Ethiopian Association in the GTA and Surrounding Regions held AGM on December 11, 2022. New Board of Directors elected.
The Annual general meeting (AGM) of the Ethiopian Association in the Greater Toronto Area and Surrounding Regions was held at the Association’s office, 1950 Danforth Avenue, Toronto on Sunday December 11, 2022, from 3pm to 6pm. This meeting was the reconvening of the AGM that was not conducted on May 22nd, 2022, because there was no quorum at the time. This time there was quorum to continue with the AGM. For the list of members in good standing and attendees of the AGM.
The main agenda items at the AGM were annual general reports and election of directors in the place of outgoing board members. The detail of the meeting is as follows.
The meeting was opened by the General Report of the Association’s outgoing president, Mr. Alemayehu Asfaw. Mr. Alemayehu spoke about the works the association has done over the last two to three years, including the challenges caused by COVID19.
Following the general report, the Association’s treasurer, Mr. Mesele Gebremedhin presented financial report with the assistance of Mr. Fikire, the volunteer financial advisor of the association. Both individuals confirmed that the Association’s financial report has been audited by the chartered accountant and the status show positive. The audited financial report is available for the public.
Mr. Bishu Mamo, Chair of the Property and Trust committee spoke about the mortgage, the renovation works, the rental units and the status of the building.
Following the above-noted reports, members of the nomination committee (NC), Tekelmichael Abebe (vice president and chair of the committee), Bishu Mamo, Bayu Kidane, Demissew Teferi and Enanu Tola, took over the platform to conduct the election.
Election
Members of the election committee presented their nominees, the process they undergo to select the nominees, the challenges they faced in finding an eligible and interested candidate, and the election process. The NC indicated that five current directors, have either finished their terms or leaving for personal reasons. Mr. Alemayehu Asfaw, the president, Mesfin Wassie, Mogues Adane, Leulesegd Alemu have finished their terms while Teklemichael Sahlemariam is leaving because of family problems.
The treasurer, Ato Mesele finished his terms. However, the board and NC suggested that his term be extended for a year to facilitate a smooth transition of financial matters and the General Assembly unanimously approved it.
Mrs. Kebebe E Woldemariam (Suzi) was also elected by the board to fill a vacancy and has been working for the past few months. She was presented for confirmation and the general assembly
unanimously confirmed her election. The remaining spaces to be filed were five directors as Mr. Tariku, Demisew, Mesele, and Ms. Kebebe (Suzie) will keep their positions as directors.
The Nomination Committee presented six candidates, Meserate Demeke, Mekdelawit Abebe, Dawit Beyene, Emebet Mekonnen, Fentaw Abate, and Etsubdink Lealem. The NC gave the opportunity to the members to nominate other candidates for board members. A few names, such as Sahilu, Netsanet, Tsedey, Nigist, Etenesh and Habesha, were suggested. However, either those individuals declined the nomination, or they will not meet the eligibility criteria. Only Mr. Berhanu Tesemma, a long-standing member of the association was found to be eligible candidate and nominated.
The NC handed out ballot papers and gave instructions to the members in good standing to elect only five members out of the seven candidates. Once they complete the ballot, they were collected, and the NC counted the votes.
The new elected Board members
Fentaw Abate, Meserat Demeke, Etsubdink Lealem and Berhanu Habtegebreal got the highest number of votes, respectively, while two candidates, Ato Dawit Beyene and Ms. Emebt Mekonnen tied with equal votes each. The AGM discussed how to resolve the ties between Emebet and Dawit. Emebet withdrew and Dawit Beyene became the fifth candidate to join the board.
Board of Directors
Mr. Demisew Teferi, Berhanu Habetegebreal, Dawit Beyene, Fentaw Abate, Mrs. Meserat Demeke, Mr. Etsubdink Lealem, Mesele Gebremedhin, Ms. Kebebe Woldemariam (Suzie) Mr. Tariku Yehuwalaeshet/
Miscellaneous activities
Following the conclusion of the election process, the forum became open for discussion. Many questions were asked, and the President and other directors answered.
- Certificates of recognition were presented to outgoing directors.
- Refreshments and were provided and members socialized for extended time at the end of the meeting.
- The new directors will start work on January 5th, 2023. Before that, there will be a joint meeting of the existing board members, including the outgoing directors and the new directors in the presence of the Nomination Committee where the board will allocate assignments.
- The outgoing directors will transfer all documents, keys and pending businesses to their respective colleagues.
December 11, 2022, Toronto, Canada
Ethiopian Association in the GTA and Surrounding Regions
