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HCC presentation for AGM

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Page 1: HCC presentation for AGM
Page 2: HCC presentation for AGM

The Hoedspruit Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a

warm welcome to everyone here this evening – and thank you

all for making time in your busy schedules to come and put your

voices together to assist us in creating a new stronger chamber

for this coming year as well as to assist us in setting goals and a

plan for the vision we have for our beautiful town this year.

WELCOME

Page 3: HCC presentation for AGM

CONTEXT AND UNDERSTANDING

“All business take up to 5 years to establish and become a success.

Before the first 2-3 years are over, one cannot judge whether a business

is succeeding or not. Every year is about building building and

building… Only after that can one see if profit is being made and if a

business is viable.”

Remember HCC is currently only in its 2nd year. We are still in our foetal

stage… can you imagine where we will be in 10 years!

Page 4: HCC presentation for AGM

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

Cecile de Kock:

President

Patrick Jordan: Vice President Municipal & Schools Liaison

Sarah Dawn Bergs: Chief Operations Office

Ernst Swiglaar: Treasurer

Vee Barnes: Business Networking

Lynette Strauss: Secretary

Nicole Meyer: Business Networking

Page 5: HCC presentation for AGM

DIAGRAM AND GOALS

Goals for 2014

Municipal Business

Underpinning goal for 2014 was to start establishing a sense of community in the town of Hoedspruit between different language sectors and socio-economic levels

Page 6: HCC presentation for AGM

BUILDING A HOUSE

Solid Foundation established…

Business Municipal

Communication

Heart =

sense of

community

Page 7: HCC presentation for AGM

So what have

we achieved ?

Page 8: HCC presentation for AGM

SOLID FOUNDATIONS

No building can stand without a solid foundation – as if you rush ahead with

walls and a roof, come the first hurdle it will all come tumbling to the

ground. The HCC spent time this year establishing a proper foundation

through the following accomplishments:

• HCC Website (www.hoedspruitccsa.com)

• HCC Brochures

• Member Packs including certificates, brochures, information, and a HCC

sticker

Page 9: HCC presentation for AGM

WALLS OF THE HOUSE: MUNICIPAL FEEDBACK

One of the main goals this past year has understandably

been one of dealing with municipal issues. Chambers

around the world are in existence in order to mediate a

relationship between the business concerns and issues –

and carry them over to the relevant local municipalities

and to negotiate with them until a resolution is achieved;

whether or not the resolution is always what we are hoping

for is not always the point– what IS the point is that we

facilitate this correspondence, and keep abreast of the

processes and decisions.

Page 10: HCC presentation for AGM

STARTING TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP

The first step is always to build a successful relationship – one that is established

on a basis of ongoing and open communication.

After the Chamber was elected at the AGM on 20 May 2014, the first thing we

did was to connect with the Maruleng Municipality in order to facilitate this

relationship including monthly HCC/Municipality feedback meetings. A

breakfast meeting was hosted at Khaya Ndlovu including the Municipal

Manager, and the different department directors where we cemented our

ongoing relationship with the municipality.

Page 11: HCC presentation for AGM

POSITIVE RESOLUTIONS

• Hoedspruit Town Signs

• Water tanks were connected

• Communication on water issues is forwarded from the MM technical division and is forwarded directly to HOA’s

The HCC has been instrumental in pushing for these issues to be focused on and resolved, and are proof of our ongoing and longstanding meetings with the municipality.

We have achieved our objective for the past year which was to establish a good rapport and working relationship with the municipality. Whether this has borne the fruit that we hoped for is not necessarily the case; but we will make the pledge on behalf of our business members to not give up trying.

The Chairperson and Municipality liason have all department heads on speed-dial, so should you have any issues or are aware of anything that you would like brought to the Municipality’s attention- please channel this through the HCC.

Page 12: HCC presentation for AGM

POSITIVITY

“Success if not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston S Churchill

Page 13: HCC presentation for AGM

ON GOING ISSUES

• Sewage Concerns

• Water Tower Squatters

• Municipal Events board

• New Taxi Rank for Hoedspruit

• Kampusrus dump

We are aware of these, amongst others and will keep ongoing

discussions and negotiations with the MM in order to achieve

what we hope is a successful resolution.

Page 14: HCC presentation for AGM

BULK WATER PRICES TO HOME OWNERS

ASSOCIATIONS

Issue:

It was brought to the attention of the Hoedspruit Chamber of Commerce

(HCC) that when the Maruleng Municipality (MM) started billing for water

again. The charges that Home Owners Associations were receiving were far

above what they were being billed prior to 2012. This has been addressed in all

of our meeting with the municipality to date.

Update: At this stage the higher rate is because HOA’s are being charged

business rates for residential units. An MOU has been drafted by the HOA’s and

is being reviewed by the MM to agree upon set water rates.

Page 15: HCC presentation for AGM

ILLEGAL DUMP SITE AT OBARO

Issue: The HCC made the Municipality aware of the illegal dump site

developing on the road that heads towards the railway from Obaro.

Update: This was cleaned up in the interim- and the Municipality has asked

that if anyone witnesses people using the site for dumping that their details

are handed to the Municipality through the HCC so that the appropriate

steps can be taken to fine and discipline these individuals.

Page 16: HCC presentation for AGM

TENDER PROCESS UPDATE

Issue: It was brought up at the meeting that the HCC is concerned that tenders

go out for Municipal work and is awarded to contractors from outside our

municipal area. Not only does this show a lack of faith in local contractors but it

also takes money out of our community without adding to it.

