Thursday, 29 October 2009

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ON EVENTS

The Business Women’s Association of the Free State and Lesotho region had to prove it still relevant and financial sustainable since March 2009.

A strategic plan for events was implemented and followed-through since the beginning of 2009.  BWA Free State branch hosted monthly showcases with relevant topics which varied from Emotional Intelligence, Executive Intelligence; Time Management; How to create your dream and live your passion; Marketing & Branding; Understanding Boundaries; Diversity Management.

Workshops were also facilitated on MBTI and Financial Planning and Budgeting.

Larger events such as the RBAA in May and the Spring Breakfast Celebration during October were held with a huge success.  Profits from the RBAA were R 11 600.00 and from the Spring Breakfast R 3 600.00.

All the events, except for the workshops had much focus on networking and provided excellent opportunities for introducing businesses and areas of interest.  The speakers at all these events were of high standard and delivered information and knowledge that was of great value.

We truly embraced diversity by inviting Miss Deaf SA, Vicki Fourie to our Spring Breakfast celebration which was hosted on Thursday, 15 October 2009.  The guests loved her and her message spoke of hope and encouragement.  This was an event where ladies could dress up, wearing hats and also brought gifts for abandoned babies.

MEMBERSHIP

• New members (since January 2009 – 30 September 2009): 16
• Renewal of Membership (Since January 2009 – 30 October 2009): 17

FINANCE

• Bank balance as at 30 June 2009: R 26 938.94
• Year to date income (1 July – 30 Sept 2009): R 6 159.84
• Year to date expenditure (1 July – 30 Sept 2009): R 19 281.57
• Year to date profit: R 13 817.21

2009 was a year where BWA Free State & Lesotho Branch had to rise to the challenge of getting out of R 18 000.00 debts, carried forward from previous leadership. Cash purchases for a computer and printer were made and we managed to maintain financial sustainability till the end of December.

EVENTS SCHEDULE SINCE JUNE 2009

DATE:	EVENT / TOPIC / SPEAKER:	ATTENDEES (MEMBERS):	ATTENDEES (GUESTS):
10 June 2009	Creating your dream & living your passion	4	7
24 June 2009	Time Management	5	6
22 July 2009	MBTI	7	11
19 Aug 2009	Understanding Boundaries	6	24
23 Sept 2009	Diversity Management	6	7
15 Oct 2009	Spring Breakfast Celebration	15	30

FUTURE EVENTS

BWA Cooking Demo

A cooking demo with Bruce McKay of Halevy Heritage Hotel is scheduled for the month of November.  The focus with this event is networking and having fun, whilst getting organized for the upcoming festive season.

COORDINATOR AND OFFICE RENTAL

The BWA FS & Lesotho branch is sub-renting from TREOC, who is moving to bigger offices which will mean higher rental for BWA.

This caused the branch to have a review on the financial status of the branch. According to financial reports, it was clear that it will be not be possible for the branch to carry a coordinator’s salary as well as higher office rental for the next 4 months (Nov 2009 –Feb 2010).

These four months are normally very quiet for the BWA and there is no planning for major income generating events during this period.  Therefore it is decided that the branch is not going to move with Treoc to bigger office space, due to the higher monthly rental (R2000/month) and it is decided to accommodate the coordinator, Thina Joubert till the end of December, even if we are not going to have official office space.

Our coordinator understood the situation and accepted the decisions very positively.  She shared with us that she was planning to study in the near future.  Thina sees this as the opportunity to pursue her studies next year.  She provided the BWA with a resignation letter with a two months notice period and Ansa Terblanche, our treasurer, is going to assist Thina with career and study choices.  Please find the resignation letter attached to this letter.

Damelin will serve as the physical address for BWA, whilst Spoudazo Promotions will run the administration of BWA Free State Branch on a part time basis.  The administration and communication fee will still be negotiated, because the branch is still paying the coordinator till the end of December 2009.

AWARENESS

Notices of latest Spring Breakfast : Newspapers (Volksblad, Krant, Ons Stad) - Radio (Medfm, Motheo FM)
  
Prepared By:  E. Louw - BWA Free State & Lesotho Vice - Chairperson