This board needs to cement its legacy (sternly performance) for NIDO Americas, Inc. On the basis of my continuing discussions with past and present Board members, NIDO members at large, as well as all stakeholders, I have articulated the following visions and blueprint for our organization to constitute the basis of our focused activities in the immediate and future undertakings.
Comprehensive Bye Law Review
5-7 Persons Committee
i. Six months to complete assignment
ii. Special emphases on Election process
iii. Make provisions for group membership
Building and Stabilizing Administrative and Operational Infrastructure
Ensure staffing and office are adequately provided for
i. Stationeries
ii. Safe storage of NIDO collective assets and seal
iii. Mail & telephone response system
Full automation of key administrative processes
i. Membership Management
ii. Welcome package
iii. Payment System
iv. Basic information system
Develop policies & guidelines/procedures
i. Dealings with governmental agencies
ii. Private sector relationship
iii. International agencies
iv. Other organizations
v. Creation of MOU Templates
vi. Bidding process
Employee and Contractor Job description and performance review structure
i. Mid-year & year-end
ii. Incentives & benefits
Website
Ensure website is regularly updated & stabilized to inform and educate on
i. Content
ii. News
iii. Activities
iv. Link to database
v. Other links
Income generation via web space marketing
i. Upgrade to increase traffic
ii. Sponsorship package
iii. Fair pricing
Build more features
i. Bulletin board
ii. Event pages
iii. Classified section
iv. Intermittent survey
v. Chapter pages
vi. Chat room features
vii. Others
Communication System, Public Relations & Branding
Stabilize emailing and other methods of communication
i. Board to Board
ii. Board to members
iii. Members to Board
iv. External communication
Develop & embark on massive print & media strategy
i. Develop electronic & print stationeries
ii. Create press kit
iii. Newsletter
iv. Publicize organization & individual milestones/achievements
v. Sweepstakes
vi. Press statements/press releases
vii. Defensive & offensive media response system
Database
Launch NIDO database
i. Official launch: First 30 days of administration
ii. www.Nidodatabase.com (domain name acquired)
iii. www.nidodatabase.org (domain name acquired)
iv. www.Braingain.com
v. NIDO Website
Engage Continental NIDO
i. NIDOE
ii. NIDO Asia
iii. NIDO Africa
iv. NIDO Australia
Strategic & symbolic launch
i. Abuja Diaspora Day Event (July)
ii. UNN Alumni Conference (October 07)
iii. Other Professional groups
Database utilization
i. Jobs
ii. Business Directory
iii. Personal Directly
iv. Membership Management
Funding Strategy
Prompt realization of 501c (3) status
i. Using NIDO Foundation (GA)
ii. Bi-Weekly updates from IRS
Development of Solicitation Templates.
i. Major Corporations in Americas
ii. Companies doing business in Nigeria
iii. Major corporations doing business in Africa
iv. Nigerian corporations with Diaspora interest
v. Local & international Funding Agencies
Special Cost Underwriters
i. Executive Director salary
ii. Board Travel Expenses.
