In continuation of my discussion on the topic "The OLM Constitution-Let's Do It The Right Way", I promised to create another forum for a review of the most talked about issue in the Liberian community in Minnesota now a day-"OLM Referendum". It is in this prospective that I'm hoping that you join me in identifying a suitable and common procedure leading to holding a successful referendum on the OLM Draft Constitution.

Good judgment tells me that there were a number of chronological issues that were inadvertently overlooked by our community leadership. An outline of these issues centers around the following:

I. Suspension of the OLM Constitution (1986 Revised Document): We do
understand the need for a new constitution for our community organization since indeed the current instrument is over ambiguous, vague, chaotic and does not represent the aspiration of our people characterized by the principles of a membership based nonprofit institution. I am of the opinion that a resolution should have been  passed by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee to suspend the 1986 Revised Constitution of the OLM and refer to the principles and practices of nonprofit organization as stipulated in the Minnesota Code for nonprofit, for the smooth conduct of the OLM.

 

The said resolution would have dictated the immediate appointment of a constitution committee assigned with a term of reference; definite date for an assembly to adapt the constitution; address the issue of attendants and qualification to vote at the assembly. This action should have immediately been taken from the onset of the inception.of this administration. I am quit sure that the OLM leadership would have got an overwhelming support from its membership because this is something we have long wished for.

 

II. Appointment of the Constitution Committee: Be as it may, our leaders appointed a committee to draft a new constitution for the OLM. Interestingly though, there was hardly any information to the greater Liberian public regarding the function of this committee. As a consequence, there was a breach of interaction between the commission and the community. So, the constitution committee operated in isolation of the very people they claimed to have been working for. That was impracticable and problematic which has thus generated the propensity for a lot of doubts on the entire exercise of the committee. Engagement of the society for which a constitution is been carved creates the atmosphere for the drafting committee to comprehend the views and aspirations of the people and thereby avails the possibility of having the people familiarized with the basic ingredients of the draft even before referendum; and not at the referendum as it is intended to be done now.

 

III. The Road to OLM Referendum: I was lately privileged to know that the constitution committee completed its task and submitted its report to the administration approximately nine months ago; and that a review body chaired by Mr. Ahmed Sirleaf was appointed as well. The Ahmed Committee immediately completed its assignment and made a comprehensive report including recommendation to the administration.

Only God knows what became of the Review Committee's work. But how many of us know what's going on in the OLM? We only get to know about the OLM when there is confusion between the Board and Executive. This lack of communication leaves room for distrust or mistrust. In the wake of these lapses, do we revert to the genesis of procedures? This is something we should not be witch-thinking.

 

IV. The Way Forward: In order to hold a smooth and successful referendum, the below conditions need to be considered with immediate effect if elections are to be held this year:

 

A. The OLM administration should serve the draft instrument to all county and other Liberian community organizations in Minnesota including the Liberian Ministerial Association (LMA), alumni associations, PRO USA Inc., Veteran Old Timers Association, Liberian Women Initiative, ASSA, COLD, etc. for their review; and allow a window of two months (most likely the end of September 2009) for the endorsement of the proposed document as "The OLM Constitution". It is expected that these institutions will have by then constructively outline their respective concerns to be addressed at the said major forum. By so doing, the OLM will begin to legitimize the recognition of the various Liberian organizations as its members thereby pulling them under its umbrella as a mother organization.

 

B. But who attends the meeting of the referendum and who is qualified to vote remain two fundamental issues. The uniqueness of this forum should be distinct from that of the so-called town-hall style we are so buried into which had never been productive. We should hold an OLM General Assembly with the single agenda of "discussing and adapting the constitution". A minimum of five delegates from each community organization should be allowed to attend, and all such delegates including members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee at the Assembly should have the right to vote with no financial bearing as a precondition.

This arrangement is highly feasible and expedient because we lack the facility to hold the thousands of Liberians in this community. Besides, the community organizations are embodiments of the cross section of Liberians in their respective segments. The method of representation will enhance orderly discussion and achieve the intended goals.

We pray that the OLM leadership sees some of us as not critics or detractors, but rather, that it takes advantage of and utilizes our vast experience, time and resources in fixing the systemic problem engulfing our community organization over the thirty three years of its existence. Lots of time and and resources have been wasted already; so, let's stop the bickering and make history for once. Let's put aside our disagreements and build upon our commonalities for the general good of our people. Ushering a new OLM Constitution should be done the right way for lasting cure to the numerous crisis we continue to have in our community leadership. This should not be a matter of making name at all cost. After all, if the Constitution is properly done, this administration will still take the glory and make history at the same time.

J. Sackie Kennedy

FORMER SECRETARY GENERAL,
OLM BOARD OF DIRECTORS