Membership growth critical to SABCOHA’s sustainability

Retention and growth of our membership base remains a strategic focus area because the sustainability of SABCOHA depends on this more than any other source of funding. Member contributions to SABCOHA’s mission cannot be underestimated and remain fundamental to our ability to deliver on our mandate, while keeping pace with the expectations of stakeholders and the rapidly expanding workload.

Since the beginning of 2007, SABCOHA’s membership base has undergone significant growth, with several big corporates, medium-sized enterprises and smaller companies, including service providers, joining forces in the private sector initiative to combat HIV/AIDS.

Membership options

An external organisational review of SABCOHA in 2009 identified the global financial crisis and the expectation of members to receive direct benefit for their fees as two serious challenges to sustaining membership support. In August 2009, SABCOHA restructured its categories of financial contributions into sponsors and members, enabling self-selected and customised support options with increased status and recognition.

Membership means renewable annual financial contributions for the collective effort and achievement of organisational objectives. Members can formally participate in organisational structures and influence the organisational priorities.

Sponsorship is a once-off financial contribution over which the sponsor may specify terms and conditions for use and require direct reporting.

There are different levels for both membership and sponsorship:

Why should I join?

The organised business environment offers a unique opportunity to target millions of employees affected by HIV and AIDS. SABCOHA aims to mobilise, empower and coordinate a unified business sector response to the epidemic. To this end, SABCOHA strives to help companies, both large and small, in their efforts by implementing specific workplace interventions.

As a member or sponsor of SABCOHA you can participate in these initiatives that provide both the skills and the knowledge to manage HIV and AIDS in the workplace. Being a member/sponsor of SABCOHA allows you to benefit from discounts from service providers and suppliers and offers a platform to learn from and engage with other members and experts in the field. Furthermore, SABCOHA membership affords your company the opportunity to be part of the broader business sector response, advocating for change in national policies when necessary and collaborating with other sectors and national, provincial and district AIDS structures.

Top 10 reasons to become a SABCOHA member:

1. Enable SABCOHA to more effectively mobilise, empower and coordinate the business sector’s response to HIV and AIDS – the “MEC” of SABCOHA.
   SABCOHA Vision: To mobilise and empower South African business to take effective action on HIV and AIDS in the workplace and beyond.
   SABCOHA Mission: To coordinate efforts to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS on sustained profitability and economic growth.
2. Demonstrate responsibility in health promotion as a company operating within South Africa to its employees, suppliers, customers, the government and broader community.
3. Attract socio-economic development points on your company’s BEE scorecard.
4. Participate in provincial and national SABCOHA structures influencing organisational priorities to address shared needs. SABCOHA is working towards establishing representative and functional provincial structures in every province within two to three years. Be part of this transformation and benefit from improved alignment between national and provincial priorities and plans.
5. Support SABCOHA in growing the bizwell database into a fully fledged M&E system for the business sector. In return, benefit from data evaluations and learning for improved intervention and investment in HIV & AIDS and wellness. Enjoy recognition from national and provincial government for cooperation in monitoring and reporting.
6. Receive timely feedback regarding national policy developments within the field of HIV & AIDS and wellness via SABCOHA’s website and organisational newsletters.
7. Attend events and debates on international, national and sectoral developments to keep abreast of latest developments and network with other companies and stakeholders.
8. Benefit from national and provincial projects managed, implemented and funded through SABCOHA.
   Current national projects include:

• • BizAIDS: a 2-day small and micro enterprise training programme.
  • Small and medium-enterprise capacity development programme: a 12-month technical assistance programme to facilitate the establishment of workplace programmes that link response to risk.
  • Peer education support programme: the establishment of a national network enabling the provision of information and support to peer educators.
  • Project promote: a public-private partnership through which condoms are distributed by contract cleaners.
  • Road freight and trucking industry initiative: a project aimed at expanding access to treatment through mobile and roadside clinics within the industry.

9. Access preferential pricing aimed at reducing the costs of implementing HIV & AIDS and wellness workplace programmes (currently being negotiated for the HCT campaign).
10. Access professionally designed IEC (information, education and communication) materials (currently being developed for the HCT campaign).

Participation

Because we are a member-driven organisation, all members can vote candidates to the board and participate in sub-committees. Representatives from any member company may be elected as governors. Members have the unique opportunity to develop and participate in projects in the workplace and broader business sector. SABCOHA has a main office in Johannesburg and a provincial structure in the Northern and Western Cape.

Networking

Membership to SABCOHA offers unprecedented opportunities to network with leading players in the field of HIV, as well as with colleagues from diverse business environments who are addressing similar challenges in many different ways. Members are invited to attend monthly breakfasts hosted by us. Networking is also facilitated by a more structured and coordinated response to HIV/AIDS in the workplace.

Best practice

We offer members access to the latest research and best practice models for workplace programmes. By adopting SABCOHA’s minimum best practice and quality assurance standards, as well as its code of ethics, members can be sure that their programmes meet industry standards. 

Lobbying and Funding

Being under the umbrella of SABCOHA offers members the opportunity to speak with one voice around HIV/AIDS and to lobby more effectively, therefore, around issues of governance, policy and law. Membership also facilitates the unlocking of funds from donor organisations.

Reduced prices

Members receive various services and resources at reduced prices, including the SABCOHA Workplace HIV/AIDS Toolkit; attendance at the bi-annual Private Sector Conference on HIV/AIDS;  various courses and training programmes offered by our affiliates; and products or services in the fields of HIV and AIDS.
Marketing and media exposure

Companies will receive appropriate acknowledgement for any sponsorship or project/programme support. Companies can also publish case studies on the SABCOHA website.

How to join

Simply fill in a membership application form , and email or fax form and proof of payment to SABCOHA.

For enquiries about membership or sponsorship please contact Anita Volker on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call +27 11 880 4821.