Barakah Ethiopian Muslim Community Members General Assembly/Meeting

Date October 29, 2023.

Meeting place: Masjid Abu Bakr. 948 62nd St, Oakland, CA

Agenda: To acquire a new funeral site and membership fee.

1.     Opening of the meeting

The announcement of the Shura Committee meeting was published on Oct 13, 2023, on the BEMC WhatsApp page two weeks ago, all members are aware of the general meeting. In addition to that, multiple reminders had been posted and shared by other members.

2.     Regarding the legality of the meeting: Majority members are presented, and the meeting is legally acceptable following the majority rule of 2/3 voice.

3.     Calling the meeting to order:

Amir explained the procedure for handling matters on the agenda (no Shura members or members provided additional agenda at the expected time), and the “Amir” provided an agenda that was discussed at the previous Shura meeting. The agenda enclosed for the meeting is as follows. 

·   Agenda: To acquire a new funeral site and regarding membership fees.

Amir Jebril brought information and a price quote from Richmond’s cemetery site.

Brother Akrem brought information and price quotes from Oak View Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematorium.

After detailed discussions, the Shura committee has decided to have more information from Five Pillars Farm & Cemetery to compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the price and other details.

Finally, the Shura committee has decided as follows:

1. Acquiring additional funeral sites for BEMC members. After extensive discussions, the Shura committee has voted to buy more sites # between 5-10 either from Five Pillars Farm and Cemetery addressed at 1761 Laughlin Road Livermore, California, 94551, or Oak View Memorial Park. To facilitate this process, the committee assigned (Jebril, Haroun, and Hassen Jemal) to contact Five Pillars and report back the findings regarding availability, price, and additional information within 1-2 weeks. To cover the costs, the Shura committee has voted for members to pay back at least 50% of the costs with a minimum of $200 dollars with full or unlimited time.

2. Membership fee: After detailed discussion, the committee has decided to announce the meeting on the BEMC website and provide official letters to remind those who owe membership fees and other debts. The letter will be handed in by November 10.2023. Brother Fedlu and Ahmedin were assigned to follow up and prepare individual letters. Amir Jebril will distribute the debt collection letter to those members in person and by email/mail.

3. Amir Jebril will Assigned some additional committees to help finance departments in the coming weeks.

Next agenda.

Bylaw amendments- regarding membership fees, to prevent future delays members should pay within certain months such as 3-6 months (collect unpaid fees with a penalty or cancel membership???) details will be discussed after January 2024 new rules.

Bylaw amendments- regarding member’s benefits( if a member passes away “out of the state” or out of country” what are the benefits to the families??)

Insha’Allah Amir will announce the next shura and general meeting after the processes are completed.

Shuker Jzk All🙏

Present Shura Members

  • Jebril Jemal

  • Hassen Jemal

  • Hassen Mohammed

  • Fedlu Mohammed

  • Shemsu Kedir

  • Akrem Sead

  • Harun Ahmed

  • Yones Nuru

  • Suleyman Yimam

  • Elias Mussa

Barakah Ethiopian Muslim Community Members General Assembly/Meeting

Date, Feb 25, 2023

Meeting place: 2735 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

1.     Opening of the meeting

The announcement of the general assembly meeting was published on Feb 13, 2023, on the BEMC WhatsApp page two weeks ago, all members are aware of the general meeting. In addition to that, multiple reminders had been posted and shared by other members.

2.     Regarding the legality of the meeting: Majority members are presented, and the meeting is legally acceptable following the majority rule of 2/3 voice.

3.     Calling the meeting to order:

Amir explained the procedure for handling matters on the agenda (no Shura members or members provided additional agenda at the expected time), and the “Amir” provided an agenda that was discussed at the previous Shura meeting. The agenda enclosed for the meeting is as follows. 

·      FINICIAL Report

·      The importance of rental place/ center for BEMC -To have consensus.

·      Electronics/ materials for office (website, phone, computer),

·      Membership fee and additional provision and encouraging new members to join BEMC.

·      Shura Committee Election 2023.

 

The Financial department, presented by Brother Yones provided the available total amount of savings in BEMC account $147,325.32 and he explained that some members are still not paying on time manner and the amount of debt increasing every month to some members.

After deep discussion and exchanging different ideas with members, finally, the members voted in favor of adding a clause into the bylaw as an “Amendment” to collect debt. The provision was adopted in an open vote by the majority as follows. 

·      Monthly membership fee $20, will be increased by $5 starting Jan 1, 2024 and to be $25.  (This amendment article will be included in BEMC bylaw in the next Shura meetings and will be announced at the general assembly meeting).

·      A Member who owes a debt to BEMC shall pay all payments within a year (12-month period) starting FEB 25, 2023. Failure to pay the debts within the specified date and if the member has been in debt of a one-year membership fee ($240), the member will receive a written notice of termination agreement from BEMC and may Result in LOSS of good standing membership and become a non-benefited member.

·      For sure these will minimize the burden of paying all debt at one time and elements the contribution of a one-time payment of $100 for a member when a member or his/her family passes away at the member's residence to cover funeral costs. The members voted to add $5 to their monthly membership drop the contribution of $100 and use the cost from saving accounts.

·      The importance of rental place (center) for BEMC was discussed by members and voted on, the result was counted as 12 in favor 12 against, and 1 absence. The topic will be discussed more in future meetings.

·       The topics of Electronics and other materials should be discussed at the Shura meeting and will be decided by the Shura committee.

·      In the 2023 Barakah Ethiopia Muslim Community election results, voters decided the vote in the open election of the Shura and advisory committee and it was completed on Feb 25, 2023 at 2735 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94703.  The result was as follows. MINUTE

Amir/President

  • Jebril Jemal

    Vice-President

  • Hassen Jemal

    Secretary

  • Ahmedin Abdella

  • Fedlu Mohammed

    Advisory Committee

  • Shemsu Kedir

  • Hassen Behir