February
We decided that we needed to launch C.B.S. The suggested date for the launch was for April. It was decided that the 23rd of April at 10 am.
March
Due to state election Being called the Launch date had to be pushed back.
We decided the we would apply for the Healthy QLD Award. We were hoping to get $14000 which would help us to get advertising material and marquees to offer Breastfeeding tents at different events around the area.
Due to other commitments our Secretary Sharyn had to resign. Sarah stepped up to take over the role.
April
The launch of CBS was decided on for 7th May, 2009, to be held at the Caboolture Hospital.
In April we finally had the front page of the web site up and running even though it did say it was under construction.
We decided to change the monthly committee meetings to before the social meetings so that it was easier for all the mothers to be able to attend
May
On the 7th of May, 2009 we officially launched C.B.S at the Caboolture hospital. Caroline Weaver, the Head of the hospital was there to help with the launch. Lots of different members from community groups and health workers were able to join us as well.
On the 14th of May we held a strategic planning meeting. The outcome from that meeting was as follows:
OUTCOMES of the Meeting for CBS held on the 15th May 2006 at the Inspiration Centre Caboolture
2 WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OF – More participation on the Committee re Committee work. Education of local pregnant Mums. Social Group for pregnant Mums with activities such as barbeque's for the extended family. Social Group to provide fact sheets and activities, also breast feeding pamphlets. More effective communication with the hospital. More advertising and fundraising. Ideas such as T shirts and bumper stickers. Easier to get sponsorship with visual items. Recruiting new members. Lock into other community groups calendars. More structure at Meetings. Speakers at Meetings. More food monitoring for children.
3 WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE LESS OF – Less of people trying to work on their own. More team. People trying to do tasks that don’t suit them. More delegation, perhaps create a job list where people can be matched to tasks.
4 IS THERE SOMETHING NEW YOU WOULD LIKE CBS TO BE INVOLVED IN – Events such as World Breastfeeding Week. More involved in local community events and initiatives. Sit on boards and committees. Seek out Fundraising opportunities and available Grants. Look for free advertising for example “Community Notes” in local newspapers, opportunities for articles in local newspapers.
5 WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE CBS TO BE SEEN – Pamphlets in Schools, Libraries, Hospitals, Doctors Surgery's, Chemists, Community Centres, Day Care Centres and Councils. Local and larger Community Festivals are an excellent area for exposure and to present information
6 WHO SHOULD CBS BE TALKING TO – Hospitals, Doctors, Health Workers, Community Centres and Community Workers, Young Parents Groups, local Businesses – helping them to become breast feeding friendly suggesting a breast feeding room or corner. Contacting Organisations such as Deception Bay Family Alliance.
7 HOW CAN CBS BETTER SUPPORT BREAST FEEDING IN THE CABOOLTURE AREA – Developing an informative Newsletter, e-mailing, Facebook. Look for referral pathways. Look into 1800 number. Networking with other aligned groups. The possibility of a national support phone line. Develop a Directory of Services. Develop a custom made Support Book. Provide peer support. Provide resources and materials. Promote exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months as outlined in WHO code. Raise community awareness of breast feeding and its benefits. Provide continuing up to date information and training for peer support councillors.
June
Ady and Hayley started to visiting Caboolture hospital and handing out our brochures. They received positive feed back from the hospital and the mothers who they visited. It is hoped that by them promoting CBS in this way we will gain more members.
Sarah attended the awards ceremony where we found out that CBS had been finalists for the QLD Healthy Awards.
July
On 22nd July, 2009 we attended our set up our first information tent at the Young Parents Festival at Deception bay. Most of the members of CBS turned up to help man it. Yo our lactation consultant was there to answer breastfeeding questions.
August
Heather and Sarah had a meeting with the Early years centre to discuss moving to there away from the inspiration building.
On 12th Wednesday, August we attended our 2nd community event, setting up a breastfeeding and information tent at the Ekka Family Fun day. We had some really positive feedback about setting up a breastfeeding tent for mums.
On 21st Friday, August we held an Undercover Wear Fashion Parade unfortunately we didn't have many turn up but still was able to get a $90 voucher from it. We will now be able to us it as a raffle and raise money that way.
September
On the 2nd of September we attended our 3rd community event, Teddy Bears Picnic at Strathpine. This time we started practising face painting. Addy, Tracy, Hayley, Jovie and
On 13th Sunday, 2009 we set up another breastfeeding tent and this time we also had a cake stall and face painting and balloon making as a way of fundraising. We were able to raise $100 for the group. This was pretty exciting as this was the first time we had tried this type of thing at the community events. A lot of people made comments about what a good idea it was that we were offering such a service for mums.
On Friday 25th September we submitted our first Grant application. We could apply for up to $5000 for items that would help to encourage volunteers to our group. We thought this would be a great opportunity to purchase items that would help us to provide the services at the different community events, without having to rely on members always having to provide the items. We were wanting to get 2 marquees that are easy to erect with our logo on them; about 8 camping chairs; 2 tables; esky; a drink container and petrol for volunteers. Now its a waiting game to see if we were successful.
On 29th Wednesday September, we met with Kate from Population Health to find out what programs they were involved in. There was really great and exciting things that are happening. As soon as we have more information we will be able to share it.
4 of the members in our group have now applied to do an ABA breastfeeding Counsellor course. This is really exciting and means we will be better able to support mums who come to our group. It also helps to increase the knowledge of breastfeeding which then can be passed on to others in the group and new members who may be interested in doing the same thing in the future.
Jovie stepped up to do the Treasurer job for the group and started to do MYOB training to help her in this role. It has really opened her eyes and what needs to be done so we can function properly as a Incorparated group.
Due to personal issues Heather stepped down from the president role after doing such a wonderful job. This meant that Sarah took over her posistion as she had the closet amount knowledge of what needed to happen. Addy then stepped up to take the role of secretary and will do a great job as she is very organised and proficient in doing this.
All in all September has been a really full on time for C.B.S. Its really exciting to see what the rest of the year and next year holds.
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