Volunteen End of Summer Celebration

The volunteens just wrapped up a record-breaking summer for the total number of hours contributed and were recognized with a day full of pizza and bowling to "chill" before they head back to school for the fall. In between all of the laughter and I-pod music the teen's were asked what they enjoyed most about volunteering this summer...

"Going home knowing that I made a difference in someone’s life;” Mary

“Getting to help people in need;” Matthew.

“Taking people where they needed to go and hearing their stories;” Sarah.

“Seeing people light up when I delivered flowers to their room;” Sam.

“Building relationships with other volunteens and people at the hospital;” Mary Jo.

“Getting to help people in need, which really helps me with my future career in nursing. I am just sad that the summer has come to an end so quickly;” Brannah.

“I really enjoyed volunteering. My favorite part was helping Shelly in Outpatient Services. Helping patients is also a big part of why I like it;” Maria.

“The best thing about volunteering at Saint Mary’s is helping others;” Felicia.

“Hospital employees were always willing to answer questions. They were always very kind;” Ellie.

Need to Know!!

Required TB Tests and Code of Conduct manuals were handed out during April's meeting. There are still a few volunteers who have not had their TB Test completed for 2009. Also, we are still lacking quite a few volunteers who have signed and returned their Code of Conduct Manuals signature sheets. Please make arrangements to complete both soon!

Attention Volunteers .
Your annual TB Skin Test will be administered before April's Monthly meeting. Monica Baxter, RN, Saint Mary's Infection Control and Employee Health nurse will be set up at 12:30 p.m. prior to April's meeting. We encourage every active volunteer to attend. If you are not able, arrangements will need to be made to have your test administered.

Upcoming Volunteer Webinars
We would like to invite you to join us for some great learning opportunities for the Volunteer program. Two webinars are being offered to all interested volunteers. If you would like to participate, please call Stephanie Beerman at 968-2841, ext. 0 to sign up for either or both if you like! Please leave your name and a good contact number so we can call if anything changes. Both webinars will be held in Cafes 2 & 3 from 10-11:30 a.m. We hope to see you all there!

Session Four: Marketing Your Volunteer Program
Tuesday, March 24 – Cafes 2 & 3 - COMPLETED
Basic Marketing concepts are critical in developing a viable, dynamic plan to promote your volunteer program and recruit volunteers. This session explains how business principles apply to volunteer marketing and the benefits of market research. Lean what elements comprise the 4 P’s of marketing and how to incorporate them into your strategic plan.

Session Five: Focusing on the Health Benefits of Volunteering as a Recruitment Strategy
Tuesday, April 7 – Cafes 2 & 3 - COMPLETED
Helping others has real health benefits. This session will discuss the findings of international studies linking health benefits with volunteering. Lean to identify and understand the potential volunteer market and develop motivational strategies to attract those volunteers in this session

As part of the "Let Me Take You There" initiative, volunteers display their promise to personally escort patients and guests to their hospital destination.

The newly designed button is available for all volunteers. If you haven't already, please pick up your new button!

April's Monthly Volunteer Meeting

AUXILIARY MEETING AGENDA
April 6, 2009

12:30 p.m.
Pre-Meeting TB Test with Monica Baxter, RN

1 p.m.
Open Meeting & Welcome
Program: Brenda Harrison and Stephanie Beerman: Discussing a Volunteer Growth plan
Welcome New Members
Thank Hostesses
Vice President: Prayer
Secretary’s Minutes
Treasurer’s Report
Sunshine Report
Gift Shop Report
Scholarship Jar Report

Old Business:
District Meeting
Educational Seminars
Pictorial Directory
Nominee for District Office
Nominee for State Office

New Business:
Installation Banquet

2008-09 Auxiliary Scholarship Awards

Auxiliary Scholarships participants are recognized

The Saint Mary’s auxiliary awards a number of $500 scholarships each year. The scholarship is available to current hospital employees who are actively continuing their education in the medical field. Each semester, the Scholarship Committee receives a multitude of applications and recipients are chosen based on certain criteria.

For the upcoming spring 2009 semester, 11 employees from four different hospital departments were selected. Recipients from Russellville include Zach Mabry, nursing; Lizabeth Fitzner, nursing; Samantha Chadha, nursing; Christy Butler, nursing, Brandon Faulkner, nursing and Lindsey Harris, respiratory therapy. Chelsea Spears, nursing and Shonda Matayo, nursing, of Pottsville; Lydia Zimmerman, respiratory therapy, of Dover; Gena Hanney, nursing, of Scranton and Toni Daniels, nursing, of Rogers were also selected.

Committee Chair Bill Shirley was on hand to formally award each scholarship. “The auxiliary is always happy to assist ambitious and talented individuals in reaching their educational goals and potential,” he said, “and we were very pleased that we were able to award more scholarships this season than for any previous semester.” The 11 scholarships awarded this month are a record for the auxiliary. Members are especially proud to have had this fundraising success during a time when many students are finding it difficult to obtain financial aid.

