Monthly Report – July, 2000

Caring Communities of Kansas

 

 

 

We welcome Stacie Ogborn to our staff!  Stacie has joined the Association of Kansas Hospices as an Administrative Assistant.  Stacie and her family recently moved to Wichita from Olathe where she worked in the Housing Rehabilitation Division of the City of Olathe.  Originally from Salina, Stacie has a B.S. in English/Secondary Education from Kansas State University.  Her hobbies include gardening, reading, computers and music.  When she’s not playing chauffer for her children’s many activities, she also enjoys volunteering at their school. 

 

Stacie will be supporting the LIFE Project by coordinating the Kansas State Fair activities in addition to other assignments.  She will be in contact with you!

 

Updates on News & Events

 

  Stories At Work

Victoria Foth with the Kansas Humanities Council reported that Stories At Work is scheduled for Clay Center on September 21 from 1:00 – 5:30 p.m.  She would like to encourage others to contact her for additional information and to discuss scheduling a program in your area.  She may be reached at 785-357-0359.  Victoria will also be presenting at the August 16^th meeting in Topeka.

 

  A Design for Change monograph

Monograph one of A Design for Change was printed and distributed to legislators, public leaders and key persons in late April.  Since April, more than 1050 copies have been distributed statewide.  After several minor edits, additional copies will be printed and available upon request. 

 

  Kansas State Fair

Plans continue for the Kansas State Fair.  Many of you have volunteered to help staff the booths.  If you haven’t called, please do.  We will have additional information at the meeting on August 16^th, including booth location(s), staffing schedule, handout materials, etc.  We do know that the booth that we will staff is located outside.   
Community Updates

 

  ALL

Communities are working to promote the Moyers’ Series and have also been busy providing information for the LIFE project website.  The following community updates are just a few highlights from the past 2 months.  If you have any news you would like to share with the other Caring Communities please be sure and let me know!  Thanks, Jan (email to jan_brandom@yahoo.com)

 

  Clay Center

Clay Center has established a promotional timeline for the Moyers’ series.  The Faith Community Task Force they organized has developed extensive plans including to send a letter out to area clergy asking them to publicize Moyers’ Series and use bulletin inserts.  They also plan to tape the Moyer’s series and offer a community series of viewing and discussion of the programs to be led by local ministerial persons, held at a neutral place, such as a library. 

 

They plan to host Stories At Work on September 21, from 1:00 – 5:30 p.m.  Their community assessment is being done in partnership with the regional group that was established by the three county area headed up by Manhattan.

 

  Great Bend

The Great Bend Caring Community Council is in the process of completing their community assessment.  They have been busy promoting the LIFE project & have volunteered to help staff the booth at the Kansas State Fair.

 

  Manhattan

The Manhattan Caring Community Council is actively promoting the Moyers’ series and making plans to host discussion sessions.

 

  Newton

The Newton Caring Community Council are planning for a local health fair and also preparing activities for the Moyers’ series.  They plan to tape the series for follow-up activities.  They have also enlisted a member of their local media in support of their activities; this person has agreed to attend their Council meetings and provide media coverage.  Members have volunteered to help staff the booth at the Kansas State Fair.

   

  Pratt

The Pratt Caring Community Council members have been doing some speaking and are working with former hospice patient families to also do some speaking.  Members have also volunteered to help staff the booth at the Kansas State Fair.

 

 

  Salina

The Salina Caring Community Council is working with Bunker Hill public TV on having both a televised panel response each night of the Moyers’ Series and manned phone banks.

 

  Wichita

The Wichita Caring Community Council has been actively planning events for the Moyers’ series.  Public television (KPTS) plans follow up specials to be aired following each night, including a statewide 1-hour show from Topeka with Fred Irvin as moderator.  The Wichita Public Library continues to plan special follow-up activities, including programs to be held at the main library down town.

 

Informational presentations have been given on EOL care issues, Caring Community initiatives, and the upcoming Moyers’ series to Long Term Care Ombudsman and to the Sedgwick County Director of Nurses.

 

Reminders

 

  World Health Organization presents Palliative Care Workshop

Community members are urged to encourage local physicians, nurses, and pharmacists to attend the palliative care workshop in October.  Registrants from as far away as Canada are coming to hear world-renowned experts on palliative care.  For additional information or to request a registration packet email LIFE Project staff at livewell@southwind.net or call (316) 263-6380.  Let us know if you need a packet for doctors, nurses, and/or pharmacists.

 

  Statewide Caring Community Council Meeting

Please remember to RSVP your attendance at the upcoming statewide Project Partner/Caring Community meeting in Topeka if you haven’t already.

 

  Moyers’ Leadership Video

Thanks to Marilyn Wassinger with the Wichita-based Caring Community a copy of the Moyers’ Leadership video is available upon request.  Please contact AKH if you are interested in borrowing the video.

 

Copies of the Moyers on Dying Discussion Guide are available at no charge through thirteen WNET New York.  Contact Robert Miller, Director of Educational Publishing at (212) 560-6661 or Michael Weinraub at (212) 560-8126.  The discussion guide is an excellent resource!

 

 

 

Note:  There was no Monthly Report generated in June for the Caring Communities of Kansas.