  
An Investment of time to improve the quality of healthcare: The Enduring Role of Volunteers
Volunteerism is an enormous economic force, yet it is never mentioned in business school or in economics departments.
--Walter Hoadley, former Chief Economist for the Bank of America They are the intangibles: volunteers that staff The Gift Shop at the Cypress Regional Hospital. You meet some of the most amazing people who donate their time, talent, energy, and expertise because they love people and want to make life better for someone else. Volunteers want to help improve the lives of those around them, strengthen communities they live in and foster civic engagement through skills and volunteering. Others will continue to be the invisible glue that connects people, connections that form the framework for strong communities. In a thousand ways, volunteer organizations are the grassroots leaders and "keepers of the spirit" upon which so much of community cohesiveness and social change depend. Some people with wonderful skills are reluctant to envision themselves in a volunteer role. They may see volunteer members as experts with special training. In fact, volunteer organizations are among the best places in the world to find training and become an expert in managing people and organizations. Volunteers are defined as adults ages 16 years and older who performed unpaid volunteer activities for or through an organization. Volunteering is just one of the ways people in Southwest Saskatchewan come together to address the challenges facing their communities, reflecting a vital component of community engagement.
The Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation Inc. believes that it has the infrastructure that can recruit, place, and manage prospective volunteers. Our staff love to engage with the volunteers using their expertise in helping us with our forward momentum and dramatically expanding our horizons through service by helping others interested in Volunteering begin their commitment.
Since the doors opened in April, 2007, with the kind and generous support of our volunteers, The Gift Shop at the Cypress Regional Hospital has generated approximately 28,500 volunteer hours and, $50,000 sales/in-kind services. In valuing their contribution and ideas The Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation Inc., wishes to acknowledge those that have developed a philosophy of involvement. The volunteers continue to “Make a Difference”!
Auxiliary Prayer:
Almighty God and Heavenly Father of Mankind, bless we pray Thee our various endeavours in the respective hospitals in which we strive to bring comfort and hope to all who are in pain or distress of mind or body.
Guide us so that we may use the priviledge given us to help the aged, the ill and the very young, with generosity, with discretion and with gentleness. Give us the strength to labour diligently, the courage to think and to speak with clarity and conviction but without prejudice or pride.
Grant us, we beseech Thee, both wisdom and humility in directing our unified efforts to do for other only as Thou would have us do.
AMEN
Are you ready to volunteer? Get started now! We need a little help from our friends. “For me, volunteering here is a special event because I get to know so many people.” “My favorite thing is meeting the customers. What I enjoy most are the people that come into this place. All the customers—the patients, nurses, doctors, visitors, family members—they’re all just wonderful people! And, my co-workers I really like my co-workers!” “The interaction with people; I get a sense that I’m doing a little bit of good.” “It’s the interaction with people. I’m very people-oriented, and in the gift shop, you get to meet a lot of people: patients, visitors, employees.” “What I get out of volunteering is personal. I’ve got friends and fulfillment I never knew before. It’s a joy that makes me smile. I know about it and He (pointing towards heaven) “knows about it and that’s enough for me.”
Being a volunteer is a demanding and responsible role, but it can bring huge rewards. Not only do you support a worthwhile organization providing essential services, but you can gain knowledge, experience and contacts that can improve your social life and help your career. Giving up just a few hours each month can make a great difference for a voluntary organization, for the community, and for you. If you require further information on volunteering or our local Cypress Regional Hospital Auxiliary (membership $2.00/ fiscal year October 1- September 30/ 6 meetings per year Oct. Nov. Mar. April, May & September- 10 A.M every third Tuesday) do not hesitate to call our office: 306-778-3314.
The local Cypress Regional Hospital Auxiliary will be celebrating 100 years in April 2011. What is the Corporate Volunteer Program? Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation welcomes the opportunity to partner with corporations through volunteer experiences. We developed a corporate volunteer program to work closely with your organization to identify volunteer opportunities that meet the needs and match the values of the company. What can we offer? Our program is designed to encourage employee involvement by using their skills and talents while developing new ones, providing them with team building activities and a means to boost work place morale. We also offer: - Training and orientation;
- Onsite program orientation and supervision to provide a comfortable worthwhile experience;
- Short and Long term opportunities that provide scheduling flexibility;
- Recognition of all Corporate Sponsors.
Volunteer Opportunities Gift Shop: Assist with the daily functions of this nonprofit gift shop. Tasks include stocking shelves, cashier work, sales and general customer interaction. Job share with a friend if you prefer; groups welcome to take a regular shift. (2½ hr weekly shifts) Weekends available. Recruitment & Retention, Physician/Family Support: Assisting new physicians and their families by helping them settle into their new community. Making sure they feel welcome and have any assistance they require i.e. getting registered for school, finding accommodations, social opportunities, acquiring drivers’ licenses etc. Office/Admin Support: Volunteers are needed to assist with mail outs, photocopying, poster and brochure distribution as well as help with unanticipated or irregular tasks as they arrive. Special Projects/Events: Volunteers are needed to assist with various duties before, during and after an event. Photographer, Projects/Events: Volunteers are needed to “capture the moments” during an event. For more information about becoming a volunteer, call us at 306-778-3314; or use our convenient online Contact Us form. | 
