Skype Meeting – @ Tana.family1
Agenda:
- Preparations to begin a new Scholarship
- Fundraising
- Planned activities and sharing responsibilities
|
Attendees:
|
Preparations to begin a new scholarship
The need for introducing this scholarship was discussed. In addition to its impact in encouraging students to excel in academics, the scholarship helps create a platform to support outstanding students from low socio-economic background. Plans were discussed as short-term (for next academic year) and long term (for the future).
Short-term plan (target – August 2017)
A total of USD 5,000 is required to award 24 (12 boys + 12 girls) scholarships for next academic year. Students in Grade 9-12 are eligible for the scholarship – 6 students (3 boys + 3 girls) from each grade. The criteria were discussed and the following selection criteria were suggested:
- Setting up GoFundMe account: It was agreed to open a gofundme account to collect the money required to begin awarding the scholarship by next academic year. The target will be to collect USD 5,000. Tewodros will open the account. Lealem and Solomon K will help writing the objectives and note that will be posted on the gofundme account. Action: Tewodros and Dejene will set up the gofundme account as soon as possible. Lealem and Solomon K will draft the note (this week – last week of June) that will be posted on gofundme page.
- Fundraising: In addition to the gofundme account, Tewodros and Dejene will activate bank accounts that we can use to directly deposit our contributions. It is to be noted that gofundme charges 10% of the collected funds as overhead cost so it is advisable to try to avoid this cost by direct deposit to bank accounts when possible. People collecting money in their networks are thus encouraged to use direct bank deposits. In Europe, Misganaw and Tenager will try to reach out as many school alumni as possible.
- Brochure: Solomon K will work with Gizachew and Misganaw to produce a brochure that describes the goal, objectives and scope of the scholarship. The brochure will then be distributed to alumni members and others to create awareness on the scholarship and to increase members of the group.
- Yodit suggested that instead of awarding the top best academic achievers, it’ll be more encouraging for others and increases the odds of targeting those require the support most if we can randomly select (like a lottery system) 6 students from each grade from a pool of 10- 20 students with highest GPA or averages. All these 10-20 students will be invited to attend the ceremony.
- Lealem will speak on the Tana Foundation dinner gathering on July 6 in Seattle during the upcoming soccer tournament. Members attending the dinner are encouraged to hold side talks with attendees so that to create awareness and invite more members into our groups.
- Merkeb, Dejene and Tewodros will organize Tana Family gathering on 8 July 2017, 11:00 AM at 641 Rainier Ave S, Renton, WA 98055. They will discuss the ongoing activities to support Tana Haik school and invite alumni for membership.
Long-term plan (in the next 6 months)
Yodit discussed on how we could get registered as Non-Profit Organization so that we can obtain funds from Rotary or other charity organizations. A committee (Dejene and Yodit) was formed to work out and collect necessary information from Maryland about documents required for the registration.
- Increasing members: We need more members so that we can sustain the scholarship and move forward to do more activities for the school. Action: Misganaw and Merkeb will update the group’s Facebook page and other group pages where Tana Almuni could be reached. Dejene and Tewodros will lead the effort to increase members.
- Rotary club: We can develop proposal with Rotary Club in Bahar Dar to improve the library and other activities to support various clubs in the school (e.g. girls empowerment). Members in Bahirdar shall discuss potential areas of collaboration with Rotary (Mr Abayneh Worku is the Director of the Rotary Club in Bahir Dar). Action: A sub-committee has to be formed in order to lay out the details of the scholarship’s management and administration. Solomon Nurga, Yodit and Mastewal will form this committee. The committee will draft rule and regulations for the scholarship management and administration. The committee will discuss with the school the major criteria to select scholarship awardees.
Tentatively the next skype meeting could be 15/16 July – it will be voted on viber.
Meeting adjourned 5:42 PM
Picture form the previous Events ……!
የጣና ሐይቅ ምሩቃን ቤት 