Chair report

My final report as Chair for the East London branch of the Businesswoman?s Association is brought to you with pride and a touch of sadness on this the occasion of the 6th Annual General Meeting of the branch. I am delighted to be able to share with you some of the successes our branch has enjoyed this year.

Currently our membership is on 98. With 120 members registered on our data base

Functions 2006/2007

We have hosted a diverse variety of functions during the year. Below are listed the more memorable occasions:

April 2006 ? Monhla Hlahla ? Businesswoman of the year 2006 ? CEO of Airports Company South Africa.
April 2006 ? Effective strategies in dealing with Aids workshop.
May 2006 ? mentoring and leadership workshop ? run by Susan Keighley of Fort Hare.
June 2006 ? Patricia Glyn ?presentation footing Sir Richards Ghost. ? a fund raiser we shared with the SPCA. And our bursary fund
June 2006 ? consumerism and consumer rights in South Africa ? in association with Old Mutual.
June 2006 ? regional business achievers award- gala function at Buffalo Park. The function was well attended - 190 guests. The nominees came from a broad category base. We gave recognition to 3 stunning business woman, as well as 3 leaders who focus in community projects.
July 2006 ? cash flow management ? Thayn Niemand.
August 2006 ? lessons from wildlife for entrepreneurs. Presenter Andre Diederics.
September ? fashion show at Sisters ? new members networking.
September 2006 ? Gonubie networking breakfast. Guest speaker Delena Fenwick
September 2006 ? Dr Denise Bjorkman ? delightful presentation on the empowerment of woman.
September 2006 ? presentation in association with Old Mutual ? self branding and networking by Karen Coetzee.
October 2006 ? Golf Clinic ? Jady Haynes. A great training and networking opportunity.
October 2006 Nedbank Chief Economist gave us a talk on the budget speech
October 2006 ? Businesswoman of the year ? Gloria Serobe ? winner in the corporate category and Angela Dick winner in the entrepreneur category.
November 2006 ? year end luncheon ? guest speaker Phylicia Oppelt ? editor daily dispatch. Toys for street children. Suits for graduates leaving college.

On 30 October - Brenda Wadge our co-ordinator passed away suddenly. I would like to ask that you all remember Brenda ? and the sterling work that she did for the BWA.

Bursary Student
Our 2006 bursary student is Unice Champion, who is a 4th year student studying economics at Fort Hare. She is a mature student, an ex teacher and is coping with all the associated difficulties.

Thanks to the out going committee for their hard work:

Carol Taggert
Ceilia Theart
Pat Norris
Shirley Renwick
Lizette Liesching

Our committee who continue from 2006 I wish you well:

Melanie Obrig Bruyns
Marcine Featherstone ? new capacity as co-coordinator
Bea Hackula ? new capacity ? our incoming chair for 2007/2008.

My thanks to Nedbank for their ongoing support and in particular our Nedbank Champion, Pat McCarlie, who is always around to lend support, encouragement and the benefit of her knowledge.

Signing off for the last time, I am truly grateful for being given the opportunity to be the Chair person for the past 3 ? years. I challenge you all to support woman in business ?and specifically woman who are part of this organization. Only when we as members see tangible benefits will BWA fly. My good wishes are offered to the new Chair, Bea Hakula and her new committee. I know the Association will grow under her sound leadership.

Thank You.
Mary Wrench