Page 8 - Cornwall issue 1 2022

ESTATE NEWS

hen I arrived this year at the We sometimes forget we have a FOR OUR NEW RESIDENTS
the Cornwall Cares handout contingent of very successful, very AND AS A REMINDER TO
Wfunction, I didn’t have a demanding residents who are not ALL OF US, HERE ARE SOME
speech fully prepared, not because always easy to manage or satisfy. We FAQS ON THIS INITIATIVE:
I didn’t believe it important, but my must appreciate that our estate staff
mind remained blank on the message I operates within certain restrictions, What is Cornwall Cares?
wanted to deliver. Where to focus? After and realise that it is our responsibility It is an initiative we run annually, at the
two bad years when our estate and the as residents as much as theirs, to look end of the year, to allow residents of
country had to navigate some serious after the estate and protect our loved Cornwall Hill Estate to collectively say
issues, what meaningful message could ones and investments. We are part of Thank You to our estate staff, security
I really offer? a community, whether we choose to and maintenance workers for all they do
actively be part of it or not. for our families during the year. It is not
Arriving at the designated handout a bonus, it is a gift from us to them.
spot on the morning of 7 December, I I want to thank each and every one of
was greeted with a red tablecloth. RED! our residents who contributed this year What is our target annually?
For a slight OCD personality type, this for the first time, and especially those Our target annually is R250,000
was a huge problem. Usually it is white of you who have diligently remained between 402 levy-paying residents.
but I didn’t check ahead of time and supportive through the years! Each We ask each resident to contribute an
there was no way I was going to place one of you is a HERO in my eyes. You amount of R650, but any amount is
my beautifully thought through black, give hope to our estate staff and their appreciated. With the money collected
wood and green decorations on a red families. With your contributions you tell we issue gift cards from Checkers and/or
tablecloth. And so, with only a couple them that you notice them, you notice Pick ‘n Pay to an amount of R3500-R4000
of minutes left I rushed home to fetch a their effort, and you appreciate it. per staff member, depending on the
white tablecloth. amount collected. Most staff members
For those of you who still struggle with send these cards home to their families
As I was driving home, my speech came. the decision to contribute, please know over the festive season.
Every year, it is super important for me that this small gesture annually provides
that the staff see attention to detail I the cornerstone for our estate, it is the Who are the staff members we say
have put into the wrapping of the cards, cornerstone on which we build a safe thank you to?
and also the way the table is set up. They and successful community within our Annually we say Thank You to our
may not consciously notice all the little walls. It is called Cornwall Cares. estate manager, estate office staff, our
details, but I do hope that when they see security manager, security controllers
everything displayed and receive their Finally, a heartfelt thank you to the and security guards, our maintenance
carefully wrapped cards, it reflects my residents who were able to attend manager and maintenance workers.
respect, gratitude and appreciation for our handout, to Ivan for always Where residents have strong views
who they are and what they do for us. being willing to assist with capturing about who and what we say Thank You
these special moments, for Mark, for, I try to accommodate the request,
Hence, my speech centered around who manages the collection fund within reason, to not place us at risk
the importance of attention to detail. and endures my constant requests of unnecessary admin. We all have
Why? Because I believe we truly excel for updates, and members of our different experiences and that is okay.
when we focus on doing the smallest of board who showed their support
things, consistently right. for this important initiative on the Where do we contribute?
day. Your time for this is greatly Our collections are ring-fenced and
What gives me hope is the small things appreciated. paid into a bank account managed by
I notice, like polished black boots, neat, Hattingh & Ndzabandzaba to ensure
clean appearances, friendly faces, clean Cornwall Cares: 2021 Final Numbers: transparency. Amounts not allocated
gardens, clean streets, working lights, 1. R242,563 collected from 202 stands. to cards in the previous year are carried
quick and clear communication on 2. 71 Cards issued: forward to the next year. Although we
small as well as big matters. We may • 5 Pick ‘n Pay cards with R3,300 each. have looked at alternative methods to
not get it right 100% of the time, but I • 66 Checkers cards with R3,350 each. collect funds, the administration fees
truly believe that where people keep 3. R9,388.12 remaining in fund due to late around these are generally too high and
focussing on doing the small things payments and discount given by Checkers will result in less money being available
consistently right, success will follow. for bulk purchase of cards. to issue to our estate staff.
6 Cornwall View • Issue 1 2022