The Minutes of the General Meeting of West Coast Association held on 26/10/24 at the Residence of Mr Godfrey Oghuma of Reigershof 5, 8580 Avelgem

In the Absence of the Secretary Mr Lucas Onuoha wrote the day’s Minutes.
The meeting started with opening prayers by Pastor Chidi Ezeagu who thanked God for giving us the opportunity to assemble together as one big family and more importantly our chief host for a warm welcome. The meeting started exactly by 14:47 pm.

Breaking of kolanuts: The Chairman called upon Mr Anthony Obi to break the kolanuts presented to us by our host Mr Godfrey Oghuma.
Mr Obi proceeded by using local dialect because kolanuts doesn’t understand English language, he prayed for God’s guidance and protection to all our members. Mr Kingsley Ihedinobi briefly explained what he has said in English.

Adoption of the previous minutes was moved by Mr Anthony Obi and supported by Mr Patrick Ezebuiro.

Absenteeism and Roll call: Mr Valentine Udeaja, Mr Godrich Alethor and Mr Patrick Oyebamiji all took excuse from the meeting while Mr Daniel Figar is at work and might be coming later.
In attendance were 15 members.

Chairman’s opening Remarks: The Chairman Mr Anthony Amachukwu thanked Mr Oghuma and wife immensely for giving us their Residence to conduct the meeting, he as well appreciated for coming enmasse.

Matters Arising: The Chairman explained that we must apply stringent measures about absenteeism without excuse and lateness to meeting.
Mr Kingsley Ihedinobi contributing said we must not hammer about it, he thinks the best solution should be that members must call the host two or three days ahead of time, while Mr Joseph Imoke also suggested that we should as well take lateness to meeting serious by applying lay down rules of the constitution.
Mr Segun Okunomo is of view that usually we have a full house and punishment of few members is not necessary because of nature of their jobs.
In summary the Chairman appreciated the views of members and members in consensus agreed upon that absenteeism without excuse is liable to 30 euros and lateness without excuse after opening prayers is 5 euros. He said we must start enforcing and executing the bye-law rules.

Council of Chiefs: The Chairman sincerely thanked members for finding time to attend the council of Chiefs official invitation scheduled on Saturday 5th October 2024, he said West Coast Association was fully represented and was recognised and gifted them the sum of 50 euros on behalf of the Association.
He as well used the opportunity to remind us about an official invitation of Igbo Union West Flanders Vzw Belgium on 23rd November 2024 at Xaverianenstraat 3, Brugge.

Bbq Evaluation: The Chairman reminded us about an observation raised by Mr Valentine Udeaja on roasting of Bbq meats and how best to improve the mechanism because some members doesn’t participate in the process.
Mr Ike Owoh believes imposing fine as penalty is the best option to enforce it.
Pastor Chidi Ezeagu is of the opinion that following the list accordingly that when any group time is up the next group will be reminded immediately to continue. He further said that any group that fails to comply will attract fine and penalty.
Mr Lawrence Onah observed that our children liked the burger and will workout for more provision of bread in our next Bbq.

The Chairman called on Mr Joseph Imoke to explain how best we can improve our musical instrument and Mr Imoke said going by our last Bbq that our musical system was a big failure and thinks we need new musical instrument.
Mr Ike Owoh believes buying a new musical instrument is a big venture and expensive while Mr Vitus Ononiba said we can manage what we have but we need new speakers.
The meeting mandated Mr Lucas Onuoha, Mr Joseph Imoke and Mr Vitus Ononiba to collaborate on how best to improve the system and report back by next general meeting.
Mr Lucas Onuoha promised to bring speaker and Mr Joseph Imoke will bring stabilizer.

The Chairman Mr Anthony Amachukwu called our attention about importance of improving our method in doing things in Bbq, he said we must attract and fancinate our children by bringing them together as we are getting older for them to take over from us and that Mr Patrick Ezebuiro should try and be bringing his boys to our Bbq.
Mr Ezebuiro suggested that we can arrange the hall and make it beautiful for dancing competitions to integrate our children.
Mr Kingsley Ihedinobi is of view that our children are part and parcel of us that we must be able to notify them ahead of time ( three months) to save a particular date for our Bbq.
Pastor Chidi Ezeagu acknowledged that his children are big now and they are always working as job student even when he forced them to come he has to pay them the amount they will collect as salary that same day.
The Chairman urged members to encourage our grown up children to be attending our yearly Bbq and wants the planning committee to navigate and bring more enthusiasm in the process.

Absenteeism:Daniel Figar as a case study: The Chairman express his displeasure about his attitude not coming to meetings and not taking excuses, he further said we must threat his case squarely and make our stand very firm.
Mr Ezebuiro explained that previously we agreed that atleast every three months he Daniel Figah should endeavour to come to the meeting because of the nature of his work.
Pastor Chidi Ezeagu think we should not force him to be a member because we have persuaded him enough and believed from every indication he cannot be able to meet up our meeting schedules.
Mr Ike Owoh is alien with the notion he is not serious in coming to meeting due to the nature of his work.
Based on verse deliberations the General secretary was instructed to write him a letter inviting him to attend next general meeting of our Association to ascertain his position as a member.

Finance: The total sum of 370 euros was realised in the day’s meeting cash while the sum of 70 euros was paid directly into the account Totalling 440 euros.
Expenses: Ndi Igbo West Flanders: 50 euros.
Host wife: 50 euros.
Council of Chiefs: 50 euros.
Cash deposited in Account:220 euros.

General: Mr Daniel Figah addressing thanked members for giving him the opportunity in this noble Association, he said he cannot continue anymore due to the nature of work, he begged to suspend his membership and paid all his outstanding dues.
Mr Anthony Obi and Mr Kingsley Ihedinobi thanked him for his singular courage and bold step by informing the members officially to take leaf.
Mr Patrick Ezebuiro observed that Mr Rowland Kingon is still in our whatsapp group and Mr Godfrey Oghuma was able to do the needful immediately.
Mr Patrick Oyebamiji is still on sick leave after an operation.
Mr Shegun Okunomo is travelling to Nigeria.
Mr Godfrey Oghuma informed members to bring ideas on how we can improve our website.
Motion of adjournment was moved by Mr Anthony Obi and supported by Mr Johnny Olivier and closing prayers was said by Pastor Chidi Ezeagu.

Vote of thanks was performed by the Vice Chairman Mr Ike Owoh who thanked the wife of the host for the gesture and present to the envelope.

Next meeting host is the Chairman Mr Anthony Amachukwu.