FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
SAGI came from “Solidarité Agissante” a French phrase for “Active Solidarity.”
What is SAGI?
Is a non-profit organization, established since 2009, promoting the successful integration of all diaspora Cameroonian in United States of America (USA) under one umbrella; to come together as one and help each other in case the ultimate happens.
SAGI is a network of small Cameroonian communities, sometimes called associations, spanned across the USA.
Why should I belong to SAGI?
“Help today because tomorrow you may be the one who needs helping!” In addition to provide financial support to families of the community in time of death, SAGI philosophy is to encourage all diaspora Cameroonian in USA to belong to an association, not to live in isolation – avoiding social isolation. Together we can make a difference.
How to find out if there is local Cameroonian association in my area?
You can send an email directly to SAGI at info@sagiusa.org, expressing your desire to join a local group that is member of SAGI. SAGI will connect you with representatives of the local Cameroonian association (if any).
How to become a SAGI member as individual?
To become a SAGI member, you must reside here in USA and belong to a group or association. Your association must send an excel form called “FORM_S1 – SAGI Addition” (Downloadable from the website). All we need is your name as it appears on your official documents, including Day and Month of birth. No medical test is required. You can register your parents or love ones who live in USA. SAGI accepts anyone without distinction of age, sex, tribal or religion.
How to register my association in SAGI?
Download the form online (FORM_S3 – SAGI New Registration), fill it and return the form to us at info@sagiusa.org at any time. More information on requirements can be found below.
Who can be a SAGI member?
Any Cameroonian or spouse who wishes to be buried in Cameroon or the USA.
Can any association can become a SAGI member?
Yes. However, it is at the discretion of SAGI to accept or to decline the membership of an association or a member to its organization.
What are the fees to become a SAGI Member?
There are two (2) type of fees after SAGI issues you a membership number (matriculation): Administration and matriculation fees.
ADMINISTRATION FEES – What it is and how much it cost?
Administration cost are overhead expenses (such as new software or new computers, management & general expenses). Administration fees are charged in a yearly basis, in the amount of $12.00 per year per member, due on January 25 of each year. For example, if your association has 25 members, your total yearly administration fees will be $300.00 ($12 x 25).
MATRICULATION FEES – What it is and how much it cost?
A one-time payment of $20 matriculation fee, due after attribution of membership ID; Matriculation fee is nonrefundable. Matriculation fees are totally assigned toward the fabrication of ID cards.
RETURNING MEMBER FEES – What it is and how much it cost?
Any returning member must pay a returning fee of $150.00 in addition to any missed contributions and observe a waiting period of at least 6 (six) months.
LATE FEES – What it is and how much it cost?
Any association that fails to honor its contribution (donation) on the seventh (7th) day (due date of contributions), which is the final deadline will pay a late fee of $100.00. However, 24 hours thereafter the association will simply be excluded from SAGI.
Can you benefit from SAGI if you die in Cameroon while visiting?
Unfortunately, NO. Our objective is to repatriate your remains (corps) to Cameroon. If you die in Cameroon, there is no repatriation.
Can you benefit from SAGI if you get buried here in the United States?
Yes.
Can you benefit from SAGI if your body get cremated?
No.
Can you benefit from SAGI if you die outside the USA but not in Cameroon?
Yes, only if you are a resident of USA and active member of SAGI.
Can you benefit from SAGI if your association is not in good standing?
No.
What does it mean to be good standing?
Status of a SAGI association which is current with the Administration/Matriculation and Contributions dues.
As a member, will I be notified by SAGI if there is a death?
Yes, if you are a president or delegates of association. Otherwise, No. However, all information will be posted online through the SAGI website at www.sagiusa.org.
What is a delegate?
A delegate is a person appointed by his/her association to be the representative, dealing with SAGI. This person is very important as all communications from SAGI, intended for the association, go through him or her.
How much is SAGI disburse in case of death?
