UPDATED MINUTES OF OUR LAST MEETING
HC Balo
MINUTES OF THE IWUEKE (NGUMEZI/OBINMA) FAMILY MEETING
CONDUCTED (MODERATED) BY NZE ROSEBERY NGUMEZI
NOTES TAKEN BY HIGH CHIEF BALO NGUMEZI
DATE OF MEETING: SATURDAY September 08, 2012
VENUE: TELECONFERENCE: 1-605-475-3200 CODE 813435#
Meeting started at 13:14pm, Houston (Central) time, with Nze Rosebery Ngumezi moderating and HC Balo Ngumezi as Secretary.
Nze Rosebery called the meeting to order and asked Mr Beziat Obinma to say the opening prayers. After the wonderful opening prayers by Mr Obinma, Nze Rosebery thanked everyone for taking the time to call in. He also thanked everyone who participated one way or the other for putting this meeting together, especially Mr Fidel Obinma, and he also thanked HC Balo for accepting to be the Secretary for today. HE however stressed that each one of us one way or another, had wanted to have this meeting, but due to time and other factors, could not push it through. Nze Rosebery indicated that this meeting is an open forum to discuss issues we have now and then in the future. He said he wants everyone to have the time to discuss relevant issues and for us to deal with facts as far as we know.
Chief Chima Ngumezi suggested a 3 point Agenda: (1) Roll-Call (2) Deaths in the family right now and details about the past deaths (3) Suggestions for the future. He said he has something written down and forwarded it to Nze Rosebery and hopes to make it available to everyone for suggestions. Nze Rosebery asked if there were any disputes regarding the 3 point Agenda but there were none. Therefore, the 3 point Agenda commenced.
Agenda 1. Roll-Call:
Those who identified their presence were: Chief Chima Ngumezi, Nze Rosebery Ngumezi, Sister Agnes Ngumezi, High Chief Balo Ngumezi, Mrs Joyce Njoku, Mr Beziat Obinma, Dr Chika Ngumezi, Mrs Faith Nwozuzu, Mr Fidel Obinma, Mr Chigozie Obinma, Princess Afoma Ngumezi, Sister Nelly Ngumezi, Mr Cicard Obinma, Mr Princewell Obinma, Mr Ebere Obinma. Absent were Nze Benedict Ngumezi and Mr Ndukaku Obinma. Nze Rosebery asked Mr Fidel if he contacted everyone including Nze Benedict regarding time of meeting before the starting time. He said yes and that he spoke to Nze Benedict who indicated that he would be at work and it would be difficult to call in from work.
Agenda 2. Deaths:
Sister Agnes started with the death of Sister Esther Ihemedu’s husband. She said she texted every Ngumezi at home and they contributed N1,000 each. When Nze Ezekwesiri Ngumezi died, Mr Richard Ngumezi suggested that every Ngumezi member at home contributes N5,000 and all 18 of them agreed and paid. The ones overseas including the Obinmas contributed the amount they agreed also. She continued that after all the money is collected, Nze Ejike Ngumezi calls a meeting to find out who has to be visited and what needs to be done and distribution and delegation of duty ensures. This way, everything and everyone is ready before the burial.
Sister Agnes asked if we want a run-down regarding the death of De Nwanyi and members said yes. She said that the N5000 levied by the Ngumezis for deaths at home was for immediate family members and they did not include in-laws and uncles. She indicated that when De UK died, the Ngumezis at home contributed N1,000 and they bought drinks and sent them to Princewill Obinma. She gave the details as follows:
Nze Rosebery 415,250
HC Balo 31,500 plus another 25,000
The Obinmas 31,500
Dr Chika 15,750 plus another 15,000
Mrs Faith 15,000 plus another 15,000
Nze Obioha 15,750
Chief Chima 15,000
Sister Nelly 0.00
Princess Afoma 0.00.
Regarding the Levy in the village, every Ngumezi paid except Richard and Nnamdi. We decided that when Nnamdi and Richard pay, the money should be given to Nnamdi’s wife.
Chief Chima said the record does not reflect the 50,000 he gave to Nnamdi and the 20,000 he gave to Ugoeze’s wife, Chinaenyem. Nze Rosebery said since Chief Chima disclosed these amounts, Sister Agnes upon returning to Nigeria, should confirm these payments to the individuals mentioned and correct the report previously submitted.
Mr Beziat noticed that the record submitted showed that some people gave more and questioned the necessity of recording extra payments by those people if we establish an amount today, going forward. Both Mr Gozie and Mr Cicard affirmed that it is a good idea to record everything as given for accuracy reporting.
