{UAH} FW: Importing Voters In Dallas....Importing Silent Listeners On Official Calls....! UNAALIST UNAA Council Update
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10:20 PM |
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If we cant Trust Brian Kwesiga, when it comes to importing SILENT LISTENERS on Official UNAA conference calls, how can we TRUST him with the PRESIDENCY?
".....We started off with seven as two members were having trouble connecting at first. (I used a different number this time to try and shake off some proxy members that are brought/linked on Council calls-that is why they did not know that we had a meeting!!) The meeting was scheduled to start late and some members were at work and could only listen in and respond when asked. This is not new on the Council and it has worked well......."
From: Becky Wamala-Brown <beckywamalabrown@sbcglobal.net>
To: yesu_nimurungi2004@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 10:59 PM
Subject: UNAALIST UNAA Council Update
Brian,Honestly??Your quote of October was when were in the infant stages trying to figure out how to operate-and unless you have not been meeting with the current Council, the quorum for the last 2 years has been seven-7 members. Sometimes more members attend but we always get seven members first and when we get them, we start our meetings. Please do not confuse members at large-you are the Deputy Speaker.I ask all current members of the 1st UNAA Council to come out and help clear this confusion that Brian is trying to start.Regarding Friday, a total of ten members attended.All members attended except the Deputy Speaker-Brian Kwesiga. Sadly, he did not even give any reason why he would not attend. I text him three times; before and during the meeting and he did not respond either way.For the past 2 years, communication has not been an issue on the Council. Prior to the meeting we always know a majority of the time who is attending and who is not-who will listen in and who will join late and who needs to be brought in by another member-(sometimes phone connection is not good).We started off with seven as two members were having trouble connecting at first. (I used a different number this time to try and shake off some proxy members that are brought/linked on Council calls-that is why they did not know that we had a meeting!!) The meeting was scheduled to start late and some members were at work and could only listen in and respond when asked. This is not new on the Council and it has worked well.The issue of whether registration should continue until the Convention was addressed when 9 members were present on the call and they all agreed. The Speaker asked all members 2 times whether they agreed-no one objected. One of the members could not be at the meeting at the beginning and when he joined some members had left. He also confirmed that he agreed that registration should continue. Again this is not new, especially when all members are in agreement.It is very disappointing for a fellow member of the to keep on misrepresenting the Council.The last meeting that we had prior to last Friday, this member wrote on this UNAALIST forum that the council was having a meeting in order to change the Constitution. He asked his supporters to write to us and stop us from meeting. We met because we still have things to do as Council. This might be compaign season but we stay true to our word-I personally let facts guide me. He came to the meeting and was melow..Enough! Please stick with the truth, it shall set us ALL free.Again fellow members of the Council, please come and shed light on how the Council when it comes to the quorum, has been operating since 2012. It is understandable that this is a compaign season but facts do matter.Thank you so much members-please use a filter and you will get to the truth.Becky.
