It has been just over a month since we came back from the convention in Baltimore. I hope everyone has fully recovered. I wish to thank the general assembly on behalf of the newly elected executive, for entrusting us with the leadership of this association for the next couple of years. We are truly humbled by the confidence you've placed in us and we promise to do our very best to move the association forward.
A lot has already been said about the success of the convention and the great job the various Ndahkums of the Eastern Chapter did.  I wish to thank all members of the Eastern Chapter as well as every member who worked hard to organize a convention that as attendees have testified, took BCA to another level. Our sincere thanks to our partner associations the Bali Cultural and Development Association (BCDA) - UK and Nkumu Fed Fed Cameroon for their participation at this year's convention and their continuous support. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration with each of these organizations as we collectively work to address the development challenges of our community.

Before I continue, let me pause and address something that goes to the core of who we are as an Association: References to BCA-USA as a "Bali Nyonga Group" during the Convention

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BCA-USA's newly redesigned website which went live last month aims to give visitors and users more content which is easy to navigate. The site is organized to provide quick and direct access to information about BCA and Bali Chamba. The site features expanded content and incorporates fresh colors and graphics as well as new navigational tools.

Learn more about the new features of the redesigned website.

The guest speaker at Friday's Night of Glamour was Dr. Gahlia Gwangwa'a. His talk focused on the importance of preserving indigenous languages such as Mungaka.
Read his presentation here.


The 2010 Annual General Assembly meeting took place on Saturday May 29th
Read the full convention minutes here.


Dr. Jude Fokwang was the keynote speaker at Saturday's General Assembly. His presentation highlighted the need to both celebrate our diverse cultural heritage and to constantly examine the relevance of practices that do not serve our collective good.  Read his presentation here.

Several members of the association were honoured with awards for their distiguished services to BCA and the promotion of the ideals of the association.
View list of award recipients.

BCA's Life Insurance Program is changing to a Member's Trouble Bank Benefit Scheme that will cover all members.
Read more about the new scheme here.

President - Ni Julius Ndangam (Acclamation)
Vice President - Ni Jella Kaspa (Acclamation)
Secretary General - Ni Charles Tamon (Acclamation)
Treasurer - Ni Banyuga Pefok (Acclamation)

Financial Controller
- Ma Maggi Galega Yongho - 55 votes
- Ni Blaise Azangue - 50 votes
- Ni Alfred Sibedwo - 52 votes

Publicity Secretary
- Ma Lora Fogam (Acclamation)
- Ni Samuel Dinga Fokum (Not present so constitutionally impaired)

Chief Whip - Ma Bisona Ntungwen (Acclamation)

Congratulations to all the youth prize winners!!!

Nuvi Njinimbam
Kehmia Tangeh
Dopgima Tangeh
Nadia Aganifor
Ejebmia Dema
Clyde Fomunung
Lenyonga Fomunung

View more pictures of BCA Youths during the convention

Baltimore has come and gone. But the memories stay long our minds. Time will come for comments, evaluation and some tweaking but I'd say this: overall, the convention packages worked. It was a week of non-stop fun, celebrations, reflections and all round enjoyment that only a BCA-USA convention can pull. The organization and coordination took this associaiton to a new level.

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Convention 2010: Quotes and Quips

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts/questions the organizing power of Washington-DC, the 2010 National Festival is your answer" -Ni Gabby Njinimbot

"I cannot even put it in words what happened in Baltimore because it was too much. The ambiance was great and the atmosphere very welcoming." - Ni Emmanuel Babila

"The show down of games turned out to be a different story. I go show that big belly them Njakiri talk was reduced man go die ooohfrom the Mamon's  or became my banja di hurt , make this game finish quick quick.. Well it turned out that the game of soccer is now much appreciated and will do better come next time" -Ni Goddy Fofang

"True, Washington DC raised the bar and you dared us to do better! ..nothing spurs us more than a good challenge....You will be in for a treat!!!" - Ma Patience Fielding, 2011 Convention Committee Chair

" It was a wonderful convention from the beginning to the end" - Ma Beatrice Tangeh

"I did not know that I will live long enough to see the day that I will publicly praise our DC brothers & sisters as simply THE BEST for those who know our rocky relationship from 1996 to 2000 and beyond. What our DC folks put together is what is called "lock mop".  This 23rd convention in Baltimore, Maryland is the best that we have ever had.  I take my hat off to the DC ndakums for uniting and putting up a show that has now set the bar way too high.  It will be very hard to beat the high standards that has been set in Baltimore, Maryland. Thanks to ALL of you who made this 23rd meeting a HUGE SUCCESS." - Ni Ben Fokum

"I came back from the DC without my voice, having lost it in the estacy of the events and in particular with the responsorial chorus of Ndanga, Baghlem, Nchibi-Ngwei, Mandeit, Khumom, Lela, Voma, Makongi and you name the rest. Since then I am lost for words to express the feelings I brought back with me and which will stay on to next year." - Ni Fidelis Kaspa

One of this year's most anticipated sporting event at the convention is the female soccer. The soccer encounter pitching the DC Metrolettes against the Out of Town Conquerers took place on Sunday May 30th. The Out of Townners led by Ma Ma Dora Fomunung won the match and received their medals during Sunday's Cultural Evening.

 
Descendants of the Bali Chamba in Quebec recently came together to form an umbrella association. Created in January 2010, the Bali Cultural Association brings together people from Bali Gham, Bali Kumbat, Bali Nyonga, Bali Gangsin, Bali Gashu and Bali Muti.
 
The association aims to promote the socio-cultural values and economic development of the Balis. With a rapidly growing membership, its current executive include Jibuin Nforcho (President), Clara Kuna Fogam - Titanji (Treasurer), Richard Nwantoli (Financial Secretary) and Brian Gangbobga Wandum (Secretary). Meetings are held monthly in Quebec on a rotating basis.
 
BCA Canada currently plans to organize a public launch event and to assist with the creation of local BCA chapters in different regions in Canada such as the Greater Toronto Area, Edmonton and Calgary.