Sister Agnes indicated that they have a central purse and suggested that when we send money, it will be wise to send it to that purse than to other individuals. Her example was Mr Nnamdi Ngumezi who claimed that the money given to him by Chief Chima was for his own personal use.
Chief Chima wanted to know what is done to left over money, who controls it and what happens to the money. Sister Agnes said that usually, there is no left over money except in this case. She said whenever Mr Nnamdi Ngumezi and Mr Richard Ngumezi make their contributions, Mr Ugoeze Ngumezi’s wife should be given N30,000.
There were a lot of side talks going on simultaneously at this time with some asking whether we are dealing with issues at home or doing our own thing here in the states regarding death matters.
Mr Cicard said that listening to all the discussions going on, it sounded like an Ngumezi meeting. He indicated that if this meeting is not done properly by involving the Obinmas and the Ngumezis in Nigeria, he does not want to be any part of it if it is one sided. He also questioned why money shouldn’t be given to the person bereaved instead of other people to make the arrangements as in giving the money to Mrs Ugoeze and Mr Nnamdi Ngumezi.
HC Balo called everyone to order and indicated that we have only one moderator to run the meeting and pleaded with all to let Nze Rosebery run the meeting.
At this time Nze Rosebery told everyone to be calm as this is our first meeting. He said the purpose here is to form a format for the future and not dwell too much on the past.
Sister Agnes clarified to Mr Cicard that what we are doing here is to bring the two families together and bring things back to the way things were when we were kids. She also said that giving money directly to the bereaved is not a good idea because that person will not be in his/her right mind at that particular time. Mr Cicard however said whoever it is, has an immediate relative who can handle things better than multiple people.
Nze Rosebery asked again for suggestions regarding the issue at hand, deaths.
Mr Chigozie Obinma thanked all present and said he is still in awe over how marvelous we did in Atlanta during the death of Nze Ezekwesiri, and loves the unity we are trying to build again. He said he sees a new beginning here and that outsiders will once again be amazed at our unity. He suggested getting a full list of people at home and opening a bank account and was against giving the collected money to one individual there.
At this time, Nze Rosebery, HC Balo, Dr Chika once again asked for the issue at hand be discussed, deaths and what to levy.
Chief Chima suggested $100 for deaths. Nze Rosebery asked if there were any other suggestions but no one else spoke. He asked if members agree to be levied $100 each for the deaths of Mr Lewis Obinma and Mr Nnamdi Obinma and through roll-call, everyone said yes.
Nze Rosebery asked who to give the contributions to and suggestions ranged from Sister Agnes to Mr Princewill and Mr Ebere Obinma. Mrs Faith inquired about the burial dates and Mr Princewill said the 21st and 27th September respectively. Princess Afoma said since Mr Princewill is going home, why not give the money to him.
Sister Nelly said she is not able to pay the $100 levies because of her child’s medical situation. Chief Chima suggested putting this in the Agenda for next meeting. The moderator Nze Rosebery said next meeting will be for looking over the suggestions made by Chief Chima and discussing it. Any other issues will come the meeting after that.
HC Balo, in tune with what Mr Cicard was saying, suggested that we signal people at home to start having joint Ngumezi & Obinma family meetings together again. Mr Beziat and Princess Afoma affirmed. Sister Agnes said she will text every Ngumezi and Obinma at home about the decisions reached in USA regarding having joint meetings on issues of deaths and other matters. She said she wants the Obinmas to give her the telephone numbers of all their sisters and brothers in Owerri. She also suggested giving money collected for Mr Nnamdi Obinma to Mr Princewill and for Mr Lewis Obinma to Mr Chinedu Obinma. After much discussion here, it was further agreed that Chief Collins Obinma and Nze Ejike Ngumezi should be made aware of the money donations for the late Mr Lewis Obinma and Mr Nnamdi Obinma. A full accounting report of how money was spent will also be required of Mr Princewill and Mr Chinedu.
HC Balo asked if Sister Agnes can be made a Central Treasurer for money collected at home for these purposes because she keeps an accurate record. Dr Chika, Mrs Faith also agreed. Dr Chika asked if Sister Agnes can suggest an Ngumezi and an Obinma to assist her in her absence so that when she goes back to Nigeria she can receive input from these two people that will enable her update her records. She suggested Sister Joy (nee Ngumezi) and Sister Ngozi Obinma.
