My administration will continue the good work that we have done under the Itoe administration to seek to include all SOBANS in the US and Canada in the SOBA America family. Under the Itoe administration, we have seen record growth in membership across chapters. In the first 25 years of SOBA America, we never had up to 120 members at any point. Over the last 3 years of the Itoe Administration, we have set registration records each year. After hitting the two hundred mark, with our continuous outreach to younger Sobans, we were able to hit the 300 members mark. I am certain continuity in leadership and more outreach programs, will keep us on pace for the next milestone.

In the Fote administration, every SOBAN will have a place at the table. Every SOBAN, young and old will have a voice. As president, I will particularly reach out to younger SOBANS to listen to them, and get advice from them. They will play a major role in the implementation of the initiatives aimed primarily to cater to them and make them an integral part of the SOBA America family. I will have younger SOBANS as part of my advisory team so they can help shape the future of SOBA America. The younger SOBANS are the future of SOBA America. The Fote administration will involve them in decision making. WE WILL LEAVE NO SOBAN BEHIND!

Here is a summary of my plan for inclusion

- Improve engagement of younger SOBANS.
Big Brother initiative: Mentorship
Brother’s keeper initiative: Networking
Lend a hand initiative: Scholarships
Celebrate Each Other initiative: Awareness and motivation

- Grow SOBA America
Create new chapters where feasible
Increase membership across chapters

- Expand SOBA America Benefits program
Benefits for our brothers in Canada
New programs

-President’s Ear Initiative
Constantly engaging SOBANS to listen to ideas, address concerns and get more engagement from SOBANS across all generations.

- SOBA America Cares Initiative
Personalized birthday and anniversary wishes from SOBA America to SOBANS

Here are some specific ways in which the Fote administration will accomplish these goals.

A: Big Brother Initiative - Mentorship:

Vision: We will create a platform for mentorship opportunities for our younger SOBANS and others who need help.

B: Brother’s Keeper Initiative - Networking:

 
Vision: We will create a culture of networking among SOBANS.

C: Lend A Hand Initiative - Scholarships/Assistance

Vision: We will provide scholarships and assistance to younger SOBANS who are still struggling to find their feet in the US and Canada, and are students.

D: Celebrate Each Other Initiative - Awareness and motivation.

 
Vision: We will create a culture of celebrating each other by highlighting the success of SOBANS in different walks of life.

A: Create new chapters where feasible:

 
Vision: We will create new chapters where there is a concentration of SOBANS as part of our growth initiative.

B: Increase membership across chapters:

 
Vision: We will continue to grow SOBA America by increasing membership across chapters.

Expand SOBA America benefits program:

Vision: We will expand our benefits program to ensure that all members in the USA and Canada have access to lots of benefits to membership

President’s Ear Initiative:

Vision: We will improve SOBANs’ engagement in SOBA America by instituting a practice of constant communication between the President and SOBANS.

SOBA America Cares Initiative:

Vision: We will build a personal connection between SOBA America and SOBANS to show thoughtfulness and care.

The Fote administration will implement several innovative initiatives that will make SOBA America a well-run organization and cement its position as a pacesetter among Cameroonian alumni associations in the diaspora.  After being tasked by President Itoe to bring out-of-the-box ideas to SOBA America, Dr. Bertrand Fote introduced several innovative ideas that have helped transform SOBA America and made it more efficient.  Our email communication platform, membership cards, voting devices, convention delegate credentialing are all innovative concepts brought to the table by Dr. Fote, and embraced by the Itoe administration. Innovative solutions to our financial structure challenges such as using QuickBooks accounting software are other ideas that were suggested by Dr. Fote, though not yet fully implemented. Dr. Fote will put his mind to work for SOBA America and continue to find ways to push the envelope and continue SOBA America’s transformation. Here are some of the current initiatives of Dr. Fote’s vision for innovation for SOBA America.

