Haruna,
I dug this up from the archives.

Malanding

On Sat, 10 Jul 1999 11:30:49 EDT, [log in to unmask] wrote:

 >Gambia Education Support Organization
 >
 >
 >       I. Mission
 >
 >       The mission of the Gambia Education Support Organization is to
 >       provide assistance to Gambians and Gambian institutions in
 >       education in the Gambia. A vital part of the Organization's mission
 >       will be to become a medium through which intellectual,  logistic
 >       and  material resources of Gambians and friends of the Gambia can
 >       be utilized to improve education in the Gambia.
 >
 >       To this end, the Organization will:
 >
 >       Provide intellectual, material, logistic  and other support to
 >       individuals and institutions in need at all levels of education in
 >       the Gambia.
 >
 >       Facilitate access to information and resources on education and
 >       research in the Gambia.
 >
 >       Improve coordination and communication among members to support
 >       education in the Gambia.
 >
 >       Develop and maintain a responsive and financially stable
 >       organization.
 >
 >       II. Organization structure:
 >
 >       General Membership
 >
 >       Membership to the Organization is open to all (Gambians and
 >       non-Gambians). There shall be two categories of membership, voting
 >       and Honorary members. Voting members will be required to pay annual
 >       membership fees as determined by the Organization. All voting
 >       members will have the right to vote and  run for office. Members
 >       who fail to fulfill their obligations will cease to have the above
 >       rights. All other contributors who do not fall under this category
 >       shall become Honorary members.
 >
 >       Executive Committee
 >
 >       The Organization will conduct its overall activity through the
 >       Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will oversee the
 >       planning and implementation of the Organization's activities. The
 >       Committee will be voted in every two years. It shall consist of the
 >       Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, ex-Executive
 >       Director, three Zone Coordinators (Gambia, Europe and North
 >       America), and a Treasurer.
 >
 >       Zones/Regions
 >
 >       Geographically the Organization will be divided to three zones:
 >       Europe, North America and Gambia. Members in other regions can
 >       chose their zone of affiliation at their convenience. Zone
 >       Coordinators will oversee the Organization's activities in their
 >       zones and will act and speak on behalf of their zones.
 >
 >       III The Constitution
 >
 >       Article I The Name of the Organization.
 >
 >       The name of the organization (hereinafter referred to as the
 >       Organization) shall be the GAMBIA EDUCATION SUPPORT
 >ORGANIZATION,
 >       GESO.
 >
 >       Article II Location and Address
 >
 >       The Principal office of the organization shall be at the address of
 >       the current GESO Exective Director.
 >
 >       Article III Membership
 >
 >       Section 1. Membership of the Organization is open to all (Gambians
 >       and non-Gambians). There shall be two categories of membership,
 >       voting and honorary members. Voting members shall be required to
 >       pay annual membership fees to be determined  by the the Executive
 >       Committee in consultation with the Financial and Fund Raising
 >       Committee. All voting members will have the right to vote and run
 >       for office. Contributors who do not wish to be active members in
 >       the Organization shall become honorary members.
 >
 >       Section 2. The membership year is the calendar year ending December
 >       31.
 >
 >       Article IV Membership fees
 >
 >       The following membership fee will be charged accordingly.
 >
 >       US $10 per month for non-student members residing in North America,
 >       Europe, Australia New Zealand and Japan.
 >       US $2.5 adult members elsewhere including Gambia.
 >
 >       US $5 Students in North America, Europe, Australia and Japan.
 >
 >       US $1.00 for students elsewhere.
 >
 >       Article V The Executive Committee
 >
 >       Section 1. The Executive Committee, subject always to the
 >       provisions of this Constitution, shall have general supervision and
 >       control of the management and administration of the affairs of GESO
 >       and may exercise all or any of the power of GESO including, without
 >       limitation , power to make donations of, and accept donations to,
 >       the funds of  GESO and to invest and re-invest its funds in any
 >       property, real or personal, to such extent deem advisable PROVIDED,
 >       however, no such donation shall be made to any member and no such
 >       investment shall be made in the securities of, and no loan made to,
 >       any member.
 >
 >       Section 2. Special meetings of the Executive Committee may be
 >       called by the Executive Director or by any four (4) or more of the
 >       officers.
