Meeting Minutes (29 Sept, 2018 7pm-8pm EST)

[Maaza Mekuria]

EEO had its scheduled meeting on 7/29/2018 at 7pm EST, two board members were present President Misrak and board member Maaza.

The first discussion was on making use of googlegroups ability to organize meetings, forums and also hosting our domain.  It seems that we are able to save quite a bit on hosting expenses as google provides discount and support to non-profit organizations in its hosting service.  This will make it easier to manage and share.

Action Items  : 

1) Misrak to make changes to GoogleGroups so that Board Members have administrative access googlegoups dashboard

2) Naser and Azeb to investigate GoogleGroup privileges and ways to make the domain name linkage with GoogleGroups account. Maaza will assist as needed.

Second discussion was a followup of the meeting on 22 of Sept proposal that EEO perform safety analysis along a corridor of interest to ERA or AACRA, the discussion went on about how to make contact with the two agencies (AACCRA or ERA).  It was determined that writing a letter/email would be the best way to find out their priority for EEO to work on a particular corridor.  

Action Items: Decided to draft a letter/email on behalf of EEO directed to ERA with a cc to AACRA indicating EEO's desire to perform safety analysis on a corridor of ERA's choice.  The content of the letter would indicate the willingness of EEO to engage with ERA/AACRA and other like minded institutions in Ethiopia, and strengthening of the professional ties that has been present with both ERA and AACRA these many years through past engagements such as seminars, group presentations, provision of library documents, research assistance of students, one-on-one contacts, etc.

 Abiyu has been assigned to draft a letter/email for the purpose of contacting EEO/AACRA.  Draft to be sent to the board for comment and Misrak will compile the final letter and send it to the appropriate people.

Third discussion was regarding the important links that are to be fostered with institutions such as AAIT and Ethio. Assoc. Civil Engineers (EACE) inside Ethiopia and finding ways to partner between them and EEO in areas of mutual interest such as institutional research and professional development.  

Rahel is assigned to spearhead this avenue of networking and report back with progress in the coming months.

As was discussed in the Sept 22 meeting and the feedback of Engr. Hiwot on possible ways of increasing EEO's network by associating with Diaspora organization and other expatriate professionals, it is needful to contact diaspora contacts in the USA and beyond.  

Action Items : 

 Alazar is assigned to investigate possible affiliation and ways of establishing relations with diaspora organizations

All future meeting notices and agenda are to be posted on GoogleGroups so that emails are sent automatically to all members prior to the meeting date. 

Meeting was adjourned at 7:53 pm EST. 

   

 

  

On Sun, Sep 16, 2018 at 1:22 PM Maaza Mekuria <mcme...@gmail.com> wrote:

I had an hour of conversation with Engr Hiwot Mosisa, Depity Minister of transport on Thursday morning, Sept 13.  

The conversation was mostly on how to make the connection with our local  institutional partners such as  ERA consistent and areas that may need attention.

According to Hiwot saftey is an issue that needs attention .  There is a newly organized saftey beaureau under the transportation ministry that is beginning to tackle saftey concerns.  There was a safety conference held in early August at ECA office in Addis organized by Dr Habtamu Melese.  I missed it because of misplaced email.

As we.know safety impacts have to encompass the whole project life cycle beginning with planning to maintenance. 

Road safety audit training maybe another avenue we can help.

Hiwot mentioned that standards development is another area that we can assist with.

Improving the institutional capacity for integrated research with educational, and industry partners is another avenue we can be involved. 

Making a more formal arrangement to work with institutions such as ERA is needed. 

Both Ato Alemayehu and Ato Daniel of ERA  are eager to work with us. Ato Daniel mentioned that they would invite EEO participation and initiatives in the soon to be ready Research center.  I think by next year the center will be opened for business.  Road safety audit training could be held there when it opens. Due to schedule constraints i was not able to visit the center.

Hiwot, asked if we are involved in the new diaspora organization. I was not involved so i said no.  If any of you are involved you can introduce EEO. I think that would be a good way of introducing EEO to a larger pool of diaspora partners.

Data collection is where improvement might be needed.  I think Abiyu's work with ITS technologies maybe an area where we can collect data as a byproduct of the ITS implementation.  I am not sure if this is part of the RFP and bid procurement process.

I was fortunate to meet engr Daniel Engidashet , who is general manager of Reinforced Earth, a multinational company that does business in ethiopia as well as the USA.  Daniel was at ERA's road research conference also.  I was pleasantly surprised to travel next to him on my return trip back to DC.  He lives and works in Virginia.  I asked him to be involved in EEO.  I am copying.him with this email. He is willing to participate. Please add him to the googlegroups email.

Website concerns , i would like to talk with Naser to chart a course.  I have not continued the hosting subscription for this year.

I think these are the main topics that i have in mind for discussion on the 22nd.

On Thu, Sep 13, 2018, 12:44 PM Misrak Sultan <sultan...@gmail.com> wrote:

Selam to all,

What an incredible New Years celebration we were able to have. May God showers our motherland with his choicest blessings. 

It seems September 22 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST works as a meeting time for everyone.  In this meeting I think it is better to focus on the action plan drafted two years back (see below).  Please submit more ideas to add on.  As a New Year's resolution we have to pledge and feel more responsible than ever for the outcome of our country.  This is the time that our collective knowledge is needed in each corner to build our nation.  I suggest each of us participate in the handling of the meetings, i.e. we have to conduct the meeting on a turn by turn basis.  Each person is responsible for her/his topic to lead the meeting, so I am asking Maaza to lead the upcoming conference, because he has something to say about his experience in Ethiopia. As always Abenet will handle the time keeping, the education & technical personal, Abiyu will do the minutes this time, Rahel will provide us with the bank account and we will do the yearly contribution of $100 and Naser will update us about our web site.  Alazar & I will facilitate the meeting in general.  Last but not least we will connect and updates the ERA & Transportation Minister officials about our action plan for 2018/2019 Fisical year. Let us bring that love & positive energy again.   

Melkam Addis Amet,

Misrak/EEO