About NICF Chapters
The Newborn Intensive Care Foundation is a unique model for a charity in Australia and characterised by having no administrative costs, seamless and fast responses for requests that unambiguously enhance neonatal intensive care services and create an environment that definitively changes lives.
Since 1995, the NICF has quietly and unobtrusively raised millions of dollars to ensure the neonatal intensive care service at Canberra Hospital leads the nation in many areas of clinical care and family support. The Foundation is supported by a board of trustees that shares a passion for supporting premature and sick newborns by providing critical medical equipment, and funding nurse education and research.
Whilst the provision of newborn intensive care at the Canberra Hospital is excellent for babies born at the Hospital, it is often less than ideal for babies born in non-tertiary or rural hospitals. The Foundation aims to improve equipment and skills at other centres. The key feature of the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation model is local support and community engagement. Within this model, administrative costs are non-existent and all donated monies flow for the prime aims and objectives of the Foundation.
Our aim is to create chapters of the NICF within regional areas to engage businesses and local heroes in these communities around SE NSW.
Regional Chapter volunteers will lead local collection drives and events.
The start up of a Chapter is more successful if two or three individuals agree to work together to start a NICF Chapter.
Being an NICF chapter leader is a very fulfilling undertaking and it takes a commitment of time and resources to lead.
Expression of Interest to Start a NICF Chapter in Wagga Wagga
Do you have a passion for serving the needs of sick newborn babies born in your local region?
Do you want to lead a chapter in an organisation that is focused on making a difference in the life of sick newborn babies?
If so, your first step is to review the requirements to take on this responsibility, and then determine whether or not you meet those requirements and that you are still willing and able to proceed.
If you have the commitment, time and ability to lead a group of volunteers, and you agree with the requirements, the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation would love to review your application. Please understand this is a volunteer position and not a start up kit and application. Please read the Basic Duties of a new chapter and then email info@newborn.org.au to be sent a New Chapter Application Form.
Peter Cursley, Newborn Intensive Care Foundation Chairman
Please Note: We only allow one chapter director per chapter. That person will be the main contact with the NICF HQ and responsible for your chapter. You are certainly welcome to have an assistant listed on our web site as an additional contact and helper for your chapter. All correspondence, orders, reports, emails and all other communications are required to be made between the chapter director and HQ only.
NEWBORN CHAPTERS REQUIREMENTS
- You must be willing to share the NICF’s mission per the guidelines set forth by the Trustees of the parent organisation.
- Find volunteers and sponsors in your local community.
- Lead local fundraising. Fundraising is required for all chapters. Those not participating will be moved to inactive status.
- Leadership and communication skills are required. You must be able to nurture, encourage and motivate your volunteers in a professional and caring way.
- Storage maybe required for items. Be sure you can store the donations at home or at a donated area that is smoke-free.
- Establishing relationships with recipient hospital special care nurseries and work closely with clinical staff at the hospital.
- Adhere to all NICF reporting requirements that include monthly reports of chapter activity. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
- Adhere to our Charitable Collections license financial policies and reporting requirements.
- You are the main contact for your region’s NICF Chapter. You agree to be the liaison between the Chapter, local volunteers and between the Chapter and the NICF national office.
- Once established, you will be provided with a NICF e-mail address. You must agree to use it and check it on a DAILY basis.
- Read our website, visit our Facebook page and be sure you understand what our organisation is about.
- You agree to provide references as part of the application process.