A newly constituted Friends Group is being established in Lesotho to partner with FOL in the U.S. This initiative has the enthusiastic support of Hill Denham, PC Lesotho Director, ‘Me Thembi, PC Staff, as well as PCVs Chris Dopson, Adam Livingston, and Emily Lefholz. Martha Munson, FOL Board member, met with these contacts while in Lesotho last month to discuss this development. A follow-up conference call was conducted June 11 with Kevin Freer representing the FOL Board.
The purpose of setting up an NGO in Lesotho to partner with FOL in the U.S. is to create a stable group in Lesotho that we will be able to continue to fund projects without violating the Peace Corps' regulations. The Lesotho Friends Group will provide consistency in future communications, needs established for annual giving and future planning, as well educational and fundraising information and materials we can use in our newsletter and website.
The founding Board in Lesotho will have six positions: The President/Treasurer will be ‘Me Thembi; the Vice President/Secretary, a Mosotho to be named; two PCVs; and 2 other Basotho (‘Me Rosalia, CARE, previous PC staff; ‘Me Palesa, Skills Share Lesotho, previous PC APCD). The Constitution allows between 5 and 15 members so others can be added later on, including two representatives from FOL U.S.
PC Lesotho will provide office support and FOL U.S. will offer resources for board development and organizational support. The FOL representatives from the U.S. will participate in quarterly conference calls with the Friends Group in Lesotho.
As the Friends Group in Lesotho will be established in July, FOL U.S. will develop a Memorandum of Agreement on how funds will be designated for projects in Lesotho and how these monies will be transferred to the Friends Group in Lesotho. The Boards from both groups will ensure that there are no delays in the donations and distributions.
Draft Memorandum of Understanding FOL(US)-FOL(Lesotho) 8/21/07
Tentative Board Members 7/30/07
Committee Meeting Minutes 6/11/07
Constitution 5/30/07
