Ethiopian Renaissance Society
ERS is registered as non-profit organization on December 29, 2021 (entity No 102140952) to function as a hub for Ethiopians living in Saskatoon and the surrounding.
ERS
ERS, though initiated by a small group of like-minded individuals, is dedicated to serving all Ethiopians and their families in the community. Its core mission is to strengthen unity and solidarity among Ethiopians and enhance engagement in educational, cultural, and philanthropic activities, as defined by the Non-profit Corporations Act (1995).
Vision and goal
ERS promotes cooperation among Ethio-Canadians, addresses social issues, and supports vulnerable families in Ethiopia through fundraising. It assists new Ethiopian immigrants, preserves cultural heritage, introduces artifacts in Saskatoon, and collaborates with local entities. ERS also engages with other Ethio-Canadian associations nationally to advance shared goals.
Our Values
The Society is committed to a low tolerance for discrimination, adhering to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and will not discriminate based on religion, gender, or ethnicity. It provides opportunities for all interested Ethio-Canadians in Saskatoon who support its objectives. All procedures within the Society are governed democratically, with decisions made by majority vote. The Society offers unwavering support to members in need, respects differing opinions, and upholds unity and integrity in all its activities.
Membership
ERS is one of a kind with strict rules of entry into membership, which strictly requires strict adherence of membership code of conduct in order to continue as a member in good standing.
- Registered Members: are Ethio-Canadian individuals (Ethiopian by birth or born of Ethiopian parents or their descendants)
- Associate and honorary members: Organizations, families, or individuals who have made significant contributions to Society are deemed honorary members.
What We Do
The Society is primarily engaged in a wide range of social, cultural, and educational activities. These activities fall under six core headings:
1. Educational activities
2. Cultural activities
3. Supportive activities
4. Act as local social institution (Idir)
5. Resource mobilization activities
6. Sponsorship of immigrants
What We Do
The Society is primarily engaged in a wide range of social, cultural, and educational activities. These activities fall under six core headings:
ERS
The Society is primarily engaged in:
- Organizing regular and occasional educational programs and seminars on various issues around Ethiopian history, culture, economy, and development issues.
- Promoting special program for children and parents for improving their Amharic language, understand their culture and history of Ethiopia. Support will be demanded from Saskatoon city administration.
- Organizing discussion forums and dialogues on various issues pertaining to common local and global agenda.
- Promoting Ethiopian culture (including values, best practices, foods and diets, songs and poems.etc).
- Organize occasional get together, small gatherings, trips, and other related outdoor activities to meet the best interest of the society.
- Activities for families and kids to perpetuate and strengthen Ethiopian identity and culture.
- Welcoming newcomers and provide them all possible supports until they adjust to the new environment.
- Render free professional advisory services to its members (for example, legal consultation, driving teaching, help complete applications, guarantor services, …etc). A guideline will be developed by EC on the type and manner of providing these services.
- Issuing supporting letters to governmental and non-governmental organization within and outside of Canada when members need.
- Provide gifts/ small financial token to members whose child graduate from university. A guideline will be developed by EC on the amount and nature of such gifts.
- Facilitate sympathy and empathy for grieved families because of death of its member.
- Provide in kind/financial support to members who lost someone. A guideline will be developed by EC on this provision.
- Collect different resources (such as books, gifts, cloths, furniture…etc) to support the neediest communities in Ethiopia.
- Work with doner organizations and other philanthropic societies to mobilize resources and support communities in Ethiopia who needs most.
- Involve in need-based sponsorship of immigrants from refugee camps across Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East who were forced to leave Ethiopia and are living in precarious circumstances. An internal guideline will be prepared on how this activity will be implemented.
Membership Types
Registered Members
Ethio-Canadian individuals (Ethiopian by birth or born of Ethiopian parents or their descendants) above the age of eighteen who consent to be members and operate in accordance with the Society’s by-laws, pay the fees and dues of membership in a timely fashion, support the purposes of the Society, and are active participants in the affairs of the Society. Membership is terminated upon death, voluntary withdrawal, and forcible removal for various reasons by the Society, and for failure to pay fees for a period of three months.
Associate and honorary members:
Associate and honorary members, Organizations, families, or individuals who have made significant contributions to Society are deemed honorary members. Individuals who consent to be associate members and agree with the purposes of the Society, support its functions, adhere by its by-laws but are ineligible to vote or stand for election of any office of the Society. Such members are granted membership with the approval of the General Assembly and can exit any time.
TESTIMONIALS
ERS has built a strong, supportive community among Ethio-Canadians in Saskatoon. Their commitment to cultural preservation, aiding vulnerable families, and assisting immigrants is impressive. I'm proud to be part of this organization.
Kebede Ayele
Eth. Emb. CEO
TESTIMONIALS
ERS has built a strong, supportive community among Ethio-Canadians in Saskatoon. Their commitment to cultural preservation, aiding vulnerable families, and assisting immigrants is impressive. I'm proud to be part of this organization.
Kebede Ayele
Eth. Emb. CEO
ERS Board Members
President
Nigatu Regassa (Prof)
Vice President
Mr. Yazachew Kidane
Treasury Director
Mrs. Messeret Worku
Property and Logistics Director
Mrs. Tsigereda Getnet
Chairperson, Social Committee
Mrs. Azeb Getnet
Secretary
Mr. Teketay Zenebe
Operation Manager
Mr. Luul Workye
Finance Director
Mrs. Feteh Deresse
Auditor