Federation of Liberian Mandingo Associations
in the United States of America
FELMAUSA
Communiqué of the second annual convention
July 4th -6th
Philadelphia, PA
The second annual convention of the
Federation of Liberian Mandingo Associations
in the United States (FELMAUSA) was held in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from July 4-6,
2008, at America’s Best Inn & Suites (now
referred to as Econo Lodge). The theme of
this year’s convention was Education: our
passport to the future.
The convention began on Friday, July 4th,
with a reception welcoming guests and
delegates from across the United States,
Europe and Africa. On Saturday, July 5th,
an invocation starting the convention was
performed by Mohamed Dukuly of Minnesota and
Mohammed A. Dukuly of Pennsylvania.
The
convention was called to order by Richmond Konneh, FELMAUSA National President and
welcome remarks from the president of the
host State Mohammed Bility. Chapters’ roll
call and update was done by the Vice
President for Operation Mamadee Sesay, who
also moderated the convention. Invited
organizations were acknowledged by Mameitta
J. Sirleaf, the Vice President for
Administration. The State of FELMAUSA
address was delivered by the National
President and a message from the Chair of
the Board of Directors, Abraham Kromah.
The afternoon session began with a panel
discussion on the topics education: our
passport to the future. On the panel were
Dr. Augustine Konneh of Morehouse College
and Sam Mohamed Kromah, former vice
presidential candidates in the gone Liberia
elections and former president of Union of
Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA)
www.felmausa.org
The second panel, comprising of Momo S. Dudu,
an assistant professor in finance at Brown
College in Minnesota, Ansumana Koisia, a
Lawyer in Texas, Mohammed A. Dukuly, who
holds an MBA and was a scholarship recipient
to study in United States for being the top
rated student in 1998, by the West African
Examination Council, and A. Fofie Konneh, BA
in Political Science and MA in Public
Service
Management, all discussed career paths in the
framework of education as a passport to our
future.
The third panel discussion focused on
constitutional review and legal issues
common to immigrants. The panel was led by
A. Teage Jalloh, an Attorney and Counselor
at Law. The panel talked about the
importance of upholding the constitution as
a guide to running an effective organization
and also touched on dual nationality in
Liberia.
The day concluded with an executive and
board consultative meeting and a convention
ball, queen contest, entertainment and a
start of a mini-sport tournament which
continues and ended on Sunday.
At the end of the three day gathering, the
following issues and activities were
discussed and adopted and thus form the
bases for this communiqué.
1.
That FELMAUSA will offer scholarships to
students in various educational institutions
in Liberia
www.felmausa.org
2.
That FELMAUSA will build an institute of
higher learning to be named in honor of a
prominent Mandingo
www.felmausa.org
3.
Feasibility study, site identification and
possible procurement of land to be made in
the coming months
4.
Immediate fundraising efforts as per our
resource development plan in States such as
New York, Chicago New Jersey, and North
Carolina
www.felmausa.org
5.
Launched a database for effective
communication
6.
Agreed to release the first volume of
FELMAUSA magazine called The Mandingo
7.
Miss Sarey Fofana was crowned FELMAUSA Queen
for 2008-2009
8.
Philadelphia Soccer team is FELMAUSA
champion for 2008-2009
Mission
The mission of the Federation of Liberia
Mandingo Association in the United States of
America (FELMAUSA) is to build the capacity
of our community through community
empowerment by providing educational,
health, social, legal, community involvement
and peace building
Vision
FELMAUSA’s vision is to become a growing
organization that will serves as a medium
through which our community can be empowered
to positively participate in the rebuilding
process of Liberia and Liberians.
Goal
FELMAUSA’s goal is to bring together the
collective potentials of our community so
that we all can promote, encourage and
support peaceful co-existence by empowering
and preparing members to be good stewards of
our community and country Liberia.
Our 2007 Achievements
Since its establishment in 2007, FELMAUSA
has had ups and downs which are evidently
not unique to it as a new organization. As
we focus on discovering our strength and
expanding our capacities, we have seen more
positive results and can report that in
2007, we have been able to achieve the
following:
·
Established the first umbrella organization
of Mandingos outside of Liberia
·
Expanded to more than ten Mandingo
Associations in the United States of America
·
Created strong alliances with sister
organizations in Europe and Africa
·
Helped managed disputes in three States
·
Secured a Federal ID
·
Working on tax exempt (form 1023) with the
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE (IRS)
·
Fact finding visit to Liberia by the
President for long term projects
·
Provided platform for over two thousand
people to gather and socialize
