Present
Aster Belay, Siobhan Crawley, Feyisa Demie, Brian Foster, Bekana Edossa, Muluneh Oli, Teferi Degeneh
Apologies
Girma Gebresenbet,
Minutes
Minutes of previous General Meeting
Agreed
Situation in Oromia
Discussion
- The land initially offered by the family at Malkaa-Dhagaa Gudar was 4500 square metres but the local authority requires 15000. This gave rise to the following questions:
- Is the Education Department’s requirement absolutely fixed or is there some flexibility?
- What is the alternative piece of land?
- What are our options to acquire additional land at the new site?
- Where are negotiations within the family currently up to?
- Aster and Muluneh have been in contact with Hirpa but it would help to have a written update on the progress of negotiations. Brian explained that we had suggested there should be an exchange of quarterly reports between WDEF and WADA. WADA responded immediately with their report and Brian and Siobhan have drafted WDEF’s. These reports will be shared with core members of both organisations but will not be made public, to encourage fullest exchange of information and challenges encountered.
Action
- Ask WADA for a written update with answers to key questions.
Finance
Discussion
- CAF have been in contact and have asked two sets of questions which the trustees have answered, the second was asking more about international donors and for details of WADA officials.
- Virgin Money application is on-going.
Action
- Officers expect we will have an answer from CAF Bank before the next general meeting.
- If the reject our application we will need to review the viability of the organisation.
Steve Sinnott Foundation
Discussion
- Siobhan has spoken to Ann Beaty, CEO of Steve Sinnott educational charity. Ann suggested that we put together a proposal which she will take to their trustees meeting on 19th April 22.
- Ideally we want to keep WDEF as an independent organisation but we would like to cooperate as closely as possible with SSF. They no longer build schools in Ethiopia but they are involved in teacher training. If we are still having problems opening a bank account it might be appropriate for SSF to lead on developing the school at Guder and we will provide the land and fundraise for it in return for it being named in memory of Workneh.
Action
- Siobhan will report back after SSF have discussed the issue.
Policies
Discussion
- The website now a has a page from which our policies can be downloaded. The next phase in the process will be to have a review timetable.
- The quarterly review needs to be adjusted to include a risk-assessment update.
Action
- Siobhan and Brian will update the draft quarterly review to include the risk assessment and will share it with core-members and WADA.