Present

1. Grace Njau (host) – Chairperson + 254 722 260 078 annegracenj@gmail.com
2. Joseph Kai Kariuki – Secretary +254 700 446 884               josephkaikariuki@gmail.com
3. Margaret Wambere – Treasurer +254 722 537 774               margwireri@yahoo.com
4. Elias Bushiri Elie– Social Media Manager +254 741 497 556 ebushiri@gmail.com
5. Francis Njuguna – Executive Member +254 720 446 884 osnjuguna@yahoo.com

Apology

1. Gabriel Odhiambo – Executive Member +254 726 369 593 gabrielodhiambo1@gmail.com
2. Joseph Healey – Moderator +254 723 362 993 JGHealey@aol.com

3. Ricardo Benon — Executive Member +254 701-606346 ricardobenon1@gmail.com

Opening

The meeting started with prayers said by Elias Bushiri Elie in the French language of the DRC.

The Chairperson welcomed the members and appreciated their willingness to attend the meeting which had been postponed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The members went through the list of agenda guided by the Chairperson.

Min.1/14 Nov 2020    Update on APWG CBO Registration

The Treasurer updated the meeting about the progress made and stated that there had been a challenge with the members’ signatures which had been scanned previously.  The process had been repeated, requiring each member to sign on a new list for submission to the government offices.  It had not been easy to access most members due to the Covid-19 restrictions on social distancing and observation of minimal contact.  The members agreed that the list would be signed within the following week after the meeting, and Elias Bushiri Elie was requested to help contact some of the members and have them sign the list in order to accelerate the process. It was hoped that this would be completed before the end of December, 2020.

Min.2/14 Nov 2020    Financial sustainability of the groups’ activities

The meeting agreed that efforts would be intensified towards raising some funds to support some activities. These amounts would attract a ‘matching grant’ which would be provided to support the efforts and to increase the amount.

Some of the proposals made were:

1. Proposal writing to raise funds for activities related to African Cultural Studies. Joseph Kai was requested to pursue this and report to the group as often as possible so that any assistance required can be provide.
2. Application for sourcing for small grants ($5,000) related to African Culture activities. Several applications for such would eventually build up to a good resource. Sister Grace would start the efforts and also be assisted by the members of the committee.
3. Facebook appeals for funds. The members expressed that it was the appropriate time to begin appeals for online fundraising from well wishers through the Facebook Pages run by the APWG.  Joseph Kai, Elias Bushiri Elie and Ricardo Benon were tasked with the duty of setting up a PayPal Account. They would provide feedback to the committee within the month.
4. Small Handbooks and Soft Copy Publications of a few proverbs on specific topics such as: Money & Wealth, Health, Politics & Leadership, Diversity, Morality, etc. among others. These small publications would carry approximately 30 proverbs. A background, meaning/teaching and Bible parallels would be provided for each proverb.  They will be sold by the members at social gatherings, churches, to the public and other outlets.  Each member would contribute towards the collection of these proverbs.  They would be sent to Elias.
5. Merchandising APWG products to raise funds. The members agreed to source for items which can be printed with a proverb, the logo or name of the APWG, and which can be sold at an affordable price to the public.  The items proposed were such as:
   1. 1. T-shirts
      2. Keyholders
      3. Bracelets
      4. Caps
6. The members agreed to seek for well wishers to support the initial costs of sourcing for these items.  The achievements of each member would be communicated to the Treasurer by each member, who would then update the members.
7. Postings on the APWG Facebook & Website would create gains from charges made for using these sites. These would benefit the group.  The Chairperson would consult with the APWG Website Moderator for facts on the issue.
8. Corporate social responsibility activities usually carried out by various organizations may benefit the APWG efforts if some were approached to support cultural activities. Each committee member was tasked with the duty to contact at lease one organization about the matter.  Feedback would be communicated to all members on WhatsApp or email.

The members noted that due to the Covid-19 pandemic regulations it may not be possible to have a fund raising drive as had been proposed earlier.  Restrictions were still in place and therefore, alternative methods would be employed to raise funds.

Min 3/14 Nov 2020    2021 African Proverbs Calendar

The members agreed to finish contributing towards a list of proverbs to be posted in the 2021 APWG Calendar.  The members would send their choice of proverbs to Elias.

Min 4/14 Nov 2020    Any Other Business

1. APWG logo – The members proposed that the logo should incorporate an input to add to Father Healey’s Legacy. This would be communicated to him and members would provide their suggestions.
2. Update on the Living with Christ booklet – Sister Grace informed the members that this publication would be able to incorporate an African proverb from the APWG publications for free. It would help with the marketing of the proverbs to the readers.
3. KTN proverbs programs proposal – The station would be approached to seek a slot in the “Proverb of the Day” programs.  This would be with the objective to diversify the use of African proverbs on the social media platforms. Sister Grace and Francis Njuguna would follow up on the matter.
4. Request to acquire new laptop for Elias Bushiri Elie. The members approved the request and the chairperson would communicate with Father Healey. However, this would be supported by resources from elsewhere and not our APWG Account since there were no funds in it.
5. Relocation of the APWG Resources Library – Sister Grace escorted the members to visit the area set out to hold the resources. She indicated that there would be adequate space for more resources, beyond what had been received. The members would boost the collection by submitted any of the publications made in the earlier years that they did not require personally.

Closure

There being no other business the meeting ended with a prayer by Francis Njuguna.

The date of the next meeting would be communicated.

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