Articles of Incorporation

Gibe-Gogeb Welfare Association

Or Jimma Alumni Association

I.  The undersigned natural person, __________________________________________

    Whose address is ______________________________________________________

    Being at least 18 years of age, does hereby form an Association under the law of the        

    state of ________________. He/she shall be the resident agent of the Association.

II. Definition

1        The Association means the Gibe- Gogeb Welfare or Jimma Alumni Association.

2        Jimma is a province in the State of Oromia in the Federal Republic of Ethiopia.

3        Gibe and Gogeb are rivers in Jimma area surrounding several regions.

4        Alumni are graduates from any of the schools and colleges or institutions existing in Jimma and the surrounding regions.

III. Name

The name of the Association is Gibe-Gogeb (Welfare) (Development) Association or Jimma Alumni Association, here in after referred to as the Association.

IV. Address

a)      The address of the Association shall be_________________________________

b)      The Association shall have branch offices as the Board of Directors decide

V. Purposes or Objectives

     The purpose for which the Association is organized are exclusively charitable, humanitarian, educational, scientific and cultural within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now enacted or hereafter amended, including for such purpose, the making of distribution to organization that also qualify as Section 501 (c)(3) exempt organization. To this end, the Association shall be a non-profit, non-political, humanitarian membership organization.

Specifically the Association shall have the following objectives:

A.     1) to bring together the children of (the Gibe – Gogeb regions) or (Jimma

and surrounding regions) living in America or abroad, and to nourish the love and family spirit that always existed among them and that has always been their identifying characteristic and that, God willing, shall remain so in this

                   world and in the life after.

       2) To this end, the Association shall organize a grand reunion of its members

       at least once a year.

       3) To this end, it shall also organize smaller meetings throughout the year in

       various cities or countries of the world. 

B.     To provide assistance to its members so that they and their loved ones get quality education, proper health care, clean water and adequate accommodation or housing.

C.     To provide humanitarian assistance for survival, health and resettlement of refugees, displaced persons, and those at risk, and help themselves achieve productive lives of dignity and purpose.

D.     To send material assistance to the schools and University in Jimma (Gibe –Gogeb) area in the form of books, computers, stationeries, sports equipments, uniforms, and clinical accessories.

E.      To organize community service and, or humanitarian assistance in the Jimma (Gibe-Gogeb) area so that people will participate in educational, social and economic development such as:  

1)      Building of schools, clinics, roads, libraries, dams, and self-help programs

2)      The supply of electric power, clean drinking water.

3)      The modernization of the agriculture such as the proper utilization and supply of fertilizers, soil conservation practices, use of improved crop varieties, animal husbandry, dairy farming and poultry.

F.      To conduct research towards the excellence of coffee beans and coffee cultivation (the main product of the region).

G.     To advocate and work towards the conservation of forestry which is home for many of the wildlife and biodiversity that lives with it (which is the essential beauty of the region).

H.     To teach elementary health care such as mid-wives, proper balanced nourishment, hygiene or sanitation, and protect against venereal disease, HIV/AIDS, Malaria etc.

I.        To encourage studies in the field of history, cultural heritage, and social values.

J.       To maintain historical sites of the region such as palaces, cemeteries, and antiques and establish museums.

VI. Membership

      Membership is open to any person born or brought up in Jimma or Gibe – Gogeb areas or any alumni of the schools of the region who is willing and ready to support the objectives of the Association and to abide by its rules and regulations.

VII. Funds and Capital

A.     All funds, whether income or principal, and whether acquired as a gift or obtained as a contribution or otherwise, shall be devoted to the above purpose.

B.     The Association, however, has no authority to issue capital stock.

VIII. Duration

         The period of the duration of the Association is perpetual.

IX. Directors

      The number of the directors of the Association shall be three, which numbers may be increased or decreased pursuant to the by-laws of the Association.

       The names of the directors who shall act until the first meeting or until their successors are duly chosen and qualified are:

            1)

            2)

            3)

X. Auditing

     Mr. _______________________ shall act as an auditor until the first meeting or until a successor is duly chosen and qualified.

XI. Restricting Conditions

       At all time the following shall operate as condition restricting the operations and activities of the Association.

A.     No part of the net earning of the Association shall inure to any members of the Association  not qualifying as exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as now enacted or hereafter amended, nor to any director or officer of the Association nor to any other private persons, excepting solely such reasonable compensation that the Association shall pay for services actually rendered to the Association or allowed by the Association as a reasonable compensation allowance for authorized expenditures incurred on behalf of the Association.

B.     No substantial part of activities of the Association shall constitute the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, or any initiative or referendum before the public, and the Association shall not participate or intervene (including by publication or distribution of statements), in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to any candidate for public office.

C.     Notwithstanding any other provision of there articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by the Association exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now enacted or hereafter amended.

D.     The Association shall not lend any of its assets to any officer or director of this Association, or guarantee to any person the payment of a loan by an officer or director of the Association.

E.      No member, officer or director of this Association shall be personally liable for the debts or obligation of this Association of any nature whatsoever, nor shall any of the property of the members, officers or directors be subject to the payment of the debt or obligation of the Association.

