The Western Cape Chapter has been in operation since the formation of EAPA-SA, and prior to this was EAPA-SA’s predecessor when still associated with the Institute of People Management (IPM), with meetings held as far back as 1993.
The Western Cape chapter currently has a smaller than usual Committee structure with role players taking multiple roles and responsibilities, comprising:
- Chapter Chairperson|Communications|CPD and events planning: Patrick Egan
- Deputy Chairperson|Governance |Networking: Colette Rodrigues
- Finance| Education |Stakeholder management: Edith De Winnaar
The chapter has 16 registered and designated members – with a strong emphasis on membership with designation. It also has a large data base of visiting sessional attendees. In terms of member make-up, practitioners constitute the primary membership group, with relatively low provider involvement. As the Chapter serves mostly metropolitan Cape Town, it uses central venues for its meetings, making it readily accessible. Members are mostly located in the Cape peninsular, while some travel from as far as George, Paarl and the Stellenberg areas.
The Western Cape Chapter holds on average 6 to 8 developmental morning sessions per year; offering members access to a variety of speakers and discussion opportunities for professional development. Subjects range from EAP specific matters to general clinical and business topics. Highlights have included guest speakers from business to high profile clinical specialists – from Dr Terblanche to Dr Eve. EAP has grown in the Chapter and changed from a predominantly in-house model to the provider based / affiliate based model. The growth of EAP in government has brought in further people into the EAP.
Chairperson Patrick Egan says, The Chapter is like the Cape – it is relaxed but gets things done, offering its developmental services, mostly without cost to members; running on a very tight financial status, using provider and professional goodwill to provide services. The chapter is innovative having been offering SACSSP CPD for its monthly meeting, even before the conference started offering these advantages.
The Chapter recognises the impact of previous Chairpersons on the Chapter. Anchen Pienaar, an EAP legend in Cape Town, needs special mention for supporting the Chapter in its formative years.
Our thanks also go out to the many who have assisted in the past and without whose ongoing support the Chapter would have been unable to develop, not to mention also winning Chapter of the Year on two occasions.
To visit the chapter or contact the Chapter Chairperson, please visit their page https://www.eapasa.co.za/western-cape-chapter/
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