Oromia Online - OSA Must Continue to Function as an Independent Scholarly Oromo Voice

We the undersigned members of the OSA and past officers would like to inform members at large, and other genuine Oromos, and friends of the Oromo about a very ominous concern over the path which our Scholarly Association has taken during the past one year. This tragic episode has severely compromised the credibility of OSA as a scholarly association. This statement is intended to provide you with evidences in order for you to take necessary actions and join us in the struggle to reinstate OSA as a scholarly Oromo organization.

In the following, we will present the specifics which have led us to arrive at this conclusion. We have chosen to speak out at this juncture because we deeply believe in the sanctity of scholarship in general, and OSA scholarship in particular. We have no personal stake whatsoever in this matter. And we harbor no animosity with or alliance to any single individual or political group. Our commitments remain un-wavered to the cause of the Oromo people’s struggle for freedom. We ask the reader to weigh our concerns and arrive at your own conclusion. For us, an OSA that does not live up to the expected highest level of ethical and professional standards ceases to be scholarly association.

We are releasing this statement to register our grave concern regarding the destructive, unscholarly, and anti-democratic developments in OSA since August 2005 and particularly in relation to the events during the 2006 OSA conference. As OSA members, we are gravely concerned, not only about what has been happening, but also the future direction of OSA based on the sham election of new officers during the July 30th 2006 business meeting.

The 2006 OSA awards, the manner in which the General Assembly meeting was conducted, the conference schedule (e.g. the allocation of disproportionate prime-time to pro-Ethiopian speakers), and the election process are all indications of OSA's regression from a scholarly organization to partisan politics with one function of the splintered OLF cadres as the show-masters.

OSA is a scholarly organization established to promote Oromo scholarship and to serve as an academic voice of the Oromo people. OSA is organized exclusively for scientific and educational inquiries as specified in Section 501© (3) of the Internal Revenue code, as amended in 1986. As a scholarly organization in the past two decades, the Oromo Studies Association has succeeded in:

For the past 20 years, OSA scholars have managed to write the true Oromo history, correct the false and more-often degrading and dehumanizing stories written by Abyssinian clerics and their anti-Oromo foreign advisors during the past century. Today, international scholars, politicians, journalists, and those interested in Oromo issues rely on OSA publications for references. In just two decades, OSA scholars were able to reverse a century old anti-Oromo propaganda by owning and empowering Oromo scholarship.

OSA’s past successes are the results of its perceptive strategies. On the one hand, it made sure to be independent of Abyssinian educational outlook and institutions by focusing on its primary mission of reconstructing and broadening the horizons of Oromo scholarship within and beyond its organization. The second important strategy was making OSA independent of any Oromo political organization in running its affairs. OSA has, however, had harmonious relations with the different Oromo political, religious, sports, and community groups in organizing meetings and cultural events.

OSA is not a political organization, but it has a role in the Oromo national movement. Its scholarship actively promotes the interests of the Oromo people by fighting against violations of their human and political rights and by promoting social justice and democracy. To be neutral does not mean disengagement. Given the political oppression being perpetrated against the Oromo people, OSA members can not afford the luxury of being detached theoreticians seeking and finding comfort, only in the ivory tower of academia. As Oromo scholars, they combine scholarship with their concern for justice. They are engaged scholars who are committed to both the basic tenets of scholarly disciplines and the struggle for social justice, democracy, and human freedom. As an organization of assertive scholars, OSA members participate in the national struggle. Keeping a delicate balance between the organization’s scholarly mission and political inputs is first and foremost OSA leaders’ prime responsibility.

Over the past two decades, OSA has helped organize several demonstrations against Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) regime's human rights violations on the Oromo and other oppressed peoples. OSA also wrote several appeal letters to international organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, several influential governments, and Human Rights Organizations exposing TPLF's genocidal policies toward the Oromo. OSA accomplished such noble tasks while keeping its scholarly integrity, independence, and any undue influence or control from any political organization.

An Oromo political organization may wish to have OSA on its side and strive to have OSA fully identify only with its political program. Such a relationship should, however, be avoided by OSA as it would not serve its scholarly mission. Consequently, OSA must maintain its neutrality, scholarly autonomy, organizational mission, and the interest of its members.

Regrettably, some of the elected officers in both the Board and Executive Committee had shirked their responsibilities and compromised the political neutrality and thereby also jeopardized the status of OSA as a scholarly organization. The behaviors and actions of the officers also showed a serious lack of respect for democracy.

