MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Historisches Dokument · Webfassung / Historical document · web edition
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE BROTHERHOOD OF BLESSED GÉRARD HELD ON 13th SEPTEMBER 2001. PRESENT: Fr. Gérard T Lagleder, Dr. P Z T Thabethe, and Mrs. N Thabethe & Mrs. C A Kalkwarf Guests: Doctors Peter and Roux Martinez Fr. Gérard opened the meeting with a prayer at 18.35hrs. MINUTES were read and proposed as true and correct by Dr. Thabethe and seconded by Mrs. Thabethe MATTERS ARISING: Father Martin Trieb from St. Ottilien Arch abbey will arrive in October 2001for two weeks. He will be here to make a film of all the projects of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard. This film will be used for fundraising and public relations purposes LEGAL MATTERS: STAFF: The caregiver in the Children's Home, Miss Ntombizethu Radebe, was dismissed for dishonesty. She began as a caregiver in the Care Centre and Hospice and was later asked to help on a permanent basis in the Children's Home. PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL: This body was officially inaugurated. Father Gérard nominated Dr. Peter Martinez for his business management, fundraising and public relations skills and Dr. Roux Martinez for her specialised medical knowledge in trauma, and general practice. REPORTS ON PROJECTS: BLESSED GÉRARD'S PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL & CRÈCHE: Mrs. Kalkwarf reported that there is no problem with water at present due the recent rains. Father Gérard has spoken to the Parish Priest, Father Gamede with regards to sinking a borehole, for a long-term solution. It was agreed to try and find a sponsor who would help fund it. It was also thought that the borehole should be put in a place, which would serve the whole community. BLESSED GÉRARD'S CARE CENTRE & HOSPICE: We have many applications from foreign volunteers, which we are processing at present. It has been decided to limit the number of volunteers from overseas to three at any time. Three new ladies from Germany have arrived, Barbara Ruhland, Silke Sehling and Beatrice Neher. They are very good and we are happy with their performance. Father Gérard reported that the Care Centre & Hospice is full to capacity. 3. BLESSED GÉRARD'S MALNUTRITION CLINIC: Mrs. Thabethe reported that she has 38 children on file and that the situation in our area is deteriorating. She made a special request for some infant formula i.e. NAN 4. BLESSED GÉRARD'S FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY SERVICE The Brotherhood of Blessed Gerard provided this service at the Diocesan pilgrimage to Fatima. There were very few cases - two cut fingers. Father Gérard remarked that this was the first time that we were thanked for the service provided. It was also the first time that the volunteers were given a meal. BLESSED GÉRARD'S CHILDREN’S HOME: The plans for the new building are in an advanced stage and are being finalised. Fund raising is very slow. 7. FINANCE REPORT: Mrs. Kalkwarf asked to be excused from giving a finance report as she was under extreme time pressure and had not printed one out from the computer. But offered to answer any questions and pointed out that the finances are open to scrutiny by the Executive Council at any time. 8. GENERAL: i. World Conference Against Racism in Durban: The secretary of foreign affairs of the SMOM contacted Father Gérard and asked him to attend this conference as the head of the delegation of the SMOM. Prof. Mark Wolff, an American international lawyer, accompanied him. Fr. Gérard found the conference very interesting and stated that the conference had not failed as it was reported in the media. There were two points, which were discarded, as consensus could not be reached. They were the issues of the caste system in India and Palestine becoming a sovereign state. ii. Diocesan AIDS Committee: Fr. Gérard reported that he had been asked to give a talk about this work at the next Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting. He had also given a talk on AIDS and pastoral care to the priests in the Eshowe Deanery. The function of this committee will be mainly to provide the opportunity for interested people in the Diocese to get information and training in Home Based Care. iii. Interdiocesan AIDS Committee: There will be a meeting on 14th September 2001 with His Eminence Cardinal Napier of Durban and the Archdiocesan legal representative, Fr. Gérard, Mrs. Liz Towell and Mrs. C. Kalkwarf in connection with the constitution for this body. iv. President's Council: Father Gérard expressed his thanks on behalf of our organisation for the help and advice given and the hard work done by Dr.s Peter and Roux Martinez. He also thanked them for accepting the honourable position of being in the President's Council. They are the first to be invited into this advisory body. v. 10th Anniversary of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard: Father Gérard stated that it was the intention of the Management Committee to utilise the 10th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gerard (28 October 2002) to officially open the new building of Blessed Gérard's Children's Home. vi. Diplomatic Relations: SMOM and the Government of South Africa are in discussions with regards to establishing diplomatic relations. If this is successful it is our intention to invite the Grand Master, Frà Andrew Bertie, for the 10th anniversary. There being no further business the meeting was closed with a prayer at 19.45hrs DATES FOR FORTHCOMING MEETINGS: Dedicated Members' Meeting Thursday 27th September 2001 at 19:00 hrs Dedicated Members' Meeting Saturday 13th October 2001 at 19:00 hrs (Feast of Blessed Gérard) Executive Council Meeting Thursday 8th November 2001 at 19:00 hrs A G E N D A for the Executive Council meeting on 8th November 2001. 1. Minutes 2. Matters arising Legal matters Staff - Miss N. Radebe; Mr. N. Dlamini Applications for Dedicated Membership. Report on Projects: Poor Sick Fund Relief Fund Bursary Fund Malnutrition Clinic Community Development Centre Friendship Club AIDS Education Pre-primary School & Crèche Care Centre & Hospice First Aid and Emergency Service Disaster Relief Children's Home Finance Report General: i. ii. iii.