Notes on the SAMA Financial Situation to Date (September 2005)
A03 Child Levy 2005
For this year of 2005, the Child Levy for schools was voluntary. During the year Village
Montessori and Morning Star Montessori contributed each month. Donations for this levy
were also received from Precious Miracles Montessori, St Joseph's Marist College and
Hermanus Montessori.
A09 Admin Assistant
In February 2005 the Exco decided to enlist the aid of a paid person to maintain the
resurrected SAMA's admin system which had collapsed after the resignation of several Exco
members during the previous year. No one was directly to blame for this situation since
the work involved to run SAMA's affairs was clearly far outside the capabilities and time
constraints of most Montessori directresses. During a recent Exco meeting it was suggested
that SAMA save this expense and for each Exco member to share the workload. Not a single
Exco member was able to extend their already extended SAMA workload to cover the more than
100 hours per month worked by the SAMA Admin person, Tinalynn.
A10 Advertising
Due to financial constraints, to date SAMA has advertised in the Tots2Teens magazine only.
This advertising has served to notify the public and fellow Montessorians of SAMA, its
mission statement and its contacts. There was one small SAMA advert, placed at no charge
to SAMA, in the Pretoria News to co-incide with the Parent Information Evening held in
May.
A11 Airfares x 2
Since distance communication is so difficult, it is imperative for SAMA Exco members to
get together from time to time to thrash out key issues in the best possible way. Having
face to face meetings enables Exco members to have whole day long meetings as well as
supplementary meetings during the remainder of the weekend. At all times SAMA Exco use
whatever discount incentives they are able to muster such as Frequent Flyer points,
discounted flight times etc. Exco members are ferried around, accommodated and nourished
by other Exco members at no cost to SAMA.
A12 Conference Calls x 7
Between face to face meetings telephonic conference calls, outside of business hours (to
reduce costs) are held to monitor progress of decided courses of action. These often last
in excess of 3 hours because the list of items to attend to is vast. The Exco members
continuously look for ways of making meetings more efficient without loosing effectiveness
of the impetus gained.
As a further cost saving, Exco members in particular locations get together
and with the aid of speaker phones manage their telephonic input.
A14 Refreshments x 2
Tea, coffee and lunch for Exco members during face to face meetings. These meetings are
held at Village Montessori who, until recently have sponsored the cost of the
refreshments.
A15 Parent Information Evenings
In May, an unfortunate incident at a school in Pretoria covered by the daily newspapers
(one as the day's headlines with road side posters) necessitated hasty action to restore
the good name of Montessori in Pretoria. The Exco thought it prudent to hold an open
parent information evening to bring across the salient points of Montessori Philosophy and
practice to the public. Although attendance figures were low, the event was reported in
the press and feedback was positive.
A18 Stationery
The stationery cost for this period is quite high because new membership certificates were
printed and issued to incorporate a new membership numbering system (also required due to
the collapse of the admin system earlier in the year). There were also costs incurred in
establishing a uniform policy filing system for all Exco members that can be handed from
one outgoing member to an incoming member with ease. Stationery was required for
receipting, bookkeeping and other day to day use.
A20 Temps to update database
As part of the quality upliftment drive the SAMA Exco established that henceforth it would
support only schools that conformed to Montessori philosophy i.r.o. trained staff,
equipment and vertical grouping. It was therefore necessary to assign temporary staff to
phone each school and establish the criteria. It is envisaged that such an update
procedure will be necessary every year to keep the databases updated. If your information
and contact details change please keep SAMA informed so money can be saved.
A21 Website Design
Although this is running way behind schedule due to several reasons, the end is in sight.
Although this may seem to some as an expensive item, there is a great deal of background
administration type of work for SAMA to easily make changes to some of the areas on the
website and interrogate the information of the site, without incurring additional expense.
A24 Shortfall
Looking at the shortfall figure for the current situation it would seem that SAMA is
bankrupt! This is certainly not the case since membership fees from previous years was in
excess of the expenditure incurred at the time. This only happened because only Exco
members work in SAMA and since they are all volunteers, although work may be scheduled,
the actual work (and often associated costs) can only take place at the timing of the
individual member between all their other daily tasks such as teaching and running their
own households and affairs. Because of this, this year, there were a large number of
projects that necessitate expenditure eg. Database updating, financial auditing, website.
For this year, the finances of previous years can carry the SAMA activities
but not for much longer. It is essential that projects such as the Child Levy and T-Shirt
and other projects are successful. If not SAMA's activities will have to be seriously
curtailed to the detriment of all.
A25 Exco members Subsidize
Exco members ALL believe in SAMA. They believe that through their efforts and the support
of the members Montessori in SA can thrive! For this reason they don't claim for the costs
they incur for telephone and cel phone expenses, stationery and photocopying, ink
cartridges, faxes, traveling, accommodation and subsistence, and some don't even claim for
their air travel to face to face meetings – now that's dedication for you!
A26 Admin Assistant own pocket
Ditto the admin assistant, Tina-Lynn who uses her own study, computer, printer, fax
machine, telephone.