The manner in which the panels were organized and presentations were sequenced to benefit preferred speakers, awards were given, and OSA business meeting was conducted exhibited utter neglect of responsibility. The officers (Drs. Asfaw Beyene and Asafa Jalata, in particular) failed not only to listen to the concerns of members and the counsel of former OSA scholars regarding the danger of divisive decisions. Unfortunately the sort of political machinations which had visited the Oromo Liberation Front, several Oromo community organizations, Oromo churches, and Oromo political organizations during the past decade has finally infected OSA in 2006.

OSA Membership

During the past 19 years, with a few exceptions, OSA membership was limited to academicians, scholars, researchers, and professionals in different fields of research and publications. Although OSA membership was open to all Oromo and non-Oromo individuals in line with all other scholarly societies, those who joined OSA not only understood the fundamental Oromo national question, but they were also qualified and contributing members to Oromo scholarship. The 2005-2006 membership drive was much different. Many of the new members neither meet the basic qualification nor have the knowledge of the ethical standards of learned societies to resist being used as tools by those who wanted to control OSA. This had negative consequences on the election of new officers at the 2006 OSA business meeting.

Election of officers

The business meeting was fraught with preplanned schemes to justify the end, i.e. designed for the take-over of OSA by a faction whose aims will only bring damage on the organization. First, the President did not make adequate allowance of time for properly conducting the business of OSA. Second, while important agenda items such as the controversial 2006 OSA Award decision and election of officers are pending, time wasting tactics were employed resulting in the forced evacuation of the participating members from the building, and the improper conduct of the 2006 business meeting and the election run by Dr. Baisa Lemu.

By a deliberate intellectual dishonesty exhibited before and during the ”election” and the chaotic street election process, new recruits who have no history of any scholarly contributions in OSA or other associations, and some individuals known for their disgraceful records in Oromo struggle were able to usurp OSA’s Executive Committee (EC) and the Board of Directors (BD) positions. Most OSA members are keenly aware of the fact that some Oromo in the Diaspora who served under the current and previous Ethiopian regimes, show divided loyalty, and some are responsible for labeling their own people as “narrow” nationalists. The 2006 OSA conference membership drive included such personalities and, unprecedented in any society, OSA membership swelled and doubled from July 29 to July 30-- barely in 2 days. These newly minted OSA recruits joined for no other purpose other than to deliver the numbers necessary to control OSA leadership and to give the façade of democratic elections.

When such egregious violations of basic scholarly standards occur, it is the duty and responsibility of members to challenge the perpetrators in order to preserve the integrity, sanctity, and scholarly image of OSA which has been achieved by the dedication and supreme sacrifices of Oromo and non-Oromo scholars. What transpired at the 2006 Oromo Studies conference in Minneapolis can not, and should not be tolerated according to OSA constitution and the rules and regulations governing scholarly societies in the U.S. The immediate and unconditional restoration of OSA is, therefore, of paramount importance to continue the reversal of past and ongoing Abyssinian distortions of Oromo history, culture, and everything Oromo.

OSA Awards

The 2006 OSA award decision process was a flagrant violation of the cardinal rules that govern professional code of conduct. First, it was undemocratic because it was conducted under a cloud of secrecy mired with deception, cronyism, and conflict of interest. It had more to do with the internal Oromo politics than anything remotely scholarship. All scholarly associations from the humanities to the social sciences, basic, and the medical sciences universally recognize an obligation to uphold and promote some basic principles of ethical conduct in their profession. Central to these principles are the recognition of meritorious scholarship and avoidance of any appearance of conflict of interest in the processes of evaluating the work of colleagues and students. Scholars and scholarly institutions that may be tempted to live outside the bounds of this professional code of conduct do so at their own demise. To this end, a scholarly OSA is no exception.

Second, we have ample evidence which shows Obbo Leenco Lata (one of the four 2006 OSA awardees) did not get the number of votes necessary to win the award. The award was botched and orchestrated by Dr. Asfaw Beyene and Dr. Asafa Jalata. As top OSA officers, the primary responsibility of these two individuals should have been taking the full custody of OSA, protecting, and defending the sanctity of its scholarship to the hilt. By the yardsticks described above, the decision to confer the 2006 OSA award upon Obbo Leenco Lata was totally flawed. In the paragraphs that follow, we will present evidences that will establish the above allegations. We will occasionally refer to some documented emails to make the issues more lucid. By attempting to present the full account of the situation, we hope to afford the reader to arrive at his/her own conclusion independently.

