Know Everything About
ULAA’s 36th General Assembly
By
Robert Sayon Morris
Senior Political Editor
Liberian Media & Advertising Services
Gaye D. Sleh, Jr.
National Chairman
ULAA’s 36th
General Assembly Preparatory Committee
Tel. 708-228-9262
Liberians from all over the United States are making preparation to attend the 36th General Assembly of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas. The assembly will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota from September 24-26, 2010.
The Senior Political Editor of the Liberian Media & Advertising Services, Robert Sayon Morris, recently interviewed Mr. Gaye Sleh, National Chairman of the 36th General Assembly Preparatory Committee. In that exclusive interview, Mr. Sleh expressed optimism that the ensuing assembly will be a success.
Below is the full interview unedited:
Liberian Media: Can you tell us something about yourself?
Mr. Sleh: I am a proud father of three children: Jaydeh, Kwenyounor and Gaye D. Sleh, III and a beautiful Josephine Sleh. I have a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. I am employed by the Thornton Township as a Program Manager/Counselor for the Substance Abuse program. I am the National Executive Vice President for ULAA. Before this position I was the Northern Region Vice President (2006-2008). I served two terms as President for the Organization of the Liberian Community in Illinois (OLCI) (2003-2007). I also serve two terms as President of the Grand Gedeh Association in the Americas, Illinois Chapter (1999-2003).
Liberian Media: What plans are being made for the hosting of ULAA’s 36th General Assembly?
Mr. Sleh: This year 2010 36th General Assembly will be hosted by one of the most respected Chapter of the Union, and where ULAA was first incorporated, Organization of Liberian in Minnesota "a place of over 20,000 Liberians”. Twenty five hard working men and women from the fifteen Chapters of the Union have been assembled by the able Leadership Of Hon. Anthony V. Kesselly to ensure the proper planning and success of this year assembly. The leadership for the next two years will be put in place by the General Assembly, the highest decision making body of the union. The queen for the next twelve months will be determined.
Liberian Media: When and where will this assembly take place?
Mr. Sleh: This year convention will take place in Minnesota from September 24, 2010 to September 26, 2010.
Liberian Media: Why do you think this Assembly will be successful?
Mr. Sleh: This assembly will be successful because the preparatory committee that has been put together understand and know how to organize and reach out to the masses; furthermore, the National President will be presenting on issues that are important to the Liberian people: immigration issues, out of the country voting, dual citizenship and how ULAA can continue to help Liberians in Liberia.
Liberian Media: Do you envisage any problem during the assembly?
Mr. Sleh: I do not expect any problem at the upcoming convention because all fifteen chapters of the Union are all geared up and can't wait for the 36th General Assembly to commence. Intellectuals and well meaning Liberians will be coming together to discuss issues that will ship the future of ULAA and Liberia as a whole.
Liberian Media: How many delegates are you expecting at the conference?
Mr. Sleh: According to the governing documents of the Union, each of the chapters is to bring 25 delegates. It is my hope and that of planning committee that the fifteen Union chapters will meet their constitutional requirements.
Liberian Media: How may states will be represented?
Mr. Sleh: All fifteen chapters will be represented by evidence of the commitment from the respective leaderships.
Liberian Media: What do you hope to achieve during the Assembly?
Mr. Sleh: It is my hope that this convention will be productive in addressing the needs and concerns of the Liberian People in the Americas and in Liberia. At the end of the convention, I also hope we can realize revenue that will help us in maintaining and carrying out programs (Scholarships, etc) in Liberia. And of course, we will put in place our new leadership that will lead us for the next two years.
Liberian Media: What programs are being planned for the Assembly?
Mr. Sleh: At this year assembly, election of officers will be held, queen contest: four participating queens from the four Regions of the Union, and issues and concerns of the Liberian people will be discussed.
Liberian Media: The ensuing Assembly seems to be attracting hundreds of Liberians. What do you think is responsible for this wave of attraction?
Mr. Sleh: Liberians from all walks of life are heading to this Assembly because they want to be a part of the decision making process: election of officers, discussing Liberian issues, etc. Those that are coming to the convention understand the need to be present so that their voices can be heard by being a part of the Democratic process. I must also give credit my hardest working committee members who are leaving "no stone unturned".
Liberian Media: How many candidates will be contesting for various positions and who are they?
Mr. Sleh: According to information posted by the election commission, there will be nine candidates who are unopposed. The candidates are: Hon. Anthony V. Kesselly, President, Gaye D. Sleh, Jr., V.P., Fayah Nyemah, Secretary, Kula Parker, Treasurer, Musa Trawally, Financial Secretary, Albert Morweh, Northern Region Vice President, Margaret Jones, Eastern Region Vice President, Siaka Konneh, Western Region Vice President, and Robert Garguah, Southern Region Vice President.
Liberian Media: Can you enumerate some of the achievements of ULAA over the past two years?
Mr. Sleh: ULAA is working hard to doing more for the people. Some of its achievements are: Immigration Issues (securing DED extension), Providing Scholarship to Liberians who returned from the refugee camps, Building partnership with other Social Justice and Advocacy Organizations, Leading the way for dual citizenship and out of the country voting.
Liberian Media: What is the fee to attend the Assembly? What benefit will the delegate enjoy for paying this amount?
