Restructuring BFU-USA Committees*

BFU-USA National Executive

Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth

Shirley Chisholm

* Changes currently apply only to Culture, Education and Health Committees

1

Outline

ObjectivesRestructuring BFU-USA Committees*

Structure yesterday Structural Changes

Roles of committee membersBenefits and Risks of new structureParting Thoughts (Conclusion)Next StepsAppendix

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Objectives

The objectives of this document are to… Provide an overview of the structural

changes in the Culture, Education and Health Committees

Discuss why we are doing these changes Outline the new structure, with…▪ Examples of committee functions▪ Committee member (chapter liaison) role &

profile Review the anticipated benefits and risks 3

Structure Yesterday

Culture

Education

Health

BFU-USANational

Executive

Committees

1. The committees were not represented within the National Executive

2. It was difficult to properly align the committees’ activities with the Union’s strategy

3. Chapter participation in committees was minimal

4. Technology committee was also separate from overall strategy

5. The Structure did not maximize collaboration and efficiency

6. The structure did not allow for easy updates to chapters

Technology Committee

Reasons to Improve the structure

4

Technology

Fundraising

Restructuring the Committees

Education

HealthCulture

Cultural Health*

Cultural Educatio

n*

Healthy Educatio

n*

• The National Coordinators for Culture, Education and Health now represent their committees within National Executive.

• Technology and Fundraising are also core elements of our overall strategy.

• See next slide for more information.

Technology Enablers- Web conference- Website,

Intranet- Blogs, etc*Areas of overlap

in committees’ scopes – See page

23 for more

Legend:

BFU-USANational

Executive

5

Restructuring the Committees

BEFORE CHANGES…

1. The committees were not represented within the National Executive

2. It was difficult to properly align the committees’ activities with the Union’s strategy

3. Chapter participation in committees was minimal

4. Technology committee was also separate from overall strategy

5. The Structure did not maximize collaboration and efficiency

6. The structure did not allow for easy updates to chapters

AFTER THE CHANGES…

1. The committees are now represented within the National Executive by the National Coordinators

2. The committees’ activities will now be better aligned with the Union’s strategy

3. See next slide for this…4. The Technology committee

now also sits in the National Executive

5. See next slide for this…6. See next slide for this…7. Fundraising is also a major

enabler for us; so we will invest in this

6

Health Committee

How about chapter participation?

National Coordin

ator, Health

Houston, TX

Dallas, TX

Georgia

New Jerse

yNorthern

California

Chicago, IL

Ohio

Seattle, WA

DC-Metro

BFU-Youth

• Each chapter to be represented in each committee for Culture, Education & Health.

• Each committee to be headed by National Coordinator for Culture, Education & Health.

• Youth to be represented at committees to ensure leadership , succession development.

• See next slide for more.

Technology

Fundraising

Education

HealthCultur

e

Committee Structure

7

Chapter Liaisons

How about chapter participation?

BEFORE THE CHANGES…

1. Chapter participation in committees was minimal

2. The Structure did not maximize collaboration and efficiency

3. The structure did not allow for easy updates to chapters

AFTER THE CHANGES…

1. Each chapter to have one representative in each committee

2. Committee members to work on specific committee objectives while keeping chapters abreast of activities at the National level

This permits chapters to take a more proactive role in developing and executing our Union’s goals and objectives

This increases collaboration and efficiency

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Committee Activities explained… Focus: Culture

Example of an Initiative

Some examples of committee tasks and division of labor

*Assume BFU-USA launches BMVs (BFU-USA Music Videos)…

• Nat’l Coordinator for Culture & committee members to define parameters for recording of music videos (including lyrics, length of song or story, deadline for submission, etc)

• Committee members (who are chapter liaisons) to deploy BMVs to chapters, coordinate activities at local level, such as ensuring chapter has recording equipment, song choice meets requirements, etc.

