Some thoughts on the Jeffreys Bay Ratepayers Association

With the AGM of the JBRPA taking place on 22^nd February, I thought this a good time to stimulate a discussion on the JBRPA itself, and on the rates dispute issue to be voted on at this AGM. Obviously, these are my own personal opinions.

1. Membership
   
   Paid membership of the association is currently low (around 100 members) relative to the size of the town (around 5000 residents?).  This represents just 2% of the potential membership. Similar residents associations in the Kouga can claim up to 50% membership. I agree with Dr G Barnard that the low membership of the JBRPA is the single most pressing issue facing the association. It cannot claim to represent the opinions and interests of this community with only 2% proven support.  I would suggest that the new committee set themselves a specific membership target by a specific date. I suggest that a figure of 1,000 registered members by 30^th June 2011 would be a reasonable target. If the committee fails to achieve this target, then that committee should resign and allow a different committee the opportunity to achieve a similar target.  To quote Dr Barnard, “Only when we truly represent the community, can we talk about any of the issues that we are unhappy about.”
   
   
2. Membership Fee
   
   The membership fee is the value that the committee puts on the product it offers to members. It reflects what the committee thinks membership is worth to the residents. St Francis Bay Residents association charges R150 pa. I suggest that JBRPA sets its membership fee at R50 pa, with a 100% discount for the first 1,000 members joining.  There is very little credibility attached to a completely free facility.
   
   
3. What facilities should a residents association provide?
   
   
1. Information. Timely, relevant, useful information is, in my opinion, the best thing that a residents association can offer its members. The new website has been valuable in this regard, but can be improved. Every detail relating to Jeffreys Bay and its governance should be recorded. Budgets, IDP documents, minutes of council meetings, salaries of senior council staff, lists of outstanding and resolved issues, dates of events and meetings, online membership applications, etc.
2. Representation. The association committee represents the residents’ interests in various forums. It is critical that the association has a clear idea of what those residents’ interests are. Active discussion forums on the blog, regular polls on many topics, incoming letters and emails, regular articles on the blog and in the local press, regular feedback meetings, these all contribute to establishing the members interests. It is the job of the committee to lead these initiatives, rather than passively wait for the “apathetic” membership to comment.
3. Action. The residents association must coordinate actions on behalf of the residents. These actions might be meetings with council officials, drafting of letters, calling of meetings, answering member queries, filing disputes, organising protests. The JBRPA should be actively involved in the development of the annual Integrated Development Plan and the annual Council budget.
4. Projects. The association can setup and run numerous specific projects to accomplish specific purposes. This is an efficient way to encourage local participation without overtaxing the energies of the committee. Projects might include: Upgrading of parks, setup of sports facilities, setup of residents care groups, inspection of  beaches, etc. St Francis Bay Residents Association is involved in many community projects, for example (see http://www.sfbresidents.org/2010/12/23/minutes-21st-dec-2010/ ).
5. Advice and leadership. The residents association should undertake thorough research into matters affecting residents, form an opinion based on this research, then present this well-formed opinion to the residents for discussion and input on the way forward. The JBRPA committee must do the necessary homework. They cannot expect the majority of residents to each do this research for themselves, in order to form an opinion.  A classic example is the issue of the withholding of rates, which has many complex issues to be considered.
   
   
4. Achieving relevance
1. Increase membership
2. Provide useful information to the membership, quickly and simply
3. Take action – hold officials to account, enforce legislation, withhold payments, escalate issues
4. Cooperate with other successful entities – FEKRRA, SFBRPA, ward committees, businesses, etc
5. Set clear and achievable goals.