Lonehill: Fun Day - Pretty Impressive

Had the opportunity, last Sunday, to spend a couple of hours at the Lonehill Fun Day talking to over a 100 Lonehillers (was conducting a little survey of my own). The current board of directors can take a well-deserved pat on the back for earning almost 100% praise and approval for the current state of Lonehill from those I chatted to.

Shelly Miller needs to take a bow for getting the fun day offering back to some of the key elements that made the first fun day back in 2001 such an initial charity-donating success. I suspect that this one will have got close, if not having surpassed the funds donated from that first event.

Also had occasion to bump into LRA directors Rob Gillespie, Ray Stride, Hamish McBain, Avi Naidoo and Ian Temba at the LRA tent... and it continues to be clear to me that this 'new' core of directors have succeeded in pulling the LRA back to the edge of the chasm - see Lonehill - At The Edge Of The CHASM, Once Again!

In the above link, I pointed out how and why a previous board had missed the opportunity of crossing-the-chasm resulting in Lonehill falling headlong into the chasm, and what is needed for this new team to take the bull by the horns to cross the chasm to the community we really can become.

My gut is seldom wrong when it comes to analysing what is needed to make business projects hum... and as I looked at the obvious efforts of this new team, it was clear to see what is still missing. It is a little thing, almost imperceptible, but as important as the little key that turns your car engine. Without it you get nowhere. It's the the little bit of magic, the little spark, the little bit of marketing chutzpah, the little bit of flair, the little bit of action-oriented goal-driven activity to achieve the results targeted.

On Sunday, just one subtle preparatory twist could have resulted in everyone's details being collected and the Envirofund offer being pitched assertively to a market pumped up with good feeling and goodwill. So, I saw a huge opportunity lost to build some important contributor numbers. The foundation appears to be getting back up to scratch, but it's that finishing touch that makes the difference that is still missing. And the answer lies within this community.

Again, this is not intended as blunt criticism... I just don't believe that the current directors are yet mustering all the resources at their fingertips to make the giant leap across the chasm that can be taken. This opportunity to make a giant leap across the chasm to make Lonehill a truly amazing community was missed once before, and Lonehill's efforts went backwards. Don't allow it to happen again. Make it grow to BIGGER than anyone can imagine. Oh please, LRA directors, don't rest on your laurels now.

Oh yes, I see the little things being done that is indicative of someone providing good management where it wasn't before. I see the 'singular' apostrophe removed from the logo on some of the newer marketing collateral. I see the new marketing collateral. the small things do count towards the massive improvement in security and environment that is clear to see. These are all very important and deserving of positive kudos.

But, it is the little bit of MAGIC that has not yet been applied... and that magic IS available in the community... just call that INDABA of seriously interested stakeholders together...!

Nevertheless, the Lonehill Community Fun Day looked pretty impressive. Well done.

Regards
Trevor Nel - 011 705-2790
Lonehill Resident