Marlene Connell
Observer Contributor
Why do we volunteer?
We are asked this question often and the reasons are many, but most of all it makes us feel good about ourselves to be giving back to our community. The hospital will be or has been needed by all of us at some time, whether for a stay, surgery, or tests. Auxiliary members spend their time volunteering in the shop, providing TV hook-ups or the comfort cart, keeping fresh magazines in the waiting areas, holding Tag days, book sales and bake sales to raise funds to purchase hospital equipment as well as striving to make a patient’s time in our hospital more comfortable. Once a year, we receive a wish list from the various hospital departments indicating the equipment that would be an asset, but which they do not have the budget for. This list is prioritized by them and then given to us. This equipment stays at G.R. Baker Hospital.
Another question we are frequently asked is why it is necessary to fill out an application form and have a police check before volunteering. Every day we are in contact with patients, staff, children and people who are vulnerable. We must respect and maintain strict confidentially regarding who, what or why while carrying out our jobs. Applications help us find the programs a volunteer would like to try. Once a prospective member has completed these steps, we do an orientation of our Auxiliary as well as the hospital layout. At this point we see where their interest lies in volunteering and train them in their chosen area. There are many jobs to choose from and our days and hours are flexible; however, we do need to schedule the programs, therefore we need a commitment to the days or hours you choose. The Auxiliary is very flexible in accommodating members’ preferences regarding days and hours of work.
READ MORE: Hospital Auxiliary raises money towards ER equipment
We have just selected this year’s recipient of our annual bursary in the amount of $500 given to a local graduating student pursuing education in the medical field and attending a northern institution. The winner will be announced at the 2018 graduation ceremonies. Once again it is one of those “feel good” moments.
We have also just had our summer wind-up potluck dinner, a time to socialize and visit outside our hospital commitments. On a personal note, I believe we have some of the best cooks around. Our hospital administrator and her assistant as well as our local MLA joined us as invited guests. We do not hold meetings over the summer months; however, the executive and the Auxiliary continue working all through the sultry summer days.
We are part of the larger provincial organization – the British Columbia Association of Healthcare Auxiliaries, under whose umbrella there are 78 auxiliaries throughout the province. The services these auxiliaries provide vary from hospital to hospital, but our mandate to raise funds in support of local hospitals remains the same. I am always available to meet with those interested or take a phone call to discuss any of your questions regarding our Auxiliary.
To sum up “the why” at the end of the day, I feel good about the volunteer hours I dedicate to supporting our local hospital.
Have a great summer, and don’t forget to visit our shop in the hospital for unique purchases!
Marlene Connell is the president of the Auxiliary to G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital.