First initiative of its kind, the memorandum was developed by the current executive board to fulfill the deficit of communication, and secondly, to create and launch a strong partnership with potential partners.



The federal executive that took office in July 2009 understood that the overall success of the association requires the removal of many obstacles by initiating communication activities towards partners. At an internal level, the office will initiate progressive reforms to improve the management and coordination at the height of the objectives set by the association.

Our predecessors have conducted many activities, but it is clear that tremendous efforts must be deployed to identify new mechanisms of solidarity that would incorporate diverse fields as education of women and children, culture, development , communication to name a few. It is, in large part, what explains the writing of this memorandum; We hope with all our heart, that the current memorandum will serve as a basis for initiating a partnership with States, national associations and international organizations and also governmental and nongovernmental Organizations.

Not being an activity report, or an assessment document, the memorandum reviews, briefly, the history of Pulaar Speaking. Then it reports on the implementation of the program and updates the medium-and long-term activities that will be conducted by the association.

As an introductory document, the memorandum presents the strategic framework for action and serves as a roadmap for the federal executive. The latter will be very grateful to take into account all suggestions and/or critics in writing about the contents of this memorandum in order to improve operations and enhance actions that we aim or/and that have been undertaken.

We are confident that the actions of development that we envision achieving require different skills and experiences but also material resources to create and / or find.

Indeed, the contribution of our partners will have a definite impact to help us in the effective execution of our overall program. In addition we are very confident that those suggestions will bring together the necessary adjustments in order to redirect our future actions.

To make an easy use of the memorandum, a plan was developed in four chapters. Chapter (I) is devoted to the history of the association. Chapter (II) presents the Proceedings of the Association of Pulaar Speaking . Chapter (III) is a description of the responsibilities of federal executive commitees, the chapter (IV) outlines the goals and mission, the chapter (V) is devoted to enforcement actions and finally chapter (VI) presents the proposed projects.

Designed in 1989 by a group of immigrants from the Fouta, Pulaar Speaking Association, LTD has been officially recognized in 1990 under section 501 (3) of the non-profit corporation Law of the state of NY. Because of the first emigrants from Africa (Gabon, former Zaire, Egypt, etc..), P.S.A has been strongly massified to reach thousands of members.

Most of its members live in New York, scattered between Harlem and Brooklyn, where the headquarters is located. Gradually, the immigrants will settle in other states such as Ohio (Columbus), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), Maryland (Baltimore) working for private companies or/and developing their own affairs delighted by many opportunities offered by the newly discovered states, and then trusting their experiences gained in retail trade in the countries of Central and West Africa.

With the departures of its members to other states, many sections were created to perpetuate the experience of solidarity that began in New York. The number of sections (21) eloquently informs the mobility of members of the association and their conviction to sustain the spirit of solidarity. With over 18 years experience, Pulaar Speaking completed several social actions with positive impact on the social, cultural, professional status of its members.

Originally created to meet the strict social needs of its members, the PSA developed through many years real integrated actions comprising many aspects such as education, sports and culture.

Precisely this explains why all the new initiatives are now directed to participatory community development. Pulaar Speaking is also a symbol that provides information on the history, economics and geography and habitat of origin of its founders and its members. The emblem includes:

• A Green African map
• A rising sun.
• A shepherd holding a cane, a gourd alongside a herd of cows in the shade of a tree at the back of a village. All encased in a map of the United States juxtaposed to the Statue of Liberty.

The green shade of the African map reminiscent of the Fouta from which the founders are originated was green hence its ancient name which means Namandiri region with reference to its abundant rainfall and numerous and abundant flora that characterized its ecosystem. It is precisely because of this wealth that the people of Fouta practiced an activity of choice which has been always the agro-silvopastoral that still occupies a preeminent place in the local economy.

Important Remark: Fuuta : This is the region of northern Senegal and southern Mauritania along the left bank (Listed Senegal) and the right bank (Listed Mauritania) Senegal River. Fouta is inhabited by Foutankobe (Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof and Moors).

