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

Minutes of June 28, 2006 meeting 7:15pm-8:45pm

Held at Africa University

Attendance: Rev. Lloyd Nyarota (Zim), Nabirye Teddy (Uganda), 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), 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), Armindo Chaúque (Mozambique), Taylor Walters (secretary/USA), Konah Parker (president/Liberia), Chantal Shako Otshudi (DR-Congo), Daniel Mhone (Malawi), Ezekiel Makunike (Zim) Guests: Tim Tanton (UMCOM), Rev. Tadfadzwa Mudambanuki (UMCOM), James Humbane (Portuguese interpreter), Andrew Manyawu (French interpreter), and Phildelas (cameraman) 

Welcome and Greetings

              Special thanks given to our guests and interpreters

Prayers

Reading of June 25, 2006 minutes

Minutes were unanimously approved.

Old Business:

Discussion of proposal of committee appointed at June 18, 2006 meeting

The proposal [attached to June 25, 2006 minutes], which had previously been distributed to delegates in English, French and Portuguese, was reread and discussion began on what parts to accept as official statements of UMAC-AR. 

A motion was raised to amend section “A. Aims 1. To promote the efficiency and effectiveness of communication in The United Methodist Church in Africa” to add “and beyond” to the end of the phrase. This proposed amendment was then amended to change the end of the phrase to “…Methodist Church in and about Africa.” The final vote on whether to amend the original sentence was 10-10.  President Parker broke the tie with the decision to not amend the original phrase. 

A motion was raised to amend section “A. Aims 3. To develop initiatives that respond to key African communication needs” by changing it to “key United Methodist communication needs.” The body voted 9-8 to not amend the phrase.

Section A. Aims was adopted by UMAC-AR without any amendments.

Section B. Objectives was adopted by UMAC-AR without any amendments.  It was, however, noted that grammatical and spelling errors existed in the document.  For the sake of time, it was decided to trust that these errors would be corrected later and need not be discussed in the meeting.

Section C. Primary Focus was adopted by UMAC-AR without any amendments.

Section D. Programs and Expectations was adopted by UMAC-AR without any amendments.

Section E. Membership was adopted (with two dissenting votes) by UMAC-AR without any amendments.

The following sections of F. Election Rules were adopted by UMAC-AR without any amendments: a. election rules, b. criteria for one to be elected into office, c. term of office and e. election conduct.

The majority of the body felt that section F. Election Rules d. the electorate needed further discussion and amendments before its adoption. For the sake of time, it was decided to table this discussion/decision.  A request was made for proposed amendments to be brought to the next meeting.  At issue was whether the body thought it was realistic to create election rules that require members to be physically present in the same room in order to vote.  Will UMAC-AR be able to meet that often? Rev. Lloyd Nyarota argued that for UMAC-AR to be a legitimate association, it is vital that it finds a way to physically meet regularly with or without funding from outside of Africa.

In summary, all of the subcommittees’ proposals were adopted without amendments with the exception of Section F.d., which was left out with the possibility to add later.

             

Discussion of Appreciation Statement Committee

President Parker made another request for a committee to meet and draft UMAC-AR’s official statement of appreciation to General Conference and the other agencies that made this gathering possible.  He recognized that everyone has been busy from morning to night each day with classes, but emphasized the importance of this task.

The meeting was closed with a song and prayer.