S.U.N.G.O. elects new executives

By Yolanda Lavata’i 22 November 2018, 12:00AM

 New executive members of the Samoa Umbrella Non-Government Organization (S.U.N.G.O.) were elected during the organisation’s annual general meeting at Hotel Millenia yesterday. 

Nominations for the executive member positions were done November 14, and members who had paid their annual subscription fees voted for the office bearers and general secretary.  

The president, vice president, treasurer and secretary were not part of the new election of Office members. Normally the election for the SUNGO body is held every two years. It was only the secretary that was elected due to the previous secretary resigning. 

The continuing roles for the SUNGO executive council 2017-19 are: Lavea Peseta Lua Nafoi (president), Peseta Malouamaua Afoa Tiotio (vice president), Roina Faatauvaa Vavatau (treasurer) and elected secretary Leilua Toni Tipamaa.

The new executive council members 2018-19 are: Saena Tialino Penaia, Patu Sola Siaosi Hunt, Mataafa Faatino Ueumapu, Raymond Voigt, Leota Lene, Selesele Uili Amani and Maria Caroline Kovati. New members for reserve executives are Fiso Taranaki, Leulu Asovalu and Leula Theresa. 

S.U.N.G.O treasurer, Roina Faatauvaa Vavatau, said for the past year their main issue was the lack of funds to help them effectively run the organisation. 

According to the annual report which Lavea Peseta Lua Nafo’i highlighted in his statement, funds from USAID through the Pacific American Climate Fund (P.A.C.A.M.) had implemented set activities completed for next year. There was also available funding for the Pilot Project Climate Resilience this year for training and assessment projects. 

Even though funding is provided by various partners and supporters of S.U.N.G.O., financing is still not enough, Roina said. 

She told Samoa Observer that funds are channeled to certain projects to run capacity-building programs, but do not cover accumulative costs for the organisation, and they have had to cut down on publication, staff, member services and other expenditure items.

By Yolanda Lavata’i 22 November 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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