On the 9th of July, 2006, the members of the BD received an email from Dr. Asafa Jalata containing Dr. Asfaw Beyene’s letter of July the 7th, 2006, and informing the nomination of Obbo Dabbasa Guyo, Dr. Hamdessa Tusso, and Obbo Leenco Lata for the 2006 OSA award. The letter disclosed the EC’s recommendations for Obbo Dabbasa Guyo (by a unanimous vote of 5 out of 5 votes) and Dr. Hamdessa Tuso (by a 4 out of 5 votes). The nomination of Obbo Leenco Lata was rejected by a majority vote, i.e. 3 out of 5 voted against (see Attachment - I in the attachment). Attached to the same email also was Dr. Asafa Jalata’s nomination of Obbo Leenco Lata for the award, and a personal recommendation for the nominee (see Attachments - II & III in the attachment).

Many of the BD members were surprised by this email because it was the first time the members were informed anything about the 2006 OSA award. There was no call issued to the members for the nomination (see Attachment - IV in the attachment). Recognizing the gravity of the situation, three of the BD members independently requested Dr. Asafa Jalata to convene BD meeting in Minneapolis to discuss the matter. The meeting date was suggested for Friday July the 28th late in the afternoon (see Attachments -IV to VIII in the attachment). This was done to make sure issues were discussed and decisions were made before the OSA general meeting date, which would start the next day.

Despite the genuine efforts made by these BD members, Drs. Asafa Jalata and Asfaw Beyene were determined not to hold the meeting. As one could see in the attached Attachmentses - VIII & IX, a mirage of inconceivable stumbling blocks (delays, evasiveness, endless deceptive tactics, unseen before in the way professional organizations do business) were put in the way simply to deny the Board from meeting and asking hard and honest professional questions. The efforts of the Board members were made in good faith to find somewhat democratic solution to a very serious issue confronting OSA. But the two top OSA officers did not want the truth to come out because they knew the truth was not on their side. Instead, they chose to frustrate the Board members by treating them with utter contempt. The Chair of the Board is responsible to the Board, but does not have the right to dictate to the members. However, Dr. Asafa Jalata acted as if the OSA bylaws were not worth the paper they are written on. Thus, by blocking the truth from being heard, our officers have finally succeeded awarding the 2006 highest OSA award to Obbo Leenco Lata.

Obbo Leenco Lata ‘s OSA award is mired with conflict of interest

On July the 30th, 2006, OSA’s highest award was given to all the four nominees. As indicated above, the Board members, although asked to vote on the nominees, were totally excluded from participating in the nomination, the voting, the counting of tallies, and the final approval of the award. To this day, the majority of the BD members are oblivious of how many votes each candidate for the award has received and how the decision to make the final award was made, etc.

Based on our research and findings, we now know that Obbo Leenco Lata actually did not get the necessary votes to win the 2006 OSA award. In fact, according to our findings, he only received TWO legitimate votes. Here is why:

Three of the "six" members of the Board did not vote for Obbo Leenco Lata. Even if the remaining three Board members may have voted in the affirmative for Obbo Leenco Leta, we argue that at least two of the votes are null and void on technical grounds. Here are the reasons:

Obbo Beyan Asoba whose name was listed as a member of the board, technically should not have been in the list as a member of the Board in 2005/2006. Obbo Beyan Asoba was elected to the Board in absentia which is a violation of the OSA bylaws. This was disclosed to the Council by the President at OSA business meeting on July the 30th. The BD members, other than the Chairman and the President, were totally oblivious of the non-membership status of Obbo Beyan Asoba to the Board. We believe the President and the Chairman deliberately withheld this crucial information from the Board.
According to OSA bylaws as amended in 2002, the President is an ex-officio member of the Board without voting rights. Therefore, Dr. Asfaw Beyene’s vote for Leenco Lata doesn’t count.
That leaves only Dr. Mohammed Hassen’s vote which we assume is a “Yes” vote and that of Asafa Jalata who nominated Leenco for the award. Taking these points into consideration, we are convinced that Obbo Leenco Lata received only TWO legitimate “Yes” votes; in other words these are only two out of the five available votes.

