Presidential Reflections
Past Presidents were invited to share their experiences of involvement with ICMSA.
Our Most Vivid Memories From Our Year At the Helm 1996-1997
The co-presidency partnership was unique in the history of the Ingham County Medical Society Auxiliary. By forming this relationship it allowed us to have a fun and supportive presidency to achieve our goals for the year. Meeting regularly with Bernice Hayes to learn about the history of the group and reading through the archives, we discovered an earlier tradition, which we resurrected. A spoon pin was presented to each president in honor of her leadership and work. The spoon was symbolic of nurturing others and our community through the Auxiliary mission and service. Our annual Radio Talking Book Fundraiser was held at the Car Assembly Plant in Lansing. This was an exclusive opportunity for Auxiliary members and our spouses to experience all the intricacies of the assembly line process. This was a memorable year. We were honored to be a part of the Auxiliary, where we collectively made a difference strengthening partnerships within the Auxiliary and our community.
Irene Johnson (Ms. David B.) 1980-1981
Our auxiliary sponsored the North West route during this time I believe. My dates are rather hazy. Mobile meals came about after a survey from the Community Services Council's Project on Aging in April 1959 - from a brochure sponsored by Mobile Meals Board, Edward W. Sparrow Hospital and the Vandevoort
Memorial Fund. On October 1960 the college women's volunteer service assumed the responsibility of administering "Meals on Wheels" as the service was called. Later it was discovered that was a patent name so we adopted "Mobile Meals"; a non-profit organization. Our auxiliary accepted the project supported by members and friends, usually driving one day a month, 365 days of the year, only missing 1or 2 days due to bad weather. All work performed by volunteers, even the administrative, we supplied detailed written instructions to each driver daily, making changes as needed. Sparrow Hospital furnished the meals with many special meal diets and we picked them up at the hospital at 11 a.m. Usually it took 2 hours - but often more. At one time we drove 49 miles a day-gas donated, of course. We got to know the people and chatted briefly and I'm sure they looked forward to an outside visitor. At first we delivered three meals a day but soon many took only one hot meal a day at noon. The cost was $1.95 for the hot meal, $2.95 a day for noon and evening meals and $3.25 a day for three meals. Many people did not need that much food and changed their requirements. Mobile Meals discontinued in 2004 and the Tri County Office of Aging took over the preparation at their kitchen and asked for volunteer drivers. They furnished meals 5 days a week and a suitable menu to adapt to special diets. Somehow they provided frozen meals for the weekends. Barb Plesscher and I were partners for years, I drove, she delivered and it was a special time for us in our busy lives with our children. We enjoyed the drive and chat in Old Lansing had so many established flowering trees, lilac brushes and all kinds of flowers in the yards that made the drive enjoyable. They would print out great detailed instructions on how to deliver, street by street, but no directions on how to return back to the hospital! Many of us were totally unfamiliar with the north west part of town and the Old Town of Lansing. We enjoyed and looked forward to our monthly meetings of our auxiliary-the first president that I recall was Mrs. William Meane 1952-1953.
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May Luncheon...Oh, So Personal
The University Club Fireside Room was the site for a most memorable May Luncheon.
We asked all past presidents of the ICMSA to provide us with “personal reflections”
of their presidency. We heard from many who touched our hearts with funny
stories and personal tributes. We must say that one beloved member was mentioned
in almost every personal reflection. Can you guess who that might be? Mim Bethards
was the hands down, number one, go-to-gal whom the majority of past presidents
paid tribute and gave thanks. (I asked Mim to live with me for the next year as my inhouse
advisor, but she politely declined.) Thank you one and all for attending this
event and please enjoy the personal reflections that accompany this article. If anyone
would like the PowerPoint that was presented, please let Gina or Tammy (G&T)
know and they can send electronically. A big thank you to those past presidents who
provided their personal reflections for this great May meeting…and to the past presidents
who ignored us…what gives???
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Past Presidents were invited to share their experiences of involvement with ICMSA.
