Introduction

As a not-for-profit company, ONL is totally reliant on the support of members, friends, volunteers and a very dedicated paid staff. ONL is endorsed as an income tax exempt charitable entity and as a deductible gift recipient. Funds to continue our member services come from fees for distribution of Ostomy appliances under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS); sale of non-PBS products; interest earned on retained funds invested in bank deposits; sale of raffle tickets; donations and bequests.

Why ONL needs your help

ONL is a self-help group of people who have undergone surgery resulting in an ileal conduit, ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy or other external pouch procedure.

The association was formed in 1958 and was totally dependent upon volunteers. It took decades to achieve government support through the Stoma Appliance Scheme. Whilst ostomates have benefited greatly from not having to pay for their stoma appliances, the government provides only a nominal amount to associations to distribute products under the SAS. Over recent years the cost of conducting any business has increased with the need to comply with regulations such as occupational health and safety, increasing insurance premiums, etc.

Donations received are currently being used to help with the following projects:

• Upgrading and modernisation of ONL computer systems used to process member orders so that orders can be processed more efficiently and accurately
• Upgrading of the ONL web site to enable online ordering and other features to make ordering more convenient for many members and to increase ONL efficiency
• We are also aware of the costs faced by nurses taking on the challenges and training required for stoma therapy. A Scholarship is awarded annually to nurses studying Stomal Therapy - see separate section on our web site for details

How to make a donation

Ostomy NSW Limited (ONL) is a registered charity and gift recipient; donations $2.00 and over are tax deductible.

Donations of any amount can be made by one of a number methods:

• Member Account - direct deduction authorised by you using the printable form
• Cash - but only in person over the counter at Kirrawee
• EFTPOS - again, only in person over the counter at Kirrawee
• Cheque or Money Order via Australia Post. Please send to PO Box 3068, Kirrawee, NSW 2232 using the printable form
• Visa or Mastercard credit card - by telephoning 02 9542 1300 to provide your details. Do not send these details via e-mail for security reasons.
• EFT by transfer to BSB 112-879, Account No. 456643389 and identifying your donation with your name, membership number and the word "donation"

Member accounts

A way to help ONL and yourself at the same time is to have a "Member Account" with ONL. Rather than paying for postage and handling each time you order, pay a bulk amount once or twice each year to cover postage, your annual membership renewal, raffle tickets and donations.

If you have the means to do that, you can order by fax or email, and you do not have the cost of issuing and posting a cheque.

For example:

Postage and handling is only deducted from your account when you order, so if you do not order every month, you save and have that much more in your account.

You save on posting a cheque and the inconvenience of writing a cheque or having monthly amounts on your credit card. ONL saves the cost of processing multiple cheques or credit card charges. If paying by Credit Card (Visa or MasterCard only) the minimum amount is $45.00.

All you need to do is include a payment for an amount that you think is best with your next order. We will let you know the balance of your account each time you order so you can top it up when necessary. You could send us a suitable amount in June each year, when membership renewals are due, to cover postage and handling and other payments for the year ahead.

For more information contact our office team on 9542 1300.

Making a bequest

A wonderful way to make a significant gift is through a bequest in your will. After making due allowance for loved ones, a bequest of a specific amount or a proportion of the residue of your estate, is a way of leaving a real and lasting legacy to the future.

Your bequest to Ostomy NSW will be used to support our mission to support our members and enable ostomates to live a full and active life.

The Board wants you!

ONL is seeking additional volunteer Directors.

This is a chance for you to apply your knowledge of business, finance, not for profit associations, or other skills to help ostomates through ONL.

There are some obligations on any company director, even as a volunteer.

If you think this may be something that you may consider, please contact Tom Flood President and Board Chairman at Kirrawee on 9542 1300 or by email to president@ostomynsw.org.au.

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