 >
 >       Section 3. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting
 >       of the Executive Committee shall constitute a simple majority of
 >       officers.
 >
 >       Section 4. Every officer shall be entitled to vote at any meeting
 >       on all matters.
 >       Section 5.  The Executive Director shall give notice of every
 >       meeting of the Executive Committee to each officer at least one (1)
 >       week before the meeting. Notice of the Executive Committee meetings
 >       must specify the purpose.
 >
 >       Article VI Officers
 >
 >       Section 1.  The officers of GESO shall be a Executive Director,
 >       Deputy Executive Director, a Treasurer, and three Zone
 >       Coordinators, one from each Zone.  An Executive Committee shall
 >       consist of all the officers, who shall have the power of a Board of
 >       Directors and other such members that the Executive Committee shall
 >       appoint to serve from time to time at the discretion of the
 >       Committee.
 >
 >       Section 2.    The Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director and
 >       Treasure shall be elected by the members as specified in Article
 >       IX. Zone Coordinators shall be chosen by their Zones to represent
 >       them on Executive Committee.
 >
 >       Section 3.   The Executive Committee may designate one or more
 >       individuals as temporary officers, to continue as such during such
 >       term as shall be specified by the Executive Committee. Such
 >       temporary officers need not be members of the Executive Committee.
 >
 >       Section 4.   Any temporary officer appointed by the Executive
 >       Committee  may be removed from office by the Executive Committee
 >       when his or her duties as prescribed by Executive Committee, has
 >       been executed out as determined by the Executive Committee.
 >
 >       Section 5.    Any officer may resign by filing with the Recording
 >       Secretary or filed with the Executive Committee a written
 >       resignation, which shall take effect on being filed or at such
 >       other time as may be prescribed therein. Any vacancy at any time
 >       existing in the Executive Committee or in any other office or in
 >       any committee may be filled by the Executive Committee at any
 >       meeting and the person chosen to fill the vacancy shall hold office
 >       for no more than 120 days or until an elected member is chosen. Any
 >       officer may be removed from office with just cause by the Executive
 >       Committee following notice, which states her/his removal, is
 >       proposed.
 >
 >       Article VII Powers and Duties of officers
 >
 >       Section 1.  The Executive Director shall be the chief executive
 >       officer of GESO, shall preside at all meetings of GESO and of the
 >       Executive Committee, and shall have the general and active
 >       management of the affairs of the Executive Committee, subject to
 >       the approval and direction of the Executive Committee.
 >
 >       Section 2.   In the absence of the Executive Director, or in case
 >       of her/his death, resignation, incapacity or refusal to act, the
 >       duties pertaining to the office shall, until the election of new
 >       Executive Director, be performed by the Deputy Executive Director,
 >       or in the event of the absence, death, resignation, incapacity, of
 >       refusal to act by the Deputy Executive Director, the Executive
 >       Committee shall designate one member to act.
 >
 >       Section 3.    The Treasurer shall be in charge of all moneys of
 >       GESO, shall collect all moneys due to GESO, shall have the power to
 >       accept donations to GESO and (subject to the control of the
 >       Executive Committee) shall deposit the funds of GESO in its bank
 >       account, and may invest the funds of GESO subject to the prior
 >       approval of the Executive Committee. She/he shall keep such books
 >       as may be necessary for the duties of her/his office, which at all
 >       times shall be open to the Executive Committee. She/he shall report
 >       in detail annually, and as often as required by the Executive
 >       Committee, all moneys collected, expended or invested, all
 >       outstanding obligation of GESO, and such other matters as may be
 >       deemed proper in connection with her/his office, and shall perform
 >       such other duties as the Executive Director or the Executive
 >       Committee may require. She/he shall keep updated records of the
 >       membership and updated records of the mailing lists with the help
 >       of the Recording and Corresponding Secretary.
 >
 >       Section 4.   The Deputy Executive Director and three (3) Zone
 >       Coordinators of the Executive Committee shall be responsible for
 >       convening standing and ad hoc Committees, and responsible for
 >       conference programs, minutes from Executive Committee and Annual
 >       meetings, and other GESO documents. All four (4) shall perform such
 >       other duties as the Executive Director and the Executive Committee
 >       may require.
