∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “Our group is down to about half a dozen members who rotate meeting at each other’s homes for lunch once a month. I’ve heard of other groups that are losing members as well. What can we do to keep our post-polio data bases from eroding to the point where we lose all contacts and …
Shared peer advice from polio survivors about what works for them.
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Finding Good Information Online
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “How do we help our members find good online information and use this in communicating with those in the medical community and others?” ANSWER: Finding reliable and relevant polio information online can sometimes be a challenge. The difficulty is not a paucity of information but rather the overwhelming number of possibilities to …
Losing Our Rights?
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “Members in our group have been commenting on certain changes that affect our lives in many ways. Seems as if various government agencies aren’t as willing to help as before, for instance, and sometimes we’re left with a financial burden we can’t handle. Are we in danger of losing some of the rights so …
Working With Physicians In Our Area
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “My physician seems to have little knowledge of potential polio problems. Should I be worried? What are my options?” ANSWER: The good news is that we are way beyond the days when polio survivors took their complaints to a puzzled doctor who felt his only recourse was to refer us to shrinks for what he …
Newsletter Content
LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “We have published a support group newsletter for more than ten years and feel it is time to re-evaluate its content. What should go into a good polio newsletter?” ANSWER: I love this old Encyclopaedia Britannica definition: a newsletter is an “informal publication, often simple in format and crisp in style that provides special information …
Clash of Members’ “abilities”
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “I was shocked, but I have come to learn that people in our group who can walk expressed at a recent meeting their opinion that the people in wheelchairs and less mobile have limited the activities of the group. They want to go downtown, for instance. Also, they say they are sick of hearing …
Who’s in charge? Role of Spouses
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: ”Who’s in charge? In our group, some of the spouses have taken over the leadership roles and they are not as understanding of our situation. Has this happened to other groups? How was it rectified?” ANSWER: Who do you want to be in charge? I have this theory that I read about years ago and …
Intimidated By The Opinionated
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “Some people in my group seem to have very definite, strong and unwavering opinions. Their voices are always heard, because they speak up. Now, I am hesitant to open up any discussion because they dominate and others clam up. What can I do to create a better atmosphere during the meetings, so others …
Addressing Fears
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “We have a number of new members as a result of the publicity our group got through the WE’RE STILL HERE! campaign. Several of the people who called expressed their fears, which I think we all have. How can we help members address their fears in a meaningful way?” ANSWER: Fear. So many people have …
Financial Contributions to Groups
∞ LEADERSHIP Nancy Baldwin Carter, Omaha, Nebraska QUESTION: “Our support group periodically asks the attendees for a donation, which I am glad to do. Are they obligated to send me a receipt for my taxes? Are registered non-profit group requirements different from others? Our group recently received its 501(c)(3) status.” ANSWER: Donors should have documented evidence of their donations to 501(c)(3) organizations, …
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