This part goes into some of the challenges and responsibilities of a growing national association, as well as pitfalls to avoid and opportunities to seize. What are the building blocks of a healthy organisation? Are you ready to partner? What are the keys to creating accountability and building buy-in from a large and diverse constituency? Every lasting organisation goes through a natural evolution — what are the key crossroads and tipping points in that development?
The transition from volunteer efforts to an organisation with paid staff and a board can be quite challenging. This section is designed to help with the process by outlining considerations one needs to take and some potential scenarios that can happen when an organisation goes through structural changes.
Hospice and palliative care associations exist so they can support the needs of their provider members. But what needs must be met first and what are the core issues related to member recruitment and retention? This section discusses the steps to forming a healthy membership base for your organisation.
Although much can be accomplished with very little, as most palliative care professionals know from experience, resource and fund development is important for sustainability and growth of any organisation.
Communication is key, again. Not only will palliative care associations need to communicate with their members, but they also need to reach the public at large and leaders in the government. This section is dedicated to the importance of communication and ways of getting your message across.
Professional development and continued education are important to the skill sets of palliative care professionals. Associations are well suited to educate professionals about the cutting edge innovations in the field, as well as the basic necessities of the profession. This section outlines the role of education and discusses effective ways to educate people, even from a distance.
Associations are the advocates, not just for their provider members, but also for each patient who needs care. Reaching all levels of government is essential in guaranteeing access to hospice and palliative care and to needed medications for treating patients’ symptoms. This section outlines practical things that you can do to make a difference in public policy.
Hospice and palliative care associations need to assume the important role of defining the standards for the field. This section discusses the importance of setting a level for excellence in care and the role that associations play in leadership.