Reflections of my ICMSA Presidential Years 1997-1999
It is important to note that past president Mim Bethards was totally responsible for getting me to
accept the President-Elect position for the year 1996-97. She simply called and said: “We’d like
for you to consider becoming our next president-elect. We think you could really make a difference.
Think about it, and let me know.” How can one not say yes to that kind of a challenge and
belief in you? The rest is history.
I started the boutique, featuring only ICMSA members the first year. We wanted to feature
each other’s talents and in the process got to know each other better. The second year we
added outside vendors. Each year the boutique grew and took on a better format …. and
look how great it has become. It is the alliance’s main function/fundraiser of the year!
The boutique actually was a side-show of the “Celebrity Fashion Show” Kathleen Sauer
helped me get off the ground in 1997 and was held for 10 consecutive years. It not only
became a success among alliance members and their guests, but even among the celebrities,
who for years kept asking me “when will you have the fashion show again?”
We enjoyed “A Night with Mandy Patinkin” at the Wharton Center, with Mandy joining us at
an afterglow following his fantastic concert. Stratton, Cheeseman and Walsh sponsored
both pre and post-concert functions for the alliance that night, and what a night it was.
We raised $12,000 for WKAR Radio Talking Books during my two years. ICMSA was the
biggest contributor they had at that time.
In 1997 our alliance became involved with both the MSMS and AMA Alliances, two great support
systems for county alliances. Since that time we have had 3 of our own ICMSA members
become state presidents: Sue Anne Addy, myself and currently our own Carol Horowitz hold that
honored position.
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Mim Bethards was the Alliance member who called me while I was still in Texas in invite me to an Alliance
meeting. That was 1992. I have been forever thankful and grateful to Mim for her mentoring and commitment.
It was then in 1997 that Dee Wacker called and asked me to help her as we made our way through the
leadership of this organization. It was a lot of work, but we both learned so much.
It is my hope that each member takes the time to call a potential member and ask them to a meeting. Being
an Alliance member is so important to the concept of volunteerism; afterall, the Alliance is the volunteer arm
of the Medical Society. Our spouses need our time and commitment to advocate for them and their patients
whether it is legislatively or educationally. They need us. So, I am asking you to pick up the phone , call a
potential member and invite them to a meeting. I am also asking you to get behind Lisa Hildorf as she takes
the Ingham County Medical Society to another dimension of volunteerism. Lisa cannot do it alone. She will
need everyone’s help. So as I say good-bye from the State of Louisiana, Lincoln Parish, say hello to your
new leaders and offer your help. You will all benefit from this effort. Good Luck to all!
With all my Alliance love, Sue Anne Addy
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Recollections from my past Presidency are mostly
about the many wonderful people who helped me
with the many projects such as mobile meals, the
scholarship fund, newcomer’s coffee, Radio Talking
Books, World Medical Relief, Spirit Lift, Fun Day at
Mim’s, drug awareness in our schools, and the Fall
and Spring Luncheons. Annie Holmes did our newsletter
so well. Nancy Rinek went to the State Meetings
with me. Alicia Armstrong and Sandy Carter
agreed to be the first co-presidents. Our Medical Alliance
has always been ready to help others. I am hoping
that our shut-in members would be thought about
more. I would be willing to co-ordinate this, so our
members could get more cards, calls, or visits.
Also, I am on the Ingham Medical Care Facility
Foundation Board. There are many volunteer and
donating opportunities at the Dobie Road Facility. I
have brought some pamphlets to share. You can call
me with questions.
Sincerely,
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Dear Friends,
I regret not being with you today due to a class
schedule conflict. When I remember the 1991-
2 Alliance year, it is with joy and pride. Sustaining
our group efforts to do worthwhile projects
in the community was a goal. The members
of our Alliance all worked so well together
and were productive, as well. Our ICMSA
Holiday Greeting Card, the Radio Talking
Book reception and dinner, the fun day at Mim
Bethards were amount the highlights. The best
part was meeting and getting to know our
membership better and finding so many kind,
intelligent, disciplined friends who did so many
worthwhile projects together. Thank you for that privilege.
Fondly,
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