FoC October 2009 minutes
From twiki
Friends of Chintsa Committee Meeting
14th October 2009 6pm
Held at AHJ office
Present: Michael Denison, Nokaphumla Pakamile, Mjongile Gogela, Joanne Ford, Werner Nel, Michael Ford
Apologies: Kate Bozassa, Martelize Nel, Sean Price, Laura Conde, Lou Billet
1. Michael Denison reported on some of the existing projects/grants that Friends of Chintsa have received/working on. The Lomas Trust grant received a year ago was put into rehabilitation area for fencing. Mike explained that more funding was hopefully going to be applied for that could be used for boardwalk, beach development, etc. Michael also reported that he needed to report back to two donors Marita and Helmut who each deposited money for two separate projects. It was agreed that they would be put on the FOC mailing list and Mike would keep them in the loop about the use of their funding.
2. Michael Ford gave short presentation on Given Gain and the benefits of it for FOC. He reported on the Chintsa Feeding scheme so far and explained the process of donors giving money to the scheme through the GivenGain website. The feeding scheme pilot project started this term and has enough funds at the moment to support the scheme for 6 months and there are still many donors yet to contribute. The scheme has had a few one off donations and around seven monthly contributors. Nokuphumla fed back to the committee the steps that the school has taken on their part to ensure the scheme was ready to start. Michael suggested that the FOC have another meeting to teach members how to use GivenGain and how to gain support. It was decided that the cash donations for the feeding scheme that have been given so far will be used for petty cash to purchase local veggies, food, etc.
3. Fundraising in general was discussed and Werner suggested that as Buccaneers have the biggest flow in traffic , presentation nights could be held through the summer period where one of the FOC committee could present the work we have been doing and ways to raise money. This will be discussed with Buccs and decided on during next meeting.
4. Werner spoke on behalf of Martelize about financials. The bank account is looking quite healthy regarding specific project money but we are lacking membership fee money that is supposed to cover operation costs. Jo will send out bank details and membership forms again to FOC mailing list.
5. Mjongile told us about two projects. The first being a link he has made with a lady from an overseas church who would like to support FOC projects through the church here. It was agreed that the lady will be contacted and Michael Denison will speak to her. The second project is for the funding of musical instruments for a church brass band in the village. The church has raised R10, 000 already to buy three instruments and the band would like FOC to support them to be able to raise further funds. Mike Ford said he would work with them to develop a GivenGain page and an email address so that they can work on fundraising. It was agreed that it is lovely project and that FOC would support them as much as they could. Mjongile took membership forms so that the church could become FOC members.
6. Werner is going to approach the University to apply for research students that would be willing to carry out a Needs assessment of Chintsa East to aid FOC in their work. He will also approach the marketing department for students who could help with marketing of FOC. Werner will feed back to committee in next meeting.
7. Project Clean-up was discussed and it was agreed that it has been a very successful project so far. Jo will write a short report with photographs about the project to send to WESSA and the FOC mailing list. It was agreed that further bins needed purchasing though to provide residents a replacement to dumping. The committee agreed to use some of their funds to purchase 4 sets of double bins that will be places at appropriate spots through the village.
8. The date of the next meeting was not decided. Yet, it was agreed that we will apply for a slot in the CERPA AGM at Christmas so that there is a large audience. The Friends of Chintsa AGM will be during Feb/March 2010.
9. The meeting closed at 8pm.
