Edo Association of Florida Inc.
2010 State of the Association Report
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Mr. Vice President
Executive Board Members
Past Presidents and
Honorable Members
ood evening gentlemen. It gives me great pleasure to present my third Presidential address to you tonight. The National Bureau of Economic Research (www.nber.org) declared recently that the recession in the United States lasted from December 2007 – June 2009. This unprecedented 18-month recession was the longest in the history of the nation compared to the last four economic recessions. The National Council of Non profits in conjunction with the John Hopkins University’s Center for Civil Societies Studies conducted a national research on the Impact of the 2007 – 2009 Economic Recession on Nonprofit organizations
(www.councilofnonprofits.org/public-policy/research-reports). They issued
communiqué #15 on September 2, 2009, stating amongst others that “80% of responding organizations reported some level of fiscal stress’” and “51% reported declining revenues” during the target period.
Florida’s unemployment rate of 12% remains intractable and one the highest rates in the nation. Also, local governments, companies and organizations continue to deal with extensive budgets cuts and massive lay-offs. Each one of us here tonight has felt the strain and constraints of the times and we have all made attempts to tighten our belts.
It is against this backdrop that Edo Association, like many other not-for-profit associations have been operating. Yet, despite the depressing economic environment our association has had another stellar year.
Consider, that we:
1. Ushered in the New Year with our 2009 End of Year Annual Party
2. Participated in Volunteer workday event at County Line Scrub Preserve. These events are part of Miami-Dade County’s Environmental Endangered Lands (EEL) Program’s efforts to protect, preserve, manage, and enhance our Natural Areas.
3. Implementation of Membership ID Cards as constitutionally mandated.
4. Acquisition of Association Debit/Credit Card.
5. Sponsorship of Students to Rwanda.
6. Educational Assistance to Students in Benin-City (in progress).
7. Aid to Haitian Earth quake victims.
Additionally, we have work diligently in the area of outreach in promoting this association to the general public, thus we have received unprecedented mention at several local media and publications. We have also gained recognition and honorable mention from Federal, State and local government officials and agencies.
The highlight of this year was the hosting of our 15th Annual Family Outing and Picnic and with your help and creativity our picnic revenue intake exceeded our expenditures, for the first time in the history of this association.
I want to place on record my gratitude and appreciation for your personal sacrifice. You donated generously to every cause and requests that was brought to the floor of this house. For the first time on the history of this association, we now have one of our own member and son as the National President of ENA. I know that your hard work has placed this association in an enviable leadership pedestal amongst all the Nigerian Associations in the nation making us exemplary and worthy of emulation.
I have on numerous occasions called for unity and collaborative execution of actions. I want to again thank each and every member for your contributions, for your criticisms and advice. Our association’s founding fathers were on target for choosing our motto as: “Akugbe Oretin:” In unity there is strength. I want to continue to encourage your dialogue, critical analyses and divergent views and opinions, because a well balanced and inclusive approach, according to certain standards and ideals, is essential for proper governance. And good governance cannot be imported or imposed from outside; it can however serve to improve our association.
We must therefore remain united and work collaboratively to showcase our association in 2011. The expectations are high and the demand will be overwhelming. Let us stand ready hand-in-hand to welcome and host our brothers and sisters from the USA, Canada and around the world, as well as dignitaries from Nigeria to Miami beginning in April with the COP meetings and culminating in September with the national convention. As with the 1999 national convention we want to ensure that each delegate return home with fond memories of Miami and great appreciation for EAF.
In conclusion, we all know that democracy is not a final product but a continuous process and it is preserved not by monuments but by deeds. Sometimes it needs refining; sometimes it needs amending; sometimes it needs defending; always, it needs improving. I can assure you that it has been a stimulating and humble experience to serve as your President and I will continue to count on your support for the remainder of my mandate as we together continue to look for ways to improve our programs and services.
Thank you and have a good evening
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ANNUAL STATE OF ASSOCIATION ADDRESS
EDO ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA
October 17, 2009
Mr. Vice President, Executive Members, Honorable Members of Edo Association of Florida, it has been almost two years that I first stood before you to take the oath of office as President of Edo Association of Florida. In that time, I made a promise to take our Association to a new level, and along the way we have been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. These issues call for vigorous and truly honest debate, and I think it’s fair to say that the state of Edo Association of Florida is strong, and we are on our way to making that promise a reality.
Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose and in the best interest of our Association and the Community.
I am here once again to provide an agenda of Unity, collaborative execution of Actions and Transparency. Together we can and will dedicate ourselves to collectively lead and execute the projects that will position the Edo Association of Florida as a foremost and formidable organization as we dedicate ourselves through selfless service while adhering to the Vision, Mission and Philosophy of Edo Association of Florida.
Last year I proposed that a committee be setup to completely review and validate our membership. I am proud to say that was accomplished.
Last year I proposed that our annual July 4th picnic be relocated to Miami-Dade County since Edo Association primary address and registration is Miami-Dade County. I am proud to say that was accomplished successfully. For the first time Edo Association’s July 4th picnic was featured in the Miami Herald and also received financial support from the County Commissioners. This is just the beginning of things to come.
