SANParks.org Forums

Is there an official spokesperson for the HR that can be part of the forum and officially reply to relevant topics?

Dear all

Although not the "official spokesperson" for the HR's, I am a member of the NEC, and my portfolio is Communication. I noticed your discussions and would like to give the following guidelines, or call them suggestions if you want:
1) You can become involved by making monetary contributions to our National Project called Counter Poaching and Ranger Support Services. Their contact details are on the HR part of the SANParks website. They are doing a sterling job of distributing items to SANParks that enable the rangers to do their jobs properly. The recent donation of a Microlite aircraft to KNP is one example, and they support all parks in the SANParks fold.
2) You can join the HR corps. (Also on the HR part of the SANParks website.) Look up a region in your vicinity, and make contact with them. The guys will answer all your queries, and welcome you with open arms. There are obviously some rules and requirements, but they are easily dealt with, I promise.
3) There are also other ways to make your contribution, if you do not wish to become an HR; you can befriend a region, and become a "Friend of SANParks" by proving your commitment. This can be in monetary contributions, time spent in helping with various projects or fundraising efforts, or even donation of equipment that can be used by Rangers in the SANParks.

I hope this helps a little in giving you some direction. Please feel free to conatct me personally if you like.
Keep up the good chatter and support, we all appreciate it!
Bosvelder

Hi Forum Folks

Although there are other HRs around the forum, I think it is an excellent idea that Bosvelder, who I know and respect and who has been involved with a number of projects that I know about, is the perfect person to officially respond to HR queries.

It also ties in with his new NEC portfolio.

Go for it Bosvelder!

Kind regards
KNP Spokesman

Not wanting to go offtopic too far, but I used the have a NEC 21" monitor... I guess that is not the NEC you aim at...

Maybe a little explanation for non-saffies?

Sorry DuQues. The HRs are divided into branches. Lowveld Branch, West Rand Branch etc and a National Executive Committee is elected which runs the whole shooting match.

So these guys and gals on the NEC are the big guns of the organisation!

Am I correct Bosvelder?

Kind regards
KNP Spokesman

NEC monitors suck!!!!

KNPSM, I think that is a fantastic idea. We could do with some insight from the HR's.

I vote "aye" if I had one

Sorry guys, my monitor is an LG 19 Inch LCD, by the way.....

The HR regions are spread all over RSA, and we are in the process of introducing a couple more, watch this space....
Each region has a chairperson, and a regional committee to run matters for that region. Giving the leadership at a little higher level, there is a National Executive Committee (NEC) with 13 members, spread across the country as well. Some (fortunate ones)in lovely Limpopo right on Kruger's doorstep, some way down in the Cape (where I believe the wine and rugby are both of good quality....) and sadly some are in the cities around Johannesburg and Pretoria, with a lot of traffic and imported wine and rugby players (also from the fairest Cape). I am really joking here, before some guys take exception..
We get together frequently to discuss ways to make the HR's an even better group, and to align the whole corps with SANParks objectives. We are, after all, shouting for the same conservation team.

The NEC members are all guardians for several regions, to help with matters that may not be resolved at regional level, and to provide guidance. The NEC members are elected every year at our annual Indaba, held in May (Berg en Dal in 2008, looking forward to it!) We are really servants of the greater group, but we do make the decisions that are sanctioned eventually by the whole group, and we give the nudges in the right direction, and try to steer the HR's to provide the help and assistance that SANParks need.

I hope this helps the "non-saffies" such as DuQues? Please feel free to direct any questions to myself, the moderators, or even KNP spokesman. We certainly don't have all the answers, but hell do we know many people who do!!

Regards from a wet Phalaborwa (for a nice change!)
Bosvelder

Thanks to everybody that responded and responded so quickly!
I believe there's a number of forumites that want to be involved in some way or the other.

Thank you Bosvelder for all that interesting info

@ Loams and forumites - you can also read up on HRs on this website - found here.

A big welcome, Bosvelder!! Good to see you here!

Great to have you around bosvelder

Welcome Bosvelder! Thanks from this non-Saffie for the very illuminating info on HR operations

I know that a number of forumites are joining the West Rand HRs at their annual birding event in January 2008 at Mopani camp. I was planning a (very) short presentation on HRs and what we do, more specifically West Rand and how we spend the money raised at events such as that.

Someone mentioned in an earlier post that people can become involved by donating money via the RSS (counter poaching) tins - if it helps I can bring along tins for each forumite to start their own collection (I am the RSS tin rep for West Rand). All you need to do is contact me when it is full and I will make a plan for collection either by me or by an HR closer to you. (Any other forumites attending the birding event at other camps can also contact me and I will send tins with your camp leader). Every little bit helps!

Welcome Bosvelder and Pooh Bear
Please let us have the collection tins, I am sure we can fill a few at the cricket in March
As you say 'every little helps'

Hail Bosvelder "official spokesperson" for the HR's from a wet Phalaborwa. It's great to have a HRSP on the forum.

Gwen from wet Groningen (wishing for a change)