- SOBA America App
Information, service and solutions at your fingertips
Registration, networking, access to discounts etc.
Digital membership card and much more

- Improved Fundraising strategies for SOBA America
Implement year long, industry proven fundraising strategies
Increase non-membership dues revenue for SOBA America
Corporate sponsorship of SOBA America conventions

- Improved efficiency and personal impact of SOBA America conventions
Streamline convention deliberations for improved effectiveness and time management
Personal growth and enrichment sessions at conventions

- SOBA America Investment and Business Initiative 

      Create a task force to consider investment options for SOBA America
      Offer investment opportunities for SOBANS to take advantage of the US economy


Here are some specific ways in which the Fote administration will accomplish these goals.

SOBA America App:

Vision: We will build/develop a SOBA America App for Android and I-phones that will greatly enhance membership engagement and overall operation of SOBA America. 

A: Implement year long, industry proven fundraising strategies:

Vision: We will take advantage of Sasse Alumni Association’s 501c (3) status to raise funds using proven techniques in the fundraising industry that go beyond raising funds at convention galas. We will do the same in Canada once we register Sasse Alumni association – Canada as a charity.

B: Increase non-membership dues revenue for SOBA America:

Vision: We will increase revenue for SOBA America from sources other than membership dues.

C: Corporate sponsorship of SOBA America conventions:

Vision: We will seek multiple ways to fund our SOBA America convention, including corporate sponsorship.

 A:  Streamline convention deliberations for improved effectiveness and time management.

Vision: We will create a process that will ensure our SOBA America National conventions are more efficiently and effectively conducted.

B: Personal growth and enrichment sessions at conventions:

Vision: We will make the SOBA America National convention a forum for SOBANS to gain valuable information/lectures/presentations for their personal growth and enrichment.

SOBA America Investment and Business Initiative 

Vision: We will create  investment and business opportunities for SOBANS to leverage SOBA America's reach and take advantage of the US economy.

The Fote administration will implement a culture of accountability for its officers and the National Executive Committee (NEC). As leaders of the association, we will be held to high standards. The Itoe administration has already started working on some of these initiatives. Here are some of the current initiatives for Dr. Fote’s vision for accountability for SOBA America.

-Update SOBA America’s Financial system
Revamp financial reporting structure.
Implement policy of financial transparency with audit system
- Revamp membership registration process for improved efficiency
- Implement new operational structure for NEC and NLT
- Implement regular communication expectation for SOBA America’s president

Here are some specific ways in which the Fote administration will accomplish these goals.

A: Revamp financial reporting structure

Vision: We will institute and implement a system of checks and balances within the administration.

B: Implement a policy of transparency with audit system

Vision:We will create a financial oversight committee for routine audits

Revamp membership registration process for improved efficiency

Vision: We will streamline our membership registration process, so it is simple, transparent and enhances increased accountability.

Implement new operational structure for NEC and NLT

Vision: We will create and implement a more efficient NLT and NEC operational structure to ensure accountability.

Implement regular communication expectation for SOBA America’s President

Vision: We will establish constant channels of communication with SOBANS for a continuous flow of information all year round and dialogue with SOBANS.

SOBA America is a shining star in the global SOBA and Cameroonian alumni associations community. We need to maintain this leadership and respect that the Itoe administration has worked hard to re-establish through its rebranding and restructuring initiatives. As a global leader, SOBA America must continue to show courage and innovation, and continue to be an example for other alumni associations and SOBA regional chapters. Here are some of the initiatives that the Fote administration will pursue to ensure that SOBA America continues to be the leader of the SOBA and alumni association communities, and even other communities globally.