Last year, Educational proposals (short term, mid range & long term) were presented to the general membership. Due to cost implications associated with the proposed projects, the “Tutorial assistance for GCE/WAEC/JAMB candidates” was adopted. I am pleased to say that this project is in the execution stage.
At the just concluded ENA Convention in San Francisco, we were able to secure the bid for the right to host the 2011 ENA Convention in Miami. This will further enhance the image of Edo Association of Florida in the local community and around the world.
Edo Association of Florida as a non-profit organization need legal financial assistance from individual donations, organization sponsors, grants, and fund raising activities to actualize approved projects and manage the daily activities of the organization.
There must be plans in place to explore these various avenues of fund generation. These are some of the fund raising ideas that were put forward last year. Unfortunately we have not been able to execute any of them.
Since we have a fundraising committee in place, I am recommending that within 60 days, we put a plan in place to execute these recommendations.
- Formation of Limited Liability Corporations for investments to generate income.
- Participation in the annual ENA raffle program.
- Update Edo Association website to enable us receive online donations and encourage individual and business to advertise on the site.
- Specifically help promote businesses owned by Edo State indigenes. The more these businesses are successful, the more successful Edo Association will be financial.
- Participation in grant programs.
- Solicit organization sponsors for Edo Association approved programs.
This year, I am proposing a committee be formed to look into the possibility of recruiting young Edo men.
The membership of Edo Association is our most valuable asset, and to that effect, I am proposing a constitutional amendment to create the position of Welfare Officer.
We were elected to carry out the business of Edo Association of Florida that is the purpose of the Executive Council, it is the meaning of our oath, and it remains our charge to keep. Our actions will affect the security and prosperity of Edo Association of Florida and our people back home long after we are gone. Let us show everyone that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. In the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King; “We must work together as brothers or get lost together as fools”. The quest for a better tomorrow is a collective responsibility of us all.
Gentlemen, no matter what our personal agendas and interests are, we can cooperate for positive results at the same time. God Bless Edo Association of Florida. Thank you all.
Andrew Osolase, President
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ANNUAL STATE OF ASSOCIATION ADDRESS
EDO ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA
October 18, 2008
Mr. Vice President, Executive Members, Honorable Members of Edo Association of Florida, it has been almost a year that I first stood before you to take the oath of office as President of Edo Association of Florida. In that time, our Associations have been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. These issues call for vigorous debate, and I think it’s fair to say we’ve answered the call.
Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose. And together, we showed the Nigerian Community the power and resilience of the Edo people.
We were elected to carry out the business of Edo Association of Florida that is the purpose of the Executive Council, it is the meaning of our oath, and it remains our charge to keep. Our actions will affect the security and prosperity of Edo Association of Florida and our people back home long after we are gone. Let us show everyone that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. Let us show them that no matter what our personal agendas are, we can cooperate for positive results at the same time. In the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King; “We must work together as brothers or get lost together as fools”. The quest for better tomorrow is a collective responsibility of us all.
I am here to provide an agenda of Unity, collaborative execution of Actions and Transparency. Together we can and will dedicate ourselves to collectively lead and execute the projects that will position the Edo Association of Florida as a foremost and formidable organization as we dedicate ourselves through selfless service while adhering to the Vision, Mission and Philosophy of Edo Association of Florida. We will set goals that are clearly defined and imaginable, goals that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Actionable and Achievable, Relevant and time Specific).
I am proposing that a committee be setup to completely review and validate our membership and report to the house within 30 days.
I am also proposing that our annual July 4th picnic be relocated to Miami-Dade County since Edo Association primary address and registration is Miami-Dade County.
As part of our long term project, let’s not forget about the “Edo House Project”.
Edo Association of Florida as a non-profit organization need legal financial assistance from individual donations, organization sponsors, grants, and fund raising activities to actualize approved projects and manage the daily activities of the organization.
There must be plans in place to explore these various avenues of fund generation. The following are some fund raising ideas.
- Formation of Limited Liability Corporations for investments to generate income.
- Participation in the annual ENA raffle program.
- Update Edo Association website to enable us receive online donations and encourage individual and business to advertise on the site.
- Specifically help promote businesses owned by Edo State indigenes. The more these businesses are successful, the more successful Edo Association will be financial.
- Participation in grant programs.
- Solicit organization sponsors for Edo Association approved programs.
TRUST – by trusting ourselves, the founders of Edo Association of Florida wagered that a great and noble organization could be built on the desire for unity and community service that resides in all of us. By trusting ourselves, succeeding administrations transformed our fragile young Association into one of the most powerful and influential organization in the Nigerian community and a beacon of hope for all Edo State indigenes. And as long as we continue to trust ourselves, our Association will prosper and the State of our Association will remain strong.
Gentlemen, with confidence in the elected officials of this Association and trust in ourselves, let us set forth to do the business of this Association. God Bless Edo Association of Florida. Thank you all.
Andrew Osolase, President
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