Building on Our Strengths

Although Don McComber served as president of our Foundation Board for only one year, a great deal was accomplished during his abbreviated term.

Under his leadership the Board put together a strategic plan that gives us clear goals and direction for the next few years. We also have a very aggressive program of ongoing trustee education to help Board members understand the Queen’s contributions to our community and the challenges the hospital faces.

Don was instrumental in deepening the Foundation’s infrastructure by adding Dick Green’s expertise to our staff. Finally, thanks to his service on both the Foundation and hospital boards, Don helped us gain a better understanding of the hospital’s policies and needs and encouraged real sharing of ideas and goals.

For these and his many other contributions, Don deserves a big “Thank you.” He exhibited strong leadership and dedication to the hospital, and I’m sure he’ll continue to display those qualities in his new role as chair of the hospital’s board.

Looking ahead, several goals are particularly important as we work together to build on the Foundation’s strengths.

First, we need to enhance our efforts to celebrate our volunteers, from trustees and honorary trustees down to the folks who park cars at special events. (Often they’re the same people!) Without volunteers the Foundation wouldn’t exist, so we must keep looking for meaningful and creative ways to give all our volunteers the appreciation they deserve.

Second, we’ll be moving forward on expanding and upgrading our programs of donor recognition. Gifts to the Foundation have increased dramatically, including major gifts from individuals, grants, bequests, charitable trusts, and other forms of planned giving. To nurture the growth in philanthropy, we need to provide the right kind of recognition to those whose generosity supports our work.

Third, this fall we plan to launch a feasibility study to help us set realistic goals for a possible capital campaign for a major remodel of the hospital campus. Based on interviews with dozens of hospital supporters and community leaders, the study will tell us how much support we can expect from the community, and from sources beyond the community, for this kind of bricks-and-mortar project. The results will be key to planning the Foundation’s future.

In addition, the Board will also be pursuing its ongoing goals, including soliciting major gifts, supporting special events, and furthering trustee involvement. In 30 years the Foundation has accomplished a great deal, but with the challenges of the future there’s still much to do. I hope you’ll join us in keeping the Foundation strong and working to reach the next level.