MS MuSings
A Monthly Online Magazine
By and for those who live with MS,
Multiple Sclerosis
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MS MuSings A Monthly Online Magazine By and for those who live with MS, Multiple Sclerosis
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Tables of Contents: Other Features:
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AS WE START A NEW YEAR! We hope you had a nice summer and are ready to resume our monthly SG meetings. In an effort to make the SG meetings more enjoyable and informative, we are going to be using the following meeting agenda:
6:30 pm - Singles Group Meeting
6:30 pm – Caregivers Meeting
7:00 pm – General Meeting with refreshments
There will be a brief 20-30 minute business meeting with various committee reports and information on upcoming SG activities. Pamphlets and fliers regarding other MS organizations and events will be available before and after the meeting for your perusal.
A 45-minute program featuring speakers on various subjects will follow the business portion of the meeting. (If no program or speaker is scheduled, the time will be used for additional sharing.
Donation canisters will be placed on all tables.
The meeting will begin with some HUMOR, presented by Vicki and others.
The meeting will close with something INSPIRATIONAL by JUDY or CAROL.
We will acknowledge all first timers and guests, followed by a brief introduction from our regular members.
We will continue to acknowledge birthdays and other special occasions.
There will be extra SG newsletters on the display table, along with new membership forms and change/update forms for the SG database.
We hope you will like the new meeting agenda and will come often and participate. We are always open to new ideas and suggestions. Let us know what you think.
If you need a ride to the meetings, call Bill Brayer at 206-546-6431. Remember to let us know if you will require special transportation to accommodate an electric wheelchair or scooter.
NOTE: If you can help set up and take down the tables and chairs for meetings, please arrive by 6:30 pm.
See page 2 for information regarding our September meeting.
SEPTEMBER 10th MEETING SNO-KING SUPPORT GROUP
MEETING LOCATION: St. Matthew Lutheran Church8330 – 212th St. S.W. Edmonds, WA 98026 (S.E. corner of 212th & 84th St. better known as “Five Corners”) (See page 1 for meeting time and agenda.)
Please note that our first meeting will be held on September 10, 2002, the SECOND TUESDAY of the month, due to the Labor Day weekend. Thereafter, we will resume our normal meeting schedule, which is the first Tuesday of each monthSince we haven’t seen each other for a while, we will start the new season off with a membership-sharing meeting. Many have joined the SG over the past few months and are looking forward to attending their first meeting. This will give them an opportunity to find out who we are and what we do. Our support group is a friendly and supportive group. We have people with MS who are newly diagnosed, and others who have been living and coping with the disease for a long time. There is quite an age span amongst our members. Many attending our meetings for the first time quickly recognize the love and compassion that is shown to new attendees as soon as they enter the door. Newcomers are always welcome. In addition to the monthly SG meetings, the MSHH SG has many other activities, workshops, seminars, and special guest speakers lined up for another exciting year. We hope you will become an active participant. WHERE DO ALL THE DONATIONS GO? People are constantly asking, where do all the donations go and how is the money being used? (1) The donations from the Support Group Meetings are used to help pay for the monthly newsletter, some of the refreshments for the SG meetings, and to help defray the workshop – seminar expenses; (2) The donations from the Grass Roots Program are used to provide immediate financial assistance to people with MS; (3) Donations from various fund raisers go to the “Center for Hope Building Fund;” (4) We also receive miscellaneous donations that are used for SG events & activities; and (5) The donations received for the items in the “DONOR CLOSET” are used to help defray the operating costs of the “DONOR CLOSET,” and for new inventory items. There are many businesses and individuals who back and support various MSHH events and activities such as the “FOLLIES,” raffles, workshops, seminars and some of our socials. In the year 2000, 96.1%, and in 2001, 99.3%, of all donations received went to provide patient services. Many ask how we can account for these fantastic numbers and we answer them with just one word, “VOLUNTEERS.” MSHH has NO administrative costs. NOONE receives any compensation for the time and effort they give to make MSHH a most unique non-profit organization. The foundation officers and Board of Directors all serve without compensation. If you wish to become a SG or foundation volunteer, or have an interest in serving on the Board of Directors, please contact Bill Brayer, 206-546-6431. WHO’S WHO? It is now official. The MSHH Foundation has new officers and a Board of Directors. Bill Brayer was asked to take over the foundation and select a new Board of Directors. In order to avoid any conflict of interest, and to convince people that MSHH is NOT a “front” for a Prokarin fundraising operation, Elaine DeLack, founder of the original Prokarin Reach Foundation, decided to step aside and replace all of the officers and the Board of Directors. None of the new officers or members of the Board of Directors has any connection to EDMS, Prokarin. It should be noted, however, that EDMS will continue to make contributions to MSHelping Hands to help support some of the services being provided by MSHH.
The following are the new officers and Board of Directors:
Officers & Members of the Board: President: William L. “Bill” BrayerVice-President: David Walter Secretary: Mary CunniffeTreasurer: Lisa EvansRegistered Agent: Carol Brayer Additional Board Members: Ralph Larson Seanna Vivion Tawnie Bunkie Mike Purdy Barbara Kindness Lori Hamilton Julene Davidson
Several people were asked to serve on the board and have not yet responded due to their families and busy schedules. The only carryover from the original foundation is Bill Brayer, who was the foundation Director. Several of the new Board Members have already volunteered to chair one or more committee(s) and they will be looking to recruit additional help from the SG membership. There will be a list of these committees, with the names and telephone numbers of their respective chairpersons, in the next newsletter. This information will also be provided by E-mail to all who have computers. If you would like to serve on any of the committees, please contact the committee chair directly, or Bill Brayer at 206-546-6431. The new MSHH officers and Board members are committed to making our “Mission Statement” become a reality: “To create and provide resources that will enhance the quality of life for people with Multiple Sclerosis.”
SUPPORT GROUP CHANGES Co-facilitators: Tawnie Bunke / Bill Brayer Database Manager: Tawnie Bunke Telephone Chair: Linda FradyNewsletter: Bill Brayer Copy Editor: Carol Brayer Printing: Pony Business Mailbox & Business Center Greeting Cards: Pam Estrella Transportation: Bill Brayer
The volunteer list is undergoing many personnel changes and their names will appear in the next newsletter. Many of the events and activities, once the responsibility of the SG, will now be handled by the MSHH Foundation. NEW SG CO-FACILITATOR Tawnie Bunke - Married 19 years and mother of two (an 18-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter), was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in December 1999.
Tawnie worked in the Health and Welfare benefits field for over 15 years, and became well versed in the application of health and disability benefits. She has an extensive background in federal regulations and their applications.
Tawnie is new to volunteer work, but feels this has been one of the missing links in her life. She enjoys being with people and helping those in need.
TAWNIE is looking forward to serving on the Board of Directors of the MSHelping Hands Foundation, as well as being a co-facilitator of the support group.
____________________________________ MSHH 23910 – 102nd Ave W Edmonds, WA 98020
CENTRAL SG MEETING We are making an effort to change the meeting day and time in order to make it more convenient for people to attend. Until we make the change, the Central SG will continue to meet at the same location as in the past.
Wednesday, September 11, 20022:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Group Health Central Specialty Center Building Level “A” Room A-6/A-7 125 – 16th Avenue E. Seattle, WA 98112
For information contact Lori Hamilton (206) 725-9191
Central Support Group meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Family, caregivers and friends welcome. ____________________________________ E-mail: wbrayer@cmc.net Websites: www.MSHelpinghands.org www.MSHelp.org
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