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Volume 17 -Issue 3 Christmas 2012

Auxiliary Prayer

Almighty God andHeavenly Father

of mankind, bless

we pray Thee, our endeavours in

those hospitals in which

we strive to bringcomfort and hope

to allwho are in distress

of mindand body.

Guide us so , that

we may use the

privilegegiven us to help

theaged, the ill and the very young, with generosity,with discretion

and with gentleness.

Give us the

strength to labour diligently, the

courage to think and speak with clarity and conviction, but without

prejudice and pride.

Grant us we beseech Thee both wisdom and humility to do for others as Thou

would have us do.

From the President‘s Desk

In November Joan Farrow and I were delighted to repre- sent our Auxiliary at the H.A.A.O. (Hospital Auxiliary Association of Ontario) Convention in Toronto, where this year's theme was:

"REVITALIZE and MOVE FORWARD"-- to imbue with new life and vitality --

Change and innovation, 'thinking outside the box', will be our challenge for 2013-2014, in the face of the possible $ 10. - $ 15 million funding GAP ( shortage) for Quinte Health Care. This is a reflection of the Provincial decrease in hospital funding - with more dollars going into community services to support shorter hospital stays.Our Auxiliary is an integral and very important part of our hospital. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health for Ontario, asked us to consider : "What would your hospital be like, with NO volunteers?" Because we are literally - all over everywhere, in the hospital, we have a tremendous opportunity to observe, learn, support, assist in-patients and out-patients - Day surgery, Eye Clinics, Mammography, Bone Density, X-Ray, at Emergency Departments, and the staff. We can, individually and together, take ownership and help provide care on so many levels.

I welcome our new volunteers - your eyes see things we have missed or overlooked.Special thanks to our volunteers of longstanding - your knowledge of the past and your experience is so important to our whole auxiliary!!Working together we can BE the change we want to see.

"Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"

to all of you -- devoted, passionate, polite, caring, hard- working volunteers!!! Thank you so much for your heartfelt devotion to Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary!!!

Pam Pettigrew

Volume 17 - Issue 3 Christmas 2012 Page 2

Constitution and By-Laws

At our AGM last May copies of our out-dated Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary By-Laws were available for members to take, read & edit.It is essential to complete this task in order to distribute a draft at our next AGM in May 2013.During January, February and March 2013, on Monday Mornings, from 9:30 - 11:30 am., in the T.M.H. Auxiliary Office and Craft Room, anyone who is able, is more than welcome to stop in and give input or stay and assist.Special thanks to Janet de Groot, who already has the original on her computer. Deleting, adding etc. should not be too time consuming.

Our Constitution and By-Laws need to reflect our mode of operation and government legislation. It is also a requirement for our NEVADA Fund License.

Carol Brooks

The "New" Vault

Our hospital was built in 1951 and as time and change raced on, it happened that our present Volunteer Office, on the 2nd floor, consisted of 4 rooms around the locked vault. In our search for space to store Bazaar items, I thought the vault would be good - if we could get it opened!.Mr. Mumby from B.G.H., the holder of all keys, came to our rescue and had fun "cracking the Safe" And.....he made the lock safe so we couldn't get locked inside!!

WHAT A CHALLENGE!!!Floor to ceiling boxes, files, books, baseball cards , deeds, OLD pay sheets, the original book of donors from 1942 - a voyage of discovery!!!!!So, now we have another excellent storage area for the Auxiliary. All the relevant historical documents are being reviewed carefully, with decisions being made as

to their permanent safekeeping.Thank you to Barb Cook, our Auxiliary Historian, for her assistance with this.

Pam Pettigrew

Our New Volunteers

1. Sandra - emergency2. Barb - historian3. Andrea - fund raising days4. Barb - gift shop5. Barb - dammit dolls6. Eleanor - gift shop7. Judy

Welcome

Ladies!!!!!


