WMC Auxiliary votes to disband in the near future

The Wrangell Medical Center Auxiliary is an organization that has worked to assist the hospital in providing services to its patients and to “promote the health and welfare of the community,” according to its stated purpose in the bylaws. With the hospital being transferred to the control of SEARHC, however, the organization has been questioning what its future holds. In a meeting on Monday, Oct. 29, the Auxiliary discussed future disbandment, and what to do with the auxiliary’s funds.

The members of the auxiliary that were present for the meeting were unanimous in their support of disbanding. With the hospital transition, as well as issues with membership that they brought up, the general consensus was that the auxiliary was no longer needed.

“I think that every organization in town, right now, is having problems with membership,” said Ann Ruks. “I just feel like maybe we’ve run the course.”

President Janet Buness said that, even if they all agreed to disband the auxiliary, they should hold a few more meetings to work out the details and to wrap up loose ends. One of the primary concerns of the group disbanding was how to distribute their funds. Treasurer Alice Rooney said the Auxiliary had a little over $10,000 in the bank. The auxiliary members discussed for some time how to best serve the hospital with that amount after disbanding. Ideas were floated on giving the money to cancer care, or to fund scholarships, or to provide events for patients. There were also questions about what SEARHC would be willing to fund as they take over the hospital.

“I would like to see what that looks like, as far as time frame, as far as making that decision with all that money,” said Diana Nore. “Are we going to just move it over to the foundation … and allocate it out from that place? Or are we going to make that decision? If we disband, what time frame are we looking at?”

It was decided and unanimously approved that the auxiliary board would disband in three months or less, depending on how quickly everything could be finalized. The board also agreed to hold their next meeting on Dec. 13 to have further discussion on the money dispersal.

During this meeting, the auxiliary also reviewed and approved of various minor changes to their bylaws.