Mr. Sleh: The total fees for attending this year convention are eighty five ($85.00) dollars. The benefits that the delegates will enjoy for paying these fees are: participating in the deliberations, admission to the grand ball, a souvenir T-Shirt, breakfast, lunch and dinner and meeting old and new friends. Furthermore, you will have the chance to network with cross section of Liberians and friends of Liberia.
Liberian Media: Can you tell us the state of the Union presently?
Mr. Sleh: This is a very good question but I will suggest that a special interview be held with the National President who will adequately address the state of the Union. To the best of my knowledge, the Union is in good standing and is enjoying the support of all of its fifteen active chapters.
Liberian Media: Are you expecting the government of Liberia to send a Representative to attend the Assembly?
Mr. Sleh: Invitation of such was not extended which is not out of the norm, so I do not expect a representative from the Liberian Government. However, if anyone from the Liberian Government is visiting the U.S. at the time and wishes to attend, they will be warmly welcome.
Liberian Media: What is the relationship between ULAA and the Government of Liberia?
Mr. Sleh: From all indications, ULAA and the Liberian Government have a very good working relationship. It is evident by several invitations extended to the Union: TRC conference in Liberia, the President visit to the U.S., etc.
Liberian Media: What will make this Assembly different from other assemblies hosted by the Union?
Mr. Sleh: The previous Assemblies hosted by the Union were all good but as a human nature, we always desire to do better and improve on our experience(s) whether good or bad. This year being a crucial year/election year it will attract many who want to exercise their democratic right to vote and be heard as other important matters(out of the country voting, immigration issues, etc) will be discussed.
Liberian Media: Is ULAA still relevant in this 21st Century? Why?
Mr. Sleh: Yes, ULAA is still relevant in this 21st century and will continue to be relevant in the centuries to come. With all credit to the founding fathers of ULAA and those who served before us and addressed all those important issues at the time, I strongly feel that ULAA is even more relevant today than ever. From the onset of the Union, it was catering primarily if not exclusively to those who were here to obtain higher education and Liberians back home. Today, the population is greatly diverse so are the needs. We have the student body, professors, other professionals, the general population and Liberians at home. All of these groups have their own challenges that ULAA will have attend to or advocate for.
Liberian Media: When will ULAA start writing grants to assist Liberians in the Diaspora?
Mr. Sleh: With the Social Services Council in place that has a federal tax exempt status: 501(c) (3), the time is now for the Union to expand it horizon in reaching out to private and public donors who will support our cause. Grant writing and submission of application is a process and that is where we are heading.
Liberian Media: What will the grant writing focus on?
Mr. Sleh: Looking at the diverse population that we have to serve which makes us more relevant today, social services is the area of need for the general population and that is what we will focus the grant writing on.
Liberian Media: Does ULAA intend to undertake projects in Liberia? Can you explain?
Mr. Sleh: The Union already has a scholarship program: ULAA-LRRRC in place on the ground in Liberia and we plan to continue this program. The leaders of ULAA and the Founding fathers value education; this is why this project is being undertaken. There are other projects in the pipe-line that will be reveled later once the appropriate measures are put in place.
Liberian Media: What is the difference between the ULAA of the 70’s and the ULAA now?
Mr. Sleh: As mentioned earlier, the ULAA of the 70's was catering primarily to the Liberian Student body that was in the Diaspora and Liberians back home but today, we have a diverse population in the Diaspora and Liberians at home to attend to. Nevertheless, the vision and mission of helping our people remain the same.
Liberian Media: Peace is the foundation for progress. Peace is the foundation for development. As you prepare to attend the 36th General Assembly, what recommendations do you have to restore peace and tranquility in the organization? Why do you think it would work?
Mr. Sleh: I do agree that peace is the foundation for progress and development. As we are preparing for the 36th General Assembly to be held in Minnesota from September 24 to 26, 2010, I must inform you that ULAA has fifteen active chapters and they are all reporting to the Hon. Anthony V. Kesselly who is the National President of the Union and the National Administration that was duel elected at the 34th General Assembly in Pittsburg, PA remains intact. There is peace in the Union. I will like to say that ULAA is a "mother" of many children and a few of them seem not to be happy. The National President has reached out to them and continues to do so that they can come back home but his effort has not borne any fruit yet. It is my hope that they will be able to acknowledged the outreach effort and get back on board.
Liberian Media: How do you see the future of ULAA? Do you think the Association will survive the next five years? Why?
Mr. Sleh: I see the future of ULAA to be very promising. With no reservation and as I stated before, ULAA will be around for the next centuries to come. There will always be a need for an umbrella organization like this.
Liberian Media: What message do you have for Liberians out there who are contemplating attending the Assembly?
Mr. Sleh: To all of you Liberians out there who are contemplating attending the 36th Assembly of the Union, I want to take this time to invite you again to be in attendance. The General Assembly is the highest decision make body of ULAA so if you have any question or concerns, at the assembly, is where all issues are address and decision are made by those present at the convention. You need to come out and clear your doubt(s). At this forum is where we will discuss issues, debate issues, agree on issues, elect and re-elect our corps of officers for the next two years. come and participate in the process. ULAA IS FOR ALL OF US.