From: Brian Kwesiga <brian.kwesiga@yahoo.com>
To: beckywamalabrown@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 7:59 PM
Subject: UNAALIST UNAA Council UpdateMr. Speaker,For the last two years on the UNAA Council, quorum has always been 8 not 7.For your reference, I refer you to an email from UNAA Council Secretary, Ms. Becky Wamala-Brown dated October 10, 2011 with the subject "Call for 2nd Council Meeting"I quote, "We are eleven (11) Council members. Two thirds is eight (8) member of the council that oirm a quorum."2/3 of 11 is 8 for quorum purposes. I challenge you to prove otherwise.Lets not shred the constitution so as to win elections.Regards,--Brian M. KwesigaCandidate for UNAA President, 2013-2015"Good Judgement for Change"On Aug 19, 2013, at 10:47 PM, Ronald Kabaale <kabrod2003@yahoo.com> wrote:Mr. Ocen,When it comes to the quorum of the council, I think you are not far off but the quorum is actually 7 not 8 as you seem to suggest.The quorum was the first math problem that we as council solved the first day we met almost 2 years ago.Ronnie KabaaleSent from my iPhoneOn Aug 19, 2013, at 9:35 PM, "musanap@gmail.com" <musanap@yahoo.com> wrote:Folks;I see a play with words in order to justify a non decision.Let establish some simple facts;1) decisions on the council are based on votes to determine whether a motion is adopted or not;2) Quorum has to first be established before a vote is taken which in this case did not happen. At Minimum 8 members have to be present. So what happens when only 7 remain on a call before the attempted vote?3) It is falsely alleged that 10 people agreed, the simple question how did they agree? By voting unanimously 10-0?4) If 7 people agree which technically does not qualify as a quorum how does it translate to 10 ageed to reopen the membership voter roster?OcenSent from my BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
To: beckywamalabrown@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 6:09 PM
Subject: UNAALIST UNAA Council UpdateBecky,'Don't bite your tongue' - Many of us can read between the lines in Brian and Co.'s messages. I am also concerned by the formation of "Tickets" and hope the EC would clarify on this issue. I thought UNAA did away with "Tickets" for elections. Fred Kalema-Musoke+41 78 737 1017 (Cell)+41 22 774 1224 (Geneva)+256 77 260 5556 (Kampala)Skype: fkalema.musokeSent from my iPadOn Aug 20, 2013, at 2:55 AM, "Becky Wamala-Brown" <beckywamalabrown@sbcglobal.net> wrote:Hi Brian,I am trying to understand where you are coming from.I did not write that the Council has voted to ammend the constitution. Ten members of the Council who were present, all agreed that registration should continue until the convention. None of the Council members disagreed.I was asked to communicate to the members at large ongoing discussions that we are having on the Council and the sensitive issues at hand.Infact if you read the whole message, it closed with:Middle ground-The Council is still deliberating until it gets to some middle ground. The UNAA Council has power in Article 13.1 to recommend to the members to either waive or to alter the constitution at the AGM so that all members can be accommodated.When informed, we truly believe that members can read and understand and make a choice on what we want.BeckyFrom: Brian Kwesiga <brian.kwesiga@yahoo.com>
To: beckywamalabrown@sbcglobal.net
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 5:11 PM
Subject: UNAALIST UNAA Council UpdateGood Evening Members,It is true that anyone can still register to become a member of the Association.That is an ongoing process that should be encouraged as the Association continues to grow its membership.However, since they are registering after the constitutional deadline set forth in article 9.6 of the UNAA Constitution, they will not be able to vote in the Sunday, September 1st, 2013 UNAA Elections in Dallas, Texas.The UNAA Council has NOT voted to AMEND article 9.6 of the UNAA Constitution or even taken a VOTE, on the matter, although there are ongoing efforts to do just that, and in any case, a vote by the UNAA Council to amend article 9.6 of the UNAA Constitution, even if approved by the AGM in Dallas, Texas would have no bearing on the CURRENT ELECTION process, but would instead take effect with the 2015 UNAA Elections.Hope this clarifies the issue to many of you.Brian M. Kwesiga(972) 415-6372Candidate for UNAA President, 2013-2015"Good Judgement for Change"From: Becky Wamala-Brown <beckywamalabrown@sbcglobal.net>
To: brian.kwesiga@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 2:09 PM
Subject: UNAALIST UNAA Council UpdateDear members,On behalf of the 1st UNAA Council, we appreciate each one of you for your support and for participating in UNAA activities. Thank you. Because of you, UNAA is growing.Ten members of the UNAA Council attended the last meeting and resolved that the EC and the registration process should continue immediately- to enable all those members who wish to attend the Convention and those that wish to enroll to become members, to have access as soon as possible. They want all members at large who wish to come to Dallas to go ahead and pay until the Convention. They can pay online or by sending checks or money order to the Treasurer.Our UNAA Constitution does not have any entrenched provision or article that states that certain amendments cannot be done. Every article is as important as the