Serve as a GR FIRST Official

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Strengthening Ethical, Transparent, Community Centred Governance

Garden Route First (GR FIRST) is building a governance model rooted in ethical leadership, transparent administration, community stewardship, and non partisan decision making.
To support councillors and ensure effective community centred governance, GR FIRST appoints Officials — skilled individuals who provide administrative, operational, and organisational support across all local chapters.

Officials are not political candidates.
They are the backbone of the movement's governance, compliance, coordination, and community engagement systems.

What Is a GR FIRST Official?

A GR FIRST Official is a values-driven administrative leader who supports councillors, community structures, and organisational processes.

Officials ensure that:

•    Governance is transparent and compliant
•    Community participation is meaningful
•    Councillors are supported with accurate information
•    Structures operate efficiently and ethically
•    Funds are raised and managed responsibly
•    Campaigns and civic education initiatives are well organised

Officials operate under the GR FIRST Constitution, the Code of Ethics, and the Community Stewardship Standard, and are accountable to the Executive Committee (EXCO) and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC).

Why Officials Matter

Councillors cannot deliver accountable, community centred governance alone.

Officials ensure:

•    Administrative continuity
•    Professional coordination
•    Compliance with legislation
•    Transparent financial management
•    Effective community engagement
•    Organisational stability
•    Ethical stewardship of resources

This structure allows councillors to focus on oversight, service delivery monitoring, and community representation, while officials manage the operational engine that keeps GR FIRST functioning.

Important Note on Official Roles

All GR FIRST Official positions are non remunerated volunteer roles. Officials serve as part of GR FIRST's commitment to transparent, ethical, community centred governance, and their contribution is recognised as voluntary public service.

These roles will be reviewed after the 2026 Local Government Elections, once the organisational structure, operational needs, and governance responsibilities of each Local Chapter and the District are reassessed.

Because each municipality has different capacities and community needs, Local Chapters may appoint officials in combinations of roles, rather than one person per role. For example:

•    A single Official may fulfil both Administration and Community Engagement functions
•    A Chapter may combine Finance and Fundraising responsibilities
•    Smaller Chapters may share certain Officials at District level
•    Larger Chapters may require multiple Officials in the same category

This flexible structure ensures that GR FIRST remains efficient, compliant, and community responsive, while maintaining the highest standards of ethical governance.

Key Administrative Officials Required

Below is the recommended structure for GR FIRST's administrative and governance support team.
These roles can be filled at Local Chapter, Municipal, or District level depending on capacity.

1. Chapter Administrator / Secretariat Officer

Coordinates all administrative functions of the Local Chapter.

Responsibilities:

•    Meeting coordination and minute taking
•    Document management
•    Member records
•    Communication with councillors and EXCO
•    Maintaining compliance registers

2. Governance & Compliance Officer

Ensures adherence to legislation, the Constitution, and internal governance standards.

Responsibilities:

•    Monitoring compliance with the Municipal Systems Act, MFMA, and Code of Conduct
•    Supporting councillors with legislative interpretation
•    Ensuring transparency and reporting obligations are met
•    Maintaining the Conflict-of-Interest Register

3. Finance & Fundraising Officer

Critical role for sustainability and election readiness.

Responsibilities:

•    Managing GR FIRST financial systems
•    Ensuring compliance with the Political Party Funding Act (via IRASA)
•    Coordinating fundraising campaigns
•    Managing donations and financial reporting
•    Raising funds for:
  o    IEC nomination deposits
  o    Campaign materials
  o    Community engagement activities
•    Ensuring transparent, audited financial processes

4. Community Engagement & Participation Officer

Supports GR FIRST's commitment to participatory democracy.

Responsibilities:

•    Organising ward forums and public meetings
•    Managing community feedback channels
•    Supporting councillors with quarterly reporting
•    Ensuring inclusion of youth, women, rural communities, and vulnerable groups

5. Communications & Media Officer

Ensures clear, accurate, values aligned communication.

Responsibilities:

•    Managing website, social media, and public updates
•    Preparing community notices and educational materials
•    Ensuring messaging aligns with GR FIRST values and legal requirements
•    Supporting councillors with public communication

6. Campaign Coordination Officer

Supports lawful, ethical, community centred campaigning.

Responsibilities:

•    Coordinating volunteer teams
•    Managing logistics for community outreach
•    Supporting councillors with issue based messaging
•    Ensuring compliance with IEC regulations
•    Coordinating fundraising for campaign activities

7. Training & Development Officer

Ensures councillors and officials are equipped with the necessary skills.

Responsibilities:

•    Coordinating GR FIRST induction
•    Organising IRASA MFMA and oversight training
•    Managing annual refresher courses
•    Supporting capacity building across chapters

8. Data & Research Officer

Provides evidence based insights for councillors and officials.

Responsibilities:

•    Analysing service delivery data
•    Monitoring municipal performance reports
•    Supporting councillors with research for oversight
•    Maintaining demographic and ward level data

Who Should Apply to Be an Official?

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals who:

•    Believe in ethical, transparent, community centred governance
•    Have administrative, financial, organisational, or communication skills
•    Are committed to GR FIRST values
•    Want to strengthen local democracy and community participation
•    Can support councillors with professionalism and integrity
•    Understand that these roles are non political and service oriented

Important Notes

•    Officials are not political candidates.
•    Officials do not appear on the ballot.
•    Officials support councillors, EXCO, RCC, and community structures.
•    Officials may assist with fundraising, IEC nomination support, and campaign logistics, but must comply with all legal and ethical requirements.
•    All officials must sign the GR FIRST Code of Ethics and the Confidentiality & Stewardship Agreement.

Summary

GR FIRST Officials are the administrative and governance backbone of the movement.
They ensure that councillors are supported, communities are engaged, finances are transparent, and governance is ethical, lawful, and community centred.

If you believe in transparent governance, ethical leadership, and community stewardship, you are invited to express interest in serving as a GR FIRST Official.