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ME/CFS AUSTRALIA (SA) INC

Registered Charity 698

Mailing address:
GPO Box 383,
Adelaide,
South Australia 5001

Office:
266 Port Road,
Hindmarsh,
South Australia 5007
Ph: (08) 8346 3237
('834 MECFS')

Office Hours:
Wednesdays, 10am-3pm

Support Line:
(Mondays and Thursdays,
10am-3pm)
Ph: (08) 8346 3237

SA country callers:
Ph: 1300 128 339
(local call)

FIBROMYALGIA HELP:
Contact
Fibromyalgia SA
at the
Arthritis Foundation of SA
118 Richmond Road,
Marleston 5033
Ph: (08) 8379 5711

ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.

Donate online

Information and Support 2004 is an online appeal that aims to improve our Information and Support Line.

Miscellaneous Reports (continued)

President’s Report – November 1999 to September 2000

By Bill Daniels

I am grateful to the new Committee for giving me the opportunity to say goodbye from my time as President.

The Society has gone through many personnel changes in the past few years. In an attempt to reduce the re-invention of the wheel, a major focus of the new management committee was an attempt to improve record keeping and to find a sense of accountability, which should give a boost to self esteem and a strengthening of the Society.

As already documented, the year had its fair share of turmoil, built on a lack of managerial experience, illness, conflict of interests and personality clashes and a failure to stick to/develop clear goals that all Committee members respected and understood.

Earlier in 1999 I had written “An Orientation Program to the Society,” and Cathie and I delivered it to eight eager members. It was to set the standard for all servants of the Society from Committee people, through our service arms and to include all new volunteers. Unfortunately lip service was paid to subsequent induction, as the need for the day to day running of the Society was seen as more important. Without a corporate training program, our organisation may continue to struggle, as well-meaning servants may not have the understanding of the aims and objectives of the Society, the structures already in place and an awareness of the methods of using them.

Despite some negativity, there were some real growths for the Society:

•	the new Treasurer set about developing an accurate recording system;
•	the Secretary overhauled the filing system, with the help of volunteers;
•	the Volunteer Project was defined, with the attempt to evaluate the availability of resource people and so offer those services;
•	the position of Membership Officer was create to manage these records;
•	more Country Support Groups and Contact People were established;
•	more structure and support for the Telephone Support Line;
•	the development of an advisory panel for the Committee, made up of a past President and an understanding Medical Practitioner;
•	the seeds were sown for the Information Project; and
•	development of the SAYME Web site

I have not named people involved, as they have been mentioned in my earlier reports, but their collective effort gave your Society purpose.

On a personal note, it was good to be approached WEA to develop and present a course on Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – which I’ve been able to do three times – and use that opportunity to raise awareness about the society to non-members.

A range of interesting speakers enlightened those members who were able to go to the Quarterly Meetings from Disability Action, Centrelink and SAYME. The Committee and friends went to great lengths to provide a trading table, raffle and afternoon tea, to give us all a chance to socialize briefly after meetings.

Awareness Week culminated in a brave gathering of over 100 people (torrential rain, with local flooding!) participating in a meeting to hear Dr Ian Buttfield, Tania Emms and Dr Henry Butt talk of their research as members of the Collaborative Pain Unit at the University of Newcastle. The Newcastle group has offered a lot of hope to our members in recent years and it was good to hear of future developments.

A monumental change, which was beyond our control, was the shift to new premises. We are very grateful to DIRC for allowing us the extended tenure at DIRC, but the independence, with economic rent presented a real challenge. Teams from the Committee viewed and evaluated over a dozen possible locations ever aware of the constraints of travel, parking, chemical sensitivities, and physical access for our members. I actively encourage members to visit the new facilities in Pirie Street, to experience the support our Society can give.

I know people have felt “threatened” by requests for help, but every little bit helps, and reduces the load for fellow sufferers, who have put up their hand. It is one of the major ways Our Society can grow.

I am humbled by the time people are willing to give to our Society. I wish the new Committee well, and hope the Society can continue to grow. I have appreciated the support and best wishes members have given me.

I believe we can all play a positive public role in increasing the awareness of ME/CFS, through openly challenging people to accept and understand our illness.

Warm regards,

Bill Daniels
President, ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc
June 20, 2000

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