CEO's message

Dear readers,

I would like to begin this newsletter by extending our deepest condolences to those affected by recent terrorist attacks across the globe, from Turkey to Belgium, Yemen to Syria, Iraq to Pakistan, Ivory Coast to Tunisia and those other parts of the world where innocent people have lost their lives or have been forced to flee their homes due to the horrors of conflict and persecution.

The extensive list of countries that have experienced terrorist attacks in March alone may come as a surprise to some readers; however, the list above is a shortened version.

These horrendous attacks serve as constant reminders that those countries that are lucky enough to operate without the threat of civil war and unrest need to continue to assist with the refugee crises that are occurring across the globe at present.

With increased scrutiny and spotlight focused upon European Union border policies in the wake of the Brussels attacks, this month’s issue outlines the background of the Syrian conflict and the danger in linking the refugee crisis with the terrorist attacks and any perceived failure by the European Union to adequately deal with the number of refugees fleeing Syria in search of protection and safety in Northern Europe.

We reiterate that you can continue to assist AFFMA during 2016 by donating directly to our organisation via PayPal to ensure that the high level of service our volunteers offer to refugees and asylum seekers can continue to be provided.

I would like to remind all readers that our permanent volunteer lawyer and transformational life coach continues to offer complimentary business and leadership coaching to business people and those aspiring to start their own business whether in the migration field or any other field.

Thank you again for reading and for your valued support and I trust that those of the Christian Faith celebrating the Easter festive period over the past month had an enjoyable break. I also wish well those of other faiths that celebrated equally important religious festivals over the past month.

One last housekeeping point, we apologise for the technical error which saw last month’s February newsletter go out with a March title.

Greetings and welcome to the special Christmas and festive season!

We would like to thank all of those contributors to the AFFMA newsletter and to the AFFMA family generally for their invaluable contributions throughout 2015.

On behalf of the AFFMA team we would like to thank:

• Lauren, Ariza, Libby, Jesika and James for their outstanding contribution to the newsletter
• all office volunteers for their dedication to AFFMA
• our volunteer Practice managers Eva, Jessica B and Jessica S for their commitment and dedication to our organisation
• Karyn, volunteer website designer/maintenance
• Jolanta our Facebook director
• all board members
• Sabine Lorenz our volunteer lawyer- migration agent and Business &leadership coach
• all volunteers migration agents
• all our supporters and donors in 2015 and
• everyone else who contributed to AFFMA this year.

Please note that our office is closed for the festive season from Monday 14 December 2015 to Friday 29 January 2016 inclusive. We will resume our normal office hours on Monday 01 February 2016.

If you are looking to assist AFFMA during the summer break, please note that our crowdfunding and fundraising efforts continue. Making a Christmas contribution is a terrific way to give back in the season of giving.

Our crowdfunding Je suis Réfugié campaign has launched (now live at https://chuffed.org/project/free-migration-advice-for-refugees-and-asylum-seekers) and aims to garner funding to further help refugees and asylum seekers in need of AFFMA’s assistance.

Our previous funding campaign remains underway and I would again like to thank all those subscribers that have supported A Dollar A Day To Keep AFFMA Underway to date.

AFFMA reiterates its call for all our newsletter subscribers, small businesses and the general public to get on board with our A Dollar a Day to Keep AFFMA Underway campaign as well as our new crowdfunding campaign. Please forward this email on to friends, colleagues and family members to widen AFFMA’s reach of potential donors.

Additionally, AFFMA has the pleasure to announce that our permanent volunteer lawyer and transformational life coach is offering complimentary business and leadership coaching to business people and those aspiring to start their own business whether in the migration field or any other field.

Finally, on behalf of everyone here at AFFMA, we wish everyone a wonderful, safe and happy holiday season and prosperous New Year and we look forward to sharing with you regarding AFFMA’s successes and planned activities in 2016.

Thank you again for reading and your valued support and happy holidays.

Joël Gédéon, JP
CEO
MARN: 1066986

Greetings and welcome to the October 2015 newsletter!

Our funding campaign has been underway since August and I would again like to thank all those subscribers that have supported A Dollar A Day To Keep AFFMA Underway to date. The campaign has started slowly, now is the time to really ramp things up and donate whatever you can to support our cause.

Damaging ramifications of the first federal budget has affected the not-for-profit organizations

As discussed in the CEO message in the past few issues, AFFMA has recently entered its third operational year since establishment in 2013. AFFMA began just before the current Government’s infamous first federal budget.

The damaging ramifications of that budget on the not-for-profit sector continue to affect all similar organisations, causing internal strain and instability for workers, volunteers and clients alike in social justice industries.

The future viability and capacity of this organisation remains at risk due to the fiscal conditions facing both state and federal governments.

Your help is needed now to continue to allow AFFMA to provide assistance and advice to those asylum seekers and refugees most in need

As mentioned last month, the initial private funding that assisted with the creation of the organisation in 2013 has been thoroughly depleted. The continued provision of vital services to vulnerable groups of men, women and children, requires your assistance now.

AFFMA reiterates its call for all our newsletter subscribers, small businesses and the general public to get on board with our A Dollar a Day to Keep AFFMA Underway campaign which began on Tuesday 01 September 2015.

Please forward this email on to friends, colleagues and family members to widen AFFMA’s reach of potential donors.

AFFMA has been requesting the equivalent of a $1 a day donation for a period of 120 days to enable us to continue our pro bono, fee-free, life changing humanitarian work. If such a commitment is unaffordable, please donate any amount you can.

Donations over $2 are tax-deductible and all money raised will allow AFFMA to continue to act for some of the most vulnerable global citizens searching for protection and safety within our multicultural communities.

AFFMA does not pay wages to its staff

Greetings and welcome to the September 2015 newsletter. Our recent funding campaign launch is well underway and I would like to thank all those subscribers that have supported A Dollar A Day To Keep AFFMA Underway to date.

As discussed in the CEO message last month, AFFMA has recently entered its third operational year since establishment in 2013 (just months before current Government’s first, and now infamous, federal budget). AFFMA continues to be affected by the significant cuts and, in some instances, complete withdrawal of funding in various not-for profit sectors contained within the 2013 federal budget.

The future of the terrific and invaluable work this organisation undertakes in providing assistance to those asylum seekers and refugees most in need is at risk due to the uncertainty that comes with the reliance on private funding.

As you may be aware, the initial private funding that assisted with the creation of the organisation in 2013 has been thoroughly depleted. The continued provision of vital services to vulnerable groups of men, women and children, requires your assistance now.

AFFMA repeats its call for all our newsletter subscribers, small businesses and the general public to get on board with our A Dollar a Day to Keep AFFMA Underway campaign which began on Tuesday 01 September 2015.

AFFMA asks that you contribute a $1 a day donation for the next 120 days to enable us to continue our pro bono, fee-free, life changing humanitarian work. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible and all money raised will allow AFFMA to continue to act for some of the most vulnerable global citizens.

AFFMA does not pay wages to its staff. We are run 100% by volunteer lawyers, migration agents, university students and other professionals who see the value that assisting asylum seekers and refugees can provide to Australian society.

Please consider making a contribution to ensure that our organisation continues to maintain the high-quality advice and support it provides (fee-free) to those refugees and asylum seekers that need assistance accessing and navigating the complex Australian legal system.

Please read our articles written by the volunteer newsletter team for more details about how much a dollar a day means to us.

I am also pleased to announce that AFFMA is offering Leadership and Business Success Coaching Sessions to small businesses free of charge (previously $165).

Thank you again in advance for your kind support.

Joël Gédéon, JP
CEO
MARN: 1066986