THE COR-VALUES AND BENEFITS MANUAL OF THE EAST RAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

THE COR-VALUES AND BENEFITS MANUAL OF THE EAST RAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

ERCOC

COR-VALUES

Table of Contents

Mission Statement 2

Vision Statement 2

Core Values. 2

Benefits. 3

Extraordinary Services Beyond Normal Chamber Offerings. 3

Implementation. 5

Mission Statement

We passionately strive to develop a profitable business climate, drive economic growth, and promote employment opportunities through the facilitation of expert services at affordable prices. This is achieved by introducing the cross-subsidisation of unused intangible assets from corporate members to SME members.

Vision Statement

To be the trusted resource for Chartered Secretarial, Digital, and Social Media Marketing, as well as Dispute Resolution services, while serving as a key driver of business and community prosperity.

Core Values

After collectively identifying our core values, and in line with the King IV Report on Good Governance, we defined and restructured each of our service departments into profit centres to assist us in establishing a values-based culture.

3.1 Teamwork

We depend upon each other as we drive towards common goals. We are open in our communication, respect each other’s views, strive to collaborate, and seek inclusion in our planning and execution. We also enjoy working together.

3.2 Dependability

We build trust by holding ourselves and each other accountable to our commitments. We are reliable as individuals and as a team in all that we deliver to our community.

3.3 Integrity

We always strive to do the right thing, the first time. We are honest in our communication, fair in the way we treat each other, and diligent in fulfilling our commitments. Compassion drives our commitment to serve our fellow workers, members, and others with empathy, respect, and dignity.

3.4 Service

We are focused on the growth and well-being of our members and the community in which we live. We strive to build our knowledge and skills while focusing on a mission that is service-based and responsive to the needs of our members.

3.5 Innovation

We have a strong member focus, strategic vision, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. We are creative in facing challenges, solving problems, and proactively driving superior results.

3.6 Passion

We bring a willingness to help, dedication to our goals, and service excellence that goes beyond the call of duty. We strive for brilliance in all we do and seek to enthusiastically drive continual improvement. “Best Ever” is our standard.

Benefits

Let’s begin by ticking all the boxes of normal Chamber of Commerce benefits:

Networking within your community, locally, nationally, and internationally.

Reliable business information via Chamber communication channels.

Promotion, authenticity, and publicity in a Chamber bulletin.

Chamber enterprise development initiatives and programmes.

Certificates of Origin.

Now, with that out of the way, let’s focus on the main reason why our members joined the East Rand Chamber.

Extraordinary Services Beyond Normal Chamber Offerings

4.1 Chartered Secretarial Services

The chartered secretary of a large or corporate company serves as a go-between for executive management and the board, ensuring that good governance is maintained. The chartered or company secretary’s duties are listed in the Companies Act 88 of 2008 as follows:

Providing directors, collectively and individually, with guidance on their duties, responsibilities, and powers.

Making directors aware of any law relevant to or affecting the company.

Reporting to the company’s board any failure by the company or a director to comply with the Memorandum of Incorporation, company rules, or the Act.

Ensuring that minutes of all shareholders’ meetings, board meetings, and committee meetings are properly recorded in accordance with the Act.

Certifying in the company’s annual financial statements whether required returns and notices have been filed, and whether they are true, correct, and up to date.

Ensuring that a copy of the company’s annual financial statements is sent to every entitled person in accordance with the Act.

Carrying out the functions of a person designated in terms of section 33(3).

Most of these duties are performed by the company’s auditors, but they often neglect duties listed under points 1 and 2, especially the latter, as these are not typically part of the auditors’ appointment or fees.

Duty number two emphasises legal compliance, often seen as grudge expenditure, yet it covers extremely important laws:

PAIA

POPIA

OHS

Workmen’s Compensation Act

WSP and EE

Labour

BBBEE

4.2 Digital and Social Media Marketing Assets

Similar to a marketing manager responsible for planning, producing, and directing a company’s ability to attract potential customers and convert them into buyers, the Chamber—with its prestigious image—ensures a consistent marketing presence and organic ranking on the internet.

Like many marketing managers who specialise in particular industries or types of marketing, the Chamber specialises in in-depth digital and social media marketing. Regardless of speciality, the Chamber shares a common goal with all marketing managers: to convey digital messages to members’ target audiences in the most effective way possible using procured assets.

4.3 Dispute Resolution Outside the Judicial System

ERCOC members rely on arbitration and mediation processes as described in the King IV Report on Good Governance. Therefore, ERCOC established the East Rand Commercial Arbitration Board (ERCAB). In contrast to other arbitration facilities, ERCAB is highly affordable.

Implementation

(Section to be expanded with specific strategies, timelines, and responsibilities.)

5.Legal & Administrative Support Services

The East Rand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ERCOC) provides structured legal-adjacent support services to its members strictly within an administrative, procedural, and compliance framework. These services are designed to assist members in navigating regulatory, contractual, and institutional challenges without ERCOC acting as a legal practice or providing legal representation.

5.1 Scope of Legal & Administrative Support

ERCOC assists members with the following services:

• Administrative and procedural support relating to regulatory compliance, public bodies, municipalities, and institutions.

• Drafting and structuring of formal correspondence, notices, and representations required to enforce procedural fairness, compliance, and administrative justice.

• Assistance with Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) processes, Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) requests, and related administrative-law procedures.

• Preparation of structured, court-ready administrative documentation for handover to appointed legal practitioners, including factual chronologies, correspondence bundles, and compliance records.

• Administrative preparation (non-representational) of Notices of Motion and Summons documentation up to the allocation of a court date, for use by an admitted attorney.

• Support in contractual disputes, payment disputes, and non-compliance matters through lawful administrative escalation.

5.2 Registered Debt Collection Oversight

Where matters involve unpaid accounts, contractual payment disputes, or non-compliance with payment obligations, ERCOC may provide administrative debt-compliance support under the oversight of a registered debt collector. All such assistance is conducted strictly in accordance with applicable legislation and ethical standards and excludes unlawful coercion, threats, or misuse of credit reporting mechanisms.

5.3 Dispute Resolution Outside the Courts

In line with the King IV Report on Good Governance, ERCOC promotes dispute resolution through mediation and arbitration where appropriate. The Chamber supports members in utilising arbitration and mediation mechanisms, including referral to the East Rand Commercial Arbitration Board (ERCAB), as a cost-effective alternative to litigation.

5.4 Important Legal Limitations

ERCOC does not:

• Provide legal advice• Act as a law firm or legal practice• Represent members in court or before tribunals• Conduct litigation• Negotiate legal settlements on behalf of members

All litigation, court appearances, and legal opinions must be undertaken by an admitted attorney or advocate appointed directly by the member.

ERCOC’s role is to ensure that members are procedurally prepared, administratively protected, and institutionally supported before and during any escalation to formal legal proceedings.