The Buraka Memorial Foundation
Preamble
*Cognizant of Arya Jawi as the birth place of Buraka Gurmu, himself an only child, who has nevertheless brought forth several sons, grand children, and great grand children now numbering in the hundreds.
*Aware that hundreds of descendants have originated from the Buraka family tree with only a small percentage currently residing in Arya Jawi, the rest now spread throughout the country and the world.
*Acknowledging the need to draw these descendants together through creation of a common forum or medium.
*Convinced of the need to initiate community development in Arya Jawi and its environs in memory of Buraka, the ancestor.
*Noting with satisfaction the contributions of many descendants who have now passed away, but whose lives and times are being remembered and viewed by the living as models to be emulated.
*Bearing in mind the need to preserve the culture, customs, and traditional ways enjoyed and bequeathed by those who are no longer around, and those that are now aging.
*Deeply concerned about the degradation of land and other resources including loss of vegetation cover and soil, now threatening the lives of many still living in Arya Jawi.
*Deeply disturbed by the continuing erosion of cultural values and traditional norms as well as art and music by the introduction of forces inimical to the maintenance of local art, music, story telling, poems, and oral traditions.
Therefore, we, the descendants of Buraka, have established Buraka Memorial Foundation in accordance with Article 404 of the Ethiopian Civil Code of 1960.Article 1. NAME
The name of the foundation shall be Buraka Foundation, herein after referred to as “the Foundation”.
Article 2. INSIGNIA/EMBLEM
The insignia or emblem of the Foundation shall be a resemblance of an acacia tree (in memory of an Acacia tree in Arya Jawi which is no longer standing).
Article 3.
HEAD OFFICE
3.1 For convenience, the head office of the foundation shall be in Addis Ababa, but development activities shall be in Arya Jawi and its environs.
3.2 In the interest of reducing costs, no office or secretariat has been provided for in this constitution. However, costs involving correspondence and communications shall be covered as per the decision of the Executive Committee.
Article 4. OBJECTIVES OF THE FOUNDATION
4.1To introduce the Buraka descendants to one another and create stronger ties between them.
To introduce the Buraka descendants to one another and create stronger ties between them.4.2To honor, and pay tribute to, Buraka the father of the Arya Jawi nation.
To honor, and pay tribute to, Buraka the father of the Arya Jawi nation.4.3To deepen and cherish family sentiment and genealogical roots among the descendants by inculcating the same in future generations especially among the diaspora.
To deepen and cherish family sentiment and genealogical roots among the descendants by inculcating the same in future generations especially among the diaspora.4.4To conduct research into the culture of the Oromos living in Arya Jawi and its environs and to keep the descendants, especially the younger generation, informed and knowledgeable about their family roots.
To conduct research into the culture of the Oromos living in Arya Jawi and its environs and to keep the descendants, especially the younger generation, informed and knowledgeable about their family roots.4.5 To plan and implement community development activities such as roads, schools and health facilities, early childhood development, water supply, environmental rehabilitation, nutrition education, credit schemes, etc. with the objective of improving the living conditions of the inhabitants.
To plan and implement community development activities such as roads, schools and health facilities, early childhood development, water supply, environmental rehabilitation, nutrition education, credit schemes, etc. with the objective of improving the living conditions of the inhabitants.4.7To create a cultural center and a museum entrusted with the task of cultural revival, renewal, and the development local talent in music, art, story-telling, etc. as well as space for cultural exchange where community members can put on, and enjoy shows and exhibits.
To create a cultural center and a museum entrusted with the task of cultural revival, renewal, and the development local talent in music, art, story-telling, etc. as well as space for cultural exchange where community members can put on, and enjoy shows and exhibits. 4.6To provide scholarships for outstanding students.
To provide scholarships for outstanding students.4.7 To carry out any other activities in line with the aims and objectives of the Foundation, which is in all, respects apolitical.
Article 5. MEMBERSHIP
All Buraka descendants and spouses, as well as those related by marriage, who subscribe to the objective of this Foundation shall be members.
Article 6. ORGAN OF THE FOUNDATION
6.1General Assembly
General Assembly6.1.1All Buraka descendants and their spouses shall constitute the general assembly.
All Buraka descendants and their spouses shall constitute the general assembly.6.1.2The general assembly shall make all policy decisions and receive reports from the Executive Committee.
The general assembly shall make all policy decisions and receive reports from the Executive Committee.6.1.3The General meeting shall elect an Executive Committee of seven members and appoint auditors.
The General meeting shall elect an Executive Committee of seven members and appoint auditors.6.1.4Members who cannot attend general meetings due to physical distance can express their views by whatever media at their disposal, or by proxy.
Members who cannot attend general meetings due to physical distance can express their views by whatever media at their disposal, or by proxy.6.1.5The general meeting may delegate to the Executive Committee powers to carry out the functions of the Foundation.
The general meeting may delegate to the Executive Committee powers to carry out the functions of the Foundation.6.1.6The General Assembly shall meet annually for the transaction of the foundation’s business.
