On this
page: When we meet | What
do you get if you join a branch? | Branches
Chairperson | Voluntary
Field Officers | 40th Anniversary celebrations
 A branch/support group is made up of members
who join together for a common goal. This
may be for social functions, a point of contact
outside of their homes and to educate themselves
and the local community living with and managing
arthritis. They meet regularly, have guest
speakers enjoy special excursions, functions
and have an opportunity to socialise with
other members.
Way back in 1967 Arthritis NSW was commenced
by a group of people who saw the benefits
of helping people with severe arthritis e.g.
taking them to doctor's appointments.
There are key NSW meetings held, for example Regional meetings and Branches
Annual Meeting for members to come together to meet other like-minded people.
Branch members raise funds for, among other
things, the Branches
scholarship which is
used to assist
in a
research program to find a cure and assist
in the treatment of arthritis, Camp
Footloose and the Alison
Watson Memorial Award program.
 Caroline
Stern is our Branches Liaison Officer and
she says: “I have a long history of
participating in volunteer organisations
and I see them as one of the most valuable
contributors to any community, city or country.
They are the unsung heroes and the people
who get things done."
Caroline says that her role is "to
assist and promote our volunteer branches
and support groups throughout NSW”.
Arthritis NSW's head office provides a framework
to assist the branches with their activities.
Contact Caroline by telephone on 1800 011
041 or email branches@arthritisnsw.org.au and
discuss becoming
a member and joining a branch.
When we meet
Throughout NSW there are nearly 50 branches
and support groups that meet on a regular
basis - click
here to find a branch near you OR TELEPHONE
1800 011 041 to find out how you can get
involved.
People with a chronic disease who meet on
a regular basis, discuss how to manage difficulties
and problems and share information fare much
better than people who isolate themselves.
What do you get if you
join a branch?
We provide avenues for members to access hydrotherapy/warm
water classes, Tai Chi for Arthritis
classes, develop social networks as well
as receive and give support to assist people
to improve
their activities of daily living and
contribute in a meaningful way to research.
By becoming a member you get much more,
e.g. a quarterly Arthritis News Magazine which has columns devoted to reporting
Branches news.
Being part of a branch is a rewarding and
happy experience - click
here to read two stories by branch members
about their experiences.
BECOME A MEMBER, JOIN A BRANCH AND
PURCHASE AN ARTHRITIS NSW BADGE!
Branches Chairperson
The Branches Chairperson is a volunteer
who becomes a Director of Arthritis NSW and
reports to the Board on the activities of
the Branches. We would like to acknowledge
the contribution of our immediate Past Branches
Chairperson, Aruni Ratnayake, who recently
resigned her position.
Voluntary Field Officers
These very special people are volunteer
members of branches who take on a larger
role and become responsible for communicating
and connecting with a group of branches in
a defined geographical area. They visit each
of these Branches regularly and assist and
support their activities. Keeping head office
informed of activities in their area is important
too. They come together and meet twice a
year in Sydney.
They actively assist their branches in nominating
people for the following awards:
40th Anniversary Celebrations
 Branch members will be participating in
our upcoming Birthday celebrations. A branch
history book outlining how branches started
and key activities is being compiled for
circulation. More information on our 40th
Anniversary activities can be found here.
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