made to become a member
of The FUND/ORGANIZATION.  Members MUST also make the commitment to support
the FUND/ORGANIZATION through 2006 and beyond.  Thus, membership is
contingent on a pledge and supporting the primary objectives of the
FUND/ORGANIZATION.

3 B.
Each member must commit to pay the amount pledged each month or quarterly to
remain in good-standing.  Members who fail to pay their dues for up to two
months, will be suspended/delisted from the LISTSERVE.  A $2 fee must be
paid to be resubscribed.

3 C.
All meetings, discussions, debates and decision making will be limited to
members only and two-thirds of the membership must vote on all financial
matters for the decision to be deemed binding.  Meetings and discussion with
less members can still be held but without authority to make financial
decisions.  One meeting (or more if sanctioned by the membership) a quarter
of the entire membership is recommended.

3 D.
All discussions and debates by memebers at all meetings must be conducted
with respect and tolerance for each other and differences of opinion.  While
disagreements over issues are to be expected and encouraged, behavior deemed
counter to the objectives and/or destabilizing to the organization and its
membership, such as "abusive" language will not be tolerated.

3 E.
Individuals who after two warnings continue to engage in
activity/actions/behavior deemed by the membership as destabilizing to the
objectives of the organization will, with the majority of the  membership in
agreement, be expelled.  Expelled members are not entitled to a financial
refund.

4.  BANK ACCOUNT:
A bank account will be established for the primary purpose of pooling and
saving all pledges.  The account will be managed by a "Committee of FIVE"
individuals with strong accounting/ money-management experience.  The
Committee is required to give a quarterly statement( more if needed by
membership) of the account.  How the funds are disbursed, ultimately, will
be discussed and decided upon by two-thirds of the membership by way of a
vote.

5.  OFFICERS:
The main officers of the FUND/ORGANIZATION is the "Committee of five."  It
will oversee the account and report to the membership quarterly or as needed
by the membership.

B.
Members of the FUND/ORGANIZATION, however, can choose to create, select,
elect other officers as they deem fit.

C.  It is recommended that a Listserve management of four individuals be
selected or elected.


What do you think?  Your input is needed to make it a better and more
comprehensive document!

Abdoulaye







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