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LINK: www.ngwanational.org A SUMMARY REPORT.
It is totally in order to begin this report with a congratulatory remark to the Ihie Old Students Association, Tri-State of NY NJ and CT for hosting a very successful maiden convention. The Ihie alumni convention of 2006 in New Jersey has been adjudged a very successful event. Congratulations, Tri-State!
The two major objectives of the occasion, reunion and the formation of an association were effectively achieved. Reunion: the convention witnessed the largest gathering of Ihie alumni ever. A get-together of this nature usually digs up memories and emotions that are altogether impossible to capture in prose. The interaction, the handshakes and embrases; the jokes and stories shared; and the memories. You had to be part of the picture to understand the feeling.
The second objective: formation of a continental association for Ihie alumni in the USA and Canada was flawlessly executed. It is hoped that this association will become the instrument for the actualization of alumni aspirations to ourselves and to our alma mater. However, the immediate task of this body should be to organize Ihie alumni in USA and Canada into one strong and united organization. The success of this objective will depend largely on every alumnus - each one of us. If you are able to give yourself two solid reasons why, as an ex-Ihie, you should NOT be a member of this association; then you are excused.
Although there was an understanding at the Golden Jubilee celebration in Houston (November 2003) that the Tri-State would host the convention, there was much doubt and uncertainty about our ability to host worldwide Ihie alumni in an international convention. The possibility of playing host was still being debated as late as March 2005. There were important reasons for this skepticism. The Tri-State had very little money. Inaugurated in 2000, the association depended solely on a one-time registration fee ($50.00) and the annual dues ($50.00) of members for it's finances. We had only thirty-two registered members, in January of 2005, and about $5000.00 in our bank account.
With this much resource, how do we host a convention that might cost more than four times our entire capital worth? It had become obvious by now that the Caretaker Committee, appointed in Houston to organize the convention, would offer no financial help. And, other reasonable concerns were raised. What is the wisdom of spending this much money to host a convention, rather than expend the much we have to execute a project for Ihie? Isn't it fiscal irresponsibility on the part of the leadership to drag the association into a project that might not only bankrupt it, but likely to put the association in debt? Thus, how to fund the convention and the wisdom of spending such a large sum of money for a mere get-together were still being debated by March 2005.
The second, and probably more important reason for doubt about our ability to host a successful convention is apathy; alumni apathy. Ihie alumni in the tri-state area of NY NJ and CT should easily number in the three digits, yet we had only 32 registered members by March of 2005. Please do not think that we did not try to bring our brothers and sisters into the ADHISCANA boat. We did. We tried every strategy in and off the books - phone calls, letters, emails, visiting their homes - we begged, we appealed and sometimes scolded those we could scold. We even tried blackmail (like: "how could you be so indifferent to issues concerning the welfare of your alma mater, when you owe her so much?" or "you are what you are today because of what Ihie gave to you, yet you don't seem to care"). Believe me we tried, and we keep trying too.
Alumni apathy is not exclusive to the Tri-State. I was privileged to attend a national meeting of our alumni association in Nigeria in April of this year and the story was no different. Every chapter president or chapter representative at the meeting gave the same report of alumni disinterest in the affairs of the alumni association. Many of the chapters were either inactive or moribund including the Aba Chapter, which the current president, Dr. Ejike Nzotta said he was in the process of resuscitating back to life.
The apathy is so rampant that our QUARTERLY general meetings have an average attendance of nine members. In one meeting, only five members were present. Only the same group of persons shows up at each meeting. So how do we host an international convention with this level membership commitment and the amount of money we have?
These were entirely honest concerns but time was running out and the decision to host or not to host the convention had to be made. In February 2005, two tentative dates were proposed for the convention. Groups were also sent out to find a venue (and cost) for the convention. The feedback for these inquiries was presented in our April meeting. It was at this meeting that members of the Tri-State fully resolved and committed themselves to host the convention. From this point on, it was full speed ahead.
Two convention committees were set up but we liked to remind ourselves that the general house was indeed the committee since everyone was engaged in multiple committee responsibilities for the convention. Between April and August 2005, all the procedures and arrangements for the hosting of the convention were put in place.
We signed an agreement with the Marriott as the convention venue. Members voted to levy themselves to fund the convention. We also agreed to increase the frequency of our meetings from every three months to once every month. Letters were sent out soliciting for money. Our fund drive got a boost when we received $2750.00 as donations from three different ex-students. A refreshing observation is that member response and participation improved dramatically as everyone seemed to have been infected by the convention fever. The only one issue that took a lot of time to resolve was how to feed our guests. Eventually, it was resolved by the ingenuity of members and green card holders (spouses of members) who found a perfect solution such that we were able to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner (with snacks in-between), to our guests for the duration of the convention.
The programmed events were, a vespar service on Friday evening, June 30. On Saturday July 1, there were two events: a church service for Adventists and a plenary session of all attendees in a conference where the national association was formally born. On Sunday July 2, there was a church service for Sunday worshippers. Later in the day another general meeting was held where the national officers were elected and sworn-in. The 2006 convention ended with a grand finale – the banquet, which started at 9 pm and lasted until the early hours of Monday, July 3. All the events were superbly handled.
