New Members of the Executive Council for 2012/2013 at the Tofamamao retreat in late March 2012

SUNGO members celebrate the success of the Organisation during its 14^th AGM

Almost 50% of SUNGOs new Executive consists of new members representing various member organisations. As SUNGO farewells its Immediate Past President Vaasiliifiti Moelagi Jackson who served 2 consecutive terms as the National President for SUNGO, she also welcomes a new hero Seumanuula Moana Clarke to steer the organisation for the next 2 years in support of her newly elected council members.

The Samoa Umbrella for Non Governmental Organisations (SUNGO) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday 1^st February 2012 at the STA Fale, Mulivai where its Audited Financial Accounts for the year 2010-11 including the annual budget and work plan for the year 2011-12 were tabled and approved by its members.

Members of the organisation praised the success of the organisation though there were lots of challenges faced during the past financial year. Members also moved a motion that SUNGO should step up its focus on helping weak organisations to become successful.

“I challenge the new Executive that building and helping our members must become the priority of SUNGO in the years to come” says Vaasiliifiti in her final speech as President of SUNGO.

I offer to commit myself to the services of the organisation in my term as President”, says Seumanuula Moana Clarke in her opening speech as President.

More than 50 members attended the meeting from both Upolu and Savaii to witness the progress of the Organisation into achieving its vision and mission as outlined from the Strategic Plan 2011-2016. The Opening Ceremony started with a prayer by Rev. Feterika Motu, the Assistant Minister EFKS Tuanai.

Members have voted and as results the new Executive Council was elected as follows;

Office Bearers:

National President: Seumanuula Moana Clarke (Animal Protection Society)

Vice President: Vaasiliifiti Moelagi Jackson (Faasao I Savaii Society)

National Secretary: Lia’I Iosefa (Samoa Family Health Association) - later replaced by substitute Leveti due to appointment as CEO of the Samoa Family Health Asc

National Treasurer: Raymond Voigt (Beekeepers’ Associations of Samoa Incorporation)

Board Members:

Tafua Breda Tipi-Tufuga (Goshen Trust)

Rev. Reupena Leau (Piu Community)

Mailo Sio (Vaiusu Catholic Youth)

Saumalu Saufoi (Taulasea Samoa)

Namulauulu N Potoi (Samoa Aids Foundation)

Alaifea Laititi (PPSEAWA)

Tuala Ponifasio (Nuanua O Le Alofa)

Reserve Board Members:

Solomona Hafoka (Tanugamanono Methodist Youth)

Unasa Peau (Sosaiete O Atina’e o Aiga)

Rev.Feterika Motu (Courier of Samoa)

This is one of the much anticipated proposals SUNGO has made to the government. After the public consultation about the issue of More Women In Parliament in March, awaited was the respond to the proposed constitution to be submitted to the Parliament Committee for consideration. Now the wait is over when SUNGO came face to face with the committee on the 1^st of May to discuss its submission. Although there were only six representatives present that day, it didn’t impede SUNGO to proceed because of its role as the voice of the people. It was very challenging because tensions were high as members were unsure of the outcome. Hence preparations were probably analyzed in all possible levels that might become confrontational.

Prior to the meeting, all members agreed that Lemalu Nele(media) would present the submission. Everyone else will have input on some of the issues that she might miss out. “This is the first ever confrontational submission to the Parliament Committee I have ever involved with”; she said “I strongly support the proposal, and for that reason I was honored when I was chosen to present our submission.”

Overall, in marked contrast to any discarded opinions on the issue, the meeting has fostered a more civil and less disruptive form of conflict resolution through dialogue and negotiations. After the proposal was delivered, the chairman of the committee MP Patea gave the opportunity to other members of the committee to reflect upon what they thought of the proposal. None shared a different idea to reject but very supportive of the proposal. They even complimented SUNGO on a very comprehensive report and the initiative to collect opinions from the public on the issue.

He continued that SUNGO should consider approaching the Electoral Committee. “The best alternative is to cater for all possible angles to ensure the support is enough when the issue is debated”, he said.

Supported by Lemalu, Vaasili Moelagi said, “This is the positive way forward that will save us in the future. Not so much of the idea that we women want to race against our brothers in political leadership, but the recognition of our role as advisors.”

Gender equality also plays a vital role in the process, even though it contradicts to the cultural philosophies to some extent.

Nevertheless, the submission was successful

Aoaoga mo le Faafoega o Faalapotopotoga

SUNGO and  Samoa In-County Training Programme

Name of Course:                   Advanced Computer Skills

Dates of Course:                     21 May – 25 May 2012

Time of Course:                      9am – 12pm Mon,Wed,Frid and 9am - 3pm Tues,Thurs

Name of Trainer:                    Tanielu Dan Aiafi

Venue:                                     SUNGO Training Centre Vaitele

Contact Organisation:             SUNGO

Course Costs:                         $50 SUNGO Members, $100 Non Members

Maximum Number of Participants:             18

Description of Course:

This training aims to build on the basic computer skills of participants by developing further skills in more advance software as well as upgraded basic applications. There are aspects of commonly used software which can be utilized to enhance office productivity.

Course Objectives:

• To understand and be able to undertake the maintenance required to keep a computer in effective condition through regular virus checking, and use of computer optimisation tools.
• To understand and be able to apply sound file management skills to ensure the effective organisation and management of computer records.
• To be able to use email as an effective communications tool using distribution lists and archiving of messages and to use the internet in an effective way to research information.
• To be able to use the more advanced features of Word including use of tables, headers and footers, effective pagination, page numbering, tracking, table of contents and effective formatting.
• To be able to use features of Excel for budgeting (key calculations, linking, advanced formatting) and be able to use Excel as a database by setting up a simple database (key functions – sort, filters, simple pivot tables etc)

Trainer’s Profile

Tanielu Dan AIAFI has substantial training experience in the area of Information Communication Technology (ICT).  He has coordinated and conducted ICT training for many countries in the Pacific Region including Samoa. He has a Masters in Information Systems and a Bachelor of Education majoring in computer Studies from Australian Universities.  He is currently the ICT Adviser for SPC’s Pacific ICT Outreach Programme and is currently based in Suva, Fiji.

Selection Criteria for participants to attend this course:

This course is specifically directed at staff/participants who have basic familiarity and knowledge with computer systems and applications and are looking to develop these skills.

For more information please contact:

Lote Lima, ICTP Officer, SUNGO This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phone: 24322 or 7524322

If you would like attend this course, contact SUNGO as soon as possible to book a place. Places are limited with preference given to SUNGO member organisations.

Aoaoga mo Faalapotopotoga o Tagata Lautele

Please register any Community Based Organisation you might have affiliation with to our last Managing Organisation Course run under the EU NSA Programme.

Date: 22-24 May 2012

Venue: Central Upolu, To be confirmed

Time: 9am – 2pm

Managing covers major  topics in;

• Good Governance at CBO level
• How Committee works
• Communications and Planning
• Finances

Note that the course is delivered in Samoa with all training materials translated in Samoan for easier accessibility of CBOs.

For more information please contact

Ofusina Toamua-Ieremia at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Capacity Buiding Officer on 24322