other. If we respect the constitution, we MUST respect every article. Any article can be changed and the constitution gives a clear process on how to alter it if members feel the need to alter it.For any petition to go to the members, it must go through the UNAA Council.There were some serious allegations that were brought to the Council, through emails, phone calls and discussions. As representatives of the people, we are mandated to look into matters of the people and it is our duty to report back our findings. This will help all members know what is going on and know what we are deliberating about. That would be the clear democratic path.There are two categories that came out of the feedback:A-Complaints which are broken into three parts and B-a list of Articles of the UNAA Constitution that were breached:A- Complaints:1- Respect the deadline-do not amend or suspend the constitution2- Extend the deadline-Throw out Article 9.6 of the constitution3-Hardships with the system used-it did not cater for everybody1- Respect the deadline-do not amend or suspend the constitution:Members who support #1 believe that UNAA has a constitution that should not be touched, tampered with or changed. In their opinion, if it has to be changed then the changes should be effective in the next election. Article 9.6 is very clear and sets the deadline. A deadline was set for voters.They feel that members had a long period from the last day of the convention in Philadelphia 2012 to August 2, 2013. Members cannot complain that they could not register when they waited until the last minute. It does not matter whether the system failed them. A majority of the people who want no change are from the same region.2- Extend the deadline-Throw out Article 9.6 of the constitution.There are those members who feel that because there were problems registering coupled with abrupt changes of the deadline that this time all members who wish to vote should be able to vote. They feel that Article 9.6 should be suspended for this 2013 UNAA Election. They ask that if these members are not allowed to vote, then the people who paid $20 to become members (not to renew membership) should be disqualified. They did not complete the process. Indeed those who paid only $20 to become members (not to renew membership) should be disqualified, but if the article is suspended, they should be allowed to become members- after paying the correct full fee of Fifty dollars-($50)3-Hardships with the system used-it did not cater for everybody.There are quite a few problems that have been identified in this particular election regarding notice, registration process and technical requirements.a- The communication from the Electoral Commission confused members at large about the deadline. Initially there were 3 deadlines total: August 28, August 15 and eventually August 2. It took one month and seven days for the first deadline sent on June 20th 2013, to be changed abruptly to August 2. When it was changed on July 27th, members were given six-6 days to register/enroll and become UNAA members.b-The deadline for the candidates was not changed but that of the members at large was changed.c- Necessary information was not disseminated uniformly. Some members were advised to pay $20 for membership and this information was not sent to everybody. UNAA membership fee is $50 therefore they did not qualify to be members and did not qualify for a discount. Some members were then called back after the fact and asked to pay the difference.d- Important information was sent electronically which is a hardship for some members. Not every member has access to the internet. Therefore the only way they could get information was by snail mail or other means.e- Phone calls were not returned to those members who were having trouble registering-the Treasurer did not call back.f-The email system could not allow one family to use the same computer.g-The deadline on the website continued to have August 15th 2013 as the deadline even after it was changed to August 2. If anyone somehow missed the email of July 27th that gave a new deadline, they would be confused by what was on the website.h-The website was closed to those members who wanted to pay after the August 2 deadline and become UNAA members.i-Financials- The financials are completed yet.B. Articles of the UNAA Constitution (2010) that have/or would be breached:Upon review of the process in regard to our constitutional obligations as members and as it pertains to the implementation of the Constitution, the Council came up with the following findings.2.1: Organization: f) to address needs peculiar to members of the Association.Members had problems with the system that need to be addressed.2.3: Statement of Non-discrimination Intent: The Association is an equal opportunity organization. It does not discriminate, for membership purposes, on the basis of race, color, religion, political affiliation, gender, age, handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, nationality or ethnicity.By using mostly emails, we discriminate against electronically challenged members.3.1 (a): Full Membership:–A full member has the right to vote.When we deny the members the vote because of our failed registration (technology and/or process), we violate the constitution.3.3 Dues: All Members shall be required to pay annual membership dues as designated by the UNAA Executive Committee with the advice and