In future conventions, we appeal that non-Sunday worshipers, should please attend the Sunday church service as well. Attendance to this event was scanty, and the female evangelist, an ex-student was phenomenal. Also, the last event, the banquet is very important because this is probably the only event where non-alumni may freely participate. Funds may also be raised at the banquet. The success therefore, of a banquet/gala night will depend largely on the ability of the event organizers to invite non-alumni in the community to attend the banquet.
The 2006 Ihie alumni convention in North America will go down in history as a major success. The credit for this goes to the entire membership of the Tri-State of NY NJ and CT and the green card holders. The planning of the convention required the sacrifice of time, running around as well as money; all of which are major sacrifice in todays world. Credit also goes to those Ihie alumni in the tri-state who are not yet registered as members of the association. Some were present at the convention events. Others were not. We want you to remember that everything we do now and all that we shall do in the future, is done on behalf of the entire Ihie alumni - registered member of association or not. You will always be part of the credit or rebuke that we receive for anything we do. So it is much better for you to be on the inside, rather than on the outside. It is never too late to become a member.
Credit also goes to all the attendees some of who were able to bring along their family on this maiden pilgrimage. We salute you. Just as alumni spouses get acquainted and receive their green cards, so also should our children get to know one another. The Ihie legacy has been a powerful instrument in our lives. It will be a victory to pass it on to those that come after us. Making such a trip requires time, money and the support and goodwill of spouses. We particularly salute those who made the trip from Nigeria.
Finally, much credit also goes to those who, for one reason or the other, could not attend the convention. We know that if you had your way, you would attend. But, do not worry; 2008 is around the corner. That is going to be an even bigger event.
Since this was the first convention, we know that lessons have been learnt to make future conventions even better. As the first convention, the objectives were few and simple. The objectives of future conventions will be bolder and far more complex so as to accomodate the visions for which the national association was inaugurated. Similarly, the commitment and sacrifices that will be required of alumni will become larger and more demanding. We have no doubt that Ihie alumni will be equal to the task because commitment and sacrifice are qualities that the alma mater implanted in every student that walked through the gates of that great institution.
Uche Njoku.
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GREETINGS AND WELCOME: FROM THE PRESIDENT
It gives me special joy to welcome you to this historic event – the First, ever international convention of Adventist/Ihie High School alumni in North America. The seed for this great event was sewn in November 2003 at the Golden Jubilee Anniversary Celebration organized by the dynamic alumni in Houston, the Adhiscana of Houston, Texas. The success of that gathering inspired the Tri State to accept the challenge of hosting this epic event. The challenges of the planning have been enormous. That we are hosting the entire worldwide alumni of the great institution of Adventist/Ihie High School is a testimony of the diligence and hardiness of Tri State alumni – qualities, not unrelated to their ADHISCO roots. On behalf of the entire alumni resident in the tri-state area, I welcome you to the First International Convention of Adventist/Ihie High School alumni.
One of the important objectives of this event will be the formation of a continental association of Adventist/Ihie High School alumni resident in the USA and Canada. To this effect, a constitutional draft has been produced and made available to each attendee. If ratified this document will be the charter of this great organization, which in my view is long overdue.
I believe that the absence of this organization has greatly impacted alumni contribution to the alma mater. Adventist/Ihie High School is a great school that produced great men and women of remarkable wealth and experience, men and women who have achieved great success in their various fields of endeavor. Everyone wants to give back something to Ihie that gave so much to us. Unfortunately, the forum necessary to organize alumni into action was missing. It is my earnest wish that this august gathering eliminates this vacuum by putting in place a union that will organize regular reunions such as this, as well as vigorously pursue a project to benefit our dear alma mater. Other responsibilities of this body should also include the establishment of alumni associations where ever Ihie alumni are resident in the North American subcontinent, no matter how few they may be.
Since the last time we gathered in Houston two and half years ago, a lot has happened in this family – graduations, marriages and weddings, even relocations to more desirable geographical locations. Let me congratulate those who were part of these happy events of individual growth and accomplishment. Inevitably we have also had bereavements and deaths of loved ones and of some alumni. At this point, I request that we stand and observe a moment’s silence in honor of our departed comrades. Thank you.
This occasion was made possible by the tireless effort and sacrifice of a group. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in thanking the men and women of the Tri-State. Each and everyone sacrificed their time and money to make this happen. For me, it has been an honor to serve the Tri-State. My thanks and gratitude also go to the President of ADHISCANA, Houston, Dr Charles Imo. He was our consultant on all matters regarding this event. This section will be incomplete without a special thank you to Chiboy, our web-master. He hosts and maintains the ADHISCANA website without any cost to Ihie alumni. Finally, let me thank the Care-taker Committee members for the advisory and supervisory role they played in the planning of this event. Thank you one and ALL.
In the beginning of this message, I noted the formation of a continental association for Ihie alumni was one of the important objectives of this event. The very most important objective of this event however is REUNION - the reunification of this very large family after many years (decades for many). The Tri-State has gone to a great length to ensure that we do so in style and in comfort. Please forget everything else and have fun. Once again ladies and gentlemen, let me thank you for being part of history and may the good Lord be with us every inch of the way. Thank you.
Uche Njoku
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