This has been an interesting year for the Winnipeg Ostomy Association, a year full of changes. The most obvious being relocating our chapter and executive committee meetings from St. Boniface Hospital to the SMD Building at 825 Sherbrook St. This seemed strange early in the fall, although free parking is certainly appreciated, but I think now we can say we are becoming more comfortable with the surroundings. Having an office, where we can keep our records and archives, store meeting supplies, collect supplies for FOW Canada is very worthwhile. The opportunity to meet and consult with the other members of the Clearinghouse has been of great help and I am sure will be of great benefit in the future.
Our ongoing fundraising efforts have been most enjoyable for those who have participated, and quite successful. The third of our four bingos will have been completed by the time you read this and we are already spending the monies raised so far. We have covered the full cost of the recent printing of the E.T. booklet Resuming Your Lifestyle, approved the purchase of a new printer, and we are now revamping our website and Internet access. Those who have participated in the bingos are to be highly commended, especially those who will have worked all four of them! Also a big thank you must be extended to our six E.T. nurses for volunteering their time and effort to make the bingos such a success.
Recently, we have been involved in two events beyond our regular activities, which has brought the association before the medical community and the general public. On April 11, Visiting Coordinator Shelley Breslaw-Wynne and I made a presentation to the department heads at Victoria General Hospital. After I gave an overview of the association, Shelley spoke about the visiting program, providing much useful information. Discussion followed and many useful ideas were exchanged. On April 20, we were one of twenty-five health related organizations with display tables at a Health Information conference in the Health Sciences center complex. This was an excellent opportunity to explain the goals and activities of the Winnipeg Ostomy Association. Many contacts were made, and many people, not only from the general public, but also from the medical community were made aware of the association for the first time.
Elsewhere you will find the results of the election of officers for the term beginning September 1, 2001. The position of secretary remains vacant, as it has been for the past year. Our activities have been greatly hampered by this problem and if no one comes forward to fill the position it will become more severe. This is an appeal for someone to come forward to take on this responsibility. If this position is not filled our activities and our involvement in the community will have to decrease, thus affecting not only our own members but also all ostomates across Manitoba.
Summer is about to arrive, have a good one, but first, see you at the Wine and Cheese on Thursday, May 24.
Dave Page, President
