Executive Committee Minutes : 25th April 2009

ZAMBIA DIASPORA CONNECT : EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES

Minutes – 25th April 2009

Present: Paul Lupunga (PL), Musaba Chailunga (MC), Chola Mukanga (CM), Chasaya Sichilima (CS), Thandiwe Chihana (TC)

Apologies: Bright Chinganya (BC)

• Review of Actions of the 28th March Meeting: Outstanding action 2 – BC has still not submitted his contribution to MC on his thematic group to be put on the web. This is the second time this action has appeared on our minutes. Actions: BC to forward web material to MC by 5th May 2009.
  
• Indaba Update: CS updated the group on the visit to Zambia and the Indaba. All members agreed that the meeting was successful and represented a marked shift in how the Diaspora engaged with government. Among the meeting held by ZDC in Zambia included a formal presentation to the Indaba and meeting at the State House with leading figures in Government to understand the government position going forward. A formal short report is being prepared by ZDC, which will be made available to members and the interested public. As part of continuous engagement with government it was agreed that a formal follow-up letter to the government should be sent. A number of issues where discussed regarding media engagement given the various requests for interviews. The Executive Committee gave full permission to CS to go ahead and organise interviews liaising appropriately with TC. Actions: CS and PL to draft post indaba submission to Government and clear it with the Executive Committee by 10th May 2009. CS and PL to complete drafting of the Indaba Report and clear it with TC by 10th May 2009. TC to prepare appropriate briefing for the wider public and disseminate report clearly appropriately with the Executive Committee by 17th May 2009.
  
• Organisation Funding: It was noted that there was significant need to develop a coherent funding strategy, that too on board a wide ranging of different financial sources that may be available to the organisation. Actions: MC and BC to organise a brainstorm by the 15th May 2009 and ensure that a draft Funding Strategy Paper is presented to the Executive Committee by 26th May 2009 for wider agreement.
  
• Membership Criteria: TC presented a short paper on the proposed criteria for membership. It was agreed that the paper was broadly okay, although further work was needed to reflect the criteria for membership of organisations other than individuals. Actions: TC to revise the membership criteria paper and circulate it to the Executive Committee for approval via email by 17th May 2009.
  
• Collaborations: CM informed the group that we have received an offer of deeper collaborative working with ZASN USA. It was agreed that the aims and vision of ZASN USA was consistent with Zambia Diaspora Connect and the Executive Committee welcomes this opportunity, especially with respect to the work of the Human Capital Thematic Group. The Executive Chair was asked to lead discussions with ZASN USA in order to better understand how this could proceed. Actions: CM to arrange a meeting with ZASN USA, MC and PL to take forward the discussions and report back to the Executive Committee at the next meeting (30th May 2009).
  
• Roles and Responsibilities: MC explained the organisation issues which need further improvement to ensure that we continue functioning efficiently. It was particularly noted that it was important to wrap up swiftly the constitution of the organisation to foster clear defined roles and responsibilities and enable the organisation to communicate its vision to the wider membership and general public. Actions: MC to produce a first draft of the organisation’s constitution and present it at the next meeting (30th May 2009).
  
• Project Prioritisation and Policy Review Group: CM explained that prioritisation strategy had now stalled pending the outcome of discussion on the Policy Review Group. It was suggested that an offline discussion was needed by CM, PL and MC to discuss the situation and report back to the Executive Committee on the way forward at the next meeting Actions: MC, PL and CM to discuss offline the issue and report back at the next meeting (30th May 2009) on the way forward.
  
• E-Conference 2009 : It was noted that preparations for the 2009 e-Conference should begin in order to be a strong position going forward. PL noted that there was a general expectation that the 2009 conference should include participation from government as reflected in our e-Conference 2009 draft plan. Actions: PL volunteered to take forward preparations and table a draft paper on the way forward at the next Executive Committee. This will outline: the proposed channels for the conference; prior- engagement with wider membership and Government; and the themes for the e-Conference.
  
• Website: There was some discussion on how the website can be further developed. It was concluded that there was no need to maintain two parallel websites. As such the blog should be transferred to the website. The website will then link to our twitter, facebook and google user groups. MC invited those with any more ideas on what should be there to forward the relevant suggestions to him as soon as possible.

Next Executive Committee Meeting: 30th May 2009