 >
 >       Section 5.   The Executive shall nominate the appointment of a
 >       Recording and Correspondence Secretary for approval by the General
 >       membership within sixty (60) days from the day of nomination. The
 >       Recording and Correspondence Secretary can not  vote in the
 >       Executive Committee.
 >
 >       Section 6.  The primary responsibility of the Recording and
 >       Corresponding Secretary shall be to act as liaison between GESO and
 >       outside organizations; the secretary shall insure that notification
 >       of GESO meetings be posted.  The Recording and Corresponding
 >       Secretary shall also assist the Treasurer in updating mailing
 >       lists. She/he shall conduct all correspondence of GESO and assist
 >       the Executive Director in maintaining contact with the standing
 >       committees. She/he shall perform such other duties as the Executive
 >       Director and the Executive Committee of  GESO may require.
 >
 >       Section 7.  Zone Coordinators. Geographically, the Organization
 >       will be divided to three zones, Europe, North America and Gambia.
 >       Members in other regions can chose their zone of affiliation at
 >       their convenience. Each Zone Coordinator will oversee
 >       Organizational activities in their zones and will act and speak on
 >       behalf of their zones.
 >
 >       Article VIII Committees
 >
 >       The Executive Committee and the Executive Director may from time to
 >       time appoint such committees, consisting of such persons, for such
 >       purposes and with such powers as the Executive Committee or the
 >       Executive Director shall determine. The members of any such
 >       committees shall serve at the discretion of the Executive
 >       Committee. A member of the Executive Committee shall serve on, but
 >       need not chair, each committee, and shall act as liaison between
 >       the committee and the Executive Committee.
 >
 >       Ad hoc Committees (Working Committees) The Working Committee
 >       members will be appointed by the Executive Committee on need bases.
 >       The Working Committees will be technical working groups to prepare
 >       activity plans, or implement activities. The Working Committee will
 >       be dissolved at the end of their assignment or at the discretion of
 >       the Executive Committee.
 >
 >       Financial/Fundraising Committee:   The Organizations will raise the
 >       necessary finances through membership fees, individual
 >       contributions and fund raisers. The Committee will be the
 >       Organization's official fund raiser. The committee shall coordinate
 >       all fundraising activities and will consist of four members. The
 >       Committee will be responsible to consult with Executive Committee
 >       to determine annual membership dues. If this Organization is
 >       dissolved all its net funds will be donated to an institution or
 >       institutions of its choice.
 >
 >       Audit Unit
 >       This unit will help ensure that the organization's funds are used
 >       as specified. The unit will comprise of a Chairperson and two
 >       committee members. Members of the committee will be appointed by
 >       the Executive Committee as needed. The unit will prepare its own
 >       operational document to be approved by the General membership.
 >
 >       Article IX Elections and Nominations
 >
 >       Section 1   A four (4) member Elections and Nomination committee
 >       shall be chosen by the general membership to oversee and supervise
 >       nominations and elections of officials. The Elections and
 >       Nominations Committee shall elect one (1) of its members to serve
 >       as head of the Committee. Members of this committee can not run for
 >       any other office during their tenure as election officials. The
 >       committee shall have final say on election results.
 >
 >       Section 2.   The Nomination and Election Committee shall request
 >       suggestions from the members for nominations for the GESO'S
 >       officers at least two (2) months before elections. The Committee
 >       shall devise and mail to the voting members a proposed slate of
 >       nominees at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting.
 >       Biographical sketches, together with optional statement of intent
 >       consisting of no more than one hundred words, shall accompany all
 >       nominations. All nominations shall also submit a statement to the
 >       Committee on Nominations of their willingness to serve.
 >
 >       Section 3.   All elections shall be held by ballot and candidates
 >       receiving the largest vote cast shall be considered elected. In the
 >       case of ties, there shall be another vote between the two top
 >       contenders.
 >
 >       Section 4.  A Executive Director shall be elected every two (2)
 >       years and shall serve in the two succeeding years as Executive
 >       Director. The term of the Executive Director shall be two years.
 >
 >       Section 5.   The Deputy Executive Director, Treasurer and Zonal
 >       Coordinators shall be elected every other year to a two-year term.
