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What is Nanaimo Telephone Visiting Society?
Our MISSION STATEMENT gives a good description of our beliefs and goals:
"NTVS'S focus is the well-being of seniors who wish to live independently. We aim to provide relief from loneliness, through communication and support, to meet the challenges of aging and diminishing personal networks."
We accomplish those lofty goals quite simply: by having a network of Volunteers connect with our Clients, either by telephone or in person.
Who is Nanaimo Telephone Visiting Society?
NTVS is operated by a hard-working BOARD OF DIRECTORS, two EMPLOYEES, and a team of over 40 dedicated VOLUNTEERS.
Our BOARD OF DIRECTORS are 6 hard-working Volunteers, with a varied background. One of the Board members is a past Program Coordinator, and brings expertise from having been in that position. The other 5 Board members are Seniors - that is expertise in itself! Several of the Board members also volunteer as a Phoner, Visitor, or Driver - or all three, in addition to helping out wherever and whenever we need help.
NTVS has two employees at this time, both of whom work half-time.
A short history
Our founder, Sister Roseline Dunn, had the idea of starting a 'Phone a Friend' group while still living and working in Winnipeg. She had this idea after reading a newspaper article about a woman who kept a diary - and for 39 days her only diary entry was 'No one called or visited me today' That diary was found beside her body - bout a week after her death. Sr. Roseline decided then and there to do whatever she could to lessen the loneliness and despair often felt by seniors who live alone or are otherwise isolated. At the time, she was in a position where she had at hand a group of very willing, generous and dedicated women who promised to help. In a very short time the 'Phone a Friend' program was started, by which lonely, sometimes elderly and sometimes ill, persons were contacted by phone.
In 1978 Sister Roseline came to Nanaimo to work at the Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre. Shortly after arriving her, she realized the need was just as great here in Nanaimo as it had been in Winnipeg. A team of Volunteers, from the Church and others, started the Phone-a-Friend Ministry - the name eventually evolved into the Nanaimo Telephone Visiting Ministry.
In 1981 Sister 'Rosie' retired from the Ecumenical Centre, and she continued to devote her time to the Telephone Visiting Ministry. The Telephone Ministry was incorporated as a non-profit Society on August 25th, 1982. Sister Roseline was very involved with the Society until her death, on November 22nd, 1987.
In 1990, we became a member of what is now United Way Central Island. At their request, we dropped the word Ministry from our title on March 5th 1991. Since that date our official name has been the NANAIMO TELEPHONE VISITING SOCIETY.
HELP US REACH OUT:
If you - or someone you know - might benefit from becoming a Client of NANAIMO TELEPHONE VISITING SOCIETY, please contact us. Becoming a Client is easy, and free. What more can you ask?
If you - or someone you know - would be a caring, helpful Volunteer, please contact us. For more information on Volunteering with us, check the 'VOLUNTEER OR DONATE' page.
If you, your company, or your organization would like to donate to NANAIMO TELEPHONE VISITNG SOCIETY, please contact us. Donations to NTVS are tax-deductible - we give receipts.
Check out our NTVS Blog at: http://ntvs.blogspot.com/
PLEASE call Christine at (250) 756-9455 OR email at coord.telvisit@shaw.ca OR you may use the email form on the CONTACT page
Our MISSION STATEMENT gives a good description of our beliefs and goals:
"NTVS'S focus is the well-being of seniors who wish to live independently. We aim to provide relief from loneliness, through communication and support, to meet the challenges of aging and diminishing personal networks."
We accomplish those lofty goals quite simply: by having a network of Volunteers connect with our Clients, either by telephone or in person.
Who is Nanaimo Telephone Visiting Society?
NTVS is operated by a hard-working BOARD OF DIRECTORS, two EMPLOYEES, and a team of over 40 dedicated VOLUNTEERS.
Our BOARD OF DIRECTORS are 6 hard-working Volunteers, with a varied background. One of the Board members is a past Program Coordinator, and brings expertise from having been in that position. The other 5 Board members are Seniors - that is expertise in itself! Several of the Board members also volunteer as a Phoner, Visitor, or Driver - or all three, in addition to helping out wherever and whenever we need help.
NTVS has two employees at this time, both of whom work half-time.
- Our Program Coordinator is Christine McCubbin, who started in her position in July. She is busily learning everything to do with her job, including fundraising, recruiting volunteers, interviewing clients, updating forms and files, and attending meetings and NTVS events. She reports that she is thoroughly enjoying her job, the only problem being not enough time to get everything done!
- Our Bookkeeper/Secretary is Bryce Parry. Bryce started with us in April 2009, and is enjoying the challenges of his position. Bryce's big 'excitement' upcoming is his wedding in late November.
A short history
Our founder, Sister Roseline Dunn, had the idea of starting a 'Phone a Friend' group while still living and working in Winnipeg. She had this idea after reading a newspaper article about a woman who kept a diary - and for 39 days her only diary entry was 'No one called or visited me today' That diary was found beside her body - bout a week after her death. Sr. Roseline decided then and there to do whatever she could to lessen the loneliness and despair often felt by seniors who live alone or are otherwise isolated. At the time, she was in a position where she had at hand a group of very willing, generous and dedicated women who promised to help. In a very short time the 'Phone a Friend' program was started, by which lonely, sometimes elderly and sometimes ill, persons were contacted by phone.
In 1978 Sister Roseline came to Nanaimo to work at the Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre. Shortly after arriving her, she realized the need was just as great here in Nanaimo as it had been in Winnipeg. A team of Volunteers, from the Church and others, started the Phone-a-Friend Ministry - the name eventually evolved into the Nanaimo Telephone Visiting Ministry.
In 1981 Sister 'Rosie' retired from the Ecumenical Centre, and she continued to devote her time to the Telephone Visiting Ministry. The Telephone Ministry was incorporated as a non-profit Society on August 25th, 1982. Sister Roseline was very involved with the Society until her death, on November 22nd, 1987.
In 1990, we became a member of what is now United Way Central Island. At their request, we dropped the word Ministry from our title on March 5th 1991. Since that date our official name has been the NANAIMO TELEPHONE VISITING SOCIETY.
HELP US REACH OUT:
If you - or someone you know - might benefit from becoming a Client of NANAIMO TELEPHONE VISITING SOCIETY, please contact us. Becoming a Client is easy, and free. What more can you ask?
If you - or someone you know - would be a caring, helpful Volunteer, please contact us. For more information on Volunteering with us, check the 'VOLUNTEER OR DONATE' page.
If you, your company, or your organization would like to donate to NANAIMO TELEPHONE VISITNG SOCIETY, please contact us. Donations to NTVS are tax-deductible - we give receipts.
Check out our NTVS Blog at: http://ntvs.blogspot.com/
PLEASE call Christine at (250) 756-9455 OR email at coord.telvisit@shaw.ca OR you may use the email form on the CONTACT page