BACKGROUND
NAMCAL is one of many Liberian organizations
of the Liberian Diaspora in the U.S.A.
The history of the organization can be traced to the events of the Liberian civil
crisis of the 1990s and recent years. At the height of the Liberian crisis, which took the lives of scores of Liberians and
destroyed the social, political and economic structures of the country, many Liberians found the need to organize themselves
in an effort to provide humanitarian assistance to the suffering people of Liberia.
In this effort, many Liberians of the U.S. Diaspora hailing from different counties of Liberia
began to organize themselves into county-based organizations.
In the case of the Liberian-U.S. Diaspora hailing from Maryland
County, The Maryland Coalition for Development and Progress was the first group
of Marylanders to organize themselves in the Diaspora. In 1993, the organization sent its executive director to the Liberian
Refugee Camp in Tabou, La Cote D' Ivoire (The Ivory Coast) to assess the conditions of the Liberian refugees predominantly
hailing form Maryland County, Liberia.
Subsequently, the organization organized a relief effort in the form of interest-free small loans to the refugees to help
the refugees help themselves.
The efforts of the Maryland Coalition group were soon followed
by many other Marylanders organizations, including the Marylanders For Progress based in the Washington, DC metro area, Maryland
County Organization of Atlanta, the Maryland County Organization of Rhode Island, Maryland
County Association of New York, Barrobo District Association and Karluway District Association, to name a few.
Like the Maryland Coalition group, Marylanders For Progress undertook projects for the
benefit of the county. For example, the organization sent twenty thousand (20,000) textbooks for elementary, junior high and
high schools in the County. In addition, Marylanders For Progress established
the Maryland County Market Women Micro-Loan Program, sent hospital supplies and organized an effort to restore J.
J. Dossen Memorial Hospital
in Harper, the only regional hospital in the southeastern region of Liberia.
Other Maryland County organizations initiated
programs to benefit the people of Maryland County
as well.
The Birth of NAMCAL
Although the various Maryland County organizations were fostering unity among individual members as well
as making significant contribution to rebuilding the lives of Marylanders of Liberia, it was soon realized that much progress
could be made if these various Maryland County organizations came together
and formed one national organization. Thus starting in 2000, a series of leadership meetings hosted by Maryland County Association
of Georgia and Marylanders for Progress were held. The meetings were attended by members of the Maryland County organizations in the U.S.A and some Marylanders
in the Diaspora. At the conclusion of the meetings, it was decided that in an effort to consolidate the resources of the various
organizations, one national Maryland County
organization in the U.S.A. be organized. Thus, in September,
2003 NAMCAL was born in Beltsville, Maryland. NAMCAL was formed as an umbrella
organization that would serve as a facilitator for all Maryland County
organizations in the United States of America.
Purpose:
The purpose of NAMCAL, as stated in the constitution includes:
- To support
and promote unity among all Marylanders.
- To be
a meaningful voice for all Marylanders at home and abroad that will seek to influence public policy of the Liberian government
towards the County of Maryland.
3. To promote the
establishment of additional State and local chapters of aryland
County organizations in the USA.
- To facilitate
cooperation and collaboration between and among the local Maryland chapters/organizations
existing within the USA.
- In collaboration
with member organizations, to design, plan and execute development programs/projects in the interest of Maryland
County and Liberia.
- To organize
and conduct in collaboration with member/chapter organizations fund raising activities for the purpose of supporting the organization’s
programs.
Who Becomes a member of NAMCAL
Membership
to NAMCAL is open to all established Maryland County
organizations in the U.S.A. However, individuals who are not
members of any established Maryland County
organization can become an associate member.
Membership requirements
1.
Must be a duly organized association, registered under local state and federal laws.
2.
Pay registration and membership fees.
3.
Promise to support and promote the developmental
and unity objectives of Maryland
County and the Republic of Liberia.
4. Must be highly sensitive towards the social, economic and political
Development of Maryland
County and Liberia.
5. Must always abide by all bylaws and regulations of
NAMCAL-USA.
See the constitution
for the Principle Institutions of NAMCAL.
