The Buraka  Memorial Foundation
Preamble

*Cognizant of Arya Jawi as the birth place of Buraka Gurmu, himself an only child, who has nevertheless brought forth several sons, grand children, and great grand children now numbering in the hundreds.
*Aware that hundreds of descendants have originated from the Buraka family tree with only a small percentage currently residing in Arya Jawi, the rest now spread throughout the country and the world.
*Acknowledging the need to draw these descendants together through creation of a common forum or medium.
*Convinced of the need to initiate community development in Arya Jawi and its environs in memory of Buraka, the ancestor.
*Noting with satisfaction the contributions of many descendants  who have now passed away, but whose lives and times are being remembered and viewed by the living as models to be emulated.
*Bearing in mind the need to preserve the culture, customs, and traditional ways enjoyed and bequeathed by those who are no longer  around, and those that are now aging.
*Deeply concerned about the degradation of land and other resources including loss of vegetation cover and soil, now threatening the lives of many still living in Arya Jawi.
*Deeply disturbed by the continuing erosion of cultural values and traditional  norms as well as art and music by the introduction of forces inimical to the maintenance of local art, music, story telling, poems, and oral traditions.
Therefore, we, the descendants of Buraka, have established Buraka Memorial Foundation in accordance with Article 404 of the Ethiopian Civil Code of 1960.Article  1.      

NAME 

The name of the foundation shall be Buraka Foundation, herein after referred to as  “the  Foundation”.

Article  2.      INSIGNIA/EMBLEM

The insignia or emblem of the Foundation shall be a resemblance of an acacia tree (in memory of an Acacia tree in Arya Jawi which is no longer standing).
Article  3.     

HEAD  OFFICE

3.1  For convenience, the head office of the foundation shall be in Addis Ababa, but development activities shall be in Arya Jawi and its environs.


3.2   In the interest of reducing costs, no office or secretariat has been provided for in this constitution. However, costs involving correspondence and communications shall be covered as per the decision of the Executive Committee.

Article   4.   OBJECTIVES OF THE FOUNDATION

4.1To introduce the Buraka descendants to one another and create stronger ties between them.
4.2To honor, and pay tribute to, Buraka the father of the Arya Jawi nation.
4.3To deepen and cherish family sentiment and genealogical roots among the descendants by inculcating the same in future generations especially among the diaspora.
4.4To conduct research into the culture of the Oromos living in Arya Jawi and its environs and to keep the descendants, especially the younger generation,  informed and knowledgeable about their family roots.
4.5 To plan and implement community development activities such as roads, schools and health facilities, early childhood development, water supply, environmental rehabilitation, nutrition education, credit schemes, etc. with the objective of improving the living conditions of the inhabitants.
4.7To create a  cultural center and a museum   entrusted with the task of cultural revival, renewal, and the development local talent in  music, art, story-telling, etc. as well as space for cultural exchange where community members can put on, and enjoy shows and exhibits. 
4.6To provide scholarships for outstanding students.
4.7   To carry out any other activities in line with the aims and objectives of the Foundation, which is in all, respects apolitical.

Article   5.      MEMBERSHIP

All Buraka descendants and spouses, as well as those related by marriage, who subscribe to the objective of this Foundation shall be members.

Article  6. ORGAN  OF  THE  FOUNDATION

6.1General Assembly

6.1.1All Buraka descendants and their spouses shall constitute the general                  assembly.
6.1.2The general assembly shall make all policy decisions and receive reports             from the Executive Committee.
6.1.3The General meeting shall elect an Executive Committee of seven                         members and appoint auditors.
6.1.4Members who cannot attend general meetings due to physical distance               can express their views by whatever media at their disposal, or by proxy.
6.1.5The general meeting may delegate to the Executive Committee powers to            carry out the functions of the Foundation.
6.1.6The General Assembly shall meet annually for the transaction of the                  foundation’s business.



6.2Executive Committee

6.2.1The executive committee shall have seven members elected by he general              meeting.
6.2.2The executive committee shall carry out, with integrity and 
       accountability, all of the functions of the Foundation based on the mandate             given to it by general meeting.
6.2.3It shall appoint sub-committees for specific activities of the foundation.
6.2.4It shall meet at least once a month to attend to the business of the                         Foundation.
6.2.5It shall report to the general meeting  on its financial and developmental             activities.
6.2.6It shall recruit coordinators of the program of the foundation.
6.2.7It shall keep good records on activities of the foundation including a list             of the membership
6.2.8It shall establish ground rules and facilitate division of labor among                    members.

6.3Sub-Committee

6.3.1The sub-committees established by the Executive Committee shall carry out activities such as advocacy, fund raising, etc. which shall advance the causes of the Foundation.
6.3.2The sub-committees shall conduct regular communication and submit reports to the Executive Committees  on their activities.


Article 7.   Founding Members

The founding members whose names and signatures are found below will serve as Steering Committee until the Executive Committee is elected to take over the management of the Foundation.

Article   8.    LIFE OF THE FOUNDATION

The foundation has been established for an indefinite period of time.

Article   9.      MEMBERSHIP FEES

All members upon registration shall pay  USD _____ or its equivalent in Birr.

Article   10.    CONTRIBUTIONS

10.1 Each member shall make a monthly contribution of UDS ______ or its                equivalent in Birr.
10.2Members who live abroad are encouraged to contribute generously in                 addition to their regular contributions.
10.3All payments will be made against valid receipts.
10.4   All contributions/ donations shall be deposited in a bank account opened            in the name of the Foundation.
10.5The foundations accounts shall be audited once a year. The report shall              be shared with members.

Article   12.     TRANSITION

12.1The Founding members shall be in charge of the management of the Foundation’s affairs until a duly elected Executive Committee is put in place.
12.2The founding members shall appoint two persons of integrity to operate the finances of the Foundation until an official account is opened.

Article   13.     ELECTIONS 

Elections of the Executive Committee members shall be every two years.

Article   14.      AMENDMENT

The constitution may be amended where three-fourths of the members attending the general meeting vote in favor of amendment.

FOUNDING MEMBERS

Ato Kebebew Daka
Dr. Aynalem Adugna
Ato George Wolde
Ato Fikru Regassa
Ato Tsegaab Kebebew
Ato Markos Regassa
Mrs. Ana Hadjiliades
Woizero Kidist Kebebew Daka

Supporting members

Dr. Hirut Terefe Gemeda
W/o Meselech Terefe Gemeda
W/o Metadel Terefe Gemeda
Ato Girma Dafa
Ato Girma Terefe Gemeda
Ato Aklilu Terefe Gemeda
Ato Wube Gemeda
Ato Dereje Terefe Gemeda
Ato Mesfin Terefe Gemeda
W/o Tsige Terefe gemeda
W/o Yehualashet Terefe Gemeda
W/o Firehiwot (Chuchu) Terefe Gemeda
Ato Salasib Shiferaw
Ato Fekadu Bayissa
W/o Lakech Beyene
Ato Daniel Fekadu
W/o Mitike Bayissa
W/o Nitsuh Alemayehu
W/o Ribka Alemayehu
W/o Hiwot Fekadu Bayissa
W/o Azeb Fekadu Bayissa
W/o Mulu Adugna Jekon
W/t Hawi Jirata
Ato Tolossa Jirata
Ato Abreham Mio
Ato Negatu Mio
W/o Meseret Mio

Listed as additional supporting members

Leilo Tilahun Gobena
Dr. Talile Tilahun Gobena
Ato Mathias Tilahun Gobena
Dr Ermias Tilahun Gobena
Dr. Amanuel Gobena