About us
Kems Foundation is a Montgomery County-based non-profit organization focused on the arts. In our mission, we seek to utilize visual and performing arts as the channels to promote education and learning, empower our community, and encourage cross cultural exchanges. Some of our programs include filmmaking and video production for youth. In addition, we seek to encourage the transmission of the African cultural heritage by teaching traditional dance.
Vision Statement
Our vision is an inclusive community thriving around the arts.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to utilize visual and performing arts as channels to promote education and learning, to empower our community, and to encourage cross-cultural exchanges.
Beliefs
Professionalism: exhibit exemplary and culturally-competent behavior in all our interactions
Excellence: strive to provide the best quality work
Innovation: embrace new trends in the field for the benefits of our members.
Legacy: transmit cultural heritage to younger generations.
Areas of Focus
1. Media Education Programs
Filmmaking :
the purpose is to offer introductory through advance filmmaking classes in a hands-on environment working with the state-of-the-art equipment.
Video production :
the purpose is to teach the critical elements of filmmaking on a narrative film, from the pre-production process (organization, logistics, visualization, and stylistic choices) to production (cinematography and sound) and post-production techniques.
2. Community building Program
Offer a TV Show that :
exposes African immigrants to community resources likely to facilitate their integration and to lead to self-sufficiency.
Introduces African professionals in fields which expertise would be helpful in understanding and navigating the American society.
3. Dance Program
Traditional dances :
Promote the traditional dances and cultural heritage of Central African countries such as Cameroon.
Cultural exchanges :
with other countries.
KEM’S Foundation Leadership Team
1. Executive Director :
in charge of the leadership of the organization and serves as the liaison with the Board of Directors.
2. Operating Officer :
in charge of all the daily operations of the organization and serves as the assistant to the Executive Director.
3. Media Education Officer :
in charge of the filmmaking and video production programs.
4. Community Building Officer :
in charge of the TV show program.
5. Dance Officer :
in charge of dance activities in the US and abroad.
6. Finance officer :
in charge of the budget, the finance department, and ensures that expenses and taxes are in compliance with the organization’s bylaws and with the approval of the Board of Director.
7. Marketing and Communication Officer :
in charge of the publicity and marketing of the organization.
1. Executive Director :
in charge of the leadership of the organization and serves as the liaison with the Board of Directors.
2. Operating Officer :
in charge of all the daily operations of the organization and serves as the assistant to the Executive Director.
3. Media Education Officer :
in charge of the filmmaking and video production programs.
4. Community Building Officer :
in charge of the TV show program.
5. Dance Officer :
in charge of dance activities in the US and abroad.
6. Finance officer :
in charge of the budget, the finance department, and ensures that expenses and taxes are in compliance with the organization’s bylaws and with the approval of the Board of Director.
7. Marketing and Communication Officer :
in charge of the publicity and marketing of the organization.
KEM’S Media Board of Directors
Job Descriptions
1. Chair
- Oversees board and executive committee meetings
- Chairs board of directors’ meetings (develops agenda with the executive director)
- Appoints all committees’ chairpersons, and with the executive director, recommends who will serve on committees
- Works with the executive director in preparing the agenda for the board meetings
- Assist the executive director in conducting new board member orientation
- Plays a leading role in fundraising
- Coordinates the executive director annual performance and evaluation
- Works with the governance committee to recruit new board members
- Acts as an alternate spokesperson for the organization
1. Chair
- Oversees board and executive committee meetings
- Chairs board of directors’ meetings (develops agenda with the executive director)
- Appoints all committees’ chairpersons, and with the executive director, recommends who will serve on committees
- Works with the executive director in preparing the agenda for the board meetings
- Assist the executive director in conducting new board member orientation
- Plays a leading role in fundraising
- Coordinates the executive director annual performance and evaluation
- Works with the governance committee to recruit new board members
- Acts as an alternate spokesperson for the organization
2. Vice Chair
- Attends all board meetings
- Serves on the executive committee
- Carry out special assignments as requested by the board’s chair
- Works closely with the chair and the staff
- Attends committee meetings as available or in the absence of the chair
- Performs chair responsibilities when the chair is not available
2. Vice Chair
- Attends all board meetings
- Serves on the executive committee
- Carry out special assignments as requested by the board’s chair
- Works closely with the chair and the staff
- Attends committee meetings as available or in the absence of the chair
- Performs chair responsibilities when the chair is not available
3. Secretary
- Attends all board meetings
- Maintains all records of the board and ensures effective management of all records
- Ensures that minutes are distributed to members shortly after each meeting
- Ensures the safety and accuracy of all board records
- Assumes responsibilities of the chair in the absence of the board, vice-chair or chair-elect
- Provides notice of meetings of the board and/or a committee when such notice is required.
3. Secretary
- Attends all board meetings
- Maintains all records of the board and ensures effective management of all records
- Ensures that minutes are distributed to members shortly after each meeting
- Ensures the safety and accuracy of all board records
- Assumes responsibilities of the chair in the absence of the board, vice-chair or chair-elect
- Provides notice of meetings of the board and/or a committee when such notice is required.
4. Treasurer
- Understands financial accounting for non-profit organizations
- Administrates fiscal matters
- Serves as chair of the finance committee
- Works with the executive director and the chief financial officer to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis
- Provides annual budget to the board for approval
- Reviews the annual audit and answers the board members’ questions about the audit.
4. Treasurer
- Understands financial accounting for non-profit organizations
- Administrates fiscal matters
- Serves as chair of the finance committee
- Works with the executive director and the chief financial officer to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis
- Provides annual budget to the board for approval
- Reviews the annual audit and answers the board members’ questions about the audit.
5. Committee Chair
- Oversees the logistics of the committee’s operations
- Sets meetings date and develops agenda
- Reports to full board on committee’s decisions/recommendations
- Assigns works to committee members
5. Committee Chair
- Oversees the logistics of the committee’s operations
- Sets meetings date and develops agenda
- Reports to full board on committee’s decisions/recommendations
- Assigns works to committee members