MINUTES OF MEETING OF ABUGISS ’99 OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE COCONUT GROOVE REGENCY HOTEL ON SATURDAY 25^TH JUNE 2011

Present:               Ms. Anita Acquaye                          -              President

                                              Mrs. Akosua Bani                            -              Member/Comm Director

                                             Ms. Edem Afi Eni                              -              Member/Welfare Officer

                                             Ms. Brenda Owusu Ofori                 Member/OrganizinSecretary

                                            Ms. Natalyn Oye Addo                   -              Member

                                            Mrs. Phyllis  Addy                             -                    “

                                             Ms. Nana Oye Afoom                     -                    “

                                            Ms. Dzifa Afi Dovlo                         -                    “

                                            Ms. Stephanie Okantey                  -                    “

                                            Ms. Aku Shika Awuku Lokko          -                    “

                                            Mrs. Afua Aryee                -                    “      

                                            Ms. Ernestina Lamiayi                    -              Member/Secretary

       OPENING PRAYER

       1.     The meeting started at 15:45 hrs with a prayer by Ms. Stephanie Okantey.                                           

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME ADDRESS

2.    The president welcomed members present at the meeting and thanked those who attended the pool party which was very colorful, she was however disappointed at the low attendance by members despite the fact that there was enough publicity.

        The Day’s Agenda

        The day’s agenda listed below was later read out;

Ø  Invitation by Abugiss ‘2000 Year Group

Ø  Liberal education at meetings

Ø  Invitation by Presecans ’98 Year Group

Ø  Review of payment of monthly dues

Ø  Membership forms

Ø  How to get members to attend meetings

Ø  Access to Information about the Association

ITEM ONE: INVITATION BY ABUGISS ’02 YEAR GROUP 

3.    The president informed members that Abugiss ’02 year group will organize a tea party on 7^th August 2011 at the Prisons officers mess at Cantonments and has invited members of the association and therefore entreated members to give the tea party a massive attendance. She added that the tea party will rotate among all Abugiss year groups.

ITEM TWO: LIBERAL EDUCATION AT MEETINGS

4.    The president said members agreed at the previous meeting that the liberal education for members should have started at this meeting, however, it could not be possible because members did not volunteer themselves as resource persons in their respective fields even though she sent a message round to that effect, nevertheless she has decided to lead by example by volunteering to give members some “talk” at the next meeting. Members deliberated on the issue and came to a consensus that resource persons outside of the association could be invited while members who do not attend meetings but can contribute in this regard should also be brought on board. Ms Nana Oye Afoom said some friends approached her about some selected Senior High Schools in Ghana having exchange programs to the United States of America and wants Aburi Girls Senior High School to benefit. Members directed her to contact the Headmistress of the school to formally inform her and for any further discussions.         

ITEM THREE: INVITATION BY PRESECANS ’98 YEAR GROUP

5.    Members of the association have been invited by Presecans ’98 year group to a beach party in August 2011 at the Bojo beach along the Mallam-Weija-Kasoa highway. However, members are of the opinion that the venue is far away from Accra and coupled with the heavy traffic situation of that road it will be ideal if the venue is within Accra.

ITEM FOUR: REVIEW OF PAYMENT OF MONTHLY DUES

6.    The president wanted to know if the quarterly payment of fifteen Ghana Cedis (Gh ¢ 15) as to the five Ghana cedis (Gh ¢ 5) previously paid monthly is affecting the “pockets” of members. The secretary said the mode of payment should be maintained considering the amount and duration, this was supported by Ms Brenda Owusu Ofori, however Ms Stephanie Okantey was of the opinion that the amount was even small considering the kind of projects the association intends to undertake.

ITEM FIVE: MEMBERSHIP FORMS

7.    Ms Nana Oye Afoom said for a person to be a true member of any association, a membership form should be filled out and therefore suggested that the association should have membership forms which she has volunteered to design . Members present consented to her suggestion. The secretary proposed the creation of a data base to enable the association keep records of its members and activities, she also added that prospective members should be able to download the membership forms from the website, fill and submit them in person at meetings.

ITEM SIX: HOW TO GET MEMBERS TO ATTEND MEETINGS

8.    Ms. Natalyn Oye Addo could not comprehend why some members do not attend meetings at all, some not regularly and suggested that an internet text box and word of mouth be used to reach out to such members. On her part Ms Aku Shika Awuku Lokko suggested that members should target/identify their class mates and encourage them to attend meetings. Ms Brenda Owusu Ofori also suggested that with the availability of so many social networking sites these days, members should at least frequent these sites were information about the association will be posted.  

ITEM SEVEN: ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION   

9.    The president thanked Ms Nana Oye for creating the Abugiss ’99 website and encouraged all members to frequently visit the site because any information concerning the association will be made available there.

ITEM EIGHT: OTHER MATTERS

10.   a.          Mrs Stephanie Okantey proposed that the timings for meeting should be changed from      1500 – 1800 hrs to 1600 – 1800 hrs. This was overwhelmingly rejected by all members                present taking in to consideration members come from far and near.

           b.         Ms. Natalyn Oye Addo suggested that agendas be set for all the quarterly meetings                 but Ms Nana Oye rather suggested that agendas should be set prior to meetings so that        members can make meaningful contributions/inputs.

           c.         Mrs Phyllis  Addy used the opportunity to thank members for being present during their       wedding ceremony and gave out Abugiss stickers to all members present.

          d.          The secretary also informed members about the upcoming speech and prize giving day         of ABUGISS SHS which is scheduled for 9^th July 2011.

          e.          The president informed members that Mrs Jennifer Nyanteh Akoto, Ms Adwoa Obribia Ampofo  and Ms Jennifer Addae duly asked permission to be absent from the meeting and also conveyed to members greetings from Mrs Missy Antwi who is in the USA.

          f.          Dues collected on the day amounted to one hundred and thirty Ghana cedis (Gh¢ 130).

CONCLUSION

11.  The president thanked all members present for taking time off their busy schedules to attend the meeting and announced the date for the next meeting as 24^th September 2011. The meeting ended at 1800 hrs with a closing prayer by Ms. Nana Oye Afoom.

Prepared by

Ernestina Lamiayi

Secretary