Annual General Meeting.

In broad terms the members of the National Executive Committee(NEC) spent most of their time during the past year digging themselves in and keeping current projects going. They have a problem in getting people to act as project leaders in respect of some of the ongoing projects.

It is going well with the branches that were present and their reports reflected enthusiasm. Unfortunately the Free State and the North Cape Branches are struggling to get their houses sorted out. The problem is personalities in the management. Johann Janse van Rensburg, National President, will visit Bloemfontein next weekend and see whether he can sort things out.

In 2005 consideration was given to merging the Johannesburg Branch (also struggling to survive as nobody is prepared to take the lead and get a committee off the ground) with the Western Gauteng Branch. Western Gauteng was prepared to accommodate the Johannesburg members and was even prepared to change its name so Jo'burg members could be happy. Some old Jo'burg members however felt that they should again try to revive the branch, but nothing has happened. Johann will see what he can do.

The Durban and Coastal and Natal Midlands Branches did not send representatives, new chairman and new branch executive committee informed too late of AGM and financial restraints in respect of Midlands. They are however still active.

A CD containing the Constitution, GSSA Management Manual, SA Genealogical Reference Guide, GSSA Beginners Course, GSSA Brochure, Cemetery Recording Guide, Cemetery Recording Project, Code of Conduct, Privacy Policy, Genealogy Awards and Personal Coat of Arms. At the meeting it was decided that there was no requirement for a Code of Conduct and should be ignored on the CD. Each branch given 20 copies of the CD for reproduction and distribution amongst GSSA members.

Strategic Planning Meeting

The Free State Marriages data bought from Niel Botha in Bloemfontein five years ago can now be reproduced by the GSSA and made available members. Johann will see to this.

The Huisgenoot project was accepted as a new project and the NEC will do the initial liaison and get the necessary structures going in cooperation with Keith and eGSSA. The last four years of indices to estate files must be acquired and a new CD version must be made available. The possibility of a CD with the concentration camp records in possession of Johan Pottas is to be investigated.

A brief discussion was held about the eGGSA online shop with regard to historical and cultural items offered for sale there. NEC approval of material was considered, the extreme case of pornography was mentioned. I stated that the eGSSA management was quite capable of deciding on what to accept and the meeting was in general agreement that the eGSSA management is capable to take responsibility.

A new committee for adjudicating GSSA awards was appointed. See the minutes for names.

The Awards Ceremony went well, Daniel Jacobs received the Award for Excellence. The Genealogist of the Year Award was not awarded due to a few problems encountered.

report by: Daan Hamman
eGGSA reprensentative at the meeting
26th February 2006

The President's Address, the minutes of the AGM and the Strategic Planning Meeting, and the Branch Reports are available here.

Lukas Rinken and Simon du Plooy have kindly provided the photographs.