EDITORIAL

Typical August weather here – still cold and sometimes very rainy, interspersed with glorious sunny days. The spring flowers are in full swing, sheets of white Rain Daisies, sprinkled with yellow Oxalis and Cotula, and pink Senecio. The show is as usual particularly gorgeous in front of the Chapel here at Camphill Village West Coast. This month we tell you about the recent synod of the Christian Community, the coming Annual General Meeting, and new offices being created and occupied.

NEXT MARKET SUNDAY 6th SEPTEMBER

THE RAIN DAISY

Osteospermum Pluvialis, known locally as the “Rain Daisy” because it germinates with the autumn and winter rains, is now in full flower here. It looks pure white but in fact has a yellow eye surrounded by a dark blue ring. The flower opens when the sun is out and follows it, so that it is best seen when the sun is behind you. Every year the sweeps of white are bigger as the seed is spread by the wind. It is also known as “Witbotterblom” in Afrikaans.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SYNOD

The Christian Community was created by clergymen in the early 20th century, who were advised by Rudolf Steiner, the inspiration behind the Camphill movement, Waldorf education and Biodynamic farming. The Christian Community of South Africa have just held their annual Synod here, which ended with meetings with the local church council, and members of Camphill’s community. In the early years of Camphill, about 42 years ago, a chapel was built and the central Act of Consecration was offered regularly. This provided a necessary focus for the spiritual life of the residents. Members of this community are free to attend services of any denomination or religion, but the Christian Community is the only church which is actually in the village, and is the one most people here attend. In recent years newer residents and co-workers have tended to belong to other churches, and some go out to services. The meeting with Camphill people focused upon the question of how the Christian Community here in Camphill Village West Coast will move into the future. One unanimous conclusion was that the village has great potential for cultural and spiritual development, and the Christian Community will thrive here when more people come here to participate in all sorts of activities.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2009 at 10 am

Camphill is governed by a board of directors, which is elected annually by members of its company. Every year we hold an AGM, as is legally required, board members and auditors are appointed, and financial reports are scrutinized. The past year is reviewed and evaluated, and the tasks and issues for the year ahead are clarified. This process has always been held in-house, although legally an AGM is open to everybody. For some time now the carrying members of this community/organization have been aware of a need to open the process up so that other stakeholders can participate. From the invitation to the AGM: “The Board is working towards widening and deepening participation in decisions about the Village”. So this year we have invited family members of residents, non-resident employed staff, government representatives, customers, suppliers, disability workers, and friends. There will also be an address by Susan Spargo entitled “Attracting, retaining and enthusing talented people”, after the formal AGM. Susan trains consultants in the use of Culture Transformation Models and Tools. If you are interested in attending, please contact us.

OFFICERS AND OFFICES

What is an office? The word originates from the Latin “opus” (a task or work) and “facere” (to do). The transformation of governance and management that we have been talking about over the past few years in this newsletter has had some concrete consequences. We have created new offices, i.e. roles for individuals, who could be called officers, such as Fundraiser, Land Manager, Group Homes Leader to mention a few. Which now means that each of these new “office bearers” need a place where they can focus upon their tasks, or an office. Some of these are already there in our buildings, but some are not and have to be found or created. How to create these spaces during a time of financial difficulties is quite a challenge, but there are unused or under-used spaces in buildings. So the Special Projects manager will be housed in the quite large Building Maintenance office, alongside the Maintenance manager. Now we have decided to convert a space in our Craft workshop into two offices, for the Fundraiser and Group Homes manager. This is in an interesting building consisting of a farm barn structure, walled with straw bale or cobbing technique, with an internal mezzanine in a portion of the building. The new offices will be under the mezzanine, created by simple dry walls, therefore low cost. Completion date the 2nd September. Come and see…

FROM OUR FUNDRAISING DEPARTMENT

With Spring in the air and the news reports of the recession lasting that extra bit longer for SA, one has to choose whether the lovely weather, blossoms and birds singing happily will fill us with hope or if we take our cue from the newspapers…. Well I’ve chosen to let the beauty of Spring fill me with hope for the future not only for Camphill but for the whole of SA. To live and work in a place like Camphill surrounded by natural beauty every day is a privilege not too many people enjoy. And I’m particularly aware of this when I see our friends living with intellectual disability walking around with freshly picked flowers which grow wild on the farm. These lovingly selected blooms will be put into a vase and will add to the warmth at lunch table, when everyone sits together for a home cooked meal. I don’t think there could be a better place for people living with intellectual disabilities and special needs than Camphill Village, West Coast.

A number of our residents came to us from desperately poor conditions, having suffered abuse and neglect. For these residents there is no funding available from their families, so we cannot continue to provide this care and quality life without the help of those who are willing to assist us financially. If you are willing to sponsor one of our many residents, young or old who receive no financial support then please contact Lee Hansen, tel: 021 571 8609 (during office hours) for more information.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

We welcome this month David Kille, who has moved down from Johannesburg. David, a Grange house resident, is a friendly but serious young man who has taken immediately to the work on the farm. His good attitude and work ethic are very impressive. We wish him all the best and are very happy to have him here!

? THANKS TO EVERYBODY FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

* We are looking for a name for our coffee bar/restaurant. If you have any ideas, please send them to the email addresses brian (at) camphill.org.za, or contact Brian or Lee in the village 021-571-8600 Fax 021-572-2238.