Time To Deconstruct ALJA?
Dr. Mallay Answers Your Questions
11th November 2024, was another red-letter in the ballgame of the Association of Liberian Journalists in the Americas, ALJA. The day and month were momentous because the Association monumentalized its 12th annual conference in the State of Philadelphia, USA. The convention brought together constituents of ALJA from its various subsidiaries across the United States.
The conference allowed delegates to mirror their achievements, failures, and revisions and make projections for the future. One of the achievable centrepieces of the convention was the ushering in of a new corps of functionaries in the person of Hon Joey Kennedy, National President, Hon. Priscilla Mah-Belloh, National Vice President, and Hon. Melissa Annan, National Secretary-General to steer the affairs of the Association for the next two years.
The association’s impressive archive proves that it has been involved in the media advocacy debauched since its cradle 26 years ago. ALJA’s axiological advocacy is narrowed to condemning vices within the corridors of Liberian society. There are no records to justify that ALJA has for once addressed global vices other than the Liberian vices occasionally.
There are flattery discussions between and amongst some of ALJA’s members regarding the interpretation of its core values. Some interpret the constitution as saying that ALJA’s core values are about addressing matters within ALJA only. Others maintained that the association’s core values are intended to address the vices globally not only at the doorsteps of Liberian society. These acrimonious dialogues may require a direct constitutional redress.
Aside from the mixed approaches to the interpretations of ALJA’s core values, the Association has not been forthcoming concerning substantive projects, programming, and global partnerships. ALJA’s strength is deeply concentrated in the printing of convention Caps, and T-shirts, historic and flashy convention picturing, accepting of donations, and the payment of dues followed by the resignation of some leadership members who went after political jobs in Liberia, and dispatching of some used computers to journalists in Liberia.
Can the newly elected Kennedy administration make a difference in the lifespan of ALJA since it was formed in 1998, 26 years ago? This is the million-dollar question currently lingering on the minds of most, if not all ALJA’s memberships. Most organizations, institutions, entities, and even a nation’s society suffer immensely when past leaders faile to leave behind any developmental blueprints for their predecessors.
Let’s not forget that President Kennedy is just the captain leading a team, every single member of ALJA is under constitutional obligation to bring new and productive ideas to the table, in the form of suggestions and recommendations that may not be feasible, measurable, and or achievable. There is a need to advance some recommendations for the growth and development of ALJA to meet its 21st century benchmarks.
For ALJA’s to remain relentless, focused, zealous, and resolute in its professional discharge since its birth 26 years of existence, it will need rigorous constitutional amendments, new projects both short and long-term, new partnerships, etc., etc. coupled with a host of other productive initiatives that will no doubt propel ALJA to wake up from its long slumber. To fulfil these plans of action, there is a need for the establishment of a three-day online “ALJA National Business Retreat Summit,” that will set up proactive working outlines followed by several deliverable agendas. To begin this gigantic working task, ALJA’s name will need to be reformed immediately to: “Librarians International Press of America, (LIPA) followed by the below recommendation and other transformations of ALJA’s body functions and functionaries.
1. The need for ALJA’s Constitutional Reform (Urgent Amendments Needed)
Change of ALJA’s name:
a. There is an urgent need to change ALJA’s name to “The Librarians International Press of America, (LIPA) to suit the 21st century media advocacy growing demand
2. Additional Constitutional Reforms (Urgent Amendments needed):
a. ARTICLE II: Objectives Section 2.11;
b. ARTICLE III, Membership; Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3; 3,4; 3.6; 3.9, 4.3; and 4.4;
c. ARTICLE VI. National Convention. Sections 6.1; 6.4; 6.6; 6.8; 6.10; 6.11;
d. ARTICLE VII. National Board of Directors. Sections 7.1; 7.2 7.3; 7.5; 7.6; 7.7;
7.8; 7.9; and 7.10.
e. ARTICLE VIII; National Administration. Section 8.1. 8.2; 8.3; and 8.8
f. ARTICLE IX Elections. Sections 9.2; 9.3; 9.4 and 9.6.
g. ARTICLE X Impeachment: Section 10.1; and 10.2.
h. ARTICLE XII Standing Committees and Autonomous Commissions. Sections 12.1; 12.4; 12.5; 12.6; 12.7; 12.8; and 12.11.
3. Additional Constitutional Reform (Crafting of Additional Standing
Committees):
a. Ala’s Code of Ethics
b. Audit Committee
c. Conflict Resolutions and
d. External and Internal Business Management Project.
4. The Creation of a Short-term Project (Reform):
a. The creations of Alja Hall of FAME
b. Establish a monthly Newsletter in the US
c. Brochures
d. The establishment of ALJA’s Store in the US/Liberia to market its great souvenirs
(T-Shirts, Caps, Key-Holders, Cups, Calendars, Note Pads, Pens, Pencils Bags
e. Build a State-of-the-art website
f. Venturing into Book writing
g. ALJA to establish a Social Media Platform in Liberia/the US
h. Submission of proposals to the Liberian Government
i. Organizing online and mailing voting mechanisms.
5. The Enhancement of ALJA’s Long-term projects (Additional Reform):
a. The establishment of ALJA’s Journalism School in Liberia
b. The establishment of ALJA’s office in Liberia.
c. The establishment of ALJA’s Newspaper in Liberia
d. ALJA’s Journalists to take on voluntary teaching assignment in Liberia
e. ALJA to solicit funding to train Journalists voluntarily through workshops and seminars bi-yearly
6. The Facilitation of ALJA’s Permanent Source of Income Strategies
a. ALJA having Shares on Wall Streets
b. Writing of Grants as 501c (3) in the area of extensive Media Advocacy as a Media-based advocacy in the US
c. Obtain two plots of Land in Liberia
d. Erect ALJA’s guest house for rent
e. Solicit Loans from both banks in Liberia and in America
f. Establishment of ALJA’s Mini Transport Company in Liberia
g. ALJA seeks permanent accreditation with Journalism and Mass Communications Schools in America
7. ALJA’s Should establish a Permanent Partnership with Reputable Media Entities
a. British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC
b. Cable News Network, CNN
c. White House News Corps (WHNEC)
d. Agency France-Presse (AFP)
e. Reuters and
f. Alzeeria New Company
These aforesaid recommended reforms when adopted and enforced will put Alja several steps ahead in the 21st-century media advocacy grouping initiatives.
Edited November 10, 2024
