![[ Visit WOCN Website ]](images/banner09.jpg)
Purpose: Local ostomy support groups face the challenge of declining membership. In the mid 1970s’ nearly 60 members attended meetings regularly at the Peoria Area Ostomy Support Group. Recently attendance plunged to record low presenting concerns for the groups’ future. Our purpose was to reestablish a successful UOAA affiliate patient support group.
Objectives: Our group decided on 3 main objectives to address this problem:
Ÿ Identify reasons for decline in membership
Ÿ Retain present and past members
Ÿ Attract new members
Outcomes: Initially, the Peoria Chapter Support group identified various reasons for membership decline. Aging members expired or had difficulty attending meetings. Less ostomy surgeries performed due to advances in surgical techniques and medicines. Ostomy related information and support is readily available through the internet. The privacy act restricted release of patient names to the support group. Expanding roles of the WOC nurses resulted in less time dedicated towards the support group. Secondly, measures were taken to retain members. Telephone calls and mailed invitations served as reminders of upcoming meetings and events. Rides were offered for members in need. Members were involved in rewriting the chapter bylaws, program selection, and assigned group responsibilities such as door greeter and refreshments. Finally, we set out to attract new members. Pamphlets and personalized newsletters were developed to support our organization. Refrigerator magnets and ostomy folders were assembled for distribution to area hospitals for education of new ostomates. We involved WOC nurses, physicians, and product vendors in providing continued education for the members. For the past 3 years we offered an ostomy education program for nurses in the community.
Conclusion: Membership is on the rise. More importantly, current members demonstrate greater dedication and a sense of ownership towards the work of the organization.