• Nat’l Coordinator to work with Tech group to build virtual library

* Assume BFU-USA is planning Black History Month activities for February 2010…

• National Coordinator & committee members to plan participation, ensuring uniformity in local approach

• Committee members to seek local community opportunities, with chapter leadership ensure chapter shares Bui Culture in local Black History events

*Assume Culture Committee is planning for DC 2010…

• Dedicated committee members responsible for planning “Culture”-related activities with NCC before & at the convention. Such include speakers, workshops, displays, cultural fundraising activities , etc

*Assume BFU-USA supports Ngon’Nso 2010…

• Dedicated committee members responsible for collaborating with NSO’DA in ensuring BFU is appropriately represented, ideas are sought after and incorporated in the program, proper funding in allocated, etc.

Please note that these examples are given to help you understand how the committees will function*Some of these examples are actual initiatives the Committee will engage in

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Committee Activities explained… Focus: Education

Example of an Initiative

Some examples of committee tasks and division of labor

*Assume Education Committee to implement education project in Bui…

• Nat’l Coordinator to assign project tasks to dedicated committee members , who will collaborate with on-ground resources such as KUDOC

• Chapter liaisons to inform chapters of national project progress and ensure no conflicts with own chapter projects

*Assume Education Committee is planning for DC 2010…

• Dedicated committee members responsible for planning “Education”-related activities with NCC before & at the convention. Such include speakers, workshops (e.g. financial, resume-writing, etc), networking activities, etc

*Assume BFU-USA is building an informational portal…

• Nat’l Coordinator , committee members and Tech Group to collaborate on portal’s design, content and marketing.

• Committee members to inform chapter of committee’s progress on all activities

* Assume Education Committee is launching scholarship scheme for 2010…

• Nat’l Coordinator to work with Nat’l Org. Sec. to give widest publicity to scholarship (via facebook, twitter, website, etc)

• Committee members to disseminate information to local chapters

Please note that these examples are given to help you understand how the committees will function*Some of these examples are actual initiatives the Committee will engage in

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Committee Activities explained… Focus: Health

Example of an Initiative

Some examples of committee tasks and division of labor

*Assume a National Health Walk is planned for the US…

• National Coordinator and committee members (who are representing all BFU chapters) to plan local participation of all chapters, including dates, locations, etc.

• Chapter liaisons to collaborate with chapter leadership to plan and execute chapter participation in Health Walk

Assume a National Project for re-building a health center in Kikaikelahki…

• National Coordinator to assign project tasks to dedicated committee members

• Chapter liaisons to inform chapters of national project progress and ensure no conflicts with own chapter projects

*Assume Health Committee is planning for the DC convention…

• Dedicated committee members responsible for planning “Health”-related activities with NCC before and at the convention. Such could include speakers, workshops, health booths, health seminars, etc

*Assume BFU Health Notes…

• Dedicated committee members responsible for monthly Notes

*Assume projects need funding…

• National Coordinator to work with committee members and draw up budget, present budget to National Executive for approval before project is executed

• National Coordinator and chapter liaisons to report project progress

Please note that these examples are given to help you understand how the committees will function*Some of these examples are actual initiatives the Committee will engage in

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Chapter Liaison’s Role

A chapter liaison… Serves as the link for National and chapter initiatives in each

respective area (e.g. Culture, Education, Health) Keeps the chapter informed of National’s activities Keeps the National Committees and other chapters informed

of his/her own chapter activities▪ Increasing cross-chapter and National collaboration as a result

Participates in National Projects as a committee resource▪ If industry expert, provide expertise in committee▪ E.g. MDs, PharmDs, Nurses, medical students or similar in Health Committee

▪ Non-industry experts can provide management or other relevance experience

May be the (Co-) lead on local projects, if necessary Is the local coordinator for national activities▪ e.g. Walks, BFU-USA Music Videos, etc

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Chapter Liaison’s Profile

The person representing the chapter (called a chapter liaison) should… Be either a person affiliated in the industry or

someone willing to learn… Be an energetic and committed member, ready to

represent his/her chapter and contribute actively to the committee

Be able to provide updates to local chapter during chapter meetings

Have the time to dedicate to national activities Be a team-player who is open-minded and willing

to try different roles over course of 2-year term13

Chapter Support Role

The chapter leadership should allow time in each meeting for the committee members to provide an update of their committee’s activities The chapter should also give feedback

for the committee to incorporate in initiatives

The chapter leadership should provide committee members the necessary support to succeed

