Business View Magazine - September 2015

106 Business View - September 2015 Business View - September 2015 107 Business View: What do you consider the associa- tion’s primary driver – networking, advocacy, train- ing, etc.? Legeros: All of the above. For example, our Association promotes and facilitates education, training, policy de- velopment, and networking for members. We also act as the agent to negotiate, on their behalf, contracts with the Regional Health Authorities. The Association is invited to sit on provincial committees and is con- sulted on major health care events and studies. We hold an annual Provincial Conference and Exhibi- tion for Long-Term and Continuing Care that attracts an average of 400 delegates. It is the only one in MB and SA. Last year our exhibit hall was sold out over a month before the conference. More than 90 com- panies and organizations exhibited. Our satisfaction score was 89 percent, overall. Business View: Regardless of size or type, are there common issues members are facing? Legeros: Yes. The major challenge for everyone, wheth- er it is Retirement Residences, Supportive Housing or Personal Care Homes, is keeping our residents safe, and making their “home” wherever it might be, truly feel like their home with the limited resources avail- able. Business View: What are your primary engagement strategies and how effective are they – publications, events, etc.? How engaged a group is it, on average? Legeros: Our primary engagement strategies are com- munication, networking and lobbying. These strategies are extremely effective. For example, we sent an Open Letter to the Minister this week, announced it to our members and within hours, 1,600 people had visited our website to read the letter. Business View: What are the main association ob- jectives in the future? Legeros: As an organization we continue to foster long- term care leadership through membership growth, de- velopment and support. Our 2012-2015 Strategic Directions are: 1. Position LTCAM as the “go to” Association to col- laborate on long- term and continuing care policy and service delivery. The Association’s overall goal is to become the “go to” provincial association for the long- term and continuing care continuum in Manitoba. To become a credible voice and hence fully represent its members’ needs, LTCAM is called to increase its in- volvement with the Province and RHAs in addressing priority policy and service delivery issues. In doing so, LTCAM must seek to identify and act on rallying issues that align with its members’ as well as the Province’s and the RHAs’ priorities. 2. Provide relevant, value-added services for the Asso- ciation’s members. LTCAM exists to support its mem- bership in providing quality care, services and resourc- es. In terms of both recruitment and retention, LTCAM needs to continue to support members and pay atten- tion to their stated priorities (e.g. capital renewal, con- sistent reporting). Members – actual and potential – must see value in LTCAM. One of LTCAM’s value-added services is the provision of information to the general public on long-term and continuing care options. The ability to provide relevant member programs and services (to respond to growing and changing needs) is also influenced by available resources – financial, human, technological and physical. Resource devel- opment is important in this context. LTCAM’s ability to retain current membership and recruit diversity of members will also promote its credibility. Exhibit Hall Crowd Jan Legeros trying out some equipment in the exhibit hall 2015 Conference Minister Crothers, Minister of Healthly Living and Seniors provides opening remarks at the 2015 Conference Healthcare Healthcare