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Now and then, I like to share opportunities to help you expand your service as a nursing home volunteer. In the past, we’ve looked at the roles of a parish nurse, a grant writer, and a volunteer ombudsman.
Today let’s look at the role of the community advisory board for a nursing home. I suspect that most employees and volunteers have little or no idea of the purpose of this board. Am I right?
When I worked at the nursing home, I knew we had a community advisory board. But the only reason I knew this was because the group occasionally met in the room where we held our morning report. So, we got to eat the leftovers of their continental breakfast. Other than that, I knew very little about the group.
Fortunately, I now serve on the community advisory board at a local nursing home—something I’ve done for the past four years. As a result, I can share a bit about my experiences and the overall purpose of this important board.
Wikipedia defines an advisory board as “representatives of the general public who meet with representatives of an institution to relay information between the two groups.” It’s important to note that a community advisory board is not the same as a board of directors.
A board of directors serves in a governing role. They make decisions that the organization follows. On the other hand, an advisory board comes up with suggestions that the organization may or may not choose to implement.
It’s also important to know that each community advisory board has a distinct personality. The agenda, goals, and responsibilities can vary significantly from one organization to another.
Our community advisory board consists of 6 members from a wide variety of backgrounds. We meet quarterly, usually with 2 members of the nursing home management team. Our members commit to serving for at least one year, although all current members have remained for longer terms.
These are a few examples of the responsibilities of a community advisory board:
Share the community’s perception of the nursing home
Advisory board members are the nursing home’s eyes and ears out in the community. They share any compliments or complaints they’ve heard about the nursing home while they’re out and about. They might also report any news they’ve heard about other local healthcare organizations.
Brainstorm ideas and solutions
At each meeting, a member of the nursing home management team shares an update on recent happenings in the organization. This could include the results of a state survey, planned renovation projects, customer satisfaction survey results, or current challenges within the long-term care industry.
Because board members come from varied backgrounds, they offer unique perspectives. They can take a fresh look at a situation and suggest solutions that may not have occurred to the nursing home staff.
Take part in fundraising
This could take a variety of forms depending on the interests of each board member. For example, one member might serve as a table host at a fundraising dinner. Another might help with planning and carrying out a fundraiser, or perhaps they’ll solicit donations for a silent auction. One of our board members even sponsors an annual nursing scholarship in memory of his wife who once lived at our nursing home.
Volunteer where needed
As they learn about upcoming events, board members may choose to take part based on their expertise and interests. As an example, a board member might speak at a community event on behalf of the nursing home. Another person might do follow-up notes or phone calls to donors. Or a board member might volunteer to serve food at an employee appreciation event.
Do you know the purpose of the community advisory board at your nursing home? If not, I hope you’ll take the time to find out how this group works to enhance the lives of your residents. Better yet, find out how you might serve on this important board.
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