1. Delta Airline
2. Virgin Nigeria
iii. Special projects
Sponsorship Package
i. Platinum
ii. Gold
iii. Silver
iv. Bronze
Projects
Abuja Diaspora Land
i. 2nd & 3rd Phase
1. Structured to favor members (membership has values)
2. Automate payment structure
ii. Housing initiatives (Diaspora)
iii. Credit & Loans
Diaspora Health care initiatives
i. Diaspora health center Abuja
ii. AIDS awareness campaign
iii. Other collaboration with ANPA
Other projects
i. Project Committee
Partnership and Collaborations with other Groups/Organization
Identify Partnership
i. ANPA
ii. NITPA
iii. NLA
iv. Nurses Association
v. National Black MBA Association
vi. Others
Formulate policies & guidelines for collaboration
i. Joint
ii. Supportive
iii. Goodwill
Mobilization Strategy
NIDO contact Person & Phone
i. Every state of USA (30 days)
ii. Every Major metropolitan cities in USA & Canada (60 days)
iii. Every Country in Americas (60 days)
Group membership focus
i. Develop group membership benefits
ii. Identify groups to pursue
iii. Make bye law provisions (if required)
Chapter Executives
i. Meets quarterly with the Board
ii. Membership dues split reconciliation
Mobilization Committee
i. Meets every Month
ii. 16 members (2 from each region)
iii. Headed by a board member or proven general member
iv. Committee chairperson reports to the board every month
Membership retention
i. Create general membership benefits
ii. Quick Response to member complaint
iii. Activate all standing committees
1. Membership & Mobilization Committee
2. Policy & Planning Committee
3. Science & Technology Committee
4. Procurement Committee
5. Audit committee
6. Legal Committee
7. Budget Committee
8. Any other committee to be establish by the Board
a. Database Committee
b. Funding Strategy Committee
iv. Populate committee with members
v. Board members heads each Committee
Board Accountability
Transparency templates/policy
i. Confidentiality agreement
ii. Conflict of interest policy
iii. Other Board disclosure documents
Board Participation
i. A Director who misses three consecutive meetings shall be automatically removed
ii. May be reinstated by a vote of a majority of the entire Board for good cause shown
Committee
i. Each committee headed by a Board member
ii. Meets at least once monthly
iii. Committee reports dominate board deliberation
iv. Board member appoints committee Secretary
Mobilization
i. BM meets with 2 members of mobilization committee quarterly
ii. Launch a Chapter or Budding Chapter every 6 months (at least)
iii. BM meets bi-monthly with State contacts within region
Budget
i. BM submits proposal and budget estimate for committee (30 days)
ii. Board Officers submit Budget proposal (30 days)
iii. BM (Budget Committee head) presents budget to Board (45 days)
Abuja Diaspora Day Program
Meets with Diaspora Day committee
i. Progress Report
ii. Ascertain areas of needs
iii. Database related activities
Projects
i. Project presentation from Diaspora
Expertise report
Set up a Planning Committee for 2008 conference
Board of Advisors
Launch
i. Accept nominations (30 days)
ii. Selection process
iii. Official launch (60 days)
Possible nominees
i. Ex-Presidents
ii. Diplomatic Heads
iii. Business Executives
iv. International Agency Heads
v. Ex & Current Cabinet Members
vi. University & college Leaders
vii. Research Institute Leaders
viii. Presidents of professional organization
NIDO Youths Program
Mentorship program
i. Nominate mentors
ii. Select mentors
iii. Pair/match
iv. Mid year & End-year review
NIDO Scholarship funds
i. Set up Ad Hoc committee
ii. Create guidelines
iii. Funding strategies
iv. Selection process
v. Award scholarship
Fellow Members of NIDO Americas, Inc:
I urge you to get all hands on deck, mend all fences, and let us unite as one and indivisible organization where all Nigerians are given equal opportunities to contribute towards our collective success.
We will always keep our eyes firmly focused on the core vision of NIDO Americas.
"The core vision of NIDO, deeply rooted in the organization's firm belief that Diaspora Nigerians can make significant contributions to Nigeria, is to develop effective modes-through programs, policies, and advocacy-for Nigerians abroad to harness their talents, expertise, and resources for Nigeria's development and nation building. NIDO believes that this overriding framework and philosophy resonates with every Nigerian man, woman, and organization abroad and sets the foundation for a profound opportunity to unite, collaborate, and effect needed change in our Homeland and beyond.
May God bless NIDO Americas and may God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Regards,
Robert Ngwu, FLMI, ACS, CTM, EMHI
Chairman
Board of Directors, NIDO Americas, Inc
Phone: (612) 986-7871
Email: Chairman@nidoamericas.org
3519 International Court, NW
Washington DC 20008, USA