 >
 >       Section 6.   The term of the office shall begin on the first Moday
 >       after the first day of January  end on the third Monday of
 >       December. Each officer shall serve a maximum of two terms in the
 >       office.
 >
 >
 >       Article X Checks, Notes, Drafts and Other Instruments
 >
 >       The treasurer must draw up checks, Notes, Drafts, and other
 >       Instruments for the payment of money drawn or endorsed in the name
 >       of GESO but he or she should not sign it. The signatories are the
 >       Executive Director and two (2) other Executive Committee members
 >       besides the Treasurer.  Neither the Executive Director nor other
 >       members shall sign any such instrument as foresaid unless
 >       authorized by the Executive Committee to do so.
 >
 >
 >       Article XI Fiscal Year
 >
 >       The Fiscal year of GESO shall be the year ending with the
 >       thirty-first (31) day of December of each year.
 >
 >       Article XII Amendments
 >
 >       Section 1. All proposed ammendments to the Constitution, together
 >       with comments and recommendations of the officers of GESO shall be
 >       submitted to all voting members for ballot by postal or electronic
 >       mail.
 >
 >       Section 2. A two third majority of the members returning their
 >       ballots within thirty (30) days of the date of mailing of the
 >       proposed amendment(s) shall amend the Constitution
 >
 >       Article XIII Agreement of GESO
 >
 >       The provisions of the Agreement of GESO as they from time to time
 >       exist are a part of this Constitution. We, whose names are hereto
 >       subscribed, do, by this agreement, associate ourselves with the
 >       intention of forming an organization under the General Laws of ...
 >
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 >

Haruna Darbo wrote:
> WOW Dr. Jaiteh. I had no idea such an undertaking had come out of
> Ellen. GESO, what a wonderful idea. So we had DAN-GESO, GESO-USA,
> GAM-GESO.
>
> If I understand you correctly, the idea was to raise funds and
> materielle to support students through school in Gambia. The only
> branch currently active is DAN-GESO, currently supporting a student in
> Gambia this year.
>
> Dr. Jaiteh, this idea is too valuable to let fade away. If you are
> amenable, let's re-engage and re-connect with DAN-GESO to see if we
> can lend that branch the requisite sustenance to keep it going while
> at the same time reviving the other branches. I am sure there are many
> friends and coleagues here who appreciate such selfless effort and
> will be more than ready to assist or work with us.
>
> My commendations to CamaraLaye, Absjorn, Jabou, Jengfann, Awa, Musa,
> Bass, Ancha, and all the other wonderful men and women who have been
> holding the bag. They are indeed an inspiration to us all. If there is
> anything we ought to be talking about on Ellen, it is the GESO effort.
> Because a lot of things can flow through it. I will send you private
> mail to see how we can revive the noble effort with these and more
> wonderful folk here and elsewhere.
>
> Wow. I am so happy. Haruna.
>
> In a message dated 4/21/2009 12:20:15 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>     Haruna,
>     An education foundation was one of many good ideas born on the L.
>     Unfortunately, like many things Gambian, its been on life-support for
>     some time now. We called it Gambia Education Support Organization
>     (GESO). The goal is to support individuals (through scholarship) and
>     institutions (supplies and funding) in the Gambia. We had a branch in
>     Denmark (many thanks to Absjorn, Momodou Camara, and a few good men);
>     USA (Sister Jabou, Musa Jeng, Sister Away Sey and many other
>     wonderful
>     souls); and The Gambia (Musa Sowe, Bass Drammeh and Ancha Bala
>     Gaye). We
>     did manage to collect funds to support a few students and SIMMA
>     Vocational training center. The Danish branch (the only currently
>     active) is supporting a student in The Gambia for this year. Days ago
>     Mr. Camara informed me that too may fold since they need more than 2
>     active officials to keep their registration.
>
>     As far as I am concern, this is one areas folks in the diaspora
>     can make
>     immediate and tangible impact. From what I know, it is possible to
>     keep
>     a student in Basic School as little as $300/yr year or $1500/yr to
>     keep
>     one in the University of The Gambia. With GESO's infrastructure in
>     place
>     all we need is a dedicated few to take the lead.
>
>     Malanding Jaiteh
>

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