consent of the UNAA Council.Not all members, paid the full amount of $50 to become a member, some paid $20 even when they were not renewing. They were allowed to get an automatic discount something that was not communicated uniformly-a violation.3.3.1: Membership dues paid in a current fiscal year shall be valid for membership for the following fiscal year.If we follow this article, then only members who are renewing (paid dues in 2012) would be eligible to vote. It would be very unfair to all new members.3.5: Members in Good Standing: Members in Good Standing in the Association shall be those persons who……… have been admitted to membership in the Association by action of the President acting on behalf of the Association; ………… (Not done. None of us is a member under this Constitution.)4.1: General Membership Meetings: Annual General Meetings of the Members ………. The Exact date, time, place and agenda of the meeting shall be determined by the Chairperson of the UNAA Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Executive Committee and communicated to the members no later than the last day of the month of February preceding the meeting. It was NOT done. The time and venue of the AGM were decided by the Dallas organizers, not the Chairman of the BOT. No agenda has been sent.6.2: President: The President or his/her designate shall ensure that all orders, resolutions and decisions of UNAA Council are carried out. He/she shall receive quarterly and annual reports from all members of the Executive Committee.This article allows the Council to carry out its decisions through the President.Article 6.6: The Treasurer shall receive, deposit and maintain custody of all funds and securities belonging to the Association. He/she shall disburse funds under the direction of the Executive Committee.Not all candidates paid their fees to the treasurer.Article 9.6: Functions & Powers of the Electoral Commission:–The Electoral Commission shall:-create and/or update the Election Guidelines;-set the deadline for registration for voting, which shall be no later than thirty (30) days prior to the election;Although the deadline date of August 15 sent initially was corrected, it negatively affected members and potential members to fulfill the constitutional mandated obligation to register or renew their membership. By the EC setting a date other than August 2, it was a constitutional violation. There were 3 deadlines total: August 28, August 15 and eventually August 2. It took one month and seven days for the first deadline sent on June 20th 2013, to be changed abruptly to August 2. When it was changed on July 27th, thirteen days-13 were cut off from the initial deadline of August 15-Members were given six-6 days to register/enroll and become UNAA members.-maintain and update the voters' register;The UNAAEC was required to update and maintain the voters' register.The register was developed/maintained by partisan individuals before the UNAAEC was constituted. It was a violation of the Constitution. Even now the membership application/registration process is managed/technically controlled by the Director of Development, a member of the Executive Committee.9.7: Candidate Registration Fees: All candidate registration fees shall be paid directly to the UNAA Treasurer. By the EC mandating all possible candidates to send their fees to the EC Treasurer was a direct violation of the UNAA Constitution. Although the constitution gives the EC the right to make electoral guidelines, it does not give them a mandate to override the constitution. Therefore, these actions were in contravention of the UNAA Constitution thereby rendering all candidates that sent fees to the EC Treasurer unqualified-because they do not meet the constitutional requirement of Article 9.7What is the middle ground?If we respect all these articles, some contradicting each other, we will be following every rule of the constitution, but we will certainly not be able to have an election in 2013. We MUST find a way forward.Middle ground-The Council is still deliberating until it gets to some middle ground. The UNAA Council has power in Article 13.1 to recommend to the members to either waive or to alter the constitution at the AGM so that all members can be accommodated.13.1: Power to Amend Bylaws: The Membership or the UNAA Council or the Executive Committee SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO INITIATE ACTION TO ALTER, amend and/or repeal these Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws, except that any such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption shall first be approved by two-thirds [2/3] majority of the UNAA Council and then a simple majority of members present at an Annual General Meeting, with respect to which Notice of such purpose shall have been given to members.Becky Wamala-Brown Secretary, UNAA Council Representative: South Pacific Region 1 Northern California and Northern Nevada. Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) http://www.unaa.org/ Register for UNAA Dallas 2013 - Silver JubileeConvention:Harnessing the Power of the Diaspora |Twitter:@UNAADallas2013|Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/UNAADallas25Ugandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.orgUgandan North America Association . 1337 Massachusetts Avenue . Suite 153 . Arlington. MA . 02476Email: info@unaa.org
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