The R W Bowen Medal is the highest distinction granted by the South African National Council for the Blind to persons for meritorious service to blind persons. It has been awarded periodically since 1962 and the first recipient was Miss Josie Wood, first president of the Council. To date thirty eight such awards have been made. They were the following:

May 1963 - Miss Josie Wood
October 1966 - Mrs FM Blaxall
April 1969 - Mr CW Biesenbach
January 1971 - Dr E Franks
April 1971 - Dr Ella Botes
April 1973 - Mr SK Wentworth (posthumously)
October 1974 - Dr VH Vaughan
November 1979 - Mr CM Bassa, Dr W Cohen and Mr Hymy Matthews
April 1976 - Mr CB Anderson
October 1981 - Mr GS Schermbrucker
May 1984 - Prof Theo Pauw
October 1985 - Mrs HC MacCale
December 1987 - Mr Isaac J Jacobs (posthumously) and Ds AM Scheffler
April 1988 - Mr Alec Gorshel and Mr FA Peters
April 1990 - Mr EJJ Kruger
July 1993 - Dr Jan Jurie Fourie
September 1995 - Ms Cornelia E Aucamp, Mrs Gladys C Evans and Mr Martin P Lewin (posthumously)
September 1997 - Mr Robert L Park
November 1999 - Mr PP Peach
October 2001 - Mr VNN Pougnet, The three Sisters at Siloe School: - Sir Wivine Bornauw, Sir Paula Depuyt and Sir Alice Geldhof
September 2002 - Reverend Canon Michael H Norman
October 2003 - Victor George Adonis
October 2004 - Charles Kenneth lord
October 2007 - Dr William Rowland
October 2009 - Mr GMM Phasha ( posthumously) and Ms Hazel Smith Marshall
October 2011 - Ms Ruth Machobane

Pictured above: One of the 2009 recipients - Mrs Hazel Marshall during the presentation ceremony in October 2009, at Council's 39th Biennial Conference

Our Deputy Chairperson, Praveena Sukraj-Eli, wrote this article to inform us all of this important information.

On 14 September 2011 a workshop was held at Council’s Offices. The primary focus of the workshop was to discuss “King 3” and the implications of the new Company's Act for NGOs, the directors and members of their boards and various committees, and their senior employees.

From the 1st of May 2011 companies, previously referred to as Section 21 Companies or as an association not for gain, must be referred to as a “not for profit company” The letters (NPC) must follow the name of the company. Further, all NPC’s must prepare a Memorandum of Incorporation. This clearly impacts the SANCB’s constitution as a memorandum of incorporation must be prepared. Merely having a constitution will be non-compliant with the Company's Act. All NPC’s have 24 months (as of 1 May 2011) within which to consolidate this document.

It is vital that all members on all committees extending from the NMC to the NEC and all sub-committees, including all staff involved in finance administration and management are advised that they no longer have limited liability. Such persons can be held jointly and severally liable for the debts of the NPC unless s/he meets the requirements of the “business judgment rule.”

The “business judgment rule” is a defence which may be raised if the following requirements are met:
1. Firstly, there must have been no conflict of interest, and if there was a conflict of interest, such conflict must have been disclosed.
2. Secondly, they must ensure that they are properly informed. They cannot blindly rely on reports and information provided by others. Hence, they can delegate however, they cannot abdicate.
3. Thirdly, they must have acted reasonably in the circumstances.

All directors of NPCs must enter into an agreement with the company outlining their duties. Furthermore, directors may no longer only be prosecuted by the state, but may also be sued by private individuals, companies and by way of class action.

For more information and to download the executive guide, click here.

In terms of Clause 16 of Council’s Constitution (see excerpt below), all proposed amendments to our constitution must be circulated two months before the Biennial Conference (with the next one taking place from 20 to 22 October in Kimberley). This means that these need to reach all stakeholders by 19 August 2011. 
 
Please, therefore note the following timeline:

• 30 June 2011:   last day for any proposed constitutional amendments to reach Governance and Project Services
• 1 July 2011:  consolidation of proposed amendments by Governance and Project Services
• 6 July 2011:  circulation of proposed amendments to Legal and Constitution Committee
• 5 August 2011:  preparation of final document to all stakeholders
• 12 August 2011:  posting of constitutional amendments to all stakeholders.

Extract:
“AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

16.1 The Biennial Conference may amend the Constitution if two-thirds of the member organisations present and voting vote for the amendment and if the conditions below are met.

16.2 All Provincial Executive Committees, all member organisations, SABWIA and SABYO must be given two month’s notice of the proposed amendment.”

The South African National Council for the Blind is governed by a National Executive Committee (NEC) and a National Management Committee (NMC). NEC and NMC members are elected during the organisation’s Biennial Conference – also known as the Blind Parliament. Council elects various other committees to govern particular areas of business. A senior management team is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation and reports directly to the National Executive Director.