Minutes of the meeting of the Councils of Blessed Gérard Care Center and the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard held on Thursday, 5th of June 2008

Historisches Dokument · Webfassung / Historical document · web edition

Minutes of the meeting of the Councils of Blessed Gérard Care Center and the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard held on Thursday, 5th of June 2008
Present: Fr Gérard Lagleder OSB, Fr TS Gamede Deacon T. Müller, Dr PZT Thabethe and Mrs NM Thabethe. And Miss Susanne Stauffer
Meeting opened with the prayer of the  Brotherhood at 20h00
The President thanked and welcomed members of the councils present.
There were no minutes of the last meeting to be read, hence no matters arising:
Reports on Projects
5.1	Blessed Gérard’s Care Center
The final practical completion hand over was scheduled for the 16th of May 2008. The President was grateful to all who worked under difficult conditions during the building.  He also thanked all the sponsors in absentia. Minor changes had to be effected still to create more staff accommodation, workshop and bulk storage. The new extensions will be official blessed and opened on the 22nd June 2008 by Bishop-elect XT Kumalo, the new resident Bishop of Eshowe. On the day, BGCC and BG Malnutrition clinic will be celebrating 15years of existence. Caroline will organize catering on that day and Fr TS Gamede will organize entertainment. Few VIP’s have responded and have promised to come.

5.2	Hospice
On the 2nd of June VCT started. All children in our BGCH were tested and very few tested HIV positive. Our staff and volunteers will be given n a chance as well, then the general public will be invited. CATHCA has offered to train lay counselors to assist.
on the 13 – 15th May Dr Khaya attended HIV/AIDS workshop at Umhlaga Rocks organized by the Foundation for professional development (FDP)

5.3	Children’s Home
On the 20th of May 2008 the Children’s Court placed Clement Sibusiso and Ngcebo Zulu under the care of BGCH. The next appointment is scheduled for the 11th July 2008.

5.4	HIV/AIDS Education
Dr Khaya was introduced to the HAART readiness course on the 08th – 16th of April 2008

The Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard
6.1	Pre-Primary School and Crèche
Deacon Thomas has made rough sketches for he BGPPS&C. Miss Patric0ai Zikhali was on maternity. Fanelesibonge, one of the volunteers, has been employed a third teacher.

6.2	Malnutrition clinic
The number of babies helped from our clinic is steadily increasing. There are round about 50 babies and the clinic was then running short of milk. Hloni, one of the children of BGCH was helping out. This was highly applauded y the meeting especially those who were assisting her with the induction.

6.3	First Aid 
BBG has been invited by the Diocese of Eshowe to provide First Aid Bay at the upcoming ordination of Bishop-elect XT Kumalo scheduled for June 07 at Little Flower. Dr PZT Thabethe promised to join the Team.

6.5	Relief Fund
It was reported that BGCH had been asked to accommodate three children whose house was burnt down. The family was extremely grateful and this family has found another accommodation and these kids have been taken from BGCH.

6.4	Governance and Leadership
On the 17th of April Susie returned from a well deserved holiday in Germany. On the 09th of May 2008 Public Benefit organization (PBO) called the Association of the BBG was launched in Germany. Its principal task is to collect all donations for the BBG in Germany and to issue Tax certificates.

6.5 	Human Resource Management and Membership
It was reported that the following personnel have been employed since our last meeting:
Dudu Mchunu started as an Enrolled Nurse in the Residential Care Unit.
 Nkanyiso Mdletshe as an ambulance driver for the Home Care Team.
  Hlengiwe Dube as the Social Worker
Nozipho Mkhwanazi as Laundry Assistant
Faneslesibonge Ndwandwe as crèche assistant
Sr Bhengu will commence duties on the 1st of August 2008
The following reports were also made:
On the 10th May 208, Dr Khaya got married, the BBG sent delegation of three members.
The BGDC (BG Disciplinary Committee)  acquitted Thembisile Shezi on the charges of physical assaulting a child under our care. 
Sr Fikile Buthelezi was given a month’s notice prior to the expiration of her probation period. Sr Miriam Makhoba will take over the Residential Care Unit.
Sr Liz Coetzer gave a 7hour notice and left her employ with the BBG.
Sue Champion had applied for a post with the BBG

6.6	 Administration (incl. Finance and fundraising)
It was reported that the Abbott Primate gave a talk on work of the Benedictine, inter alias that of the BBG, the outcome of which was a promise by KINDERHILFESTIFTUNG Ev  of a donation of EUR40,000.00. The first EUR10,000.00 is already in the account of the BBG.
Mr. Herbert Becher, the chair of the Board of German Football Association, visited BBG. He is the man who donated the Jungle gym and now he has an idea of donating a soccer field for the children of BGCH. This is anticipation of the 2010 World cup tournament
On the 31st May, Susie, Carolyn and Caroline had a jumble sale. They resolved to have such sales once every month.
The BBG server crashed and some data was lost.
Financial statements were circulated and explained. 
6.7	Public Relations
On the 10th May an association called Mission Circle Mandeni was founded in Germany by a group of people who wanted to support the work of BBG and to do PR for the BBG
On the 05th of June Dr Lockande and Mr. Podding visited the BBG to examine the work done by Rev and Mrs Müller.
Since the last meeting there were three TV programs on the work of the BBG. It is inspiring to note that the work of the BBG is taken as an example of how Benedictines and the Order of Malta function.
6.8	Networking and Affiliates.
On the 07th of April Marcell Joubert came to help the BBG with statistics
On the 20 -27th April CATHCA held their annual conference and AGM. The President of the BBG was elected into the Board.
On the 24th June Mrs Caroline Beaumont represented the BBG at KAKZN quarterly meeting
On the same day, Amra Karan will visit the BBG to help in the re-entry towards accreditation
On the 06th April, Sr Marise of CATHCA Relief Services, visited the BBG. She had developed a new database computer program to help in monitoring HAART patients. She intends to introduce it in five months time.
General
The President thanked all members for their valuable contributions, especially the Vice President for all the assistance he gave to the Vice Manager of the BBG whilst the President was away.
Closure

The meeting closed with a prayer led by the Vice President at 22h15