NEWSLETTER Inside this issue A message from our Board Guiding Principles An Update from PCL PCL Team message Do you have email? Questions Counselling Services Meet our people Management & Staff for 2017 How to become a member Membership Drive Gifts by Will or otherwise FUNDRAISER 17 TH August Movie Night Donation Form For our valued members Date Claimer AGM Wed 22nd November 2017 Venue: Hear & Say Centre 29 Nathan Ave Ashgrove 4060 12pm 3pm A Message from our Board The first six months of this year have been extremely busy for PCL and the Board. For PCL, the clients who come for counselling; and those who participate in the community education programmes continue to receive support and assistance to help them deal with the many family situations that are theirs, and their feedback continues to affirm the importance and worth of the service PCL provides. The case reviews that staff report to the Board provide evidence of the difficult circumstances that are part of daily living for many of them, be it social isolation, mental health or domestic violence. For the Board it has been a period of fairly intense activity required to prepare the Agency for the auditing process to gain accreditation from the Department of Communities, Child Safety & Disability Services, which is now mandatory for all community services funded by the Department. The Board welcomes this approach, but for an organisation the size of PCL it has required a lot of time and effort, reviewing everything from the Constitution to policies and procedures covering governance and management, client services and human resources. The audit process moves through three phases, some months apart, to be completed by December 2017. The audit is conducted by an external body acceptable to the Department, and PCL is responsible for the costs associated with this process. As part of our contractual arrangements with the Department we submit a quarterly report to validate attainment of agreed hours of service provision. To meet these reporting requirements accurately it has been necessary to update the client record management system, and we are now in the final stage of accepting a tender. Given our contract covers staff wages the Board is exploring some new strategies for immediate implementation to raise funds to better secure the wonderful work of PCL both in its present form, and a future when known identified needs of clients may be able to be met. We remain very grateful for the support and interest we receive from members and others, in the work that we continue to do which commenced 43 years ago. Margaret Vider Chair JUNE, 2017 Volume 44, No. 1 GUIDING PRINCIPLES PCESI s Vision To enhance the lives of women and their families, by providing counselling and education to everyone affected by Pregnancy and Reproductive related matters. PCESI s Mission To provide support through counselling, education and referring information to people with concerns associated with planned, unplanned or difficult pregnancies, pregnancy loss, other reproductive issues or related life transitions. PCESI s Core Values RESPECT We are person centred; we appreciate the individual uniqueness of each person from conception, and accept them as they are. COMPASSION We show unconditional caring, kindness and sensitivity as well as empathy and understanding. INTEGRITY We ensure our actions and decisions are grounded in values, reflecting both honesty and authenticity. PROFESSIONAL We strive for excellence and best practice in everything we do. Pregnancy Counselling & Education Services Inc 78 Musgrave Road Red Hill QLD 4059 Postal Address: 35 Cambridge Street/ Red Hill Qld 4059 T (07) 3512 7999 E info@pcl.org.au F (07) 3369 2799 W www.pcl.org.au
PAGE 2 AN UPDATE FROM PCL Pregnancy Counselling Team A new year has begun at PCL and with it, a number of changes. 2017 has already been a busy year with the appointment of myself, Carly Fairweather as the new Senior Counsellor/Business Manager. This role has been developed to incorporate both a clinical vision for the future as well as a management structure that has been needed for our hard working PCL team. A number of new initiatives have started this year with the introduction of clinical reviews and a more streamlined service including a new intake and referral system which has resulted in an influx of referrals including the need for a Needs Register / Wait List. The PCL team has also introduced a new role to the team a Community Educator/Counsellor. Nicole McNamara has taken on this role and has helped develop a number of in services to continue to build our community partnerships. The team has met with the Royal Brisbane Women s Hospital, Family Connect and Kyabra Association and recently attended a Community Day at Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre. Our Koala Joey s program continues to provide wonderful support to mothers, fathers and their children at Nundah Perinatal Mental Health Centre and this term a new Koala Joey s program has started at the Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre. PCL also now offers free counselling services at the Sherwood Neighbourhood Centre and will continue to do so during this year. We are also aiming to explore more community partnerships including attending the Kyabra Family Fun Day in September and will continue to promote the PCL service within the Community this year. PCL also