How UFOH Helps Highgate
The United Friends of Highgate is fondly called “UFOH” pronounce [hoo- fah].
This Jamaican nonprofit organization currently has two chapters with two different Boards of Directors. As one of many Jamaican charities we have a two-fold objective; to work diligently towards the achievement of our mission and to have fun while doing so. Based on these objectives we convene general meetings every third Saturday at about 7:30 pm. These meetings are held at different members’ residences.
Our general meeting are formal events managed by an agenda directed towards goals set to help meet our mission. Normally meetings last for one and a half hour but if additional time is needed a majority vote is requested.
Once the meeting is over it’s time for fun; we dine, enjoy music and dance if we choose. Our Entertainment committee is responsible for ensuring that delicious food is present. Under the direction of the committee, three or four members volunteer to bring different dishes prepared at their homes at their own expense. This revolves each meeting spreading the responsibility to every member. Hence, we work hard towards the development of Highgate and have fun while doing so.
UFOH Structure and Board
UFOH is divided into eight committees: Education, Entertainment, Fundraising, Health, Management Growth & Retention, Public Relations, Restoration and Social Welfare. Each Committee is headed by a chair and co-chair and is directly responsible for meeting its own goals and objectives. Committees are responsible for preparing a yearly plan with a budget that is given to the Board of Directors. The Board determines what is to be funded and how much is to be appropriated according to the importance of the projects planned. Committees hold their own meetings and report on progress and plans at each general meeting.
Our Board of Directors schedule four meetings per year. Sometimes other meetings may be called based on urgency or necessity. Board meetings are formal and run according to Robert’s Rules of Order. Our parliamentarian manages the order and timing while the Chairman officiates. The Board meets one Sunday each quarter at 4:00 pm. Members dine for one hour then the meeting is called to order. Although meetings are scheduled for four hours it oftentimes ends after five hours. However, they are lively and every item on the agenda gets completed with desired results.
We are proud to be a Jamaican nonprofit organization and invite you to send the Management Growth and Retention Committee Chair arlene@ufohus.org an email and we are sure she will invite you to attend one of our meetings.