Working closely with the constituent bodies of the association, the executive continues its reforms, including the promotion of transparency and solidarity to achieve the construction of an open community, well integrated and supportive. This social policy continues to be guided by the realization of many ambitious goals.

The solidarity and social cohesion of the community are unquestionably the credo of the association. In order to complete this credo, the Federal Executive has set some objectives for which it has made sustained and continuous efforts.

The objectives of Pulaar Speaking Association can be broken down as follows:

Start Point: Promoting African cultures in general and the Fulani culture in particular;
Second point: Developing socio-educational projects to benefit members of Pulaar Speaking.
Third Point: Identifying project integration and cultural exchange;
Fourth Point: Supporting social members issues (death, illness……);
Fifth Item: Initiating and / or strengthening the dialogue between cultures;
Sixth Item: Identifying and / or promoting economic and social activities to benefit members of Pulaar Speaking.
Seventh Point: Identifying and developing a partnership with U.S. and African organizations;
Eighth Point: Developing a partnership with states, private sector and civil society in Africa;
Ninth Item: Identifying project to participate in strengthening social equity between men and women.
Tenth item: Developing projects for children for a better integration on American soil.

The founders of Pulaar Speaking faced many social challenges to their status of emigrants. Subsequently the founders decided to be devoted to the execution of social solidarity. In 1991, they created an official gathering in order to establish mechanisms of social solidarity to resolve their social issues.

Among other things, they decided the repatriation of bodies of their members who would die. In addition the association releases financial support to any member who is a victim of a debilitating illness or/and a catastrophic urban activity.

The prospects for life assurance and security benefits that this social arrangement provides, in case of physical disability and / or moral solidarity, has brought a breath of oxygen since then. In addition, it has undoubtedly contributed to the overcrowding of the Association.

It can be argued that these social actions are, in themselves, the real implemented projects since the establishment of the association. They are daily managed by the Federal Executive Board in collaboration with the sections.

deaths
From the medical certification of death, the PSA routinely repatriates bodies of any deceased member. The administrative procedures and the financial resources are assured and supported entirely by the Association.

5.2 disabling diseases
Is defined as a debilitating disease, any disease that prevents the member of Pulaar Speaking of performing her or his daily job.

This disease can be either physical or mental. However, medical documents must be furnished to verify the member's inability to perform his professional activities. In accordance with P.SA rules, any patient receives a financial contribution for three months.

A final repatriation with the purchase of a One-way ticket including a financial support is issued if the patient’s medical state worsens. Both social cases are generously supported by the contributions of the members.

births
In accordance with the rules, any member of PSA, who gives birth or whose wife gave birth receives a financial assistance to defray the expenses of baptism.

The urban disasters
Any member of the association victims of disasters associated with urban activities receives financial support. These urban disasters include fires, potential collapse of buildings or other urban tragedy that could affect a member of the association.

Pulaar Speaking Radio (RPS).
Created in November 28, 2000, Pulaar Speaking Radio broadcasts on medium wave 9.30am each week on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Thursday Broadcasting

• From 1:AM to 2:AM, Radio Pulaar opens the antenna for a religious program in which facilitators receive a religious clerk to discuss religious issues for 45 minutes. The antenna is open to listeners who ask questions related to the subject.
• From II:AM to III:AM, the radio is devoted to culture.
• Finally comes the Soobo Yoobo from is devoted and not limited to music, comedy and unexpected funny conversation.

Important Remark: Sobo Yobo : In this case, this term refers to Poulaar very popular terminology marked by a mixture of comedy, music, traditional and new questions for brainstorming listeners.

The Saturday Broadcasting
Saturdays are devoted to the presentation of current affairs in Africa, the USA and worldwide. The airtime is distributed as follows:

• News in French presented within 5 mn and translated in poulaar. This chapter is primarily dedicated to Africa (10 minutes).
• Immediately after the news, the microphone is open to the correspondent of Radio-Pular in West Africa who lives in Dakar. It is presented in Pulaar. He presents a comprehensive of the highlights of what's happening in Africa (15 minutes).
• Then the correspondent of Radio Pular in USA gives an insight of what happening in USA (10 minutes).
• Finally, the antenna is open to discuss a topic of political, economic, social and / or cultural subject (15mn ).