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Risk / Benefit Analysis of new structure

BENEFITS

Increased Union awareness And participation in

activities Better national

coordination Especially for US initiatives

Increased pool for potential leaders of BFU-USA

Reduced project conflict / overlap due to increased

communication among chapters and National

RISKS

Committee may become too crowded leading to… Scope creep; Loss of focus

Some chapter liaisons may become dormant, leaving their chapter in the dark

Some chapters may not agree with the direction of the National Executive Leading to disagreements

and initiative jeopardy

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Parting Thoughts…

The risks have been carefully considered… And steps have been taken to mitigate them

However, the success of this new model depends heavily on… Chapter leadership support Chapter members’ participation and commitment National Coordinators’ ability to properly define CLEAR

goals and objectives and assign CLEAR tasks National Executive’s ability to provide necessary support

(moral, financial, technical) The general assembly’s ability to be open-minded and

provide appropriate feedback (including constructive criticism)

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Next Steps

The committees are being filled by the Chapters via the Chapter Presidents, in close collaboration with the National President and the National Coordinators

The committees will begin working as soon as possible (September 2009)

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Thank You

We hope this overview has met it’s objectives

Please send all questions, concerns, remarks to info@bfu-usa.org

Or call our National Organizing Secretary

Yaya Sendze-Moussata: 1-913-963-2311 National President

Tarbinlam Lafon: 1-732-309-0224

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Appendix

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National Coordinator’s Role National Coordinator for Culture*

The National for Culture shall be responsible for formulating, presenting and executing all approved culture-related projects and activities.

He/she shall report directly to the President and, in consultation with the President, ensure that BFU-USA meets its objectives toward fulfilling its socio-cultural mission through various culture-related programs and activities of the Union.

He/she shall chair the Culture Committee. He/she shall submit, at a minimum, an annual budget and

two status reports within a BFU-USA calendar year to the National Executive and the Annual General Meeting or Convention. Update content on website as necessary and ensure accuracy.

* Text as pulled out of ratified by-laws. Role can be modified within limits to ensure operational efficiency

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National Coordinator’s Role National Coordinator for Education*

The National Coordinator for Education shall be responsible for formulating, presenting and executing all approved education-related projects and activities.

He/she shall report directly to the President and, in consultation with the President, ensure that BFU-USA meets its objectives toward fulfilling its education mission through various education-related programs and activities of the Union.

He/she shall chair the Education Committee. He/she shall submit, at a minimum, an annual budget and

two status reports within a BFU-USA calendar year to the National Executive and the Annual General Meeting or Convention. Update content on website as necessary and ensure accuracy.

* Text as pulled out of ratified by-laws. Role can be modified within limits to ensure operational efficiency

21

National Coordinator’s Role National Coordinator for Health*

The National Coordinator for Health shall be responsible for formulating, presenting and executing all approved health-related projects and activities.

He/she shall report directly to the President and, in consultation with the President, ensure that BFU-USA meets its objectives toward fulfilling its health mission through various health-related programs and activities of the Union.

He/she shall chair the Health Committee. He/she shall submit, at a minimum, an annual budget and

two status reports within a BFU-USA calendar year to the National Executive and the Annual General Meeting or Convention. Update content on website as necessary and ensure accuracy.

* Text as pulled out of ratified by-laws. Role can be modified within limits to ensure operational efficiency

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Areas of Committees’ Scope Overlap

Slide 5 points out some key areas of overlap in the Committees’ scope. The examples below should help clarify what types of opportunities such areas of overlap present: Cultural Education: This covers areas such as cultural

seminars, books, instructional videos, pamphlets, etc. Healthy Education: This covers areas such as “schools with

proper sanitary facilities”, seminars around career options for our Youth here in the US, etc.

Cultural Health: This covers areas such as culture preservation the right way; i.e. sponsoring cultural programs in schools back home, active participation in Ngon’Nso week, documentation of our culture in various media forms, etc.

The major issue here is to ensure that the committees collaborate on such areas of overlap

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