- Play leadership role in the global SOBA community
Create supreme SOBA governing council
Foster strong relationships with other regional SOBA chapters, Cameroonian alumni associations, and cultural groups
- Strengthen SOBA America’s organizational and operational structure
Work on creation of Sasse Alumni Association in Canada
Updates to the Policies and Procedures manual
- Strengthening the SOBA America brand and reputation
Oversight of SOBA America projects and interests in Sasse
Improve SOBA America brand recognition with SOBA America merchandise
SOBA America TV
- Immortalize the history of SOBA America
Commission the research and writing of a factual book/documentary on the history of SOBA America

Here are some specific ways in which the Fote administration will achieve these goals

A: Create supreme SOBA governing council

Vision: We will work to improve decision making on matters that affect multiple SOBA regional chapters or the SOBA brand as a whole

B:  Foster strong relationships with other regional SOBA chapters, Cameroonian alumni associations and cultural groups.

Vision: We will foster strong relationships and partnerships with other regional SOBA chapters.

A: Work on the creation of Sasse Alumni Association in Canada

Vision: We will continue to work hard to create Sasse Alumni Association in Canada

B: Updates on the Policies and Procedures Manual

Vision: We will make our Policies and Procedures manual more comprehensive to ensure robust modus operandi for SOBA America that will be the backbone of our association for generations to come.

A: Oversight of SOBA America projects and interests in Sasse College

Vision: Create an office of alumni affairs in Sasse College to have our eyes on the ground.

B: Improve SOBA America brand recognition with SOBA America merchandise and e-store.

Vision: We will enhance SOBA America brand recognition with commercial SOBA America memorabilia.

C: SOBA America TV

Vision: We will work to create and run a SOBA America TV station.

A: Commission the research and writing of a factual book/documentary on the history of SOBA America.

Vision: Immortalize the rich history of SOBA America for the ages, by sanctioning a book based on factual historical information about SOBA America.

Fellow SOBANS, as you can see, I have an ambitious agenda for SOBA America that builds on the success of the current Itoe administration and moves SOBA America further along in a progressive and innovative direction. Our best days are ahead, and we are on a forward track. I ask you to join me in this amazing journey. When history judges us in the future, which side would you want to be on? Would you want to be on the side that saw a vision for a stronger and better SOBA America and voted for Dr. Bertrand Fote’s leadership or would you want to be on the side that was responsible for taking SOBA America backwards by failing to cast your vote for the candidate who had the best vision for SOBA America?  This list is by no means an exhaustive list. It is a blueprint for the work I plan to accomplish with my leadership team, if I am lucky enough to earn your vote and your support as the next president of SOBA America. I am open to discussing these plans, hearing from you, answering your questions, getting more ideas from you, and doing whatever it takes so we can continue to move SOBA America forward in the right direction.  Fellow SOBANS, if you think the past four years have been great for SOBA America, imagine what the next two …and maybe four will be with me as your captain and Professor Felix Ngassa as my deputy.

I thank you for your time. I hope I can earn your vote on election day, and your continued support and engagement during my presidency so together, we can see this vision become reality. As the adage goes, team work makes the dream work. Dear SOBANS, you have seen my platform and vision. You now have insight on how bright the future looks for SOBA America if you vote for me. Like I tell my patients, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, BUT ONLY ACTION SAVES LIVES! Only decisive action by you on May 25th, 2019 at the ballot box will determine the path SOBA America will follow in the next two years. You hold the key to SOBA America’s future. This election is not about loyalty to friendship or class membership. It is about loyalty to SOBA America and what SOBA America represents to you. SOBA America’s future is on the ballot. The stakes are high. History is on the ballot. On what side of history do you want to be remembered – the side that put SOBA America first and foremost and voted for the right candidate to continue the transformation of SOBA America, or the side that turned its back on SOBA America, turned a blind eye on progress, vision and service, and voted to bring SOBA America backwards. Fellow SOBANS, your vote shall remain secret to all other SOBANS but not to your conscience.  I hope you will make the only logical choice in this election and vote for the candidate with experience, dedication, vision and proven record of delivering excellent results for SOBA America – Dr. Bertrand Fote – as your next president, and Professor Felix Ngassa as your next vice-president.

God bless you
God bless SOBA America.

# Proven leadership you can trust
# No turning back on progress
# Why not the best?
# You can’t change horses in midstream
# Is SOBA America better off than it was 4 years ago?