In spite of the three votes against and two votes for Obbo Leenco Lata by the Board, Drs. Asfaw Beyene and Asafa Jalata made a unilateral decision to declare Leenco Lata as a winner of the 2006 OSA award. From this tragic episode, one can only conclude the actions of these OSA officers have more to do with internal Oromo politics than any professional and responsible action. As concerned OSA members and past officers, we cannot accept the legitimacy of the award bestowed on Obbo Leenco Lata in good faith.

As a result of this unprecedented dereliction of duty by these two people, OSA is now reduced to nothing more than a wing of a political party. The abandonment of OSA’s neutrality will benefit no one person, group, or any political party. As OSA members and past officers, we are solemnly concerned about the erosion of OSA scholarship in front of our very eyes. That is why we are forced to speak out against the manner in which the 2006 OSA Award was given to Obbo Leenco Lata. The hope here is to inform concerned Oromo nationals and friends of the Oromo so that they will not only assist to bring OSA back on its scholastic track, but also to join those who are fighting for the neutrality of OSA from any private interests.

The next step to reinstate OSA

In summary, the EC President and BD Chairman had trampled on OSA’s bylaws with impunity, bending the truth at every conceivable junction during their term of office in 2005/2006. This was not the case of only one individual crossing the line; the assault occurred at both the Executive and the BDs’ levels. The total lack of professional ethic displayed by Drs. Asafa Jalata and Asfaw Beyene is appalling. This is a very serious matter, because these two OSA officers are supposed to be academicians, scholars, researchers who certainly advise graduate students, publish research findings, and strive for accurate reporting. Instead, these individuals have acted as politicians. Letting these officers, who acted as politicians rather than scholars, get away with their manipulations is tantamount to signing OSA’s death warrant as a scholarly organization. Unless this is corrected immediately, no one will accept any academic output in the name of OSA as scholarly. Furthermore, Oromo scholars who care about their own academic integrity may not participate in the organization, or publish articles in the Journal of Oromo Studies (JOS). We should not allow this happen.

There are several reasons for protecting OSA’s scholarly integrity with an utmost vigilance. To begin with, OSA is the only organization whose mission is to advance the scientific knowledge about the Oromo people. In a scientific community, any information emanating from a scholarly organization or its members, by definition, is universally considered trustworthy until proven otherwise by scientific inquiries. Making OSA a playground for political parties automatically compromises its acceptance, not only by the typically critical academic community, but also by Oromos who understand that political and academic activities should be clearly delineated. Protecting OSA from any sort of political manipulation is, therefore, tantamount to respecting the interests and rights of its members.

Also, there are many other aspects which makes OSA an important organization in the life of the Oromo Nation. For instance, it can be a forum where the best and brightest Oromos train and acquire the needed experience in a variety of disciplines. OSA can be a forum by which careers in Oromo studies get the required visibility, advancement, and reputation at the national and international levels. There is hardly such a medium for Oromos today, other than OSA. Such an organization is absolutely essential in today's competitive world. This can only happen if OSA's scholarly status is faithfully guarded. Protecting OSA’s scholarly integrity is the duty of, not only its members, but of all concerned Oromos including leaders and members of genuine Oromo political organizations.

Therefore, the reinstatement of an independent OSA which is solely committed to its ideals of promoting serious Oromo scholarship in a variety of multidisciplinary areas, including history, economy, culture, language, health, education, politics, and law, and social and biological sciences without any outside interference is a must. Keeping politics out of OSA is the solemn duty of every member. No one should gain from reducing OSA to yet another one of many existing weak political organizations.

In conclusion, given the full determination of a well funded political group to keep the association under its wing, and the unholy alliance of some of the senior OSA members with this party, the odds that OSA can be reinstated back to its scholastic stature any soon, unless we rally genuine OSA scholars to intervene, is virtually none. For us personally, membership in OSA remains no longer an option so long as the association lives outside the limits of universally accepted code of scholarly conduct. Therefore, we are left with no option but to issue this statement and call on genuine scholars to join us in re-instating an independent OSA that is solely committed to its ideals. Accordingly, we call upon OSA members to take the following necessary steps to bring OSA back on track as a scholarly organization:

The July 30, 2006 sham election must be declared null and void. The previously elected members have failed in their responsibilities and the new ones were not elected democratically.
Current OSA officials who were elected illegally and who believe in the sanctity of OSA scholarship and its independence should disavow and resign from their current positions immediately.
Transitional OSA EC and BD to serve for the reminder of the year must be elected and put in place at the earliest possible time.
The transitional officers must organize the 2007 OSA annual conference.
OSA constitution must be amended in terms of membership criteria and requirements.
OSA members who were in OSA leadership positions and are found to be directly responsible for politicizing OSA and allowing a political organization to control OSA must be reprimanded and denied to assume official positions within OSA until they issue public apology, and promise to uphold the professional code of conduct of the OSA in any future professional activities.
OSA must withdraw the illegally given OSA award to Leenco Lata. OSA award given to Leenco Lata was illegitimate and must be receded.

