Membership Current Membership Information & Form Outreach Services Information Expanded Subsidy Scheme Information & Form Life Membership and Meritorious Service Award Information 2007-2008 We would like to encourage you to begin or renew your membership for this financial year. Not only does paid membership help the Association, but there are many benefits for the member, some of which you may not be aware of. Download Membership Form (PDF File 31KB) Benefits for All Financial Members: Spin Magazine Voting Rights at the Annual General Meeting and at any Special Meetings Family Events Guest Speaker for community events Information Resources Benefits specifically for our Spina Bifida/Hydrocephalus Members: Expanded Subsidy Scheme - see below Outreach Nursing Service (for people over 16) - see below Access to Peer Support Program Social Functions Camps Carers Meetings Counselling Advocacy Country Visits Workshops Employment Assistance The Association is always looking at new ways to benefit all of its members and our services are under constant evaluation. We encourage all our members to communicate with staff of any ideas or concerns. With your help we look forward to another year of growth. Outreach Services The Outreach Service of the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association is comprised of 2 Registered General Nurses covering 5 days a week (9am-3pm), and a Member Services Officer. As a spina bifida/hydrocephalus member of the Association, all these services are available. The Nursing Outreach Service can support members in all aspects of their health care needs. Some current areas in which we can be of assistance include: Transition to Adult Services - Attending appointments when meeting new practitioners to provide personal support and medical history support, orientation to the new environment and protocols. Ongoing Medical Follow-up - Attending appointments to provide support and medical advocacy. Assisting in developing a system to ensure appropriate follow up is met. We can provide reminder calls and opportunities to discuss pending appointments to achieve best outcomes from those contacts with practitioners ie making list of issues to discuss. Linking to Community Health Services - We promote the very important role a GP plays in the health management of our members and offer our support to the GP and will liaise over health issues. Referral to Community Nursing Services and Counselling Services - As required following assessment of needs. Health Screening - We have a number of programmes that we coordinate to assist members in accessing health screening services and promoting good health ie PAP Smear Screening, podiatry assessment, weight loss programme, lymphoedema assessment. We are constantly exploring new and appropriate ideas for workshops and ongoing programmes. Accessing Medical Supplies - We are available to assist in the sourcing and purchase of medical supply needs which may be outside that provided through the CAAS scheme or should the CAAS funds run out General Consultation - We are available to discuss any issues of concern Our service is dependent on you wishing to have us involved and maintaining contact so as to make us aware of your needs. Time constraints and demand for our service makes it difficult to follow up routinely with all clients. Notification of appointment dates need to be made as early as possible. Please Note: The Nursing Outreach Service does not provide an "At Call" emergency service. If your needs are urgent we recommend you contact your personal doctor or your nearest hospital.   Expanded Subsidy Scheme Information To receive a subsidy, the claim MUST be for the benefit of a current financial member of the Association. Also, the claim must relate to Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus. If a subsidy is requested and membership has not been paid the right is reserved to deduct membership from the subsidy payment. 25% subsidy applies to the majority of items but a 50% subsidy applies to certain items, like membership to the Ileostomy/Colostomy Association. To obtain more details contact the Member Services Officer or Outreach Nurses. Items not listed can be submitted for consideration by the Association. Download Subsidy Form (PDF File 53KB)   Life Membership and Meritorious Service Award The Board of the Association decided that there are many people who have supported the Association over the 40+ years since it was formed in 1965 and that there needs to be a way in which these people are recognised and thanked. As a result, a special award has been decided upon and it is to be called a Meritorious Services Award. The ultimate recognition of Honorary Life Membership will still to be awarded. People who receive this award are very special people and consequently there are only a few of them and their contribution stands out from all others. The Board believe that the members of the Association should to be involved in nominating people for these awards. Consequently, anyone who would like to nominate someone for either Life Membership or a Meritorious Services Award is invited to contact us to receive a nomination form which must be completed prior to being referred to the Board. Nominations for these awards need to be in writing and received by the Association before July 31 each year. All nominations will be referred to the Board for the final decision. All decisions made by the Board regarding these awards are confidential. As a guide, the following are seen as the minimum that a person being nominated for an award must satisfy. Remember that these awards are intended to recognise the services and support of very special people. Life Membership to people who: have given or who are giving exceptional service to the Association or to people who have Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus must have provided or have been providing this exceptional service for a period of not less than 5 years must be or have been active in the promotion of the Association's objectives must not be a current employee of the Association Meritorious Services Award to people who: have made or be making a significant contribution to the work of the Association, have been involved with the Association for at least 5 years, are not a current employee of the Association. Please contact the Association if you would like to discuss this or if you would like to nominate someone for either of these awards. Remember : The Board will make the final decision and so it would be wise not to tell the person who you are nominating. Besides it will spoil the surprise!