1. ISA FOUNDATION Ensuring excellence in scholarship

2. Vision To establishing a legacy funding to support the mission of ISA

3. Mission To establish an endowment fund to support the Center for Igbo Studies To raise money for special projects of ISA To work in collaboration with CIS to fulfill their mutual obligations

4. Organizational Structure ISA Foundation will be incorporated as a not-for- profit organization with tax exempt status (should it have the same tax exempt # as ISA?) Its activities will be overseen by a Board of Trustees to be drawn from ISA membership (ISA President and the Chairman of ISA Advisory Board), CIS host institutions and others from the larger community We will propose an initial BOT membership of 7 with Executive director of CIS as an ex-officio member.

5. Officers Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer

6. Role of Board of Trustees The Trustee board will be responsible for fundraising and general support of the center. Members will be drawn from individuals with the ability to effectively raise money for the center, as well as raise the visibility and profile of the center. It is anticipated that they will be will known individuals, drawn mostly from outside academia.

7. Center for Igbo Studies (CIS) Home and Project of Igbo Studies Association a tax exempt non-profit organization under IRS 501 (c) 3. Our Past. Our Present. Our Future

8. Vision To facilitate the greater understanding of Igbo history, civilization, religion, culture and language, while analyzing the current state of Igbo Nation and charting new progressive directions that will enhance her intergenerational growth/advancement through creation of sustainable institutional framework for an organized, dedicated, strategic and scholarly production of good knowledge and analysis of critical issues and policies that affect Ndi Igbo, both at home and abroad.

9. Mission Create a formal Institutional set up or administrative headquarters for ISA. Serve as a think tank for analysis and recommendations on critical issues affecting Ndigbo (Igbo people and culture). Develop or facilitate the development of proper/effective materials and curriculum for teaching/learning the Igbo language, especially among the youth in the era of information technology and globalization. Research and publish critical studies on Igbo people and culture.

10. Mission Build and maintain critical linkages and alliances at home and abroad for achieving its mission. Establish and/or support a depository or archives on Igbo studies, materials and documents. Promote Pan African studies/research and global education. Raise fund and other resources for the program operations and project development needs of the Center..

11. Organizational Framework CIS will be incorporated as an independent legal entity within Howard University. CIS will be affiliated with ISA, and may also seek affiliation with any other entity with similar focus, vision and mission, both within and outside the United States. The Center will be funded through the ISA Foundation and oversight provided by a Board of directors.

12. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The directors will given the responsibility of overseeing the center and ensuring its viability as well as adherence to the vision and mission of the founders. They will have direct fiduciary responsibility over the endowment fund, help set the yearly budget of the center, and be a resource for the executive director. They will work closely with the trustees to plan and host fundraising events.

13. ADVISORY BOARD The Advisory board will be made up primarily of seasoned academics with interest in Igbo studies, who will act as a resource to the center. It is anticipated that they will work with and become a resource to both the Executive Director and the members of the working groups.

14. ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Executive Director Coordinators of the Working Groups Research Assistants (Graduate Students) Scholars-in-residence Research Fellows (Volunteers)

15. The center will be administered by an executive director, who will be responsible for overseeing the center. He will repot to, and take direction from the Board of Directors. His role will include:  Translating the vision of the trustees into practical activity for the working groups.  Preparing a budget annually, with which to run the center.  Overseeing the day to day running of the center.  Helping to set up and oversee the working groups in terms of direction, workflow and intellectual standards.  Be the “face” of the center.  Help plan and coordinate fundraising activities in collaboration with the ISA Foundation Board of Trustees ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

16. WORKING GROUPS The working groups will be made up of groups of interested individuals clustered around a specific aspect of Igbo studies, in keeping with the CIS mission. Each working group will have a Coordinator, who will act as a liaison between the group and the Executive director. Working with the Director, each working group will be expected to actively seek funding in their areas of work.

17. Organizational Chart Executive Director Working GroupsFellows Research Assistants Scholars in residence Office Assistants

18. Initial Budget 100,000 dollars for the first 3 years This money will be raised by present Endowment Committee 1 to 2 million dollars will be raised by the Board of Trustees to endow the Center.