Ethiopian World Federation Inc. - Petition of No Confidence

Luke 23:34 "… Father forgive them; they know not what they do …"

We, the members of The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated, in order to effect Unity, Solidarity, Liberty, Freedom and Self-determination, to secure Justice and maintain the Integrity of Ethiopia, which is our Divine Heritage, Therefore, being determined to do all that We can to carry out the aims and objects of the organization and to abide by its Constitution and By-Laws by addressing the issues which have been long affecting the membership adversely in the carrying out of its aims and objects, now exercising our Constitutional freedom to combat such issues with the best legal means at our disposal,

By The Authority given the worldwide Membership of The Ethiopian World Federation, Inc. in:

1. The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated Constitution & By-Laws: ARTICLE I- Section 2 (h); ARTICLE I- Section 7; ARTICLE III- Section 4; ARTICLE VII- Section 1(J) & ARTICLE VIII;

2. Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised-11th. Edition: Chapter XX, pg. 643 – Disciplinary Procedures; RONR pg. 650 - §62 Remedies for Misconduct & pg. 654 - §63 Investigation & Trial;

3. New York State Not-For-Profit-Corporation Law: Article 7- Directors & Officers; §706 (a), §714 (a), §715-B, §717, §720 (a), (1), (1A), (1B), (2), (3b) & §720-A.

Do hereby and hereon sign this petition as a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE in the leadership of our elected International Executive Council officers and/or all other un-elected members claiming such offices.

The critical lack of adequate democratic principles such as: 

• Membership Participation which is the key role of the members learning, pursuing and promoting democratic principles and ideals; 

• Accountability to the membership for their actions, whereas all elected officers have to be accountable and responsible to the membership as a whole, and, all officers must make decisions and perform their duties according to the will and wishes of the members, not for themselves;

• Transparency whereas the members are aware of what is happening in the organization and are able to get information about what decisions are being made, by whom and why;

• Holding the regular annual Convention with Free and Fair Elections whereas all locals internationally shall be entitled to representation in Convention by delegates, whereby members express their will by electing officers to represent them and all elected officers are chosen and peacefully removed from office in a free and fair manner without refusing to accept the results of the election, and;

• Control of the Abuse of Power/Authority of office, whereas elected officers and/or unelected individual members have been misusing or abusing their power/authority in an illegal manner, the consequences thereof resulting in official misconduct (malfeasance) which affects the performance of constitutional duties, making decisions that other members feel are detrimental, a leadership that is ineffective as well as the use of Federation funds for their own benefit;

Will forever leave a mark on the memory of all longtime members as the lowest point of confidence ever recorded in any elected and/or unelected individuals identifying themselves as official leaders of The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated - International Executive Council.

We, The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated – Members United, identify that as a body of members we are unified in our circulation, signing and submission of this Petition as a Vote of No Confidence in all elected and/or unelected individual member(s) identifying themselves as leaders or International Executive Council Officers.

What must be clear and evident for all concerned is that official misconduct and specifically malfeasance; as mentioned in The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated Constitution ARTICLE VIII –Impeachment of An Officer and as defined in US law [the willful inappropriate and wrongful action(s) which the party had no right to do that affects, interrupts or interferes with the performance of official duties, Daugherty v. Ellis, 142 W.Va. 340, 97 S.E. 2d 33, 42]; is grounds for a 'for cause removal' of any elected and/or unelected individual member(s) identifying themselves as leaders or International Executive Council Officers.

Finally, In order to make a determined effort to settle all differences any member of The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated having complaints or grievances affecting the organization or any member thereof adversely in the carrying out of its aims and objects may present and submit the same in writing to tewfi.membersunited@gmail.com, and it shall be added as an addendum to this Petition as a Vote of No Confidence highlighting the elected and/or unelected individual members' inappropriate and injurious behavior which has affected the organization, and the members thereof, adversely in the carrying out of the aims and objects.