1. The Minutes of the Meeting of Northwest Forum for African
Communities formerly known as (Merseyside) INISE AISBL
Council held on Saturday 23 June 2012 at URC.
Present: Fitsum Hablemariam (Eretrea/Ethiopia); James Quainoo (MAG);
Josephine Mentford (MAG); Nana Dede Taylor (MAG); Baiba D. Mjidho-
Chairman (KCA), Matthieu Kapasi (CAM); Petronelle K Moanda (CAM);
Alfred Salami-Secretary (CHARA TRUST); Rev. (Dr) Steven Gitonga
(CHARA TRUST)
1 Opening Prayer Action
The opening prayer was said by Alfred Salami
2 Introduction and welcome
Baiba Mjidho (BM) welcomed everyone to the meeting and
each member present introduced himself/herself and said a
few words about the reasons why she/he chose to be a
member of the group.
After the introduction, a question was raised about the purpose
of the meeting and clarity on representations at the meeting.
BM suggested that the answers to both questions would
become very clear if he was given the opportunity to give a
brief presentation about INISE and to read an e-mail he had
received from Ewa Sadowski- Chief Executive-Barka (UK)
This request was granted and he read the e-mail in which Ewa
had regretted not been able to attend the meeting herself to
answer questions about INISE. Her e-mail was helpful as it
attempted to explain the purpose of INISE and answered some
of the concerns raised by members. BM then proceeded to
give a short presentation about INISE and the previous
meeting which took place in May as a result of a visit by some
people to Kenya. Members at this point became clearer about
INSE and its purpose and its formation.
At this point BM suggested that for the meeting to be
structured and productive we needed to appoint officers be it
on a temporary basis. This request was agreed and after some
discussions the following people were appointed as follows on
a temporary basis: BM (Chairman and Alfred Salami AS
(Secretary).
Following this Petronelle from the Congolese Community
Association raised a question as to why their organisation was
not included as founding members of INISE despite the fact
that the Congolese Community Association was one of the first

2. organisations that went on the earlier visits to Poland when the
idea of INISE was first hatched. She further noted to her
amazement that Chara Trust that initiated the process was not
even mentioned anywhere in the founding document and yet
certain individuals and organisations who went to Poland
courtesy of Chara Trust have been included. She asked for
clarifications on the criteria used for selecting certain
individuals and organisations and, why the only French
speaking country on the group (the Congolese Association)
had been left out?
These particular issues raised more questions than answers.
BM said that clearly there were real problems and at this point
he suggested that these concerns should be put to BARK (UK)
who would attempt to take them up with relevant people.
At this point the meeting was adjourned for a few minutes for
coffee break and also an opportunity to e-mail these concerns
to Barka (UK). By the time the meeting recommenced a
response had come back from BARKA giving reassurances
that the concerns would be looked into. It was also explained
that no organisation would be disadvantaged as a result of the
current registration document of INISE and that the document
is opened to further amendments in the future.
3 Membership and Representation of the group.
Following discussions by the group, it was agreed that in order
to encourage and widen participation there will be two
representatives from each organisation and or country. It was
further agreed that to maintain good attendance at meetings a
further one person per organisation as a reserve was also
agreed. For voting purposes only two members from an
organisation would be able eligible to vote. It was further
agreed that this arrangement would be subject to future review
as the group is still evolving.
4 Name of the organisation
After much debate about the merits and demerits of the
original name: Merseyside INISE AISBL Council, the meeting
agreed that in order to attract colleagues from northwest as a
whole the new name should be changed to Northwest Forum
of African Communities. The adoption of a new name was
necessary for the following reasons:
(a) It was felt that it is pointless to have another organisation
called INISE on Merseyside as this would confuse people
(b) Another INISE on Merseyside would not only confuse
people but would also dilute the real INISE and could be seen
as competitors.

3. Following adoption of the name there was a suggestion that
the position of Chairman should be rotated on a meeting by
meeting basis. This was discussed and rejected as such an
arrangement could create continuity problems instead the
group to have an annual rotation.
5 Any other Business
(1) Agenda : It was agreed that there should be formal agenda
items for future meetings
(2) Barka (UK) Celebrations: It was noted that Barka (UK) would
be have a celebration event on 22 September 2012. Members
were encouraged to support this event by Merseyside being
fully represented.
(3) Date and venue of next meeting: The Next meeting would take
place on 18 July at 5.30 pm at CHARA TRUST Offices at:
64 Upper Parliament Street. L8
FOR INFORMATION- THE FOLLOWING ARE ATTACHED
TO YOUR MINUTES:
(1) A COPY OF INSE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT
(2) GUIDELINES ON FUNDING
Continue over page for members list and contacts

4. Contact/List of Members
Name E-mail Telephone
Petronelle K Moanda Congomerseyside@yahoo.fr 07792081139
Mathieu Kapasi Congomerseyside@yahoo.fr 07982389590
James Quainoo j-guainoo@yahoo.com
07877546143
Josephine Montford J6973ment@yahoo.co.uk 07428710863
Rev (Dr) Steven Sgitonga2001@yahoo.com 07968366671
Gitonga
Fitsum Mablemarian Fitwelele@yahoo.com 07814721076
Nana Dede Taylor Taylors@tictok3.fsnet.co.uk 07631388315
Alfred A. Salami alfredsalami@yahoo.co.uk 0770 9398 601
Baiba Dhidha Mjidho ywamjidho@live.co.uk 07947122741