XII. Dissolution           

Upon the time of dissolution of the Association assets shall be distributed by the board of directors, after paying or making provisions for the payment of all debts obligation, liabilities, cost and expenses of the Association for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government for public purposes. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by court of competent jurisdiction of the country in which the principal office of the Association is then located.

XII. By-laws

The Association shall have by-laws or rules and regulations encompassing such matters as:

●  The organs of the Association (General Assembly, Executive committee etc.)

    ● Officers and their duties

    ● Meetings (Ordinary and Extra Ordinary)

    ● Code of Ethics

    ● Finance (Fiscal Year), and

    ● Other relevant items

XIII. Miscellaneous

A.     Amendments

The Articles of the Association shall be amended by the Board of Directors upon approval by the General Assembly.

B.     Ratification of Documents

All documents of the Association such as the by-laws or constitution or Articles of Memorandum of Association will come to effect upon approval by the Board of Directors and ratification by the General Assembly.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed these articles and acknowledge the same to be my act

1. Dr. Badege Bishaw - Chairman
2. Dr. Abraham (Hussein) Aba Dura - Vice Chairman
3. Dessalegn Befekadu - Committee member
4. Feleke Teka - Committee member
5. Altayie Tammru - Committee member (Secretary of the meeting)

1. Kibebe Gizaw - Out of home state
2. Yilma Taddesse - Ethiopia
3. Abdo Muslah - Yemen
4. Dr. Wubshet Mamo – Ethiopia
5. Tsegaye Kassa - Ethiopia

1. 1. Summaries of activities over the past year
2. 2. Approval of Article of Incorporation
3. 3. Suggested project ideas in Jimma
4. 4. Idea of Sister City
5. 5. Other suggested ideas

1. - The chairman stressed that it is very important to put more emphasis on getting the article of incorporation legalized. Otherwise, it is difficult to further materialize the aims and goals of the association.
2. - The general body at the meeting believed the importance of the legalization of the article, however, members felt it is time consuming to read all contents of the article and reach on consensus. Instead they agreed to set a one month time limit for members to provide their comments and suggestions to the committee. If no reply is received within one month, acceptance is considered. The one month deadline will be effective from the date this Minutes and the Article of Incorporation when posted on the Alumni Website.
3. - Members have unanimously agreed on "Jimma Alumni Association" to be the official name of the association.

Message from Dr. Wubshet Mamo, Ato Tsegaye Kassa and Dr. Tewabech Bishaw on behalf of Ye Jimma Lidjoch Maheber in Addis Ababa was read. The message was on some of the activities performed in Jimma. It was highly appreciated and given high regard by all members of the meeting. Every member promised to give support for the Clean Beautiful Jimma Initiative Group (CGJIG). Some of the activities and suggestions that were mentioned by the chairman are as follows.

1. - "Public Restroom for Jimma" –

1. - "A Millennium tree planting in Jimma" –

1. - Some fifty computers have been collected by Taysir Aba Jobir ready for dispatch to Jimma. Fund for shipment is the bottle neck. Members are requested to raise about $2000 to fill the gap.
2. - Dr. Tsegaye Alemu, after short briefings on how to approach some donors, he suggested that materials like project profile, videos, brochures, etc showing activities in Jimma can be used as means to approach donors.
3. - Dr. Yohannes Endeshaw’s proposal of forming ‘Sister City’ was one of the hot discussions that drew the attention of all members. Since Yohannes was not present at the meeting, it was not clear what kind of support he needs from the Alumni Association. The Idea of ‘Sister City’ was seconded by Feleke Teka. Feleke commented positively and shared his idea from what he heard and saw. Forming good relationship to administrative officials, members of State Department, and especially to city mayors will have positive effect.
4. - W/ro Bayush Belete has suggested that Jimma officials should be advised to give maximum support and protection to the investors going to Jimma.
5. - Dessalegn Befekadu during his recent visit to Jimma met with the administrator of the region and the mayor of the city. He said, they have promised to extend unreserved efforts and support to all who are going to Jimma to take part in the development of the region. Dessalegn also conveyed the good news that about 16,000 sq. meters of land has been reserved for the Diasporas, who intend to build a house.
6. - Wolde Amlak Endale expressed his concern on the existing situation in Jimma and the surrounding. The unity, brotherhood, cooperation, and the harmony among groups, which was once the unique symbol of Jimma, is now completely changed. Instead, adverse effect is taking place. So, increasing awareness of the community and promoting brotherhood and sisterhood among the people of Jimma is inevitable.
7. - Washington  DC  is  hosting  the  next  Ethiopian  Soccer  Tournament  in  2008.  Obviously  the  third  annual  alumni  meeting  is  also  going  to  be  in  Washington  D.C.   Altayie  suggested  that  communication  to  all  Ye  Jimma  Lidjoch  living  in  different  States  should  start  from  now.  Let’s  make  the  D.C.  meeting  the  most  memorable  meeting  of  Ye  Jimma  Lidjoch  we  ever  attended.