Page 5 - ANZCP Gazette MAY 2014

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MESSAGE FROM
THE PRESIDENT by Jane Ottens, CCP.
I would like to on behalf of the ANZCP welcome Molly Oldeen as the new ANZCP Gazette Editor. We have just sent out a call for associated editors and hopefully have found volunteers willing to help Molly in publishing the Gazette. The continuation of the Gazette as a forum for College communication was agreed by all those attending the AGM in Melbourne 2103. With that said, it is up to all of us as members to support and submit to the Gazette or help out as an associate editor. It would be great to have associate editors from each state in Australia and at least one from New Zealand to help Molly out with articles.
I came across an article written by Dave Fitzgerald, the current president of Amsect (until March 2014), in their Fall issue of “AMSECT Today” (Nov/Dec 2013). Dave wrote about volunteering and this topic is always appropriate for our college - be it later in the year when we need to elect executive and position holders of the college or now as we need volunteers for Gazette associate editors, interested members to join the registration subcommittee – namely to help Alison Horton with the quest for registration, as well as volunteers to help our revision of the rules and regulations. It is the diversity of many individuals, with their own interests or expertise that we can all learn from.
Organizations like the ANZCP function by the commitment and passion that individuals put into the college, all with a common goal to fulfil a purpose.
Over the past 30 years there have been so many individuals that have directed our profession and College and become leaders in doing so.
While looking from the outside, it may look like this as all too hard- we are too busy at work and home and don’t have the time. Volunteering for a professional organisation can be rewarding both at an individual and community level. I can attest to this, in that the many years I have been fortunate to be involved in the college, either as an active member or in my previous (and current) roles on the Executive and Board, it has been a truly rewarding experience. I have had the pleasure to meet and work with so many dedicated and inspirational individuals within our community (and internationally) who have made me appreciate what we do is important to our patients (its not just all about me) and how we can (and should) continually strive to improve and learn.
As this edition goes to print, two of those such volunteers, namely Darryl McMillan and Chris Morley, the organisers of the IMOB meeting (ANZCP’s International meeting of Blood) have taken their own personal interests ( ie blood management) to organise the first meeting April 4th and 5th in Sydney, that will attract a diverse range of delegates, not just
perfusion. This is an exciting meeting and is the foundation for a symbiotic relationship and collaboration with other groups to foster a relationship in blood management.
Dave quoted the World Volunteer Web (2005) that lists the benefits of volunteering being: Be part of your community, Learn or develop a new skill, Sense of achievement, Find a new interest and Meet a diverse range of people and I hope you will all consider volunteering to contribute, support and grow our profession and College
Jane Ottens ANZCP President
MAY 2014 | www.anzcp.org
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