We call upon all Oromo scholars who believe OSA should continue to function as an independent Oromo scholarly association to step forward in defense of OSA.

Attachments

Attachment – I ( EMAIL FROM DR. A. BEYENE SENT TO BDS FORWARDED ON JULY THE 9 TH, 2006, VIA DR. JALATA)

The Ex C. has decided to support the nomination of Obbo Dabbasa Guyyo unanimously.

The Ex C. has decided to support the nomination of Dr Hamdessa Tusso by 4 votes while one person abstained.

The Ex C. has decided not to support the nomination of Obbo Lenco Lata. Three votes did not support his nomination, two votes supported his nomination.

Dabbasa has a truly exciting depth of knowledge about Oromo culture, tradition, and the Gada system. He has a Center in Nairobi, “Argaa Dhagoo”, which has trained several Oromo and Non-Oromo students about the Oromo culture and tradition. Dabassa doesn’t have the formal academic training. But there lies his strength, - relying purely on his memory, he has managed to store a large amount of knowledge. He should be encouraged to continue teaching and transmitting his knowledge to the Oromo.

Dr Hamdessa is one of the founders of OSA and a long standing contributor to Oromo scholarship. His service to the Oromo struggle has also been equally magnificent. I am aware that Dr Hamdessa had personal conflicts with OSA and this has created some controversies over the last decade. It is also my understanding that Dr Hamdessa may think a wrong has been done to him by some OSA members. We should rise above such personal grievances and problems in recognizing his contribution. Dr Hamdessa continues being active in Oromo scholarship. Recently he has contributed two chapters to a new book edited by Dr Mohammed Hassen and Seyoum Hamesso. His recognition, I am convinced, will bring harmony to OSA and neutralize the skeptics that OSA has been less than all inclusive.

Asafa Jalata
Professor of Sociology, Global Studies,
and African & African American Studies
901 Mc Clung Tower
Department of Sociology
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37966

Attachment – II ( EMAIL FROM DR. A. JALATA SENT TO THE BDS ON JULY THE 9 TH, 2006)

There are three nominees for this year's OSA Award. These nominees are Obbo Dabbasa Guyo, Dr. Hamdessa Tuso and Obbo Leenco Lata. The exceutive committee has provided its recommendations. I will forward the recommendations.

Please vote on these individuals before July 15, 2006. The brief statements on Obbo Dabbasa and Dr. Hamdessa are included in the executive committee's recommendations, and the statement on Obbo Leenco is attached.

Asafa Jalata
Professor of Sociology, Global Studies,
and African & African American Studies
901 Mc Clung Tower
Department of Sociology
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37966

Attachment – III (EMAIL FROM DR. A. JALATA TO THE BDS SENT ON JULY THE 9 TH, 2006, AS AN ATTACHMENT FILE, RECOMMENDING OBBO LENCHO LETTA FOR THE OSA AWARD)

Dear Colleagues, I nominate Obbo Leenco Lata for the 2006 OSA scholarly award for his impressive intellectual contributions in Oromo and Ethiopian studies. While living in exile and facing economic and political hardship, because of his determination and scholarly commitment, he published four book chapters, one journal article, and two scholarly books. I have read almost all of his publications and testify that they are original. Three of his book chapters were published in the books I edited. These books are Oromo Nationalism and the Ethiopian Discourse (1998) and State Crises, Globalisation and National Movements in Northeast Africa (2004). The names of his two books are The Ethiopian State at the Crossroads: Decolonization and Democratization or Disintegration?, (The Red Sea Press, 1999), and The Horn of Africa as Common Homeland (Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2004). (Please read the impressive reviews of these books from JOS and Internet). His scholarly publications also include a scholarly journal article. Please see Leenco Lata, “The Ethiopian-Eritrea War,” The Review of African Political Economy, (September 2003: 369-388).

Dear colleagues, I request you that, without being intimidated by a “crowd mentality” that works against Obbo Leenco Lata because of his political position, we must make a courageous decision by recognizing his scholarly contribution.

