American Partners Board Meeting – September 2012

Summary Mwandi UCZ Mission Hospital Board of Trustees American Partners Meeting

September 14-15, 2012 Estes Park, Colorado

The meeting was convened and called to order by the Chairman, Dr. Verna Case, at the Peace House, Estes Park, CO, September 14, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. The meeting was opened in prayer by Dr. Fred Coates.

• The trustees reviewed the hospital renovation plans by Eric deNeve and discussed the solicitation of bids from contractors.
• Budget
  • The trustees approved the 2013 operating budget and a $300,000 capital fund-raising campaign for physical plant improvements.
  • The trustees agreed to investigate the purchase of liability insurance.
  • The daily fee for visitors to Simba was raised to $50/day. The $5.00 increase will be used to create a maintenance fund for Simba House. Trustees also discussed other ways to make Simba self-sustaining.
• Simba House policies
  • Trustee, Ellie Wilson, will coordinate visitor bookings.
  • Non-refundable deposits of 20% of estimated room and board are due at booking.
  • All fees (transport, room and board, etc.) are to be prepaid 30 days before arrival.
  • The minimum group size for Simba is six and the maximum is 12. Visiting groups of less than six may be accommodated provided that they pay for the minimum group size (or $300/day).
• Trustees discussed the new site manager position and madeplans for advertising the position. Candidates will be asked to submit a resume and a statement of interest and qualifications. A successful candidate will:
  • Possess a strong, “take charge” personality
  • Have appropriate and relevant experience for the position
  • Demonstrate cultural IQ
  • Display a commitment to service
  • Be diplomatic, with well-developed interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Show ingenuity, creativity, and vision

 

2012 Accomplishments and Goals for 2013

The American Partners Board of Trustees were very busy this past year with restructuring our board of trustees and planning much needed improvements for the hospital’s infrastructure. As the result of discussions with a wide variety of supporters of the Mwandi Mission Hospital, the American Partners engaged in a long-term strategic planning process and a formalization of our organizational structure. We clarified and delineated our role in the Mwandi Mission through a recently approved and signed (July 2012) Memorandum of Understanding with the UCZ Synod. Further, the American Partners established official bylaws and incorporated as an organization in preparation for application as 501c3 status.

As a result of this reorganization, you will see that the focus of the American Partners Trustees is directed toward fund-raising to assist the UCZ in maintaining the Mwandi hospital and quality healthcare in Western Province, Zambia. The American Partners and UCZ agreed on fund-raising priorities for the hospital, which include: improving the physical plant infrastructure (both the medical facilities and staff housing), fencing for the hospital grounds, and vehicles.

To accomplish these fund-raising priorities, the American Partners trustees plan to expand membership and to reach a broader geographical area in our fund-raising efforts, while continuing partnerships with those churches and organizations that have been long-term supporters. To further support the Mwandi Mission and successfully funded projects, the American Partners will:

• Maintain Simba and Kudu Houses, as well as associated vehicles, in order to continue hosting mission trips to Mwandi.
• Provide funds to the UCZ to support a Hospital Administrator’s salary. UCZ Synod and the American Partners hired a new Hospital Administrator, Chau Mike Kasoka, in September 2103. Mr. Kasoka is already making improvements in staff management.
• Continue the position of Project Manager (currently held by Ruairidh Waddell) until July 2013. At that point in time, the Project Manager position will be redefined (see job description) and given the title Project and Site Manager. The new job description reflects the increasing complexity of the work that needs to be done by the American Partner’s representative in Mwandi. The Project and Site Manager will focus on the liaison role between UCZ and the American Partners and will oversee projects funded by the American Partners. Additionally, the individual who takes this position will hire a Simba House manager. The ultimate goal is to have Simba and Kudu Houses become self-sustaining, supporting all costs of staffing and maintenance. This past year, Mr. Waddell, with support from the American Partners, completed a major renovation of Simba House kitchen, repaired some plumbing fixtures, and painted all of the internal rooms. These changes have greatly improved the efficiency of work in the kitchen, have decreased infestation by roaches, and have made the house more welcoming to guests.

The primary fund-raising focus for the American Partner Trustees is 2013 is the hospital renovation project.  In the spring of 2012, the American Partners asked Mr. Eric deNeve, Executive Principal architect at DMR in Charlotte, NC, to develop plans for renovation of Mwandi’s main hospital building. Mr. deNeve has been very involved in the Mwandi Mission for a number of years and generously donated his time to this developing the renovation plans for the Mwandi Hospital.

The renovation plans are found on this site. We are in the process of soliciting construction bids for this project and hope to begin the renovations this spring. It is our strong belief that the hospital renovation is a necessary step toward improving patient care and contributing to the financial sustainability of the hospital. We are very excited about creating a hospital environment that allows our doctors and nurses to provide the best possible healthcare to their patients and hope that this project will encourage additional funders and attract more US medical groups to contribute their skills at the hospital throughout the year.

The American Partners held our annual US-based board meeting in September this year. A summary of that meeting is attached as a document to this website. In September 2013, we plan to hold another Mwandi Summit in the Charlotte area.

 

Fundraising Goals

The American Partners Trustees have approved exciting new plans for renovating the wards of the UCZ Mwandi Hospital. These plans were developed by Mr. Eric deNeve, NCABR. View the list of priority needs for capital projects and programs.

Mwandi Mission Hospital

The Mwandi Christian Hospital is a currently a part of the United Church of Zambia’s (UCZ) mission. The hospital includes an 80 bed hospital with wards for men, women, children, TB patients and patients with infectious diseases (primarily children). In addition to the wards, there is an outpatient clinic, a Mother-Child Health clinic, and an Anti-retroviral Clinic. The mission also includes the UCZ church, an Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Center, mission-supported primary and secondary schools, a farm, a homeless shelter, and a preschool. Learn more about the role of the hospital in the village of Mwandi.

Meeting Highlights

The American Partners trustees met on September 14 and 15. See Events for highlights.

Mwandi News

Mwandi Hospital welcomes new Hospital Administrator, Mr. Mike Kasoka.