Scholarship funding is raised throughout the year in part through monies received as profit from Compliments Gift Shop, which is managed by the auxiliary. Proceeds from two annual jewelry sales, sponsored and hosted by the auxiliary, are also donated to scholarships. Used books sold in the gift shop, ranging in cost from 50 cents to $1.50, are collected entirely through donations, and the community is encouraged to bring gently used books to be re-sold. The auxiliary extends a special thanks to middle-school librarian Suzy Daniel for her donation of the book rack used in the gift shop.

Some scholarship funding comes directly from the volunteers themselves, via a “Money Jar” that is passed at each monthly meeting. “Everyone is good about donating,” said volunteer Dale Boeh. “We give loose change or even a five-dollar bill here and there – whatever we’ve got.” Though the used book program began just this year, monies collected through book sales and the passing of the jar were in themselves enough to entirely fund one of the spring scholarships.
Scholarship applications are available at the beginning of each semester in each department of the hospital. For more information about Saint Mary’s Auxiliary Scholarship Program, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Lindsey Harris at 968-2841, ext. 0.

2008 Volunteer Excellence Award

Delphine Zydzik is presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award

The Christmas Tea ended with two very special presentations. Volunteer Delphine Zydzik was announced as the winner of the 2008 Volunteer of Excellence Award, and Scholarship Committee Chairman Bill Shirley announced the 2008 Saint Mary’s Auxiliary scholarship winners.

The Volunteer of Excellence award is given to an individual who consistently goes above and beyond in service as a Saint Mary’s volunteer. A winner is selected each year based upon criteria such as a volunteer’s responsibilities, the number of years given in service, the number of hours worked, and the person's overall commitment and dedication to the Saint Mary’s team. One comment received on Zydzik’s behalf stated “Her knowledge of the hospital and her diligence are admirable. She has shown a positive volunteer spirit over the years and is an example to many.”

Zydzik has volunteered at Saint Mary’s for thirty-three years and has given almost 7,000 hours of service. She clearly remembers her first day on November 1, 1975, and is proud to be the only “original” member of the auxiliary. “I was completely surprised and much honored to receive this award,” she said, “there are so many volunteers who are deserving of it.”

Volunteerism enables Zydzik to stay active in the community and work alongside her peers. “I have the time to give,” she said, “And enjoy the work I do at the hospital and the people I work with.”

2008 Volunteer Christmas Tea

Saint Mary's Volunteers celebrate at annual Christmas Tea

This is the season for giving, but for the Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center Volunteer Auxiliary, tis’ the season year-round. Giving thousands of hours of service each year to the hospital and our community, the auxiliary has proven itself an invaluable asset. With a current roster of almost 80, members expect to collectively exceed over 17,000 hours of service in 2008. Saint Mary’s was especially proud to honor its volunteers for their hard work and dedication this year at the recent Volunteer Christmas Tea.

The event was held midday in Saint Mary’s hospitality café, which was adorned with scores of red poinsettias and beautiful arrangements of red roses and bright green mums. A nine-foot Christmas tree graced one corner of the room, while nutcracker soldiers stood guard at the door and on the red and white clothed buffet. Luncheon plates were filled with country ham, smoked turkey and a delicious variety of dips, spreads, breads and crudités. Fresh fruit and decadent candies and cookies provided a sweet finish to the meal.

Hospital administrators Mike McCoy, Chief Executive Officer, Wendell Van Es, Chief Financial Officer and Patricia Dolan, Chief Nursing Officer were present to welcome volunteers as they arrived and thank them for their service and commitment to Saint Mary’s. Ceremonies were initiated with a welcome from Auxiliary President Clarice Cox. Vice President Evelyn Denton then shared inspirational readings and led the group in the Prayer for Hospital Auxiliaries.

Joyful entertainment was provided as attendees enjoyed their meal. Shirley Stewart of Russellville played the piano beautifully. Caitlyn Swain and Taylor Drain of the Russellville High School Chamber Choir sang “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and were followed by a Christmas concert by the Bells of Joy Ensemble of the First Baptist Church, Russellville.

Volunteers new to the Saint Mary’s program were given a warm welcome immediately following lunch. Committee members were recognized as well. In addition to regular duty at the hospital, many volunteers contribute additional time to various committees within the program. The “Stamps for Soldiers” committee, for example, collects used postage stamps that are then donated to veterans’ hospitals. Wounded soldiers or those who may have suffered strokes clean paper from the stamps, which helps with fine motor skill rehabilitation. The “Christmas Stocking” committee makes and delivers hand-made

Christmas stockings to every baby born at Saint Mary’s in the month of December. Other committees include recruiting, scholarship and gift shop, to name a few.

The 2008-2009 auxiliary officers, who were nominated and took over their positions earlier this year, were also honored during the festivities. President Cox and Vice President Denton, along with Secretary Julie Daughtry and Treasurer Shirlene White each received a beautiful piece of crystal in appreciation for their guidance and leadership.

Merry Christmas!!