Igbo 6th General meeting held on 16/7/2023 at Sacred Heart parish Hanley,
Stoke-on-Trent
1) The opening prayer was said by Dr. Chukwujeku Odumegwu at 4:25 p.m.
Welcoming of fresh faces/individuals to the meeting by the chairman who
included Elvis, Tochukwu, Dr Amalu, and Nnedozie. The chairman welcomed
all present and thanked all members present especially for their contributions
and successful events they participated in and supported, while also pleaded
for patience and service to the union and also reminded us of the need for the
growth of the Union, not just for ourselves, but our families and generations
coming behind us. He also appreciated efforts made to get the union going,
especially this formative age.
2) Reading of minutes by the Secretary, Benjamin Chiedozie Dunuson read the
minutes of the previous meeting, a motion was moved for adoption by
Emmanuel Anoliefo, as there was no correction, he was subsequently
supported by Anthony-Claret, the Chairperson as other members present in
the last meeting, we were absent or excused.
3) Matters arising: The Chairman appreciated the success recorded in the men's
hangout in May 2023 and the Picnic, which was in June 2023, he reiterated
that though, it was not the best of the expected outcome, but then, we can
only get better from here.
4) Membership drive: The chairperson pleaded with members to show
commitments to attending meetings which is becoming abysmal compared to
every other meeting since we started, with declining numbers at every
meeting. In his contributions, Dr. Chukwujeku emphasized the need to give
deadlines for full registration and possibly expunging of, all non-financial
members at least by December, in a swift reaction the constitution committee
Chairman Daniel said a new platform should be created for the WhatsApp
group- one for full financial membership, the other one, for non-full members, so
that certain fine and vital information can be reclusive on the main platform. Dr
Chukwujeku equally suggested reducing the frequency of activities for the
year, as that could be a financial constraint. Although the chairman explained
that we really have few yearly activities, where many want so much of
social activities, even though one of the main drives of the association is to
create more social activities, which is in the interests of many members. Why
giving a divergent opinion, Elvis suggested that we need to create
awareness frequently especially on the payment as that is really seen in the
the platform which might make members not participate, he also submitted for
sectional or quarterly meetings and have rotational meetings as well. Antony-
Claret pointed out that our meetings are not monthly, but bi-monthly, unless
urgent. Dr Chukwujeku, suggested that, going forward, the meeting should
have members joining the group, only strictly by registration and payment first,
while everyone collaborated on the idea, that there is also a need to have
information on members email, from being up to date, while there should be
registry, kept by the Secretary. Elvis wanted to grasp the benefits of
membership. He was directed that the benefits are all contained in the
constitution which is underworks but in some of the meetings, the benefits
included attending to members’ bereavement of a family member, spouse,
parents, weddings, child dedication or celebration, and other sundry activities
as may arise and more will be regularly made known to the house as agreed.
Nnedozie called again for a need to create a WhatsApp group, where all of
today's information will be dispersed, why also suggest the need to have
penalties on absenteeism, to be £1 donation. As that would give more
participation in meetings, some members equally suggested that a cleanup of
the register on the WhatsApp group should be done after the registration of
members. Emmanuel declined the suggestions, saying that we shouldn't
sack or remove members but we should rather have a drive for the new
members, as removing people may encourage them not to participate
subsequently, rather new members will not be joining the group until they ve
dully registered with the financial secretary, while awareness as we have
suggested to be done steadily, according to Dr Amalu and Tochukwu, they
both said that the deadline should also be considered as very important.
4A) Action plan: The Chairman in his conclusion, said no addition of new
members till you are fully registered and you attend a meeting, listing the
benefits, deadlines would be in October, while amendments would also be added
to the Constitution.
5) Policing engagements: The Chairman informed members that he attended the
Staffordshire County meeting with the hierarchy of the police, and the police
community wants to be visiting and meet with different African unions
which is a way to reduce the bias and any differences between the African
Communities and the police, more information on this will be shared in the
platform, on the outcome of the meeting. Subsequently, the police would be
given an invitation to our new Yam festival, so as to come and experience our
culture and present their own suggestions or one or two points towards
policing our council, without bias towards the African Community especially,
and also all the other opportunities that one or we all, can gain from the
policing community in Stoke-on-Trent council, as regards police job
opportunities (which has a low number of African intake) and other security
matters.
