Committee Report – Active Outreach
The Assembly will be held on the 18th of May from 2 pm to 7 pm UK time
Expansion of the Committee
Two new subcommittees were formed, aimed at strengthening outreach and support efforts in the following parts of the region:
- Mediterranean Subcommittee: including Malta, Cyprus, and Greece.
- Central Asian Subcommittee: covering Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan, and other neighbouring countries.
These initiatives are part of a broader goal to ensure inclusivity and active presence in all parts of Region 9.
Revisiting “Hot Topics” from the 2024 Spring Event
We reviewed the list of “hot topics” originally identified by Region 9 member countries in the 2024 Spring Event. These included: sponsorship, doing service, establishing National Service Boards (NSBs), addressing regional challenges, translation, PIPO activities.
An email was sent to the entire membership, resulting in several offers to translate materials and facilitate workshops on various topics. A collaborative table was compiled, listing the names of volunteers and their fields of possible cooperation.
Call for ESH Submissions
A call for submissions titled “Share Your Experience, Strength, and Hope (ESH)” was distributed across the fellowship.
As part of our ongoing commitment to meaningful member engagement, the Active Outreach Committee invited stories for possible publication on the Region 9 website. This initiative aims to provide connection and inspiration across our diverse membership.
Anonymity in small countries
We initiated a discussion on the challenges of maintaining anonymity in smaller countries, where the OA population is limited. This topic will be explored further in upcoming committee meetings.
Creative materials for PIPO
A visually engaging and heartwarming poster was designed by hand by Catherine to support PIPO (Public Information/Public Outreach) activities. The poster is intended to raise awareness about possible ways to reach professionals and health workers in a gentle, welcoming manner, with the goal of attracting new members to the fellowship.
Member poll for workshop topics
A poll prepared by Sharlotte (Digital Committee Chair) was distributed to the membership. Its aim is to gather feedback on prevailing topics of interest for upcoming workshops planned for late September. The results will guide our planning to better align with the needs and concerns of our community.
Conclusion
The Active Outreach Committee remains committed to fostering connection, support, and growth throughout Region 9. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of our members and look forward to continuing this important work together.