A28 Shortfall
If the Exco members and Tina-Lynn didn't subsidize SAMA up to this point it would have
been impossible for SAMA to have functioned. It is of utmost importance that this
shortfall be addressed if SAMA is not to face the same demise as all previous attempts at
harnessing Montessorians in SA to form a united and strengthened front.
So, what can be done about this situation?
B01 Registration of New Students
The Training Institutions in SA have been magnanimous in their generosity and have
offered to make SAMA Membership for all new students compulsory for their first year of
study. They therefore will pay to SAMA the registration and annual fee for each new
student. In subsequent years the students will be responsible for their own membership
subscriptions.
B02 Member drive Gauteng
The Exco is greatly concerned because SAMA membership in Gauteng lags way behind the
other regions. Jessica Vivier has been appointed the Regional Representative for Gauteng
South (Johannesburg) with the special task of recruiting new members in the region. I
appeal to all fellow 'Gautengers' to take up the opportunity and to be united in the way
Maria Montessori envisaged – and to stop just talking about it and to take action! It
is also of vital importance that the Gauteng Montessorians support the annual conference
to be held here next year.
B04 Children Levy
THIS ITEM WILL BE THE SUSTAINER OF SAMA now and in the future! It is the broadest base of
income that we could possibly have. There is an estimate of 10 000 Montessori children in
SA – just a few rand from each child per month can make the world of difference to
everyone's future. At R3 per child per month, Montessori could be the leading alternate
education system in the country and what an enormous difference this could make to the
community, to the suburb, to the town, to the state, to the country and to the world!
THIS IS HOW YOU REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
B08 Exco Members Own
The Exco members can't and shouldn't have to continue to subsidize SAMA. Montessorians in
SA are sometimes heard saying/complaining "But what do I get for my R160?" This question
is enough to make any Exco member weep, especially when they are paying out of their
pockets for some of the benefits members are receiving. Calculations show that members are
currently getting 5 TIMES THE VALUE OF WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR!
B09 Admin Assistant Own
Ditto on this. SAMA staff should not be expected to use their own personal equipment for
the benefit of members, or worse still those Montessorians who are not yet members or who
continue to enjoy benefits when their membership fees are in arrears.
B10 Additional Fundraiser
As the T-shirt event is a unifying factor in the Montessori community, this new
fundraiser, as yet not identified should also aim to bring unity. MEMBER SUGGESTIONS ARE
GREATLY RECEIVED.
B11 Policies and Procedures Publication
Sam Streak, in her own time and at her own cost has put together ALL the policies,
procedures, laws, requirements and anything else you can think necessary to know to run a
school. This set of CD's sells for R500 per set or R300 per disk. This offer is available
to SAMA members only.
B12 Recommended Curriculum Publication
A SAMA curriculum committee have compiled a Montessori Recommended Curriculum for ages
3-12 and incorporated all the outcomes required in the Revised National Curriculum
Statement. This CD should be ready by early next year and is a MUST for any school who
has Grade R and primary school children. The CD will sell for R1000 for 3-9 with an
additional R500 for 9-12 and is available to SAMA members only.
B13 Practical Life Indemnity
Marita Basson had had a special Practical Life Indemnity form drawn up by her attorney so
schools can be indemnified from the accidental use of any of the many dangerous items in
the Practical Life area of a preschool. The document costs R150 per school and is
available to members only.
B15 Training Income
Again, the Training Institutions have been generous in that they have agreed to hold one
training session per term, per region, per training house, the proceeds of which will go
to SAMA with discounted rates for SAMA members.
B16 Accreditation
SAMA Accreditation is not a money-making event. As part of the fee, each school
contributes a small amount to the administration costs that need to be covered. Initially
we envisage there will be a large amount of applications, these tapering off as the years
go by. This is not an on-going revenue generating effort.
B17 Database Advertising
Since SAMA has an accurate and up to date database with a guaranteed "hit rate" for
e-mail sends, people who wish to spread a useful, informative message to Montessorians in
SA may commission SAMA to send out the advertising article on their behalf. SAM A WILL NOT
LET OTHERS HAVE COPIES OF THEIR DATABASE.
B21 Advertising National
One of the constant requests from members is that SAMA advertises Montessori (i.e. not
only SAMA) in the national press. In this way the whole Montessori community, but
especially SAMA members will gain exposure and benefit through advice to the public on how
to recognize good schools and other related matters.
SAMA envisages that one such article should be placed in a prominent national publication
every month so as to gain optimum exposure and maximum benefit. Although editorial seldom
costs money through its news worthiness, the publications have told us that what we want
is advertorial and is chargeable.
B26 Parent Information Evenings
SAMA, through its Regional Representatives would like to hold one public parent
information evening per annum in each region. Through these events, Montessori will gain
public exposure but especially the member schools will benefit through the associated
advertising their schools will receive.
B28 Setting up Office
If Tina-Lynn stops using her own equipment or another person is employed to replace her,
an office with its own telephone, equipment and furniture will need to be acquired.
