Oromo Community of Los Angeles and the Area
General Election Meeting
September 4, 2004
On September 4th, Waldaa Oromo of Los Angeles held a General Assembly meeting. During the meeting, members selected the Executive Committee according to the bylaw established two years ago. Along with the business of selecting the Executives and leadership, members socialized for several hours.
The general election was held on September 4,2004. Reminiscent of Oromia, the election process occurred under Odaa. The process included the former President discussing the past two years progresses in the community. What were identified are growth opportunities for our community as well as the fact that we have made a considerable progress to date. Many members identified the need to appreciate our differences whether along religion, region and or politics.
Following the bylaw of the community, the election process entailed selecting an immediate short-term election body. The process had potential board members identified by the community. Community members seconded the candidate. Members voted by a showing of hand. Once the election body was identified, the bylaw was reviewed and election of the Executive committee began. The election committee presented seven candidates to the General Assembly, and the later added six. Through the process, a total of thirteen names were selected as possible board members. Of the thirteen, members wrote down on secret ballots their pick for nine members. Once the votes were counted, the Executive committee was established.
The Executive Committee included Dr Hinika, Aadee Balu, Dr Tadessa, Aadee Bareduu, Obb Siraj, Dr Misgana, Obbo Gemechu, Obbo Jafar and Obbo Mardaasa. A separate meeting of the Executive board was established immediately after to determine roles and responsibility. The Executive members (with titles) are as follows:
Executive Committee Members………Obbo Siraj
Executive Committee Members………Aadee Bareduu
Executive Committee Members………Obbo Gemechu
President. ……Dr Hinika
Vice President. ……Dr Tadessa
Secretary ………Dr Misgana
Treasury ………Obbo Jafar
Social Commitee Coordinator ………Aadee Balu
Editor In Chief ………Obbo Mardaasa
At the close of the Executive Board meeting, Dr Hinika reminded us the need to honor Waldaa Oromo members by staying committed to our responsibilities. He also reminded us that our roles were for formality and that as an Executive board, we will all help each other out. The Executive board presented the leadership team to Waldaa Oromo. Each member spoke of the honor we felt when the community selected us to the Executive committee. Members of Walda Oromo spoke of how well our election process had gone. This initiated a request to work closely with other Oromo Communities in California as well as nationally. Acknowledgements were made of members in the community who served the previous two years as well as a call to help the Executive community. A reminder was made that the Executive committee needs member support to help Waldaa Oromo.
An informal meeting of the youth also occurred the same day. The members young played and socialized together. Youth ages ranged from several months old to teenage years. Members of the community were able to see hope for Oromia through our youth. Some members when as far as commenting the benefit of an Oromo school for the children so our young would continue to speak Afaan Oromo.
Injifannoo Ummata Oromo!
Waldaa Oromo Los Angeles