‌

December 2018 Newsletter

Visit Our Website

Join Our Facebook Group

Message From the President Dear Members, Volunteers, Funders and Sponsors, The Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley Board and Volunteers have been very busy in November with preparations to welcome the new Executive Director, Michèle Neider, who joined the society on December 10th!  We invite you to review Michèle's biography on our website and you can contact Michèle at ed@hospicesocietycv.com . The Board will be organizing a “meet and greet” in the new year so watch for an announcement email from us! Susan Malone has volunteered to work with Michèle to pass on valuable information about how the society functions and to help with the transition. The Board is very grateful for Susan because she is knowledgeable and has the best interests of your society in mind. The society received a Letter of Compliance from the BC Gaming Audit this past month after being randomly selected for an audit that was held in early October. The auditor had three recommendations to enhance compliance with BC Gaming Grant rules: 1)   Adopt policies and procedures to ensure board members are democratically elected. 2)   Grant funds must be fully dispersed within twelve months of receipt. 3)   Ensure all sources of BC Gaming funds are deposited into the society's Gaming bank account. Your board has already created an action plan and replied to the auditor to meet these compliance recommendations. The auditor will be invited to the society's annual general meeting in 2019. In November the society experienced a surge of referrals for End of Life and Bereavement; eight (8) new referrals have been received. The Tree of Lights was held on November 30, 2018 in Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Fairmont Hot Springs and Canal Flats. A total of 124 people attended and the event raised $3,890 through sponsorship, donations and the selling of lights. All proceeds are used to fund the Bereavement programs: One on One visits, Walk and Talk Groups, Bereavement Support Groups, Suicide and Traumatic Grief support (groups and individual support). The most important aspect of Tree of Lights event is its provision of a venue where respective community members can come together to support one another in grieving for loved ones during the challenging holiday time of December and early January. Many thanks to the Invermere Healthcare Auxiliary for sponsoring the Tree of Lights Event again this year! In November the board applied for and received a Grant of $13,000 from the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is an Annual Sponsor, a Yearly Funder and the sole Sponsor of the Tree of Lights. The society is very grateful for the ongoing support of the Invermere Health Care Auxiliary whose volunteers work hard to raise funds and we feel honoured to be one of the recipients. Finally, on behalf of the board I would like to thank all of the volunteers, members and members of the public who have been vocal in their support for the Board and the Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley through our transition to a new executive director. We are excited to move forward with the direction that was set in the 2017 strategic plan and with the inspired leadership of the incoming Executive Director, Michèle Neider. Volunteers, please send your hours to Cindy: cindy@hospicesocietycv.com Seasons Greetings to all of you and your families. Thank You! Barb Gagatek Board President board@hospicesocietycv.com

Upcoming Dates to Note

Executive Director Meet and Greet ... January 2019, watch for our email announcement of the date and place Bereavement Support Group ... starts Monday February 4, 2019 ( Monday evenings) To register for this free support group, please call the office: 778.526.5143 7th Annual Butterfly Gala ... April 2019, Watch for the location and time

Accessing Client Services

If you or someone you know needs either our End of Life or Bereavement services please call us at 250.688.1143 . or click on this Hospice Referral Form for contact from the Hospice.

Donations and Membership

Donations To make a general donation to the hospice please click and complete this form . Membership Our fiscal year is April 1-March 31 and all members are required to renew their membership of $20/year by April 1st for the coming year. You can renew your membership online and also request an automatic renewal each year.  Simply click and complete this form . You can also mail your renewal to us at Box 925, Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 or visit us at our office in Frater Landing, Invermere (there is a locked mailbox next to the door). We are most grateful that you continue to be a part of our ever growing society.

Annual & Funding Sponsors

Annual Sponsor

Annual Sponsor

Funding Sponsors

Hospice Society of the Columbia Valley office: 778.526.5143 mobile: 250.688.1143 Mailing Address: Box 925 Invermere, BC V0A 1K0 Office Address: Unit #103 Frater Landing - 926 7 Ave Invermere, BC