Saturday, July 04, 2008

8:30AM - 7:30 P.M

VENUE: SOUTHEAST ATHLETIC COMPLEX

5845 HILLVALE ROAD LITHONIA,GA 30058

$10.00 DONATION ALL DAY

FRIDAY, NIGHT JULY 3, 2009

WELCOME MEET & GREET SOCIAL;

@ THE VALLEY

FROM 8 PM TO 12PM

$5.00 ONLY

JULY 4th Night

A GRAND TROPHY PRESENTATION AND AWARD

CEREMONY AND

@ Grand Ball at the Atrium.

$10.00 ONLY

ON SUNDAY, JULY 5TH.

A BONNE-VOYAGE PARTY WILL BE HELD

@ THE VALLEY 9PM TO 2PM

$5.00 ONLY

LIBERIAN ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN ATLANTA EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Mission Statement
The Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA), a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization founded in 1976, is dedicated to make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth and the Liberian Community, primarily by promoting understanding, education and cultural exchange and to assist them in achieving their highest potential as they grow to become competent and caring individuals through engagements, advocacies and collaboration with supporters and entities of shared values and purpose.

Introduction
The Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA), known previously as the Liberian Community Association of Georgia, began in September of 1976 as a non-profit student organization. LAMA was organized to promote peace, unity, progress and social awareness among citizens of the Republic of Liberia residing within Metropolitan Atlanta; maintain Liberia’s cultural and traditional heritage and values; serve as a forum for the exchange of views among Liberians; assist and support specific development projects for community empowerment; encourage educational endeavors among members; attend to the welfare of members in such instances or circumstances as bereavement, sickness, immigration issues and special achievements (i.e., graduations and weddings)

The Organization
LAMA’s administrative team consists of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. In addition, a Council of Presidents consisting of the heads of major local Liberian organizations has been established for the purpose of advising the president. LAMA’s operational functions are divided among volunteer committees.

Projects and Services
LAMA provides a variety of services to the Liberian Community of Metro Atlanta including the scheduling and coordinating activities and events between local organizations. These include monthly meetings for information sharing. In addition, future plans include providing services such as low cost legal and medical insurance to our members. Projects for 2008-2009 include a scholarship program at the University of Liberia, after school programs and an adult computer literacy program for Liberian Refugees in Clarkston, Georgia.

Membership
LAMA plans to embark on an ambitious membership drive. The organization’s goal is to increase the current membership from approximately 200 to 2,000 Liberians. This augmentation will represent a membership that embodies one third of the Liberian populace in the Metropolitan Atlanta area. The organization’s ongoing goal is to increase membership to include all of the Liberians who reside in the Atlanta Metro area.

Finances
LAMA is primarily supported by donations (online, check or money order), volunteer efforts and membership dues. Revenues, realized from dues and fund raising activities are used are used to finance projects and services in the community. View Approved 2008 Budget.

	President's Corner
	We thank God Almighty for allowing us this opportunity to bring the Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA) into the 21st Century through such powerful and accessible medium. We also thank Him for aligning us with so many talented and committed Liberians, as we saw with our highly successful programs and now with LAMA’s web site, by Eddie Zubah, Kim Campbell, Hassan Kiawu and many others. This enhances our efforts to move our community forward. It is our fervent hope and plead that as LAMA joins the global and technological phenomena --- the internet --- Liberians and Friends of Liberia everywhere will find our site to be informative, engaging and highly resourceful. We are extremely grateful to our Board of Directors, the Liberian Ministers’ Association, the Liberian Council of Presidents and local Liberian organizations who have been most encouraging of my leadership team and me. We are pleased to see the number of individuals who have called, emailed and/or expressed their desire to serve our community because of the positive changes they now see. Most importantly, our youth! We call on the leadership of the our youths of Metro Atlanta to reorganize themselves and work in concert with our leadership team for a better and more vibrant Liberian Community. I am very appreciative of our brilliant Executive Staff. Efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of LAMA’s operations are now quite obvious because of their expertise and unbridled dedication. Our methods of collecting and accounting for Association’s funds and the overall of conduct business have changed dramatically. Community cooperation and awareness of our need for greater participation is on the rise, as seen in each subsequent meeting. We continue to call on all Liberians residing within the environs of Metro Atlanta to register and become members of (LAMA). Our meetings are held on the 2nd Sunday each month at Bethel World Outreach Ministries, 7094 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross, GA. They begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. Dues are $10.00 per month and registration fee for new members is $10.00. All members are encouraged to pay their dues quarterly, semi-annually or annually and may do so online through the security of Pay Pal. Over the years, whether at parties, weddings, funerals or special events, we all see the need for acquiring a multi-purpose center for our Community. A LAMA Cultural Center, the corner stone of our administration will allow us to serve our youths and senior citizens in a more concerted and optimum manner. A significant percentage of LAMA’s fundraisers will be dedicated to this cause. We ask all members and supporters to please make a financial donation to all LAMA’s sponsored events, even if they are unable to attend. Again, thanks to all Liberians and Friends of Liberia in Metro Atlanta for your continued support, as we move LAMA forward together. May God bless and prosper LAMA, the great city of Atlanta and our beloved Republic of Liberia. Walter B. Skinner, Sr. President, LAMA