IMPORTANT REMARKS
1. Radio Pulaar Speaking is currently fully supported by the section of New York. The federal Executive commitee will continue its efforts to involve other sections in the financing of the radio.
2. The association's goal is to get a lot more air time to fully play its role in education, entertainment but also its role as a bridge between cultures.
3. Typically 5 to 10 minutes are devoted to commercials and social announcements.

Supported by a multidisciplinary team, the President of PSA LTD has introduced a comprehensive program composed of 10 themes. The ultimate goal of such a program is to make the association one of the best if not the best for social solidarity, tolerance, promotion of culture and integration in the United States of America.

One of the key successes lies in the ability of mixing technical reforms to social changes in order to maximize P.S.A contribution to the development as an integrated deal. (Social, educational, economic, cultural, etc.). On this basis, P.S.A’s program integrates organizational reforms as one of the internal challenges the federal executive commitee is working on with interest.

FIRST THEME: UNITY OF SPEAKING Pulaar
1. Develop strategies for resolving disputes.
2. Preserving founding spirit of PSA
3. Improving the efficiency of the regulatory framework
4. Protecting the sanctity of the founding texts (Constitution, Bylaws).

SECOND THEME: STRENGTHENING THE ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK
1. Decentralization of activities.
2. Strengthening the capacity of operation.
3. Developing new strategies of information and communication.
4. Recruiting a pool of lawyers for advices and/or dispute resolution.

THIRD TOPIC: LOBBYING AND PARTNERSHIP
1. Developing a partnership in all directions (Municipalities, States, NGOs, etc..).
2. Participating actively in the Diaspora’s activities.

FOURTH TOPIC: WOMEN AND CHILDREN
1. Developing projects for the emancipation of women.
2. Initiating projects for children.

FIFTH TOPIC: SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
1. Continuing and strengthening social solidarity among members.
2. Developing charitable actions at the national and International levels.
3. Strengthening health care projects and identifying others.

SIXTH THEME: DEVELOPMENT
1. Projects identification
2. Partnership with financial institutions and development assistance

SEVENTH THEME: BUILDIN AND LOGISTICS
1. Strengthening and Improving the Building management;
2. Rehabilitation of the building to standardized norms
3. Acquisition, maintenance of movable property to better ensure the daily administrative operations of the EFC.

EIGHTH THEME: CULTURE AND EDUCATION
1. Promoting cultural activities and sports.
2. Identifying projects to enhance cultural integration.
3. Organizing training courses in African national languages.
4. Supporting projects of cultural youth education.

NINTH THEME: COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
1. Identifying and developing modern and efficient tools for communication. (Creation of brochures, pamphlets, monthly magazine ect.).
2. Building a website
3. Developing a federal Speaking Pulaar radio.
4. Rehabilitation and Extension of the Library.
5. Strengthening data management
6. Reinforcing the headquarters’ status of a center of debates, discussions, cultural and intellectual events.

TENTH TOPIC: GENERAL SECRETARIAT
1. Strengthening management capacity, information and coordination of the General Secretariat.
2. Strengthening the capacity of data management of the Secretariat.
3. Acquisition of new computer tools.

CONCLUSION
In the aim of building bridges to create and develop a partnership between Pulaar Speaking Association and its partners, the current memorandum is designed to launch the first steps of a valuable cooperation.

The Federal Executive Board will use all means to be within range for healthy relationships, mutually beneficial and attractive with our potential partners to participate fully to the human development. We certainly will engage activities with nongovernmental and governmental organizations or /and people of our global village. We will invariably take advantage of advices and expertise given to us in order to build an integrated community that respects the social and ethical value of our host country.