FORIM Meeting Minutes — 26 February 2000

  1. Old Business
    1. Executive Board Decision to hold re-election of FORIM's secretary.
      1. Discussion of qualifying requirements of candidate for secretary.
      2. Julei Kim is designated secretary by member nomination.
    2. Photo Exhibit
      1. Lauren Goodsmith and Chris B's portfolios of RIM. Approx. 25 photos to be displayed.
      2. To be shown at La Journee de la Francophonie at the French Embassy, March 20, 2000, 8-11pm. Evening event celebrating the cultures of French-speaking countries. Lauren G.'s photos will be on display near the RIM table. Lance Kinne will help set them up.
      3. Timing of FORIM's exhibition of photos. Lauren Goodsmith's photos will not be available for showing in August. Pending until venue is secured.
      4. Venue (DC) for FORIM's exhibition of photos. Possibilities include: coffee houses, cafes, community center, the RIM Embassy, Georgetown places and local universities.
      5. General Info: Daren Drewry is the point person for this activity.
    3. FORIM Calendar
      1. Status: Muhammed researched cost of quality calendars to be $8 (approx.1,600um). FORIM would have to sell approx. 400 calendars to recover the cost. Currently, FORIM has 180 paid members.
      2. Member Input: Too expensive and impractical.
      3. Action:
        1. Kyung will continue the cost benefit research.
        2. Josh will look into bulk sale of calendars by NGOs.
      4. Suggestion: For the first year, FORIM will produce and sell mid-cost calendars to get a sense for what the demand is for this item. FORIM will strive to produce a better quality calendar in the following year, according to calendar sales and member comments on this year's sales.
    4. Newsletter
      1. Features for Winter-Spring Issue: Essay Winner!
      2. Brainstorming topics: Hello Nouakchott, Good-bye Manila Restaurant Review (Jen R.) and announcement of Marie Jose Opaire's (sp.?) new work The Kiffa Bead, distributed at the Smithsonian Museum in DC.
    5. Tax Exemption Status
      1. Application is almost complete. Will be submitted to IRS by end of March-early April.
  2. New Business
    1. Strategy for Year 2000
      1. Increase membership
      2. Establish criterion of standards for reviewing and approving projects.
      3. Improving to engage all FORIM members in group communication and discussion, especially via e-mail.
    2. Last Year's Strategy
      1. Increase membership
      2. Include members in the organization of activities. (Establishment of Development Committee and the Education Committee.)
    3. Brochure
      1. Barry: Brochure's value in helping to solicit funds, spread cultural awareness of Mauritania, and explain the activities/purpose for establishment of FORIM.
      2. Karen and Josh will help Barry work on information to be included in the FORIM brochure.
    4. New Project Submission: Computer Request
    5. Literature on Mauritania
      1. Slave in New York (article), New Yorker magazine, January 2000 issue.
      2. Literature about RIM that was distributed by TransAfrica Forim at the Summit on Africa session (that was held recently in DC).
      3. The Kiffa Bead, Marie Jose Opaire (sp.?)

Next Meeting: 25 March 2000