6) New Yam Festival: The chairman called to the attention of the Union that the
next activity plan for the year was supposed to be the New Year festival after
the success of the picnic and the men's Hangout, although some members
were reluctant on the need for this, especially as we are still beginning. While
the chairman constitution committee Daniel supported a need for the new Yam
Festival, admitting that there is a need to have such events, even though, that
would be our first time and we might not need all the fun fair and big
organization that goes into it, but can get better from here also. Most people
present supported the idea; it was agreed then, to be fixed for the first week of
September which will be a Saturday. Austin, in his own words of support, was
of the opinion that we can cut costs and get our women to help with the dance
and food, he was supported by most members present, who agreed that we need
to involve our women in our activities, especially on this and others going
forward. Therefore, it was concluded that all executive and members present
during this meeting, will form the forum for the new Yam Festival planning
team.
7) Financial updates: Due to the unavailability of the financial secretary, who
took an excuse for this meeting, the secretary gave the financial update as
regards the Picnic, saying more updates on the information regarding income
and expenditures would be brought forward to the next meeting with
attendance of the financial secretary. All members applauded the financial
report made. Registration of the association is still ongoing while the chairman
explained that we have equally applied for the Union to be registered at the
council as a way of formal registration of the Union, having gathered the
needed signatures. He also informed the house that the treasurer had not
been living up to expectations, having not attended a meeting in the last nine
months, have not registered officially as every other executive member and
most members have done with the association. It was then concluded that,
failure to register by the financial secretary before the next meeting and attend
the meeting will leave the office vacant and show that the treasurer has not
been participatory in the meetings of the Union. The Secretary was advised
then, to create a directory and the executives to always reach out to members
through mail, phone calls, or visitation to their homes to check up on them and
encourage them.
8) Constitution updates: The chairman of the Constitution Committee having
presented the constitution in the last meeting, it was adopted as a working
document in this meeting and we'll have subsequent amended amendment,
as it will be shared in the group for people to make amendments and reach
out to the constitution committee whose details will be left in the group chat.
9) Political participation: The chairman Antony-Claret told members that having
joined the Labor Party he is encouraging all members to be part of the political
system especially in Stoke-on-Trent city council and the UK, as there are a lot
of benefits members can drive from such, including funding, aids, grants,
business opening opportunities and to drive the economic power of the council
and the UK like the Arab and the Indian Communities are already doing.
10) AOB; Dr Chukwujeku said he’s open to opportunities as even though he is a
student who is here on medical research from Nnamdi Azikiwe University,
Awka Anambra state. Benjamin told members, they need to get acquainted
with soft skills, and CSCS certifications as some members do offer job
opportunities in engineering and construction but most members do not have
the certifications to join. He also talked about opportunities for sponsorship for
Tier 2 visa with Shelton care which people can apply online. Hosting of
meeting the next meeting will be hosted by Austin, Elvis, Nnedozie, and Daniel
next month August. The date is to be fixed ASAP. Making his submission,
Antony-Claret encouraged people not to be limited by their immediate jobs due
to quick profit or income, but to gradually aspire to other bigger roles,
opportunities, and goals that will help them in their careers.
Furthermore, Dr Amalu in a short health pep talk, encouraged all, to take their
health seriously to avoid sudden health shocks, why we must also watch how
we eat, take our health, and exercise seriously, especially due to the weather and
our race. He gave an example of a friend, who he just lost recently due to a
sudden cardiac arrest and they need the Igbo community to encourage
members to talk to their GP when they visit the hospital about their ailment,
which might not be known here in the UK or other known family health
conditions in the past, so as to help in diagnosis. More PEP talks will be done
during meetings as concluded by the chairperson, Antony-Claret going
forward. Dr Amalu also talked about blood pressure checks, diabetes, regular
exercises, and monitoring of one’s health conditions.
11) Motion for adjournment was moved by Chuks, since the day was far spent, and
all key issues were discussed already, and he was seconded by Nnedozie.
Closing Prayer by Austin at 6:45 p.m.
