VOLUNTEERING
Volunteering can be very satisfying and rewarding, especially with the UHA because we raise funds to supply our hospitals with those extra special pieces of equipment that they are unable to purchase due to budgets.
We have a lot of fun raising this money!
You will benefit from it, your family, friends, neighbours and the man up the road. If you would like to join our happy, informal association, doing a little or a lot, attending meetings or not, or just to be there as a back-up, please contact us.
Age is no barrier. Our volunteers range in age from 17 to 100 years. In fact, there are no barriers, our volunteers are from all walks of life, are men and women and come from all parts of the globe.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
| Pictured above are Ballina Hospital Auxiliary Members who enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea hosted by the hospital to say "thankyou" to Auxiliary volunteers on 25 February 2011. Brett Thompson recognised and thanked the Auxiliary for the invaluable continuing support given in raising funds for equipment for the hospital. Included in the photo are Brett Thompson, General Manager Richmond Health Network (Ballina, Coraki and Lismore Base Hospitals) Jeanette Coulter President and members of Ballina Branch of the UHA. |
As a volunteer and dedicating a great deal of personal time and commitment to any organisation, it is often heard from others: "Why do you give your time so freely to others and what do you get out of doing so?" or "What is the benefit of belonging to an organisation such as UHA, who have so many rules to adhere to?"
The answers are complex and only those who have been asked these questions are put in a position of compiling the answers to the satisfaction of the membership and communities.
Apart from the personal fulfillment of helping to raise monies to provide continual means to update vital equipment and patient comforts to help care for t hose who are ill in hospital, the feeling of being part of this process goes far beyond personal gratuity.
It takes a very special commitment to help alleviate the suffering of others and being part of UHA provides a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate our caring attitude as volunteers. Being a member of a concerned organisation committed to the betterment of health of our friends and loved ones could be considered a privilege.
Many of our members have given up to sixty years of continual dedicated service which in itself is indicative of the ongoing need and satisfaction of belonging to UHA and of its' benefits to our hospitals and health care facilities across NSW.
History tells us that UHA was first formed in 1933 by Eleanor McKinnon and although we have now consolidated into approximately 250 branches, we have continued as a voluntary peak organisation lauded by NSW Health and given mention in Hansard of NSW Parliament for outstanding commitment.
In 1991 UHA became incorporated which protects our organisation as a charity. Our Charitable Fundraising Number gives all affiliated branches the right to legally raise monies for their hospitals and health care facilities. This coverage is certainly a plus by affiliating with UHA as a charitable organisation as registration for the CFN number is done for you. Legislation of the Office of Charities directs that all members of UHA must wear I.D. cards when collecting monies from the public. This is a bona fide indication of legal collection which is verifying status as a financial member of UHA. Undoubtedly, another justification of affiliating to UHA.
It is an important consideration that all monies raised by a branch stays within the community and directed only to the local hospital or health care facility. Monies raised are administered adn controlled entirely by the branch and does not become the property of the health system to be disbursed across teh area. This authorisation is unique to UHA as a charitable organisation.
Personal accident insurance to all UHA financial members is covered when on bona fide UHA business for NSW state hospitals which is a consideration on contemplating joining UHA.
Although UHA is part of the GST system, our branches who raise under $100,000.00 annually are voluntarily exempt from registering for GST. This is a definite asset to the smaller affiliated branches who have become known as non profit sub entities of UHA and are not required to submit a BAS (Business Activity Statement) to the ATO.
These benefits may not be possible if an independent group of fundraising volunteers were not affiliated with an organisation such as UHA.
However, every affiliated UHA branch must remit a yearly financial statement to UHA Head Office to enable a compilation of monies raised state wide. This is a requirement of the Office of Charities and also enables UHA to assess trophy and certificate awards which are highly regarded.
Our State Conference each year gives every branch an opportunity to interact as part of the organisation. Resolutions of concern are debated and forwarded to teh relevant Ministers of parliament and departmental offices for consideration. This format gives members an opportunity to present health and community safety concerns through impetus of UHA.
For all the above reasons as well as personal satisfaction, to be a member of UHA as part of an affiliated branch offers everyone involved the opportunity to be part of the whole team of a well organised and long standing charitable organisation such as UHA and what it represents.
What's in it for you?
Pride, fulfilment, fellowship, and self satisfaction in caring for your community as a member of the United Hospital Auxiliaries of NSW Inc.