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GRBG Newsletter July 2020 Newsletter News Important Announcements from the GRBG Trust Please take note of the following four announcements from the Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust regarding matters arising in the near future. Annual General Meeting (AGM) The Annual General Meeting of the GRBG Trust, which is normally held in June, has been delayed as a consequence of the COVID-19 regulations. With these having lifted to Level 3, we are now able to hold the meeting, provided strict protocols are followed. We will hold our AGM on Saturday, 8 August 2020 at 11:00 in the Environmental Education Centre (EEC), located on the Garden premises. All those attending the meeting will be required to follow strict social distancing protocols. To allow for this, we will only be able to admit 25 persons to the EEC. Those wishing to attend the meeting in person should therefore email [email protected] to secure their place. The meeting will simultaneously be conducted virtually via Zoom. Anyone unable to attend in person can therefore follow and participate in the proceedings online. To do so, email [email protected] to request a Zoom invitation. Election of Trustees It is standard at the AGM to hold an election of new trustees to serve on the GRBG Board of Trustees. In terms of the Trust Agreement, once elected, trustees serve a two-year term and they must retire before the third AGM following their election is held. As a consequence, we have two trustees retiring before the 8 August AGM. In line with the Trust Agreement, these two trustees may also offer themselves for re-election. In addition, we have had resignations from two trustees, so there is a requirement to elect four trustees in total at the 2020 AGM. We are therefore calling for nominations for trustees from ordinary members of the Trust. Trustee Responsibilities The role of the trustees is critical in ensuring the sustainability of our beloved Botanical Garden and we earnestly appeal to people with energy, enthusiasm and appropriate competencies to come forward for this important position. Nominees should have a keen interest and passion for the GRBG and the protection, display and education of Southern Cape flora. Trustee duties can range from hands-on involvement in the Garden and its various projects, to working behind the scenes in promotion, fundraising, events, education and much more. Nomination Process Any member who wishes to be a trustee must approach any of the existing trustees or a fellow member and indicate to them your interest in becoming a trustee. (This is essential as you have to be nominated by a member of the Garden Route Botanical Garden other than yourself to be considered.) The nominator must complete a Nomination Form which can be obtained at the GRBG front office. The nominee must attach their Curriculum Vitae and a Letter of Motivation to the completed Nomination Form. These should outline their career experience, knowledge and any interests that will make them a valuable addition to the GRBG Board of Trustees. Applications must be sent to [email protected] The closing date for applicants is Thursday, 30 July 2020 at midnight. The nominees’ CVs and motivation letters will then be available at the front office of the Garden for inspection by all members prior to the election on 8 August. For those not able to attend the meeting physically, we will enable online voting on Zoom . Alternatively, you can give your proxy in writing to any other member taking part in the meeting. Retiring and Resigning Trustees The two trustees who are retiring before the 8 August AGM, and who may offer themselves for re-election, are Elizabeth Boshoff and Raymond Auberbach. The two trustees who are resigning from the Board of Trustees are Lauren Elsom and Peter Ginn. Lauren organised and managed our annual Science Week in 2019, which not only educated hundreds of local students and gave them an opportunity to experience the Garden, but raised a sizable donation for the GRBG. Peter has been an invaluable contributor to the GRBG for many years, his most recent contribution being the donation of his book The Ultimate Companion for Birding in South Africa, copies of which are still available for sale at the front office. The GRBG would like to thank these trustees for all of their hard work and dedication and we wish them well in all future endeavours. Reopening the Garden The Level 3 COVID-19 regulations specifically exclude the opening of “beaches and public parks”. We have consequently followed SANBI’s recommendations and the Garden will remain closed to the public until such time as the regulations are eased. We have, however, determined we should be able to allow members to access the Garden under strict COVID-19 protocols. This reopening will commence on Tuesday, 7 July 2020 at 07:30. Only members will be admitted to the GRBG and only if they present a current membership card and ID document, which are essential to our control, and wear a face mask when in the vicinity of GRBG staff and other visitors. Groups of visitors may not exceed three members per group. Entrance will only be permitted from the Protea Gate next to the front office/reception area and a register of everyone accessing the garden will be maintained. Things to Look Forward to in the Garden! Apart from the Main Garden, members will be able to access all other areas and facilities in the Garden, except for the Southern Cape Herbarium. While not part of the initial reopening, plans are underway to reopen the restaurant and tea garden as soon as possible. While exploring the Main Garden, be sure to look out for the following: Lachenalia sp. popping up across the Garden. Nuxia Floribunda (forest elder) and Psoralea pinnata (fountain bush) flowering around the dam. The blending of their sweet scents is best experienced mornings and early evenings. Proteas and Ericas flowering around the dam, the Levinski’s Display Bed and the meadow. The Aloe Display Bed is in mass flower. Take your time to inspect all the different species, their flowers and the different types of bees that frequent them. Financial Position of the Trust In our April newsletter we outlined how the financial position of the GRBG Trust is likely to come under serious strain as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. A review of our budget for the financial year ending 28 February 2021 shows that our normal revenue sources may be reduced by up to a third compared to the previous year. As we budget on a break even basis, this means that we will have to drastically cut back on our costs, which could result in having to curtail the work being done in the Garden. We know that government funds are being redirected to address the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic effects of the lockdown, but somehow public benefit organisations are not seen as needing this government assistance. The role which the Garden, via the Trust, plays in preserving the heritage of our unique Garden Route fauna and flora is of national and international importance. Furthermore, having a botanical garden that meets international standards is an important feature for the city of George, especially in terms of the City’s desire to have a footprint in the regional and national tourism market. Unfortunately, without support the Trust cannot continue to preserve and improve the Garden as a showcase of our natural heritage. We would ask that all our friends who have influence over those holding the purse strings of municipal, provincial and national budgets, try to encourage our politicians to continue to support our Garden. As Trust, we will do everything we can to increase revenues in every possible way and will probably have to review our current very low membership and access fees. Again we appeal to all friends and lovers of the Garden for financial support. The Garden’s banking details appear below. Every contribution, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your continued support. GRBG Banking Details: Name: Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust (Current Account) Bank: Standard Bank, George Account No: 281 859 183 Branch code: 050 214 Notices EV No Events During July Donations Welcome As the decision to reopen the Garden on 7 July has only The Garden Route recently been made, no events have been scheduled as Botanical Garden is of yet. As soon as any events can be scheduled, the a non- details will be communicated via this newsletter and governmental on the GRBG website. organisation (NGO) and relies heavily Participants in the on donations from weekly parkrun, the public to fund meanwhile, can our activities. (Sadly, although we know a thing or click here or here two about trees, we haven’t quite figured out how for updates on to make money grow on them.) when the parkrun If any person, organisation or business would like to will resume. support the GRBG monetarily, this can be done online at www.botanicalgarden.org.za/make-a- donation or by making a deposit directly into our ‘Behind The Scenes’ account using the banking details provided further below. You can also phone our offices at 044 874 * Attributions: This newsletter was designed using 1558 or email [email protected]. resources from www.freepik.com, including images by brgfx, macrovector, pikisuperstar and stories. All donations properly receipted by the Garden in terms of Section 18A are tax deductible. Any * Content Contributors: Roger Bath, Corné Brink, donation – big or small – will be greatly Nicole Jonklass, Anne Kellner, Rebecca Ryen and appreciated.
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