SUSAN G KOMEN FOR THE CURE AFFILIATE ENGAGES THE BREAST HEALTH SYSTEM

SITUATION
Community Resource Development agent Mary Kluz was approached by the Susan G Komen for the Cure Central Wisconsin Affiliate (SGK-CWA) through the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIIPPS) at the UW-Marathon County campus.  SGK-CWA is a new affiliate, formed in 2007, of the Susan G Komen for the Cure national organization. SGK-CWA forum committee members communicated the SGK-CWA Board’s desire to host a gathering to foster collaboration on topics relevant to breast cancer and announce to the region that the foundation was actively functioning in this geographic area. The committee included representatives from SGK-CWA, the American Cancer Society, Marathon County Health Department, Aspirus, Ministry Health Care. The committee and board have connections to many other boards in the Central Wisconsin region.

RESPONSE
Kluz taught the committee members about effective meeting structure, considering elements of purpose, product, people and process. As the group defined the desired outcomes, Kluz instructed the members about different processes they might consider to achieve their goals within the optimal time frame. The committee chose to use the World Café methodology (see www.theworldcafe.com), an interactive process which engages all attendees. Kluz taught the group about the elements that create a successful world café, and coached them through the development of pertinent and engaging questions, the core of world café, which would take participants from individual motivation to, as a group, shared meaning and action.

RESULTS
On September 16, 2008, SGK-CWA hosted a forum to bring together people representing those affected by or impacting breast cancer. Sixty-three people from North Central Wisconsinattended the event.This included women with breast cancer, their family members, nurses, physicians, public health professionals, Wisconsin Well Women program coordinators, and others. Participants were asked to respond to a written evaluation at the conclusion of the event. A few selected quotes include: “Excellent and energizing” “This was a good experience with interactions with a very diverse group.” “I think many new connections will sprout from this forum.” “10”

Also, participants were requested to record a promise they would make, based on their forum experience. Responses ranged from promises to create more programs to people volunteering their names, addresses and phone numbers, as well as a financial commitment for a breast health resource center. The committee members shared their reactions at a follow-up meeting. All reported a positive experience, and several shared they were emotionally affected by the event. The committee chair used café prep materials to develop the agenda for the following meeting, to explore the committee’s role versus the board role in creating action around themes harvested at the forum. The Board President said that the event “exceeded her expectations” and they wish to do more such forums. It was their intent to incorporate the findings into their strategic plan and grant funding priorities. Consensus at the meeting was that it was imperative to maintain momentum from the event.

EVIDENCE
WIIPSS director Eric Giordano and Kluz created an event report which outlined themes from the discussion, which was forwarded to the board and will be made available on the group’s website http://www.komencentralwisconsin.org/newsdetail.asp?newsid=19

Mary Kluz, Community Resource Development Agent - 2008 Success Story

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