Editor, The Times:
On April 17, three members of the Clearwater Auxiliary left for Richmond, B.C. to attend the 67th Conference of The British Columbia Association of Health-Care Auxiliaries. The three day conference was held at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel. To officially open the Meeting, we were welcomed by the Lieutenant Governor of B.C., the Honorable Steven L. Point.
The conference offered four different forums and four workshops over two days. Our volunteers chose the "Gift Shop" forum on the first day. The facilitator, Ms. Huong Nguyen stressed certain points how to advertise, maintain and operate a gift shop in a profitable manner. Her presentation was excellent and we all gathered ideas to bring back to the table for discussion.
The workshop chosen was "Human Rights, Health and Safety Issues for Volunteers." The Facilitator here was Mr. Al Strachan, who has 14 years in negotiating labour issues with special focus on human rights. All the forums and workshops were well received and strive to offer leadership, training, education and mentoring for all volunteers.
The British Columbia Association of Health-Care Auxiliaries has over 6500 members who volunteer at hospitals, health-care facilities and contribute immeasurably to communities through-out our province. For over 65 years, members have volunteered conscientiously, giving of themselves so that they may bring comfort and hope to all who are in distress of mind or body. The volunteers fulfill a wide spectrum of duties at gift shops, thrift shops, women's shelters, many departments in hospitals such as diagnostic imaging, emergency, paediatrics and donate annually over $7 million towards the purchase of equipment. We have approximately 77 members in the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
May 10th, is "Health-Care Auxiliary Day" in the Province of British Columbia. Several members from our Units will be present (with our new Banner) in front of the A.G. Food Store from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. At this time we would like to thank our Community for all the help and support our Auxiliary receives, in order for our members to carry-out "our purpose" in helping our local health care facility. We ask the public to stop by and say hello to some of our auxiliary members.
Marg Anderson
PR - Auxiliary
Clearwater, B.C.