Youth Leadership Workshop ~UCAS Planning Conference February 25,2012 Regina, Saskatchewan Facilitator: Moses Lukwago

Empowering our Communities

& Integrating with others beyond our immediate communities

The challenges of community development to advance racial and economic justice promote democracy, teach leadership, and develop the sustainability of our communities through charting a clear vision, that is both inclusive & implementable. Dedicating ourselves to work towards the vision despite the obstacles. Educating ourselves to gain the skills that are needed to advance our communities. These items should be part of the mission of our organizations

UACO A proactive organization that promotes Africans as an integral part of society, working towards the development of mankind. Open to all nationalities and races regardless of sex or creed Organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, cultural and scientific purposes It is a 501 C. (3) organization under the IRS The United African Communities Organization (UACO) UACO was founded in 2001 It serves as the global umbrella for various African and Caribbean national groups

UACO Member Organizations All organizations are welcome Nigerian Foundation Uganda Community Ghana Association Liberian Association Gambian Association Zambia Association Sierra Leone Association Senegal Association Cameroon Association Cote d’Ivorie Association United African Women Association Zimbabwe together Malawi Association African Caribbean Chamber of commerce Redeemed church African Media Tanzania Association Kenya Association

Shared vision Most of our organization cherish certain fundamental values, like those listed on the left. These should be used as the building blocks towards building bigger communities. Promote, Strengthen, empower and unify African and African descendants in the Diaspora. Preserve and promote African culture. Provide humanitarian assistance to new immigrants Serve the community in the areas of education, housing & youth development

UACO Goals & Objectives Designed to elevate the community To cultivate, promote and share our rich cultural African heritage within our heritage within our American community To promote and nurture a permanent Service Delivery Program in the areas of health and education To teach social and economic skills To promote co-operating and professional networking To provide humanitarian assistance to all To pursue the building of an African Cultural Center To serve as a source of promoting bilateral trade between America and Africa

UACO Governance Based on a constitution that and a set of by-laws that are periodically reviewed to make the organization more efficient. President Executive director Executive Board that includes: ◦President/Chairman ◦Vice President ◦Secretary General ◦Public Relations ◦African Cultural Festival ◦Cultural ambassador ◦Program officer

Lesson 1: Be Proactive “When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves” Victor Frankel We are free to choose and we are responsible for our choices. We can choose to be confined in our little communities or We can choose to grow bigger organizations that: ◦Increase influence ◦Provide for greater initiatives ◦Accelerate our group vision

Lesson 2: Begin with the end in mind Live by design. Remember that mental creation precedes physical creation. What do we want to be known for? How do we want to treat each other? What unique contributions can we make? What big goals do we want to achieve? Create a vision that guide us to achieve ◦Desired results ◦Greater sense of purpose & meaning ◦Criteria for deciding what is or is not important ◦Improved outcomes For our organizations

Lesson 4: Think win-win We should mutually benefit from each other as there is plenty out there for every one, and more to spare Developing larger efficient organizations should result into: ◦Faster solutions to problems ◦More team involvement ◦Rich relationships

Lesson 5: Synergize Engaging in creative cooperation The whole is greater than the sum of its parts Ultimately we must remember that we all need each other Together we can create a better way, a higher way that leads to: ◦New and better solutions ◦Transformed relationships ◦Appreciation of diverse perspectives