From the Executive Board

At the Executive Meeting on Monday November 12, the TMH Auxiliary Executive Board made the following motion:Moved by Carol Brooks, seconded by Janet de Groot

- that the Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Executive Board recommend to the General Membership :- that we donate $ 500.- towards funding of Audio-visual and Teleconference Equipment at the TMH site, in regard to the request for funding for the Quinte Health Care Education Centre. This motion is to be voted on at the -

Christmas Luncheon on December 10, 2012.

Pam Pettigrew, President

Are you old?Aging is a quality of the mind

If you have left your dreams behind if hope is coId,

If you no longer look aheadIf your ambitions' fires are dead,

Then you are old!!!

But....if from life you take the bestAnd, if in life you keep the jest,

If love you hold,No matter how the years go by...No matter how the birthdays fly....

You are not old!!!!

Advisory Council of Quinte Health Care

Highlights of Participating on the CouncilWords can not express the knowledge, background and input received at each meeting. Best description would be: 'information overload'. And wow!... what a dynamic leadership team we have. They are trying their best to achieve Exceptional Care, while bridging the "GAP" with Hospital Funding Reforms. At our most recent meeting Mary Clare Egberts reviewed Quinte Health Care's Five Year

Goals and how they will measure success, implementing the Strategic Plan..Mitch Birken gave an update about Human Resources Services. Did you know there are 1814 employees with 93% unionized and 5 bargaining units? Brad Harrington and Mary Claire Egberts , familiar faces for T.M.H. Auxiliary, discussed the financial health of QHC, The bottom line is: TRANSFORMATION HAS TO TAKE PLACE to bridge the "GAP" Everyone wants 4 vibrant, interdependent hospitals.We, as Auxilians, do not only have to look where we are, but also where we are going.The GAP (other word for "shortage") could be $ 10. - $ 15.-million dollars!!. Leadership Staff indicates that the New Funding is the right thing to do, but it is a challenge and we need to be constructive. It was suggested that Brian Smith and Mary Clare Egberts meet with mayors, councils, newspaper reporters and MPPs, to give presentations or talk shows. The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary would like to have some more information about the role of the auxiliaries. They like to make donations for minor equipment and support the Education Centre at the Belleville Site. Bev Dobson and I have found it a very rewarding experience to have represented our auxiliary. We thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm and professional presentations. Carol Brooks- Bev Dobson


Nevada FundsThis Fall Virginia La Tour, Deputy Clerk of Quinte West and Corporate Records Information Coordinator, forwarded to our Auxiliary the required Documentation for our Nevada License.She also provided us with a short version of "Break Open Ticket Inspection" (a Municipally Licensed Organization)All documentation was delivered in October. Graciously our license was extended.Our receipts for the year 2011-2012 have changed from $ 10,446 to $ 11,194, an increase of $ 748.-.Expenses decreased from 6,551.- to 5,519.- a difference of $ 1,032.-.

Last May $ 10,000.- from the Nevada Fund was designated for an E.N.T. Sinus Handpiece. At the time of writing this report, the invoice of this piece of equipment had not yet been received. Bank Balance as at October 31, 2012 $ 17,537.42Accounts Payable (ENT Sinus Handpiece) 10.000.-Actual Balance as at October 31, 2012 $ 7,537.42 ============Please support West Street Variety, where T.M.H. Auxiliary Nevada Tickets are sold. I wish you all a Merry Christmas

Carol Brooks

Nevada Coordinator.

South End of T.M.H.Last year I told you about the Breast Screening. This year I'll tell you about the rest of the story. The girls are busy most days, but on Thursday they are even busier......

We now have Bone Density, Breast Screening, Pre-Op Teaching and Minor Surgeries. The latest clinic is the EYE CLINIC. This can be confusing, because we have two eye clinics.

