MaliWatch All-Member Meeting - SUNDAY 12/6/16 1:00pm ET

Attending

Fatim Diallo

Ablo Doucoure

Harouna Maiga

Jim Barry - notes

Status of Treasury

Harouna (new treasurer) has been added, but he cannot create his own password. Bank tech issues, Harouna and Fatim will work on this after the meeting

As of November, acct balance is $2,196.64

No word from MSAS about outstanding balance of $103.00 – Action: Harouna will follow up with Mohomodou.

Follow up on last meeting's issues

Social fund. Is it legal? Is this one of the goals of the organization? We need to see our 501C application that states the themes we can do fundraising for. Action: Harouna will provide MW 501(c)(3) application form to the lawyer to determine if our association can pursue/fund social activities.

We can buy food for social meetings but the lawyer says we would not be able to give to local members who lose family members, etc.

Events in Mali - such as Harouna’s uncle who lost his livelihood due to a bomb- It was agreed regretfully that was not among our goals.

Teaching Malian History in US Schools Project

Action: Jim will contact Pasadena schools as to where Malian history is taught…and how it is taught. Is it by state or by city?

It is taught in third grade at Ablos’ kids’ school.-third grade – in Virginia. It is not taught in Fatim’s area schools of Minnesota.

The Ambassador would be able to support this project if given the relevant information. Harouna may see him in December.

Other goals: Perhaps to Improve how it is already taught? We need to know if there is something written already about what we want taught ie collect the curriculum. MW Cultural Outreach team can compile a list of US states elementary schools teaching Malian history in the US and share this information with Mali embassy to come up with a strategy. Maybe work actively with 1 or 2 schools and help expand their program?

Follow up on outstanding projects

The Lycee Madou Diarra Astronomy club is in India at the International Olympiad (http://www.ioaa2016.in/). Five students and two teachers, funded by the Minister of Education. Jim will try to get some of the student photos if Diallo has not taken any.

University of Segou books- Harouna has been making contacts. This is a specific collection of Science books, many on Animal Husbandry. Discussion confirming the appropriateness of science books in English

It is needed to see if “cargo” can be used on Delta and if we can get a discount.

Next year's meeting in D.C..

Ambassador is ok with the meeting. Needs a date.

Next year will be 20 years of MaliWatch. This theme is a good possibility.

Possibly an event where we review the progress and the gaps, and goals

Use the past presidents to talk.

Possibility for May, after the 15th? Fatim is not available during Memorial Day week-end and Harouna is booked in June. Possibility of the summer. Action: Fatim will recommend a couple of dates in December.

Invitation to be sent to people who were supported activities in Mali- such as the health groups.