United Methodist Association of Communicators-Africa Region (UMAC-AR)

Minutes of June 18, 2006

First Official Meeting

Held at Leopard Rock Resort outside of Mutare, Zimbabwe

Attendance: Attendees of UMCOM training event [Sarah Mawerere (Uganda), Rev. Lloyd Nyarota (Zim), Nabirye Teddy (Uganda), Dauda Marafa Goding (Nigeria), Lynette Regede (Zim), Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau (DRC), Phileas S. Jusu (Sierra Leone), Alfred Lali (S. Africa), Isaac Broune (Cote d’Ivoire), Andengs Hussaini Ibada (Nigeria), Mbabaye Pepi (Burundi), Christiana Rogers (Sierra Leone), Marie Manisha (Burundi), John Kaumba Makalu (DR-Congo), Arthur Mpoyo Mbuya (DR-Congo), Jackie Kamon Kashal (DR-Congo), Rev. Louis Loma Otshudt (DR-Congo), Rev. Bobistché N’Guessan Bruno (Cote d’Ivoire), Sinanga Juvénal (Rwanda), Simon Sipiwo Gunuza (S. Africa), James Mwoho (Uganda), Armindo Chaúque (Mozambique), Antonio Wilson (Mozambique), Taylor Walters (secretary/USA), Konah Parker (president/Liberia), Chantal Otshudi (DR-Congo), Daniel Mhone (Malawi)], Ezekiel Makunike (Zim), Rev. Tadfadzwa Mudambanuki (UMCOM), Barbara Nissen (UMCOM), Mike Svarda (UMCOM), Susan Chaya (Africa University), Don Reasoner (Portuguese interpreter), James Humbane (Portuguese interpreter), Andrew Manyawu (French interpreter) 

Meeting opened by UMAC-AR President Konah Parker. Welcome and gratitude expressed to visitors.

UMAC-AR secretary, Taylor Walters presented summary of how UMAC-AR was created and what it had done since its creation by the delegates of the United Methodist Communications (UMCOM) communicators gathering at Africa U. in 2005. She shared that little communication had occurred between the founding members this year and speculated that language barriers, lack of Internet connection, and lack of knowledge of the Internet were the primary factors in this. She also reported that the elected vice-president (from South Africa) and vice-secretary (from Zimbabwe) had left their jobs with The United Methodist Church. Ms. Walters raised the issue that since UMAC-AR had been created in a rush, there had only been time to elect officers. A mission statement, by-laws, etc. still need to be created.

Rev. Tafadzwa Mudambanuki brought greetings from our parent organization, United Methodist Association of Communicators (UMAC) and shared that UMAC was offering a scholarship to one communicator from the Central Conference to attend the UMAC meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana this October.  Applications are available upon request. Rev. Mudamkanuki also shared UMAC’s statement of goals and objectives.

President Parker opened the floor for suggestions for UMAC-AR’s goals and objectives. 

The suggestions attendees raised included: using UMAC’s goals and objectives as our own, reaching-out to those who are “off the grid” (those without access to electricity/modern technology), establishment of communication centers in every Episcopal area, flow of information between communication centers in Africa, help others learn more about technology, promote the interest and growth of The United Methodist Church in Africa, and lobby and advocate for communication resources for our conferences. Concerns included: How will we sustain and grow these networks? How will communication centers integrate into entire conference (off the grid issue)?  How do we obtain more training to be fully qualified to train others? How do we teach our conferences/leaders to understand the importance of communication work?

The consensus of the group was that due to limited time and the importance of these decisions, a committee should be formed to discuss the following categories: 1) aims and objectives 2) primary focus 3) programs and 4) membership and election rules and expectations.  This committee would meet as often as needed this week and present a proposal to the body at the next UMAC-AR meeting, which will occur before next week.

It was decided that the committee should have 7 members, representation from each African Central Conference and at least one female.  Mr. John Kaumba Makalu (South Congo), Rev. Louis Loma Otshudi (Central Congo), Rev. Lloyd Nyarota (Zimbabwe), Mr. Philias Jusu (Sierra Leone), Mr. Isaac Broune (Ivory Coast), Ms. Sarah Mawerere (Uganda), and Mr. Armindo Rosaio Chaúque (Mozambique) volunteered.

Taylor Walters described the discussion board with translation program that The Kamina Project has created and informed the attendees that UMAC-AR was welcome to use this bulletin board as its primary forum of long-distance communication.  There was consensus among the group to accept this offer. Training on how to register and use the bulletin board will be offered during evening free times in the computer lab.

Some UMAC-AR program possibilities, such as a UMAC-AR newspaper and regional refresher courses were suggested.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer and a song.