The one that is held at the far south end of the Breast Screening is the Laser type. There are no nurses or volunteers at that end, that's why it becomes confusing. Be on your toes, because we also have 'Pre-Op' teaching for EYE surgery. For this clinic you have to register at first at admitting and then find your way over to the volunteer at Breast Screening.Next there is EYE SURGERY which is held in Day Surgery.The easiest way to find out where they all are, is to ask the name of the doctor. Sometimes that will give you a clue.Volunteering at the Breast Screening is a fun day and we are always looking for volunteers.

Carol Ann Smith


Thank You

2 C. Recreation Volunteers

It has been another busy year with Recreation on the Inpatient Unit. Sandi Barnes joined us last spring and she has been coming regularly on Tuesday afternoons. I must also mention our

other dedicated volunteers: Ruth Barreca (Tuesday mornings), Janet de Groot Thursday mornings and monthly Hymn Sing), Debbie Godwin (Thursday afternoons), Joyce Fowler and "Bandit" who visit the patients every Thursday morning and John Low who subs in, when the others are unable to come. We are also fortunate to have Bonnie O'Brien and Sarah Schroer who visit the patients on a one to one basis. I can always count on these wonderful volunteers to help out with our special events too (Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Strawberry Social, Summer BBQ's and Thanksgiving) We even had a Dutch Day thanks to Janet and her

family for providing Dutch treats, fascinating stories, a video and Dutch artefacts. Each volunteer brings their own personal touch and talents to the job which makes each day special and unique for the patients. The volunteers build a meaningful rapport with the patients which improves their stay in the hospital.

Recreation Therapy is fortunate to have the support of the Auxiliary as they purchase equipment as well as prizes, decorations, and other supplies for the unit. The Auxiliary has also committed

to buy a new Christmas tree for the Activity Room this year. This will surely bring great joy and Christmas cheer to the patients.Thank you to the volunteers and the Auxiliary for your ongoing consideration and dedication to Recreation Therapy. Margot McIntosh

Recreation Therapist

May you all have a blessed Christmas

Why the big funding gap?

As part of the plan to address the provincial deficit, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has announced that the hospital sector will not receive any funding in-creases for the foreseeable future. In fact, because our region's population is not growing, QHC will receive a substantial decrease in our funding each year. Our costs continue to go up 2 or 3 % a year, creating a funding gap that is not sustainable. It`s going to be a challenge, but the status quo is not an option. There is going to be less money for QHC's hospitals and we need to make transformational changes to how we deliver care. Many hospitals in Ontario are in similar situations. (from FAQs on the Hospital Sector Funding Reform)


From the Volunteer Office

The seasons seem to come and go so much faster now I am getting older. I used to hear my parents say that, but paid no attention. Now I am here, I know what they meant! Yes, Christmas is upon us again and it makes me think more of those who have passed. Pondering on that, is how the

Auxiliary came about it's first "Memory tree" This tree is displayed in the Day Surgery Unit. For a $ 5.00 donation to the Auxiliary you can choose to hang a bell, a butterfly or a bird on the tree with a card showing the name of the person you like to remember.We are thrilled to be able to announce that Bobbi-Jo Saucier, from Mann McCracken, Bebee Ross & Schmidt Law Office, is willing to help us with the re-writing of our By-Laws. We are looking forward to our working together.Our volunteer numbers have increased to 140, including quite a few military

who are at the moment not that active any more, due to an increased work load at the base.The Volunteer Office is now just above the 3/4 mark of being computerized.We welcome Maggie MacDonald who is helping one day a week at the Office. She brings a great many years of experience with her. Welcome Maggie !!Our Volunteer Service at the Emergency Department is running smoothly and our volunteers love to work there. The Mammography Department volunteers are running with both ends lit, as the Ambulatory- and Eye Laser Clinics are situated in the same area. However, they do not mind it at all, because, as they say: "It's never boring"Physio is busy with a steady routine and an always constant flow of patients.Day Surgery is constantly booked full and up to 2 shifts a day.At 2C we are still looking for more volunteers to go around the floor, bringing Ginger Ale to the patients, water their plants or making short visits with a 'smile and a friendly word'. 2C Recreation Therapy is in need of more volunteers to come in independently to visit, read to patients, play cards or do some craft with them.We have made a few changes in our "Intake Process" to make things a little smoother, and created a new division

called: "Friends of the Auxiliary" for students 16 years and older. These students will not be working on the floors, but work with us on Fund Raisings or other special events. This will also help them to complete their 40 hours of Community Work. Any student interested may contact the office and leave a message. We, at the office, wish you and your family

