Calgary Ostomy Society, AB
This chapter has set up monthly small group sessions for its members. Spouses and significant others are also encouraged to participate in their own group session. This is a new venture for the Calgary chapter. This is an interesting and exciting development in the evolution of SASO.
Regina Chapter, SK
The Regina Chapter now has a SASO contact person. Thank you to Jean Eilers for volunteering to be the SASO contact for the spouses and significant others in her chapter.
Winnipeg Chapter, MB
Look for Nurit Drory’s story, in the fall edition of Ostomy Canada, about her experiences with living with her ostomate husband, Sam. Nurit told her story at the conference Farewell Banquet, in Winnipeg. Carol Aitkin, SASO contact for her chapter, has written a poem called The Lei in honour of Nurit and Sam. It will also be published in the next edition of the magazine.
Brantford & District, ON
In the September issue of their chapter newsletter, SASO members were asked if they were interested in meeting every second or third month to discuss concerns and offer support to each other.
Ostomy Toronto, ON
Dan Pelletier, spouse of the president of Ostomy Toronto, Deb Pelletier, was elected to the UOAC Board of Directors at this year’s conference in Winnipeg.
Metro Halifax, NS
At a cluster meeting for the Atlantic region in Truro, Nova Scotia, a report, written by Betty Woolridge, concerning the support of spouses and significant others, at the chapter level, was presented to the group.
SASO Pamphlet
The new version of the SASO Pamphlet is now in its draft stage. Once the final version is completed, it will be sent to the UOAC Publications Committee for final approval. The printing costs of the revised pamphlet will be included in the SASO Committee budget for 2006-2007. There are, however, approximately a thousand copies of the present pamphlet, Partners’ Support Program, at UOAC National Office, in Toronto. If you need more copies of the pamphlet, contact the national office at 1-888-969-9698 to place your order.
SASO Report
At the end of October the chair of the SASO Committee presented a report to the new UOAC Board of Directors. Keeping the board members informed of the work of the SASO Committee and Chapter Contacts for spouses and significant others at the national and local levels is very important.
Chapter Fees for Spouses and Significant Others
In the spring edition of SASO News, a request was made regarding your chapter’s policy toward the membership fees for spouses and significant others. The only reply was from the SASO contact of the Calgary Chapter. In Calgary’s case, no additional fees are levied. Please contact Ann Ivol at the e-mail or mailing address, in the paragraph below, with your chapter’s policy concerning the membership of spouses and significant others.
SASO News
SASO News is published three times a year, in the fall, winter and spring. If your chapter is involving spouses and significant others in something of interest to other SASO Chapter Contacts please e-mail the information to amivol@hotmail.com or mail it to 31 Rialto Court, Hamilton, ON, L9C 5T5 for inclusion in the SASO News