said goodbye to our Business Development Manager, Kris Saunders earlier this year. We appreciate the hard work that Kris committed to PCL and her development of the outreach model of support. We wish Kris well in all her future endeavours. The PCL team is a committed and passionate team who provide a unique and essential service to women and their families in the community. We look forward to continuing to develop new ideas and initiatives around expanding the PCL service whilst also providing the best service we can for all those who require it. Carly Fairweather Senior Counsellor/Business Manager PCL Counselling Services If you are concerned for a member of your family or for a friend, or even if you are experiencing challenges in your own life in relation to pregnancy and parenting, navigating life changes, loss & grief, fertility and reproduction issues and couple & family relationships please call us or pass on our contact details. Our Counsellors are experienced and caring, and ready to provide valuable support where it is needed. Call 1800 777 690 or counsel@pcl.org.au These Governmentsupported services are free of charge and confidential. DO YOU HAVE EMAIL? If you have an email address, please let us know so we can send you this newsletter. You can do this on the attached Donation form or let us know by email on info@pcl.org.au. If you are not on email, you will continue to receive this printed Newsletter at least twice a year. Page 2 of 5
PAGE 3 MEET OUR PEOPLE 2016-2017 PCESI Management Board Chairperson: Treasurer: Secretary: Board Members: Margaret Vider Lindy Fentiman Anne Johnson Moya Condon Trish Carroll Mary Masson Louise McDonald Senior Counsellor/Manager Administration Manager: Professional Counsellors: PCL Staff 2017 Carly Fairweather Libby Needham Maria Caltabiano Larissa Fitzgerald Nicole McNamara You can support our work Membership Drive One way you can become involved and support our valuable work is to become a Member of PCESI or ask people you know to become a member. Your support and interest makes a difference to the lives of women, men and families who are facing difficulties in their lives and need counselling support. As a member you become part of our support team and we value your attendance at our Annual General Meetings and other special events. You may even be in a position to extend your time or skills to support the organisation or our Agency. How to become a member PCESI still needs the financial support of its members. Our Membership has been simplified so now to become a Member we ask for an initial membership fee of $25 and your on-going support with a donation at least once a year. All donations are tax deductable. Your donation provides valuable support and enables PCESI to continue to sponsor the free of charge counselling and education services of Pregnancy Counselling Link. Thank you for supporting our work and for helping us to make a difference to the lives of so many in our community. If you would like to become a Member or if you have any questions about donating or supporting the work of the organisation, please call Libby Needham (Administration Manager) on (07) 3512 7999 or fill out the attached membership form. Your support and interest makes a real difference PCESI FUNDRAISER Please help our organisation by supporting our current fundraising efforts. Details next page. Check out our Website and Facebook page to keep updated with our work, staff and news updates. www.pcl.org.au GIFTS TO PREGNANCY COUNSELLING & EDUCATION SERVICES INC. BY WILL OR OTHERWISE Should anyone wish to benefit our organisation by Will, he or she should consult his or her own professional Will maker. It is suggested that any gift by Will should be in favour of Pregnancy Counselling & Education Services Inc. for the charitable purposes of that organisation. We are properly incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act. Any donations made during your lifetime are tax deductible as we are also properly registered for that purpose. We are extremely grateful to the people who have made provision for our organisation in their Wills. These bequest legacies help to secure the future of our organisation in its commitment to sponsoring free services to enhance the lives of women and their families, by providing support through professional counselling and education to everyone affected by Pregnancy and Reproductive related issues. Page 3 of 5
PAGE 4 ORGANISATION FUNDRAISER MOVIE PREMIERE HTTPS://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pcesi-charity-screening-hampsteadtickets-33983274890 Page 4 of 5
PAGE 5 DONATION FORM For our valued Members 2017 Tax Deductible Donations We thank our members for supporting the continuation of our services through your kind donations during 2016-2017 so far. As you are aware, there is no need for yearly renewal of your membership, but we call again on your generosity and ask you to consider how you can support us during the coming financia l year by making a tax deductible donation to our service. Without your support we would not be able to provide this necessary Counselling Service. PLEASE HELP SUPPORT US WITH YOUR DONATION AND SPREAD THE WORD THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. Please contact our office OR fill out attached donation form to help us continue helping women and families in our community. Sincere thanks Page 5 of 5