A Very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year

Sandi Heiwegen Lynne RaRue


Tidbits from the

Coffee Bar Once again I sit here struggling for news about the Coffee Bar. We have 15 wonderful volunteers who keep it running smoothly. Makes the job as convenor easy, except when I have to write something for the Newsletter.Sales have been steady, depending of course on emergency, surgeries and clinics.

We are limited to what we are able to sell, because we are in a small place and rely on coffee, cold drinks, muffins etc. and of course, Rachel's tarts.

It's a pleasure to work at the Coffee Bar. We meet so many nice people, locals, as well as 'out of town' persons.It always makes us happy to hear the visitors tell us how bright and friendly our hospital is .We love compliments!!!

to all of you, volunteers and customers, for making our Coffee Bar successful!!!!

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday!!!

Joan Farrow

Holly Bazaar

Once again, our Holly Bazaar was a great success. This year we made over $ 6.000.- (the best yet!) I would like to thank all of the volunteers who worked so hard to make this happen. Our Bazaar committee started meeting in September to make sure everything was in place for the day of the bazaar.

As always, the many volunteers who came out on November 16th to "work" the bazaar made the day!!!A vey special thank you to the many generous supporters who contributed to our Silent Auction, our Bake Table and Tea Room, and to our talented crafters. We also owe a gratitude to the staff at Trenton Memorial Hospital for their on-going support.We could not put this fund raising event on without their help.Thank you also goes to our many members who faithfully attend every year.On behalf of the Holly Bazaar Committee, I wish every one a

Healthy and Happy Holiday Season.

Karen White


Gift Shop

After our shopping trip to Montreal in August, and the arrival of the new products, sales have picked up in the gift shop after a quiet couple of months

during the summer. There seems to be an interest in the variety of new items we have introduced into the store, many from small Quebec merchants. We have had positive feedback on buying Canadian, not an easy thing to accomplish these days.As before, we are finding that switching to fashions and accessories continues to be a popular move. We continue to seek purchasers from beyond the hospital with our offer to pay the first hours

parking on sales over $ 50,00, and have had some takers for this incentive. Please spread the word to your contacts out there too. This fall we have been preparing gift baskets for the Bazaar, and it proved to be a popular idea, we sold quite a few and will now have them in the shop as part of the Christmas display. We hope the upcoming Christmas shopping season will produce good sales in the next weeks. We do continue to receive many hand crafted items for sale, afghans, baby outfits, catnip mice and jewellery. We hope that these crafters continue to check the craft room for wool and of course our sincere thanks to all who contribute in this way. We also continue to have several new volunteers to help us, and hope that each one of you will enjoy the experience. We do appreciate each one of our volunteers,

some of whom have been part of the team for a very long time. A big 'Thank You' for your ongoing support, you continue to make our donations of funds to our hospital's projects possible and we value each one of you.

Our very best wishesto you for the

Holiday Season and the New Year.

Kathy Teng

Donalda Stapley co-convenors.

====================================

Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

Mission Statement

The Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

Incorporated provides volunteer services for the

clients and staff of the Health Care facility and

for the community.The fundraising projects

are designed to augment the equipment

and benefit projects directly related to the

Trenton Site of the Quinte Health Care Corporation.


Excellence in Patient

Care

As a volunteer you have the precious opportunity to contribute to the well being of the patients, cared for at Trenton Memorial Hospital.