Update: To date we have now been included in al tender notification since our

first meeting and we have sent this out through our social media and other

avenues. We need to assist the Municipality in getting more local tenders

through our advertising and members.

Page 17: HCC presentation for AGM

HAWKER STALLS

Issue & Update: We have been informed that the Hawker Stall

refurbishment project is being run by the Spatial Planning office and we are

in the process of setting up a meeting with them to discuss how the HCC

can assist in the beautification of this eyesore.

Proposed design

Page 18: HCC presentation for AGM

HOEDSPRUIT SIGNS

Page 19: HCC presentation for AGM

SECOND WALL: BUSINESS

The second “arm” as it were of the Hoedspruit Chamber is to

make Hoedspruit a viable platform for business- not to market

individual businesses but to advance the economic and civic

welfare of its members through our various business objectives.

Photo taken at our Cocktail Meet &

Greet with new members

Page 20: HCC presentation for AGM

BUSINESS NETWORKING

The HCC hosted 2 Business Speed Networking events this year –

which were very successful and well attended. This was created to be a platform whereby businesses could introduce and

market themselves. Apart from being a free marketing tool and

opportunity- it was also a way to bring the community together

in a constructive and communicative environment and to

encourage positive business linkages.

Creating

Networking

Opportunities

Page 21: HCC presentation for AGM

BUSINESS SEMINAR

This month the HCC hosted a business seminar which was run by Esprit Business Services. This event was a full day seminar at Fire and Ice business venue– and covered 2 issues:

*Social Media as a Marketing Tool

*Change your thinking; Change your World

This was a “ free perk” of being a member of the HCC – although we were also happy to offer a reduced rate to non-members as we feel this was a very beneficial seminar for our community. Hoedspruit and small businesses in particular benefit from being able to use “free” social media platforms and from knowing how to access these tools in a way that will direct more attention and exposure.

Thank you to Vicky Nish from Esprit Business Services for an incredibly well planned and constructive seminar.

Page 22: HCC presentation for AGM

HOEDSPRUIT HAPPENINGS

Hoedspruit Happenings was our local event calendar which was by

run by Lynette Strauss; in her capacity as secretary of the HCC. This

was updated and circulated monthly and was regarded as a

informative platform for people to stay abreast of happenings in

Hoedspruit- especially so as not to have conflicting events.

We will endeavour to continue providing you with this service.

Page 23: HCC presentation for AGM

ARE WE

ACHIEVEING IT?

Page 24: HCC presentation for AGM

MODELLED AFTER THE EXPERTS

“we promote enterprise development, skills development,

development training and business advisory services.” Chamber

of Commerce Johannesburg

Achieved through our business seminar and speed networking!

“the real benefit we obtained from the membership of the Chamber of Commerce was gained from meeting fellow

members, which in turn has lead to new business contacts and

increased turnover.” Chamber of Commerce Cape Town

Achieved through our business seminar and speed networking!

… just saying…

Page 25: HCC presentation for AGM

GROWTH OVER THE YEAR

The Hoedspruit Chamber of Commerce is only as

powerful as its body of members. We have made an

effort to recruit members to the HCC over the

preceding year, and our membership has increased

by 150%

1 2

Rate of growth increased by over

100%

Growth over year

MEMBERSHIP

May 2014

March 2015

Nu

mb

er o

f m

em

be

rs

Page 26: HCC presentation for AGM

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: HCC BRAAI CHALLENGE

One of our biggest networking successes and community feel-

good events was the HCC Braai Challenge which took place at Safari Junction in November 2014. This was not only a annual

fundraising event for the HCC, but also an invaluable way for

businesses to interact, team-build and engage in an informal

manner as part of the greater Hoedspruit community. We

applaud the participants for their spirit and creativity.

Page 27: HCC presentation for AGM

GOING GREEN

The Chamber of Commerce is not only about municipal, business and a sense of

community, but also about BEAUTIFYING AND BENEFITTING out beautiful town.

In a small and fun way we were happy to “go GREEN” for St Patricks day by

sponsoring 100 TREES to Hoedspruit. This was an awesome project because not only

did we green Hoedspruit, but we bought the trees from a community project

keeping funds going back to upliftment. They were planted by Green Kidz as part of

a fun green community day!

The HCC is proud to have initiated this greening initiative.

Page 28: HCC presentation for AGM

ROOF: COMMUNICATION

The roof of any house is positive communication. We believe that communication falls into the following

branches:

• Communication between HCC and our members

• Between members

This we aimed to facilitate through our AGM, followed by our cocktail party “meet-and greet”; thereafter

we hosted a feedback meeting, as well as 2 business speed-networking events, a braai challenge and a

seminar – all of which were an opportunity for us as the HCC board to engage with you- our members; to

voice issues and concerns, and to network amongst each other in a way that forms a cohesive voice of

business and we hope forges lasting business contacts and networks.

Our goal next year is to enforce this communication with more feedback via our Social Media platforms

as well as with quarterly newsletters.

Page 29: HCC presentation for AGM

PROCESS NOT AN EVENT

During the year we did have 3 members of our board resign (due to

unforeseen circumstances such as moving, or getting a full time job), and as

such in a small way we have been limping along trying to do our best to

both grow our town and business community as well as stay on top of

municipal issues. We are aware that we have neglected communicating

feedback from all our issues – we do acknowledge our short fall in this

regard, and we will be communicating more regularly via social media as

well as in newsletters.

Page 30: HCC presentation for AGM

POSITIVITY

There is no great failure except GIVING UP… ~Becka Schoettle

Page 31: HCC presentation for AGM

Make a Difference. Be part of Hoedspruit. Join the Chamber.