Nze Rosebery asked about what to do regarding the death of Mr Nnamdi Ngumezi’s wife
Special Circumstance: Nnamdi Ngumezi’s dead wife:
There were confusion regarding the actual facts of this matter, are they married, are people informed, etc. Members were leaning towards doing nothing until Chief Chima pleaded that he talked to Mr Nnamdi yesterday and he said they were married for real. He continued that all Mr Nnamdi needs from us is a little help to bury his wife. Chief Chima suggested $50 and Members agreed. Nze Rosebery was not sure if we agreed to do this while Umu-Duru-Okwara people refused to do anything, what kind of issues might arise.
Agenda #3: For the Future
Nze Rosebery asked for suggestions on the final item in the Agenda, what to do going forward.
Princess Afoma suggested naming HC Balo and Mr Fidel as Treasurers.
HC Balo suggested seeing the proposal from Chief Chima first before we can proceed to anything else. Members agreed to this.
Nze Rosebery asked for date for next meeting. It was agreed in two weeks’ time and the moderator set it for Saturday September 22, 2012 at 2pm Eastern, 11am Pacific, 12pm Central. Phone 1-605-475-3200 code 813435#.
Nze Rosebery said he will forward the email from Chief Chima to everyone and HC Balo said he will set up a group email system to facilitate easier communication. Nze Rosebery asked if everyone agreed and having yes affirmation, asked him to make it user friendly which he said it will be.
Everyone present thanked everyone present. Mr Princewell apologized for ignoring everyone and said he will participate fully from now on in everything we do. He thanked us on behalf of his father’s children.
Chief Chima brought out Sister Nelly’s issues again. Nze Rosebery said that this is the first meeting and that we should wait after the next meeting to bring any other matter to the table. He tabled next meeting’s Agenda to be: (1) Making sure everyone contributed the $250 to Princewill, (2) Discussion of Chief Chima’s proposal, (3) Matters arising. Mr Fidel was asked to text Mr Princewill’s mailing address to everyone to send their money to him before he travels.
Mr Fidel said Sister Ngozi Obinma is putting a tribute about the late Nnamdi Obinma together and that anyone who has anything to say, should send it to him. Sister Faith pleaded with everyone not to take things for granted anymore and thanked Princewill for coming back to his family.
Nze Rosebery asked for prayers from everyone for his daughter Ugonna who is scheduled for a surgery. Mr Beziat said the closing prayers again for every member of the Iwueke Family all over the world, and also asked God to protect and perform miracles on Ugonna for her surgery to be a success.
HC Balo moved for adjournment seconded by Sister Faith.
Meeting adjourned at 15:56pm Houston (Central Time).
Rosey Ngumezi
Every one ought to have received the updated minutes of our last meeting. I am asking for you to read the contents and digest before our next meeting. In line with the three point agenda, I have listed below the agenda for the next meeting as follows;
OPENING PRAYER.
READING AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
ROLL CALL AND PAYMENT UPDATE
MATTERS ARISING
ADJOURNMENT
CLOSING PRAYER
At the last meeting I volunteered to be the moderator and Chief Balo agreed to take the minutes.We need new volunteers for the next meeting especially for taking the minutes. We can decide on this when we call in tomorrow.I have asked that the meeting be called to order at 6pm New Jersey time. Please pass this information on to all.
(Nze) Rosey Ngumezi
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:47:28 -0700
From: bfrse...@gmail.com
To: iwueke-fa...@googlegroups.com
Subject: UPDATED MINUTES OF OUR LAST MEETING
bfrservices
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Due to pre-scheduled assignment at the time of tomorrow's meeting, I will not be able to call in.
My payment of $250 was sent to Mr Princewell Obinma and it has been processed.
I wish everyone a happy, lively, and beneficial discussion.
Sincerely,
HC Balo Ngumezi.
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THANK YOU FOR BEING A MEMBER OF THE (NGUMEZI/OBINMA) IWUEKE FAMILY BRANCH!!.
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justin benedict
To: iwueke-fa...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 6:01 PM
Subject: RE: MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
Every one ought to have received the updated minutes of our last meeting. I am asking for you to read the contents and digest before our next meeting. In line with the three point agenda, I have listed below the agenda for the next meeting as follows;
OPENING PRAYER.
READING AND ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
ROLL CALL AND PAYMENT UPDATE
MATTERS ARISING
ADJOURNMENT
CLOSING PRAYER
At the last meeting I volunteered to be the moderator and Chief Balo agreed to take the minutes.We need new volunteers for the next meeting especially for taking the minutes. We can decide on this when we call in tomorrow.I have asked that the meeting be called to order at 6pm New Jersey time. Please pass this information on to all.
(Nze) Rosey Ngumezi
agnes ngumezi
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 7:47 PM
Subject: UPDATED MINUTES OF OUR LAST MEETING