You are what people see when they arrive here. Yours are the eyes they look into when they're frightened and anxious.

Yours is the intelligence and caring that people hope they find here.

If you are noisy or rude, so is your organization.

If you are friendly and kind, so is your organization..

Your entire team is judged by the care you give, the attention you pay and the courtesies you extend.

Your organization has a stake in your attitude,

You are an important part of our Health Care.

Gifts to....your enemy - forgivenessyour opponent - tolerancea friend - your hearta customer -serviceall men - charityyourself - respectevery child - a good example

The New Eye Clinic

The new eye clinic is being conducted on random days by the following doctors: Lachapelle; Davies; Rao; Whiteman. It is located at the end of the new wing, on the left side. Registration is not until the day before and there is no assisting nurse.Many of these patients are elderly and require assistance to find it from registration and may need wheelchairs. In the future we expect registration will be at the kiosk, but not in the near future!Most have escorts with them, which leads, on a busy day, to crowding in the waiting room and alcove. Sue Stevens has given the volunteers permission to ask if some escorts could wait in the Ambulatory Care Waiting Room, if necessary, in the case of inadequate numbers of chairs and overcrowding.The attending volunteer (mammography) can also push the chairs close together to enhance the space in the room and the alcove. There will be 2 new high (hip) chairs coming soon. Some of our volunteers have noticed that the signs showing the way to the clinic are actually too small for some of the patients to read easily, so I will ask Sue Stevens if it is possible to make them larger, with good contrast.The problem arises when Mammography itself is very busy, and the volunteer has little or no time to assist with the eye clinic patients. Because we do not know till the day before, it would be difficult for Sandi to get another person to fill in at the last minute. In the mean time we will do our best with the one volunteer.

Pam Pettigrew -President

Laughter is the closest distance

between two people

Victor Borge

Volume 17 - Issue 3 Chrismas 2012 Page 10

General Treasurers Annual Review

OVERVIEW The fiscal year, ended March 31, 2012, showed the Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary well positioned to meet our financial commitments for the coming period. Monies were raised from various activities including the Holly Bazaar, sales from the Coffee Bar, the Gift Shop and from draws and raffles. Funds are available to meet the Auxiliary's 6-year commitment to the Breast Screening Clinic in January 2013 and to purchase small equipment for use by QHC, Trenton Site. Bursaries are offered to eligible students in June of each year, totalling $ 2,000.00.Volunteer members continue to strive to creatively earn funds in order to ensure support can be offered where it is needed most. As at October 31, 2012, we have completed the first seven months of our Fiscal Year and we retain a positive financial position. Cash balances from theGeneral Account, Remembrance Fund, Nevada Funds $ 41,710.- Investments $ 17,597.-Total $ 59,307.-Equipment commitments from these funds are estimated to be $ 12,000.-, leaving a substantial balance for current obligations.

PLANS FOR THE COMING YEARBill 65 is a new law that is meant to improve the efficiency of non-profit organizations and to bring them closer to being managed like other business entities. It defines better methods of record keeping both for staff and for financial information and outlines when associations must comply. The Government is allowing non-profit organizations approximately 2 years to comply with their guidelines, At the Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, we feel this

gives us the opportunity now to work on improving all our records, procedures, methods and financial activities. New systems need to be implemented to support our progress toward meeting and overcoming the imminent changes that will occur due, in part, to revised government legislation.In this regard, a finance committee is planned that will work toward developing and implementing a computerized accounting system. Our auditors have

strongly suggested that this is the best way to proceed and the only way to reduce fees resulting from manual records that require considerable effort on their part before the Annual Financial Statements are completed. The extra effort of our member volunteers has proved that by working together, we can and will continue to deliver necessary funds for our pledge to the patients, staff and others for our Trenton Memorial Hospital.

From the Treasurers Office,

Sandra Law

May the peace of the

Christ Child be with you

now and always.

Have a blessed Christmas

your editor,

Janet de Groot.

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