Chair Report

Kathleen van Tilburg

1. EVENTS

March 2005 - February 2006 (All reporting as per our "Past events")

Totalling 13 formally organised functions and 20 odd informal Buzz Hours during the year, we as a committee trust that we have achieved what we set out to do. Touching topics of relevance to business and social topics, we managed to build stronger friendships and business awareness amongst our members.

2. FACILITATION OF SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS WOMEN IN THE REGION

Identifying the needs of businesswomen in our region:

• The weekly Buzz Hour assists us in the process of determining what needs exist, and who can be approached to assist other members in areas where support is needed.
• Through our news coverage, the interest is shown in other women wanting to know more about BWA Zululand.
• The interaction with other towns (Mtunzini), business owners is adding to our awareness programme ? "who is who?" in women owned, and managed companies and businesses.

Engagement in:

1. Local Business Chamber:

• Receiving updated information from our local Chamber, allows us to combine training efforts available in our region.
• Having our Chairman of the Chamber as a committee member contributes to community awareness in the BWA.
• The fact that we rent premises within the Chamber environment, keeps us up to date with what is happening in and around Richards Bay.

2. Local Government:

• To date no direct contact has been made with Government, however we now have a member (Lucy Steenkamp, Mondi) representing the DA in the Empangeni region.

3. Regional SAWID (South African Women in Dialogue)

• None to date

4. Local Female Enterprises:

• A closer relationship is accomplished with our PRISA members, realising the advantage of combining efforts.

5. Big Business in the Region:

• Companies are being approached on all occasions to become more and more aware of the woman in business.

6. Incubating Small / Medium Enterprises in our Industry:

• None to date

7. Local Business Support Structures ie: IDZ, IDC:

• On receipt of information from the IDC, it is distributed to members for their information.

3. Members Needs

Establishing what skills / information / workshops our members need most, and presentations offered to date.

4. Mentorship programme

A mentoring programme in conjunction with DRG ? Outsourcing was in the pipe line, but due to lack of interest from our members, nothing has transpired yet!

5. COMMUNICATION

Communicating our contacts and developments to our:

• Members: Regular news flashes / Buzz hours
• Head Office: Event reports as per request
• To Council: Council reporting

6. FINANCIAL STATUS

Membership:
Target 170
Target as per budget 150
Performance to budget 130 (January renewals due!)
 

Recruitment drive:

• Buzz Hour attendance growing
• Newsflashes to members
• Local news coverage - awareness of the BWA

Business development activities:

Events and initiatives to raise funds:

• Golf day held in August
• Fun evening - Roger Knowles ? "Coping with your caveman"

7. IN CLOSING

Being part of a vibrant committee, has given me great pleasure, and I would like to thank each and every one of them for being part of the process changing the systems, and the introduction of a new branch co coordinator. We seemed to have broken the ice, and are slowly working our way to the top.

Good luck to the committee of 2006. May your year be pleasant.