The General Assembly shall meet annually for the transaction of the foundation’s business.6.2Executive Committee
Executive Committee6.2.1The executive committee shall have seven members elected by he general meeting.
The executive committee shall have seven members elected by he general meeting.6.2.2The executive committee shall carry out, with integrity and
The executive committee shall carry out, with integrity and accountability, all of the functions of the Foundation based on the mandate given to it by general meeting.
6.2.3It shall appoint sub-committees for specific activities of the foundation.
It shall appoint sub-committees for specific activities of the foundation.6.2.4It shall meet at least once a month to attend to the business of the Foundation.
It shall meet at least once a month to attend to the business of the Foundation.6.2.5It shall report to the general meeting on its financial and developmental activities.
It shall report to the general meeting on its financial and developmental activities.6.2.6It shall recruit coordinators of the program of the foundation.
It shall recruit coordinators of the program of the foundation.6.2.7It shall keep good records on activities of the foundation including a list of the membership
It shall keep good records on activities of the foundation including a list of the membership6.2.8It shall establish ground rules and facilitate division of labor among members.
It shall establish ground rules and facilitate division of labor among members.6.3Sub-Committee
Sub-Committee6.3.1The sub-committees established by the Executive Committee shall carry out activities such as advocacy, fund raising, etc. which shall advance the causes of the Foundation.
The sub-committees established by the Executive Committee shall carry out activities such as advocacy, fund raising, etc. which shall advance the causes of the Foundation.6.3.2The sub-committees shall conduct regular communication and submit reports to the Executive Committees on their activities.
The sub-committees shall conduct regular communication and submit reports to the Executive Committees on their activities.Article 7. Founding Members
The founding members whose names and signatures are found below will serve as Steering Committee until the Executive Committee is elected to take over the management of the Foundation.
Article 8. LIFE OF THE FOUNDATION
The foundation has been established for an indefinite period of time.
Article 9. MEMBERSHIP FEES
All members upon registration shall pay USD _____ or its equivalent in Birr.
Article 10. CONTRIBUTIONS
10.1 Each member shall make a monthly contribution of UDS ______ or its equivalent in Birr.
Each member shall make a monthly contribution of UDS ______ or its equivalent in Birr.10.2Members who live abroad are encouraged to contribute generously in addition to their regular contributions.
Members who live abroad are encouraged to contribute generously in addition to their regular contributions.10.3All payments will be made against valid receipts.
All payments will be made against valid receipts.10.4 All contributions/ donations shall be deposited in a bank account opened in the name of the Foundation.
10.5The foundations accounts shall be audited once a year. The report shall be shared with members.
The foundations accounts shall be audited once a year. The report shall be shared with members.Article 12. TRANSITION
12.1The Founding members shall be in charge of the management of the Foundation’s affairs until a duly elected Executive Committee is put in place.
The Founding members shall be in charge of the management of the Foundation’s affairs until a duly elected Executive Committee is put in place.12.2The founding members shall appoint two persons of integrity to operate the finances of the Foundation until an official account is opened.
The founding members shall appoint two persons of integrity to operate the finances of the Foundation until an official account is opened.Article 13. ELECTIONS
Elections of the Executive Committee members shall be every two years.
Article 14. AMENDMENT
The constitution may be amended where three-fourths of the members attending the general meeting vote in favor of amendment.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Ato Kebebew Daka
Dr. Aynalem Adugna
Ato George Wolde
Ato Fikru Regassa
Ato Tsegaab Kebebew
Ato Markos Regassa
Mrs. Ana Hadjiliades
Woizero Kidist Kebebew Daka
Supporting members
Dr. Hirut Terefe Gemeda
W/o Meselech Terefe Gemeda
W/o Metadel Terefe Gemeda
Ato Girma Dafa
Ato Girma Terefe Gemeda
Ato Aklilu Terefe Gemeda
Ato Wube Gemeda
Ato Dereje Terefe Gemeda
Ato Mesfin Terefe Gemeda
W/o Tsige Terefe gemeda
W/o Yehualashet Terefe Gemeda
W/o Firehiwot (Chuchu) Terefe Gemeda
Ato Salasib Shiferaw
Ato Fekadu Bayissa
W/o Lakech Beyene
Ato Daniel Fekadu
W/o Mitike Bayissa
W/o Nitsuh Alemayehu
W/o Ribka Alemayehu
W/o Hiwot Fekadu Bayissa
W/o Azeb Fekadu Bayissa
W/o Mulu Adugna Jekon
W/t Hawi Jirata
Ato Tolossa Jirata
Ato Abreham Mio
Ato Negatu Mio
W/o Meseret Mio
Listed as additional supporting members
Leilo Tilahun Gobena
Dr. Talile Tilahun Gobena
Ato Mathias Tilahun Gobena
Dr Ermias Tilahun Gobena
Dr. Amanuel Gobena