$15,000.00 (Fifteen thousand dollars). SAGI will pay directly the funeral home bill and the remaining balance (if any) to the beneficiary.
Who is the beneficiary in case of death?
Is the next of kin of the deceased member whose name is provided to SAGI by the president/delegate of the association
How SAGI compute individual contribution?
If SAGI has 7000 active members, then the individual contribution will be $15,000.00/7000.
How do I know the contribution’s amount of my association in case of death?
After each death has been verified and approved by SAGI Bureau, an email of contributions table will be sent out, showing the amount of each association.
How to make a contribution?
There are two (2) options: by PayPal (thru SAGI’s website: www.sagiusa.org) or by bank deposit (Bank information are provided with contribution table).
Is any announced death valid for contribution?
Not necessarily! Death’s contribution is valid only after all SAGI requirement documents have been submitted, verified and approved by the SAGI’s bureau.
ADDITION – How to add a member into an association?
As a president or delegate of an active SAGI association, you can add a member to your association by downloading the form (Form S1 – SAGI Addition), filling it out and returning it to us at info@sagiusa.org during the submission period (23rd through 25th of each month).
WITHDRAW – How to withdraw member from an association?
You can withdraw member from your association by downloading the form (Form S2 – SAGI Withdraw), fill it out and return it to us at info@sagiusa.org during the submission period. Make sure to provide your association name, association code and the date of submission. Most importantly, provide each member’s membership number (Matriculation).
TRANSFER – How to transfer a member from one association to another?
If a member is active, he/she can be transferred to any other association. The presidents of the current and the future associations should send an email requesting the transfer.
NAME CORRECTION – How to correct the name if it was written incorrectly?
The president or delegate should download the form (Form S1 – SAGI Name Correction), filling it out and returning it to us at info@sagiusa.org during the submission period. If the name have been changed due to divorce or so, a court document is required as a proof.
NEW REGISTRATION – How to join SAGI as a new association?
First of all, thank you for your interest in joining the SAGI family. Please, download the form online (Form S3 – SAGI New Registration), fill it and return the form to us at info@sagiusa.org at any time.
- Need to have at least 25 members
- All members should reside here in the USA
N.B: No association should go below 15 members at any time.
IMPORTANT: The association in which the member belong has up to seven (7) days to announce the death by email at info@sagiusa.org:
On the email, please provide the following information:
- Name of the deceased member
- Membership Number (Matriculation)
- The date and place of death
And when available, send all the required documents listed below, but not limited to:
In case of the death of a member in United States
- Death certificate (The family can hide the cause of death before submission)
- SAGI membership ID card
- Picture
- Funeral Home invoice
- Proof of payment of administration fees
In case of the death of a member outside of United States, but not in Cameroon (In addition to the above documents)
- Copy of Social Security Card
- Copy of passport with immigration stamp
- Copy of air ticket
- Most current 3 months’ pay stub or its equivalent
- 4506-T (Income tax verification processing request form) or W2 (Tax return)
As stated by the American Psychological Association (APA), “Coping with the loss of a close friend or family member may be one of the hardest challenges that many of us face. When we lose a spouse, sibling or parent our grief can be particularly intense. Loss is understood as a natural part of life, but we can still be overcome by shock and confusion, leading to prolonged periods of sadness or depression. The sadness typically diminishes in intensity as time passes, but grieving is an important process in order to overcome these feelings and continue to embrace the time you had with your loved one.”
Grieving individuals may find it useful to use some of the following strategies to help come to terms with loss:
- Realize that everyone deals with death differently.
- When ready, talk about the death of your loved one with friends and colleagues
- Let yourself be vulnerable.
- Allow your friends to be there for you.
- Take care of yourself and your family.
- Put down the drink.
- Try to maintain your hobbies and interests.
- Join a support group – Your association is there for you.
- Cherish the memories of your loved one
- Give yourself time to heal
Here are some useful information about dealing with bereavement:
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/grief.aspx
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/coping-loss-bereavement-and-grief
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-grief-and-loss.htm