MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
BOHARENG SPIRITUALITY CENTRE
SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER 2010
09H00 – 12H00
1. Sr Ann Wigley welcomed all to the meeting.
2. The register of those attending was circulated, and is appended.
3. Apologies:
Srs Tshifhiwa and Ann Maureen, Ms Glynis Harrison, and other Dominican Sisters otherwise engaged.
4. Terry Sacco led the opening reflection on the AGM theme: MINDING THE GAPS IN OUR SOCIETY. This took the form of personal reflection, sharing and a psalm prayed together.
5. Director’s report:
Ann Wigley introduced the report and gave an overview of the work done at Bohareng and by herself and Sr Rosella this past year. More invitations had had to be turned down than were able to be accepted. A total number of 823 people sessions had taken place in the year. For the last three months of 2010 the centre was fully booked.
Copies of the report were distributed and Srs Biddy and Rosella completed the reading of it.
Discussion:
The developments in Pretoria where an experimental year is in place around the establishment of a similar centre were noted. Both Srs Ann and Rosella have been involved in the animation of this centre. Petra Schindler reported about this.
Other comments referred to the need for marketing of Bohareng, asking for assistance from Mr Mike Thiel’s wife in this area, and using the website, making use of the Archdiocesan News and other channels.
It is expected that next year’s AGM will indicate the results of an extended marketing campaign.
The overall impression was that the news of the great work being done at Bohareng needs to reach a wider audience.
Ann was thanked for her report.
6. Sr Rosella tabled the financial report for the year 2009.
The 2009 budget and actual expenditure were studied, and compared to the 2008 financial year.
In the ensuing discussion the following was noted:
The increase in income from work and the major expense on property upkeep.
It was pointed out that the income section should reflect that part of the 3-year grant received earlier but allocated for the financial year under review. This will be reflected in the 2010 financial report.
Sustainability is an immediate goal, especially in view of salary a lay administrator would require. Sustainability includes both finance and personnel.
There had NOT been successful fund-raising in South Africa, and the major overseas donor was not expected to continue funding. AMA (Holland) should however be approached again.
Acceptance of the 2009 financial report was proposed by Jenny Viljoen and seconded by Maureen Yenson OP.
7. Elections to the Board:
Those present accepted the nomination of Mrs Glynis Harrison to the Bohareng Board, and the re-election for a three-year period of Srs Ann Wigley, Tshifhiwa Munzhedzi, Biddy Rose Tiernan, Ms Mpumi Zondi and Terry Sacco for a second three-year term.
It was pointed out that the resignation of some of the above should be staggered so that the majority of Board members would not be tabled together at the end of the next three-year period.
Sr Justina OP indicated her interest and willingness to attend Board meetings as an observer in the coming year.
The next ordinary Board meeting is at 2.30 p.m. on 16 November at 141 4 Avenue, Melville.
8. DVD: THERE IS ALWAYS MORE THAN ONE RIGHT ANSWER - Everyday Creativity
This inspiring DVD featuring Dewitt Jones was watched. Key points made3 were:
One sometimes needs to change one’s perspective in order to respond creatively;is sometimes necessary to put oneself in a different position in order to maximize the potential in the moment;needs to become more skilled … to increase one’s skill to function more effectivel;y;’t worry about making mistakes;is necessary.
9. CONCLUSION:
All present were invited to return to the opening reflection during which ‘gaps in our society’ had been highlighted. In the light of the discussions of the meeting and of the DVD, all were invited to share ways in which Bohareng could continue or develop areas of impact to address some of the gaps in our society. The following suggestions were made:
Invite men to offer programmes and to participate;story-telling opportunities, and a place to do this, to refugees, the unemployed …links with the Archdioceses, schools etc, and invite teachers to come here for retreats.marketing of Bohareng more seriously;statements and comments about ‘gap issues’ in the local press (eg The Citizen), the local gazette, parish newsletters…about an outreach to ‘poor whites’?use of the internet and pamphlets to make Bohareng known beyond SA’s borders;the Director’s report (e.g. with Jeremy Jacobs)with other group0s, e g Sisters for Justice…aware of organsiations such as the pro Bono Lawyers (Melody Emmet a contact here).
10. FINAL BLESSING:
The AGM was concluded at 12 noon, with a blessing sung, for Ann and Rosella, for the Bohareng family and for the wider neighbourhood.
Minutes taken by Biddy Rose Tiernan
16 October 2010