Fate of NAJASO hangs in the balance

The National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO), once considered the United States’ premier Jamaican diaspora organisation, is in decline with mounting losses in membership, and faces the danger of going out of business.

The state of NAJASO was highlighted during a recent meeting held by Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, with leaders of Jamaican organisations to take steps to establish a registry of Jamaican organisations in the diaspora.

During the meeting, several community leaders voiced concerns about the present state of NAJASO and the fact that it is no longer the vibrant organisation it once was. This prompted Marks to reach out to the current president, Dr Joyce El Ali, as well as past presidents, to ascertain the state of the NAJASO.

Her outreach has prompted a behind-the-scenes movement, led by past president Dr Robert Clarke, to try to bring people and organisations together to spark a revival of the NAJASO.

It has been revealed that, from a high of more than 200 member organisations falling under the umbrella group, NAJASO now has a membership of around 20.

Jennifer Asher, NAJASO’s vice-president for membership, told The Gleaner that there has been a precipitous decline in membership.

During a meeting of the NAJASO executive held on March 27, neither the state of the umbrella organisation nor calls for an election was discussed.

Prior to the meeting, member organisations who had left NAJASO were being told that they would have to pay all back dues and wait for several months before being reinstated and being able to vote for new leaders.

The Gleaner understands that that edict of paying all back dues and having to wait for reinstatement has been rescinded. Member organisations need now only to pay their dues to be reinstated.

Meanwhile, while the calls for elections for the organisation have grown, Dr Clarke recently sent a letter to the current president about working to revive the body.

In his letter to the president, he noted:

“We, the inactive members of NAJASO whose membership was deactivated, are writing to respectfully request reactivation into the organisation. We understand that our previous deactivation was due to misunderstandings and lack of clarity on membership issues. But we believe that our reactivation is crucial to the strengthening and renewal of our wonderful organisation which will lead to reestablishing its effectiveness.”

“Our reactivation will not only enhance the diversity and scope of the organization but also provide a much-needed boost to its capacity. We are committed to working together to address the challenges that led to our deactivation and ensuring the organization’s success moving forward. We believe that our reactivation will have a positive impact on the entire organization and its stakeholders in the entire diaspora. We are confident that together, we can achieve wonderful things and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve,” he said in his letter .

NAJASO’s story is not just about the challenges faced but about resilience, unity, and the indomitable spirit of the Jamaican people, according to the founding document. NAJASO embodied the vision of unity and support across the Jamaican diaspora.

The Jamaica Diaspora Institute’s research sheds light on what makes diaspora organisations like NAJASO indispensable.

According to the institute, “They offer inclusiveness, value addition, connectivity, and collaboration, essential ingredients for a robust diaspora presence. They also remind us of the diaspora’s lifeline to Jamaica’s economy, their remittances a steady stream in turbulent times. But beyond dollars and cents, the diaspora holds potent views on governance, human rights, and security. The diaspora’s potential to influence positive change in Jamaica is immense but yet untapped, according to the institute.”