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Volunteers make a
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The MAHA Mission is to provide guidance and education to its member hospitals and their communities thus enabling each institution to maintain its highest standards in health care.
Liaison MAHA serves as a link between its
member auxiliaries and the American Hospital Association
(AHA), the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA)
and the six districts of the Michigan Association of
Healthcare Advocates (MAHA). These affiliates make it
possible for the MAHA to serve its member auxiliaries
with the maximum efficiency.
Education Knowledge is the foundation of
progress. The MAHA is committed to its obligation of
keeping members informed. A fall conference is conducted
annually for this purpose. At this conference, members
hear from leaders in various fields of health related
service who address themselves to relevant topics
carefully chosen by the education committee of the MAHA
board. In addition, during the fall conference small
group workshops are held pertinent to a variety of
specific phases of current issues, healthcare,
leadership and personal growth. These gatherings offer
an opportunity for the interchange of ideas between the
different auxiliaries in order that through the sharing
of mutual interests and concerns they may continue to
advance and improve. The annual meeting for the election
of officers and an educational institute is held in
June. The MAHA publishes a newsletter entitled Highlights. Distributed to members and interested people
in the health care field, Highlights affords continuing
enlightenment on the timely happenings within areas of
voluntarism and health care.
Consultation Inherent with the MAHA’s
dedication to keeping its membership apprised, members
of its board and executive committee are available for
individual consultation on every facet of volunteer
service. Upon request from any member auxiliary, a
representative from the MAHA board will, through direct
correspondence and personal contact, strive to counsel
in any area of concern. Particular emphasis is placed on
establishing delineation of authority and channels of
communication within the organization structure. The
MAHA board stands ready to function in an advisory
capacity whenever and wherever it is needed by its
member auxiliaries.
Assistance It has long been known that the
place to start is at the beginning. Yet how often are
people deterred because the beginning is a perplexity?
It takes imagination to be innovative. It also takes
realistic expertise based on experience. The MAHA board
is comprised of individuals who are well versed in the
multi-faceted specializations of voluntarism. Assistance
in creating an auxiliary within a hospital where such an
organization does not presently exist is available. The
MAHA exists for the purpose of aiding its membership.
Public Information No one will dispute
that the most effective public relations agents for any
institution are those who serve within it. Well informed
auxiliary members are a valuable asset in interpreting
the programs and needs of their hospitals within the
community. It is a function of the MAHA to disseminate
vital information to its member auxiliaries. This
permits the auxiliary members in turn to strengthen
their role in community relations.
Legislation Voluntarism is unique to the
American way of live. Dedication to serving one’s fellow
citizens is an integral part of our heritage. The means
of serving have progressed. Today’s auxiliary members
are participating citizens whose concern extends beyond
the limitations of the past. Their interest is supported
by a grasp of the major health issues. Aware of the
influence, today’s volunteers and auxiliary members are
seeking a more positive role in the national endeavor to
provide the optimum in health care for all. The health
care system in this country is in the process of
substantive change. The changes will in great measure be
determined by a federal legislative network of which
each member auxiliary is urged to be a part. Working
through channels which are clearly defined, namely:
individual auxiliary legislative chairpersons reporting
directly to the MAHA legislative committee which in turn
works arm in arm with the legislative action committee
of the MHA; your voice can and will be heard.
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