Volunteers make a difference!

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.