Keeping Ostomy Halifax Society Strong for the Future

It’s a busy fall at Ostomy Halifax Society (OHS)! From October’s Step Up for Ostomy and Education Day to November’s annual auction, there are lots of opportunities to connect, learn and support OHS.

Behind the scenes, we’re also doing some work to make sure OHS is strong and sustainable for the years ahead.

OHS has accomplished an incredible amount through the commitment of volunteers. People contribute in many different ways, from peer support and monthly meetings to fundraising, events and all the work that happens behind the scenes. That volunteer involvement is part of what makes OHS special.

But volunteering is changing. Like many organizations, we’re finding it harder to find people who can take on ongoing leadership responsibilities. Much of the responsibility for running the organization has rested with a small group of dedicated people for a long time, and we know that isn’t sustainable.

At the same time, we want OHS to be there for even more people.

We want everyone who lives with an ostomy and their loved ones to be able to find support and connection through OHS, wherever they live in Nova Scotia. We want to keep supporting the people who already know and value OHS while reaching people who may not know about us yet and helping more people feel a sense of belonging here.

Getting ready

To do that, we need to make sure OHS has people and support for the future.

Volunteers will continue to be at the heart of OHS, contributing in all kinds of ways. We are preparing for a time when we can have paid leadership working alongside our volunteers and providing more capacity and support to the work of nurturing a community of support at OHS.

We’re also looking at how we will share leadership and organizational responsibilities with a paid leader, updating our bylaws and making volunteer leadership meaningful and manageable.  

This work is being guided by our Executive Committee with Lisa Villeneuve, our Transition Lead, with input from the Business Team and people who have helped shape OHS over the years.

What happens next?

You don’t need to do anything right now. Over the next few months, we’ll share more about what we’re working on and what it means for OHS. There will be opportunities to ask questions and you’re always welcome to reach out to Graham, Pat, Stephen, Bill or Lisa.

In the early winter, members will be invited to a special meeting to consider and vote on updated bylaws. We’ll make sure you have the information you need well before then, so stay tuned for monthly updates.

For now, we hope to see many of you at one of the great events happening this fall. OHS has a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to!