Why would I join?

Honestly? With all of this free information on the internet, and in these pages alone, why would anyone part with their hard-earned cash for something they can get for free?  Why bother to pay the $30 annually to a group that hasn't got a committee yet, doesn't have many events and doesn't even have a newsletter to give to its members??

Because we need your help, that's why! :)

CleftPALS Australia Inc - and in turn, CleftPALS SA - is open to everyone that needs assistance, guidance and support, irrespective of membership status initially.  

If ongoing support is required it is appreciated that families become members in order to meet the costs of running this not-for-profit support group.  

Given that the South Australia branch is still very new,  with only a few financial members, it needs to be honestly noted that support, at present, is limited.  I now have a couple on board with incredible energy and focus for this group.  Their names are Carly and Trevor and their gorgeous girl, Aaliyah, is their reason for seeking out CleftPALS SA.  I warmly welcome them and their energy !

The three of us are slowly plotting to take over the world.. oh, no, that's another issue, sorry!  We are, however, plotting to raise the awareness of CleftPALS SA here in South Australia and to become self-sufficient from the national body, and with enough members that we can easily delegate tasks and manage the demand as needed. 

In the interim, financial members of CleftPALS are entitled to a copy of the National Newsletter, input into the way CleftPALS SA is shaping in South Australia, and a network of others who are in similar situations. They will also have access to assistance from interstate members who can provide valuable experience and friendships.  

 

Eventually financial members will receive, in addition to the above:

  • a quarterly newsletter

  • voting rights

  • invitations to special events/coffee mornings

Financial members also have the opportunity of being in the fore-front of trying to get Speech Therapy listed as a medicate Item number. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of cleft support in the future. Your commitment to the group is not a full time issue, nor is it a part time issue, to be honest.  It's on an as-needed basis only. 

Non-financial members are still given one hospital visit or a phone call at the time of Cleft-Detection, but ongoing support will be reserved for financial members only. 

Please consider becoming a financial member by joining CleftPALS today. 

Your money will then go towards SA's contribution to the national body. Presently, the National body is keeping SA's branch of CleftPALS afloat.

In other states, their costs are taken from the state coffers to cover printing, mail outs, ink for the printers, paper for the printers, copying and other sundry costs.  Here in SA I cover the costs predominantly and look to be reimbursed once a year if my out-goings are agreed to by the National Committee.  The same goes for Carly and Trevor and their costs associated with their Fundraising efforts for this group. 

In other states, they have committee members that attend morning teas or arrange events to build a community with each other in all areas of the state.  I am blessed to now have Carly on board who will take over the morning teas in the northern suburbs while I focus on the southern ones as soon as numbers call for it.  

In other states, they have face-to-face meetings that help them come to terms with what's happening in their child's life, and their child gets to meet and play with other children who look, sound or seem just like them.  Here in SA, my son had not seen another cleft-affected child until June this year!  He's already 12 yrs old. 

Please, if you are interested in being part of the team that propels this group into the future, please contact me about that. 

For the Executive Committee I require:

and

  • a Treasurer (this role is already ear-marked when the rest are filled)

We now have a Fundraising Coordinator in Carly Pursche.  I'm so thrilled she has taken on this role as Carly and her husband, Trevor, managed to raise $400 in donations already!! 

Membership of CleftPALS SA does not automatically make you a committee member so please do not feel you have to contribute in that manner if you join CleftPALS SA. 

Want to become a member?  Click here

To make membership a little more 'secluded' I have decided that images of my child will not be shown on general pages of this site.  I have pre and post operative photos to share and if you are a member I will provide you with a password and you can take a look if you'd like to.  This is still being worked on though - I'm not there yet :)

Once I have more members I can create a newsletter that I'll issue to them.  I'll also ask them to become part of by providing me with their story and photos to share with each other.

With more members I can allow events to occur without having to attend if I'm unwell or unavailable.  Or I can attend and really enjoy the new found friendships that are forming - which is the more likely scenario.

With more members, we can have more hands on deck to help with the Speech Therapy campaign that will help not only our children but our children's children to come (it is known that some cleft affected children will produce cleft affected children of their own in time). 

I hope I've managed to show you benefits of being a member.  At the start, it's all so new, but I promise that I'm working as hard as I can to make this group a very successful one!