In the future, SAMA may need additional staff and having its own office will
be of great benefit to the recognition of SAMA as a legitimate and substantial
organization. As a further cost saving Village Montessori has made the offer of a
temporary office at no cost to SAMA except for equipping it.
B29 Maintaining Office
The office will have to be maintained.
B30 Stationery and Printing
A large proportion of the Exco subsidized cost is for stationery and printing. Printer
cartridges for one member alone are R1000 per quarter! Village Montessori and PE
Montessori subsidize SAMA heavily in this area.
B31 Telephone
Ditto for costs being subsidized by Exco members and Tina-Lynn.
B32 Temps to update database
If the database is to be kept up to date this should be done once per annum. This is what
it costs, unless some kind member would like to do the work. Without a proper up to date
database SAMA's communication will stop. The referral database on the website will also be
incorrect or incomplete so this is an essential expenditure especially in the light of the
fact that so few people let us know when their contact details change.
B33 Website design further phase
The website, once completed needs a further phase of development. This will cost about
R500 and will place all the control with SAMA. This is an essential expense if the website
is to be accurate and up to date in all areas and to save substantial further expenses
each time something changes.
B36 Profit
A small profit every year will ensure a reserve for lean years or extraordinary expenses
or events.
NOTE:
Congratulations to Su Cunningham, Christine Clark and the SAMA Western Cape region for the
R 10 000 Conference profit made after the last conference. Since conference profits are
kept in a separate account they have not made up part of the financial scenarios above.
It is envisaged that Conference profits are kept exclusively for the following year's
conference use.
REGIONAL NEWS
Dates To Diarize
Information for Next Regional Special Interest Group Meetings:
Gauteng North (Pta)
Saturday 22 October 2005
Time: 09h00
Venue: Carefree Kids Montessori, Garsfontein
Topic: End of Year Festivals
Contact: Joanne Schimper 082 486 2076
Gauteng South (Jhb)
Saturday 29 October
Time: 09h00
Venue:
The Revised National Curriculum Statement
End of Year Festivals
Festival crafts
Contact: Sharon Desfontaines 084 649 8477
Eastern Cape
Saturday 19 November 2005
Duration: 3 hours
Venue: Port Elizabeth Montessori
Topic: Workshop – Peace Education
Speaker: Heidi van Staden
Contact: Sam Streak 082 411 7154
Western Cape
Saturday 22 October 2005
Time: 09h30 - 11h30
Venue: Honeycomb Montessori (to be confirmed)
Topic: End of year festivals in different cultures
Contact: Christine Clarke 072 110 5205
VACANCIES
Masifunde Montessori School in Plettenberg Bay has 2 teaching posts for January
2006, one in their 3-6 yr environment and one in their 6-9 yr environment. Contact: Inge
Basset on 044 5332549 or 072 6058573
The Cotswold Montessori School in Benoni have 2 vacancies in the Primary School
for 2006, due to growth. The vacancies are for one Lower Elementary Directress, and one
Upper Elementary Directress. There is also a vacancy for a Preschool Assistant Directress
for next year. Applicants must please fax their CV's to 011 963 0244
Montessori International Pre-school in Mbabane Swaziland is looking for a
directress to join this well established school in January 2006. Qualified candidates
please contact the principal at montessori@realnet.co.sz or Tel:09268 4048647 (W) 09268
6046910 (cell) or 09268 5530168 (Home)
Carefree Kids Montessori in Garsfontein, Pretoria is looking for a qualified
Montessori directress for their 3-6 yrs environment to start in January 2006. Applicants
can contact Hanlie Ooosthuizen at 083 632 9175 or 012 348 7099 or email
hanlie@carefreekids.co.za
Lynnwood Park Montessori in Lynnwood Glen, Pretoria has two vacancies, one for an
Aftercare Teacher for 2006. Incumbent must speak English and Afrikaans and have their own
transport. Hours of work 13h00-18h00. Must have relevant experience. The second vacancy is
for a Montessori Directress required for 2006. Hours: 07h00-14h00. Phone Jane at
083 592 1581
Knysna Montessori requires a qualified directress in their 6-9 environment to start
as soon as possible or in Jan 2006. Please fax CV to 044 382 5316 or email
admin@kntsnamonmontessori.co.za. Applications close 31 Oct 2005
SAMA Smalls
Montessori Supplier has two show rooms (Midrand and Boksburg) and hold stock of
Montessori Equipment both Local and Imported. All equipment conforms to Maria Montessori
standards, Materials go through a quality control check and spare parts are available.
Contact 083 304 4762 or email janinne@montessorisupplier.co.za or visit our
website www.montessorisupplier.co.za to view the full Montessori range!
Ant's Workshop - Your local Montessori Manufacturer of quality Golden Bead and Bead
Equipment.
Tel/Fax: 044 382 5316 or 044 343 2131. Cel: 083 273 4154
Regional News
If we could say, "We are respectful and courteous in our dealings with children, we treat
them as we should like to be treated ourselves," we should have mastered a great
educational principle and be setting an example of good education. –
(Maria Montessori)
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