Attachment – IV (EMAIL FROM Ms. B. HOLOCUMB SENTTO DR. A. JALATA ON JULY THE 18 TH, 2006)

I have reviewed past email traffic to see if there had been a call or notification for nominations for the 2006 OSA Award prior to posting these candidates. I see none. How did these names come to be voted upon? I would appreciate knowing how this process unfolded.

I had expected that Sisai Ibssa would naturally be nominated posthumously but am surprised to see that his name is not here. Since no one else has put forward his name I request that Sisai receive a posthumous award for his contribution to Oromo Studies. As one of the founders of OSA in 1996 and as a productive, consistent writer and speaker, he made enormous contributions to the development of Oromo Studies, both organizationally and intellectually over the course of 20 years.

I apologize for submitting this proposal late in the process, but as I said, I had hoped that this nomination would come from someone in the organization besides myself. I cannot be the only person who considers Sisai's contributions to Oromo Studies worthy of recognition and an OSA award.

Attachment – V (EMAIL FROM DR. B. GAMETCHU SENT TO DR.A. JALATA ON JULY THE 21 ST , 2006)

1. From the earlier email communication made between you and Dr. Tilahun Gamta, it is my understanding that I can now vote for an additional candidate. In that case, I cast my other vote for the late Sissai Ibsa. Sissai Ibssa’s contributions to the Oromo cause earn him this highest honor.

2. My scheduled arrival in Minneapolis on Friday July the 28 th will be late in the afternoon, sometime around 6:00 PM. Therefore, I would appreciate it very much if you could schedule OSA Board meeting, say between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. I thought it is important for all of us to be there, and I am sorry that I will not be able to arrive any sooner.

Attachment - VI (EMAIL FROM DR. T. GAMTA SENT TO DR. A. JALATA ON JULY THE 23 RD, 2006)

I think the idea of meeting sometime in the evening of 7/28/06 is good. Also, it is good to clear the air before going to the conference hall to learn from each other.

Attachment - VII (EMAIL FROM DR. B. GAMETCHU SENT TO DR. A. ASFAW BEYEN ON JULY THE 23rd, 2006)

1) as pointed out by one of the members of the Board previously, meeting one day before OSA meets will afford the opportunity to discuss and resolve some of the outstanding issues (e.g. OSA award), which OSA members will definitely inquire.

2) this will also provide the opportunity for the Board to review and approve the agenda, and examine other OSA activities.

Assuming this request is met, participation will probably increase if you schedule the meeting to start sometime between 6:30 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. Thank you.

Attachment - VIII (EMAIL FROM DR. A. BEYEN SENT TO THE BDS ON JULY THE 22 ND, 2006, VIA DR. A. JALATA)

Since most issues have been tackled by phone and email, I do not have any pending agenda that necessitate a combined meeting of OSA Ex. C. and OSA Board. Todate I have not received such a proposal either. Please let me know if OSA Board members have an agenda for which a jopint meeting is needed asap so that I can arrange a joint meeting.

Asafa Jalata
Professor of Sociology, Global Studies,
and African & African American Studies
901 Mc Clung Tower
Department of Sociology
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37966

Attachment - IX (EMAIL FROM DR. A. BEYENE SENT TO DR. A. JALATA ON JULY THE 24 TH, 2006)

Please note that OSA Ex C will have a meeting with the local organizing committee Friday evening and OSA Board members are welcome to join us. This meeting is very important to patch last minute holes. I was hoping I will avoid a long sequenced meeting for the Ex C. Per your request, I will tentatively set the joint Ex C and Board meeting for Friday evening, which could run late. I will keep it tentative until I receive from you specific agenda proposals that require a joint discussion and decision. I have received some comments on OSA business meeting; others are welcome to comment too.

Caaltu Dheressa, (Ph.D.) served as OSA Treasurer 1991-1995 and has been OSA member since its founding.
Bahiru Gametchu (Ph.D.) served as OSA Board member 1992-1995 and 2003-2006. He has been a member of JOS Editorial Board since 1993 and OSA member for the last 15 years.
Mr. Abraham Mosisa served as OSA President 2003-2004, OSA Vice President/President-elect 2001-2002 and has been OSA member since its founding.

A brief background

OSA Membership

Election of officers

OSA Awards

Obbo Leenco Lata ‘s OSA award is mired with conflict of interest

The next step to reinstate OSA

Attachments