Q: Tell me a little about ULAA
A:
ULAA was organized in the early
seventies by Liberian students in
the United States. The primary
objective of ULAA, at its inception,
was advocacy for the rights of
Liberian Students in the United
States and the Liberian people in
general. Given the one party
oligarchy which dominated Liberian
politics at the time of the
establishment of ULAA, the Union had
to quickly assume the responsibility
for the championing of the cause of
democracy and social justice. Owing
to its consistency and unflagging
commitment to weeding the vices of
tyranny and exclusion, ULAA soon won
the respect and admiration of
Liberians both at home and abroad
thus asserting its role as the
umbrella organization of Liberians
and their organizations in the
Americas. Throughout the eighties as
the Liberian political system was
being corrupted many well meaning
Liberians looked up to ULAA for
direction and leadership. Not
failing its people, ULAA stoically
called for change in the way the
country was run.
Today, ULAA has changed in an
attempt to respond to the dynamics
of Liberians in the Diaspora and the
destruction engendered by the Civil
War. ULAA, today is engaged in not
only advocacy for the
democratization of the Liberian
society but for the rights and
privileges of Liberians in the U.S.
Additionally, aware of the level of
destruction in Liberia and the brain
drain plaguing the Liberian nation,
ULAA is involved in the formulation
of strategies to secure needed
resources for schools, hospitals,
farm to market roads as well
manpower resources.
Q: How can one become a member of ULAA?
A:
To become a member of ULAA one must
be a member of one of ULAA’s
Chapters. Membership of a Chapter
automatically grants one membership
to ULAA. Membership to ULAA is not
however restricted to Liberian
Community Associations. County
associations, alumni associations
and other associations of Liberians
in the Americas have the right to
membership.
Q: How do I contact my local
chapter?
A: The best way is by asking in your
community. Another way is to visit
ULAA’s website at
www.ulaaliberia.net . The
website, which is updated regularly,
has vital information regarding
local chapters, links to the
websites of local chapters as well
as links to senior ULAA officials
who can be of service in leading you
to the Chapter in your locality.
Q. How is ULAA financed?
A. ULAA
is primarily financed by the payment
of membership dues by her chapters
and other fundraising activities.
Each chapter is required to pay
membership dues annually.
Q: What is ULAA’s relationship with
the county organizations?
A: ULAA supports the rights of
Liberians to form and be a part of
county associations. ULAA sees the
existence of county associations not
as a menace but as an assistive
instrument for connecting with
Liberians at home and the
development of community based
project initiatives. For the most,
county associations have accorded
ULAA the utmost respect.
Regrettably, the level of
cooperation received from county
associations has been dictated by
the leadership of separate counties
and the consanguinity to the
leadership of ULAA. ULAA continues
to live with the hope that its
relationship with county association
can be improved and that the
associations would ascend to levels
reserved for them in ULAA. ULAA
however understands that the
transitioning of county association
to ULAA demands extensive thoughts
and is a process. .
Q: Do the county organizations pay
membership dues to ULAA?
A: At the moment no county
association has been granted
membership to ULAA. Accordingly,
County Associations are not paying
dues to ULAA. It must be noted
however that should a county
association elect to assume
membership, dues will then have to
be paid.
Q. Where is ULAA headquartered?
A: ULAA’s is officially
headquartered in Washington D.C. (www.ulaaliberia.net)
but has its executive offices
wherever the sitting president is
based.
Q: How many Chapters constitute ULAA?
A: ULAA has 20 active chapters which
are listed on its website. Several
other Liberian community
associations are at the verge of
joining ULAA. The National
Administration consistently seeks to
expand the membership of the Union.
Q: Are there other active community
organizations who are not members of
ULAA?
A: Yes, there are organizations in
places like Virginia, Oklahoma,
Iowa, Tennessee and even in Canada,
that are active but not part of ULAA.
Every ULAA administration has made
it her priority to engage these
associations.
Q: What is ULAA’s role regarding
Liberia and events in Liberia?
A: From
time to time ULAA has spoken up on
issues in Liberia. The decision to
take on a particular issue is
controlled by an agreed procedure
which takes into account the expanse
of the problems, the legal
ramification and the propensity of
the problem to undermine the
integrity, peace and tranquility of
the nation. ULAA, it must be
accentuated, has a shared
responsibility in the protection of
the fragile peace in Liberia thus
utterance of the Union has always
being necessitated by the Union’s
unwavering stance on the rule of
law. The ULAA web site maintains a
catalog of statements from the Union
on numerous issues.
Q: In the United States, what are
some of the ULAA projects?
A: In the US, ULAA is playing a
leading role in the campaign to
secure permanent residency status
for Liberians currently on the
Temporary Protective Status, (TPS).
In this direction, ULAA, in
collaboration with its chapter and
under the sponsorship of Congressmen
Patrick Kennedy, Keith Ellison, Tim
Walberg and Senator Jackie Reed, has
worked to have two separate but
friendly bills in both houses of
Congress. Additionally, ULAA is
exploring other options should these
bills fail to pass. On other fronts,
ULAA is working with some of its
chapters to pilot several programs
targeted at reducing gang
activities, exposing young Liberians
to educational opportunities,
empowering Liberians and promoting
cohesiveness amongst members of our
communities across the U.S.
Q: Can you please describe ULAA
leadership structure?
A: ULAA leadership structure
consists of three components.
1) National
Administration
2) National
Leadership Council
3) National
Board of Directors
Again, the Union’s web site at
www.ulaaliberia.net can be of
immense service in understanding the
functions of the organs listed
above.
Q: Describe ULAA’s electoral
process- how are elections held?
A: ULAA’s election is based on a
representative system. Each chapter
is allowed to send 15 delegates to
participate in the election. To be
eligible to vote, one must be
certified by his/her chapters. In
other words, ULAA’s elections are
not direct. To vote one must be a
member of one of ULAA’s chapter, be
in good standing, and be certified
as a delegate.
Q. What is the term of office?
A. For
a good understanding of the various
terms office, please visit ULAA
website. ULAA holds election every
two years at its annual convention.
ULAA’s next election is in 2008.
Q: How can one describe ULAA’s
relations with the Liberian
government, especially with the
Embassy of Liberia near Washington,
DC?
A: ULAA’s relationship with the
Liberian government is very cordial.
The cordiality of the relationship
is rooted in mutual respect and
cooperation. As it relates to the
Embassy, ULAA maintains cordial ties
with the Embassy which is manifested
in amongst others, the conduct of
Joint Independence Day Celebration.
Compiled by the National Secretariat
Isaac Saye Zawolo, Jr.
National Secretary General
