We are heading into summer rather quickly, and can soon expect an influx of visitors to our little village. It is time for us to gather our resources and to ensure that we are prepared and have much under control when the season arrives.
Here are a few items from the latest committee meeting that we would like to put on the table, for all to comment on.
First and foremost, current membership rates stand at R150 per property, as well as a number of perpetually running funds, whose objectives have been lost in translation from one committee to the next. Most members pay R350 for the year, with their fees being allocated into the separate running funds.
For the upcoming financial year, we would like to change this system. For the sake of good governance and accountability we would like to combine these funds in the new financial year and communicate to the community when and how we spend their donations. We propose that the yearly membership rate becomes R350/property, making a singular fund allocation.
In essence, the ongoing/perpetual funds will be pooled to ease the committee's administrative and allocation constraints and in future all donations over and above the membership fee will be pooled for use by committee and the village as they deem necessary. If there are specific projects, which are undertaken the Civics will open dedicated funds for those projects providing for greater accountability and responsibility once a specific project has been completed.
Please also note that those who cannot afford the new membership will be encouraged to speak with the committee regarding an exemption or relief, in order to be as inclusive as possible. The committee will provide exemptions on an individual case basis.
The committee believes that this will help to clarify the spending of your money in looking after our village, but would like as much feedback as possible on this proposal. Please mail, phone or talk to any of the committee members about this proposal at your soonest convenience so that we can plan a way forward.
We would then like to go on a membership drive, as the financial year for the association starts 1 October. Right now, we have 180 members of a possible 800, and we would like everyone to help and climb on board to get our numbers up to a minimum of 400 members, ensuring that we have a powerful voice going forward.
We would like to thank Pierre Van der Walt and his team for mowing the lawns and cleaning up the weeds and mess at the Boulevard car park, up to the surfers’ car park. The grass and weeds were overgrown and untidy, and Pierre took it upon himself to get involved and clean up, at his own cost. Obviously, this sort of initiative is greatly encouraged, and the possibility of residents and Civics members taking ownership of such duties is a positive step in the right direction. If anyone feels compelled to do something similar, please make contact with Civics beforehand to ensure that there are no bylaws in place that might be broken, or any other possible consequences to your good deeds.
We will be sending a second newsletter out with a decided membership fee for the year, as well as with details of our membership drive and how we can all help with this drive.
Please feel free to engage with any of the committee members, and to email this Civics general email address - CSFCivic@gmail.com
22 May 2017 Cape St Francis Civics Association 2017
Hi all
This is simply a friendly newsletter from the new Cape St Francis Civics Committee, explaining who we are, what our goals are, and how we plan to make our village better while still keeping on track with the tried and tested ‘keep it green, keep it clean, keep it small' ideology.
The new Cape St Francis Committee is thus:
Chairperson: Dane Shaw
Vice Chairperson/Communications: Craig Jarvis
Treasurer: Jal Rigaard
Secretary: Hayden Holmes
Membership: Antoinette Grundling
Committee members:
Matie Du Toit
Sean Skelton
Mickey Lindsay
Jade Dace has been co-opted to help with secretarial duties and minutes.
"I would like to thank Trudi as the outgoing chairperson for all that she has done, and I would like to thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to be chairperson. We have a great team and I look forward to working with them and to continue with the project-based formula that Civics works on. Lastly, thank you to all Civics members for your membership. Without you, none of the projects we have highlighted would be possible."
We as the incoming committee would too like to to thank the full outgoing committee of Trudi Malan, Lois Fox and Louw Jordaan. As chairperson, Trudi worked hard for many years and faced many challenges along the way, but managed to steer our little village on an even course and for that we thank her profusely. We would also like to thank her for her ongoing commitment to the Thyspunt Alliance and the preservation of that pristine part of our coastline.
Trudi is not going anywhere and is helping the incoming committee whenever she can. We would also like to thank Antoinette Grundling for holding steadfast and being prepared to work with this inexperienced but extremely motivated new committee.
We are going to continue with the good work of Trudi and her committee ideology of working on a project-based system as opposed to a reactive or police system. Our macro projects are:
1) looking after the beach and amenities thereof,
2) village security,
3) signage and sign posts in the village,
4) traffic control/dampening in hotspots, being at the village centre, as well as at the Resort/Rock Lily downhill, and
5) ongoing Civics membership drive, communication, and synergy opportunities with FOSTER and Seal Point Boardriders Surf Club.
Please feel free to communicate on the email account. It’s not really meant to be an outlet to release, vent or complain but more a portal for the sharing of ideas, encouragement, possible advice and strategies on how to keep our village as cool and as unique as it is.
We have also opted for consistent and open communication. Expect more of these newsletters.
Looking forward to hearing from you all.
Craig Jarvis
Vice Chairperson/Communications: Cape St Francis Civics