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ON THE KOWIE · PORT ALFRED

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Chairman’s Newsletter No.2 – 9 February 2017

CHAIRMAN’S NEWSLETTER:  No. 2:  9 FEBRUARY 2017

 

  1. Since the first newsletter there have been significant developments which I report below.
  2. Of immediate interest to members will be that from 1 February 2017 Graham Kelbrick operates the kitchen and function facilities for his own account. He does so in terms of a written lease for a period of 6 months.    Graham has assumed responsibility for the kitchen staff and has undertaken to pay the club a monthly rental of R15 000.00.  The practical effect of this arrangement is that club members will no longer be able to use their club cards to make purchases from the kitchen.  Also, while the club has reserved the right to use the function facilities to hold meetings, for the rest the use of facilities must be arranged through Graham.  The club’s administration has been relocated to the office adjacent to the snooker room.  Obviously Graham remains willing to serve food in the pub although the hours of operation in the kitchen are now determined by Graham and will not necessarily correspond with those of the bar.  It is important to the club that Graham succeeds in his endeavour to operate a business and club members are encouraged to give him their support.  The club wishes Graham every success in his endeavours.
  3. The focus has now shifted to finding a permanent solution for the best use of the kitchen and function facilities. The committee believes that the facilities are of the best available in Port Alfred and that it should be possible to rent the facilities to an enterprising restaurateur.   A number of candidates have been identified, interviews have been conducted and further interviews are scheduled.  Applicants will be screened and evaluated before agreements are concluded.  Obviously if Graham wishes to extend present arrangements, this will be carefully considered and the existing lease agreement adjusted in the light of the current experience.
  4. There will be some small disruption and inconvenience to members when repairs, maintenance and painting commence. A separate fund has been created for this purpose in addition to very generous donations of paint sufficient to paint the exterior of the club.  The building fund presently stands at R8000.00.  Any contributions to the fund would be most welcome and members are encouraged to contact me directly in that regard.
  5. I am pleased to report that whatever problems may have existed within the ski boat section, these have been resolved. Through the hard work of Peter Steyl and his team, the club has succeeded in securing the right to host the junior nationals, where as many as 20 boats and crews are expected.  A successful event will depend on the participation of members.  If you are approached by Peter Steyl and his team to lend assistance, please do so.
  1. Mike Beaumont and I travelled to Port Elizabeth to meet with SARS in relation to the historic debt occasioned by non-payment of VAT, PAYE and UIF. Acting on advice, and with the cooperation of SARS, the committee has resolved to make an offer of compromise.  The indications are that SARS will probably accept a compromise offer if it is made before the end of the financial year for government.  The problem is to find R250 000.00 to pay SARS.  In this regard we cannot do otherwise but approach the membership to subscribe to debentures which will be repayable together with interest at 8%.  I have received pledges from members of the club which amount to approximately R100 000.00.  Hopefully these will come to fruition when the debenture scheme is launched in the near future.  In addition, and at the request of the members especially those of our members who participate in rock and surf angling, the categories of membership are going to be overhauled to make it possible to purchase membership in advance as a life member, 10 year member or 5 year member.
  2. On the other hand, the committee has engaged and has had 2 meetings with those of our members who represent Rock and Surf fishing. Gary Du Randt and Darian Keaton have explained that rock and surf anglers are unable to pay the annual subscription of R990.00 together with affiliation fees and that members are declining in consequence.  This problem is receiving attention.  It is the attitude of the committee that those of our members who are unable to afford annual subscriptions must be accommodated.  While nothing has yet been finalized, the committee intends to restructure the provisions of the constitution regarding membership so as to properly accommodate those of our members, including junior members, who wish to participate but cannot afford the general subscription.  Such a dispensation will apply to all members including those participating in Rock and Surf.  In the meantime the club has, and will continue to, accommodate members who wish to participate but cannot afford the subscription.  This is done confidentially on a case by case basis.
  3. Since the committee came into office on 7 December 2016, it has approved 7 new applications for membership.   It is hoped that they will be welcomed into the club and participate.  During the same period there have been 4 resignations for reasons of moving away from Port Alfred.  One regular visitor has been asked not to return to the club by reason of an altercation with bar staff.
  4. The approved hours of the operation of the bar have been further reduced to reflect the realities of trade. The idea is to reduce the wage bill in relation to bar staff who are employed on an hourly basis.  The actual hours of operation of the bar are in the discretion of the bar manager who has been given authority to extend approved hours when the circumstances require this.  With effect from 13 February 2017, Bongani and his family will occupy the flat adjacent to the kitchen.  This arrangement recognizes Bongani’s promotion and increased responsibilities.  It constitutes a mechanism by which the club can structure a remuneration package to mutual advantage and most importantly makes Bongani  available to open the club in the morning and close the club in the evenings.  We wish Bongani well in his new position and extend our thanks for the effort which he and the bar staff have made in order to adjust to new structures.    Our thanks to Carl Lee for assisting with Bongani’s move.
  5. Many members will be pleased to know that through the efforts of Mike Beaumont and Keith Reid the mysteries of the financial statements of the club have been unravelled and that a new set of accounts will shortly become available.
  6. On a very proud and positive note, Logan Hurn, a junior member, has been selected to represent Eastern Province Deep Sea Angling in the Junior Nationals. She is also the captain of the u16 team for the April competition which our club is to host.

 

RICHARD QUINN

CHAIRMAN

 

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