Board Meeting Report Back: May 2018

Conference Registrations

There is a lot of excitement amongst the Conference Organising Committee. We are seeing a surge in delegate registrations. After launching our conference with the new name Eduweek, in April, the registrations have been coming in thick and fast. Don’t miss out, visit the conference website and get your quote!  https://www.eapasaconference.co.za/

Pan African Congress

Pan African EAPA team is very excited about the Congress being hosted by EAPA-SA and joining the annual conference. The theme is a great way to get African countries to learn from each other and they are excited about working with African and International speakers.

Our Book Launch

Prof. Lourie Terblanche (EAPA-SA Past President – 2009 to 2011) was commissioned by the Board to compile a History book to record the achievements and growth of EAP in South Africa and other African countries. The book celebrates the different people who founded EAPA-SA, all the board members and the impact that EAPA-SA has had on the EAP industry in our country.

At our May Board Meeting, details about the book launch were finalised and members will see the book launched at the 20^th Annual conference celebrations in September 2018 at the EAPA-SA and Pan African Eduweek. There have been many sponsors that have come on board and the publication would not have been possible without their contribution.

We would like to appreciate the following organisations for their contributions to the launch of our History of EAP publication.

• AON South Africa
• Capitec
• Careways Group
• Healthichoices
• ICAS
• Lifesense / Life Assist
• NBSC
• Old Mutual
• PHS World
• Sanlam
• Workforce Healthcare

EAPA-SA Social Media and Website

Thank you to our members for engaging with us on various platforms. We have had on average, over 1000 visitors to our site every month for the last quarter and 4440 page views in the same period!

Our Facebook following has grown to 1282 likes on the page and we are reaching between 2900 and 4200 Facebook users per month, due to your engagement and sharing of our posts. Please keep engaging with our content and sharing it with your peers. https://www.facebook.com/eapasa/

SAQA

SAQA has developed a relationship with SADAC countries so that all countries adopt the same educational measure with the NQF system. This will allow for other country EAP Practitioners can apply for designations here if they want to be members.

Next Steps with SAQA on the Accreditation Process:

We had the NQF technical expert visit the Board Meeting to outline the requirements of setting up ‘Recognition of Prior Learning- RPL’ processes and the ‘Board assessment or accreditation’ processes. The board has set up a committee to address all these requirements. They will  look at what assessments/accreditation will each designation have to complete. Will it be an essay on a topic, a case study of work done in their environment, exam etc.

This is very exciting as it is taking going into the action phase of the accreditation process. These changes will soon be felt within the market as practitioner and employers see the profession more formally .

Membership

With the implementation of a deadline for redeeming free membership to 2017 conference delegates, this incentive has had a positive impact.

We have already experienced growth by 66 Individual memberships from 1 January 2018 to date when compared to the 12 months of the previous year. For Service Provider memberships, we are on track after 5 months, to increase on the quantity of members from 2017.

Individual Membership

• Individual members 2017 = 155
• Individual members 2018 = 221 (to date)

Service Provider Membership

• Service Providers 2017 = 40
• Service Providers 2018 = 38 (to date)

Chapter Activities

All Chapters presented great activities like seminars and chapter meetings. Remember that all chapter events are ways to increasing your CPD points. Please have a look at the website for your local chapter details of upcoming events. https://www.eapasa.co.za/chapters/

We have seen different topics from the chapters like the Spiritual Wellness talk in Limpopo, Stakeholder Breakfast and talk on “Disruptology” in KZN.

Everyone is super excited about the Platinum Chapter formal launch coming in June 2018.

Mpumalanga was targeted by the President as a new area where we can launch another Chapter. An event was held where 30 practitioners were present. There is an interim committee is set up and they are setting up systems and looking for members. If you interested contact our office and we will put you in touch with the interim committee.

Ikhala has come up with a great programme of mentorship of new practitioners in the field. The older members are identified that can assist new practitioners that can receive guidance EAP activities.

Jacaranda was not represented this meeting. The board will interact with the committee again to ensure all is on track.

Nelson Mandela Bay committee is struggling. They are revitalizing their functioning. If you are a passionate EAP practitioners/Professional please contact the Thiloshni so we can put you in touch with the task team.

Disaster Management Policy

The disaster management policy has been drafted by The Stakeholder Portfolio and circulated to the chapters to build a relationships with the right stakeholders locally so if there is a disaster in their areas how can they be of assistance to the local authorities and risk forums. If you are interested please contact your local chairperson to get more involved.