MINUTES OF GEOSOC GENERAL MEETING
DATE: 16TH MAY 2013

The meeting was formally opened by individual prayers, and quick review of the executive meeting. The president of the society, Ensa Gibba, in his opening addresses; apologized for the society’s failure to accomplish most of its action plans for the semester. According to him, efforts were made by the executive to open an account with GTBank, Brikama. It was rather unfortunate that the bank no longer opens savings account for societies or associations but instead current account. However, he suggested that the society should open another savings account with Arab Gambian Islamic Bank (AGIB) in Brikama for proximity to the University of the Gambia. His suggestion was unanimously agreed and henceforth, the society would continue open a savings account with the latter bank.
It was also discussed that the society has to twin with other universities in the area of research, that are geography related. This thought of twinning coincided with a prior discussion that Mr. Darboe (lecturer Geography Unit) had with Mr. Gomez (the Dean of Arts, Natural and Physical Sciences). According to, Mr. Darboe, Dr. Oumar Sy at the University of Ziguinchor wrote to Dr. Gomez (Dean of Arts and Sciences, UTG) that their Geography Department was interested to create a link between the two universities on important areas of interest in the field of geography. He further lamented that since the main focus of the society should be knowledge base. It is important to look for researchable topics that could enhance knowledge production. This suggestion of twinning was well appreciated by the society and was described as “long overdue”. However, Mr. Darboe suggested some topics that he had in mind in which the society could conduct a research on. He said that the topics can be developed into proposals that are of interest to people, for funding. He went further to say, “funding is always difficult without prior research on topics that would expose and attract the attention of the people”. Therefore, he stressed that research work involve commitment and dedication. He had already started conducting a research on a particular topic and whosoever has interest in the research could come on board, although there is no funding for the research.
Familiarization tour was also discussed. Majabou Gaye suggested in our executive meeting that the society should embark on a familiarization tour of institutions that are of geography related. The suggestion was brilliant as a way of exposing the society. But there were alternative suggestions that the society can do to expose its image or familiarize with some of those institutions. Mr. Darboe in his contribution said, “It is important to know important people but it is very important not to politicize the society”. Therefore, he suggested that the society could invite experts in those institutions to give lecture or presentation inform of seminar where views, ideas and opinions on certain areas could be looked at differently. This would enhance analytical skills and critical thinking of the society as well as expose the society’s image to the outside world.
The creation of the society’s website was also discussed. From the discussion, it was agreed that the society’s website should be created through the blog that was created by Mr. Darboe, and change the name to that of the society. Henceforth, the name of the blog was created as “GEOSOC UNIVERSITY OF THE GAMBIA”. All documentaries, research work and reports of the society would be loaded on the blog. Every member of the society is encouraged to constantly visit the blog for any information about the society and notifications.
Trip to Senegal was another important agenda of the meeting. It was suggested that the plans for the trip to Senegal should be done earlier, so that by the end of next semester we would be able to embark on it and put all logistics in place. In as much as, the society is about to twin with a university in Senegal, most of the official protocols that we should observe would be easy as experienced in our previous Senegambia Tour.
Finally, membership contribution was discussed. Isatou Y. Sanneh (treasurer GEOSOC) gave the society’s financial status which was very low and no society can strive without finance. Therefore, the secretary of the society, Draman Janneh stressed the need for membership and semester contributions. It was agreed that fifty dalasis (D50.00) should be paid for registration fee, i.e. membership fee and another fifty dalasis (D50.00) for every semester, i.e. semester fee. Mr. Darboe also suggested that the secretary of the society should collect the detail contact of every member and remind them periodically when the time for payment fees is due. Because people get money at different time and engagements are too much. The meeting was concluded with closing prayers.

                                                         By: Draman Janneh (GEOSOC Secretary)
                                      Endorsed by: Ensa Gibba (GEOSOC President)