Submitted by: Melody Land, CAC Coordinator
Continuing our conversation with Robert (Bob) Rochon and Phyllis Hudson, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Bennett & Albert County Healthcare Foundation:
Challenges & Misconceptions: The Case of Two Bennetts
In my preparation for the interview, I had asked a variety of folk around Albert County what they new about the BACH Foundation. Many had heard of them, associating them with big ticket purchases for the Health Centre specifically. A few knew about their contribution to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. However, overall, I was surprised at how little the average person knew about all the ways they contribute to a vibrant and healthy community.
Phyllis agrees that most probably know the Foundation is there, but not it’s history, nor the many ways the funds are raised, managed, and contribute to the community and how folks may have benefitted from the Foundation and not even be aware of it. She believes finding ways for the Foundation to communicate to the community is one of their biggest challenges.
Continuing our conversation with Robert (Bob) Rochon and Phyllis Hudson, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Bennett & Albert County Healthcare Foundation:
Challenges & Misconceptions: The Case of Two Bennetts
In my preparation for the interview, I had asked a variety of folk around Albert County what they new about the BACH Foundation. Many had heard of them, associating them with big ticket purchases for the Health Centre specifically. A few knew about their contribution to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. However, overall, I was surprised at how little the average person knew about all the ways they contribute to a vibrant and healthy community.
Phyllis agrees that most probably know the Foundation is there, but not it’s history, nor the many ways the funds are raised, managed, and contribute to the community and how folks may have benefitted from the Foundation and not even be aware of it. She believes finding ways for the Foundation to communicate to the community is one of their biggest challenges.
Bob provides what might seem like a light-hearted problem, but one that can cause some significant community confusion!
“On a couple of occasions when I speak with people about the Foundation, for some reason, they think we're affiliated with the Albert County Museum. That's likely because of the RB Bennett Centre, the Bennett and Bennett. There are two prominent New Brunswickers with that family name: R.B. Bennett, the former Prime Minister of Canada, and Judge Bennett, who was a judge and a prominent resident of the area. So, to me, I always try to make sure that they understand the distinction!”
Another passion project for Bob is helping people understand that there are a full range of services available at the Community Health Centre. He sees that needs to be a part of BACH’s messaging. “Having people understand what it is that the Foundation does, how we support the community health centre, and what is offered at the health centre” all goes hand-in-hand. “[This is} a job that we need to improve on. We need to improve that name recognition, right?”
Achievements Worth Writing Home About
Recognition is important for an organization, and as already discussed, not something that has been common knowledge for the BACH Foundation. In preparation for our interview, Bob tabulated a list of some of the things the Foundation has done or been a part of.
Most recently, a new and improved website was developed to better get our message out, to make some of our programming and some of our information better available to the public. It was in dire need of refreshing!
Phyllis added some standout achievements from her perspective:
“We supported the Community Health Nurse that was at the Health Centre organize an ABCD workshop that was provided throughout the region and was a huge success. From there a lot took off, like foods of the Fundy Valley. There were different little projects that developed out of that because it was all about asset-based community development. We did a lot of things with the young people at both the schools, like the “Go Girl Festival” and “Kids Care Too”, where they could bring a loonie and feel they were donating to a Foundation and a good cause. And, of course, the golf tournaments, we've done that for years.”
Bob reflects that “Cumulatively, I think we've done a lot of work that the Foundation and the Board of Directors need to be proud of, and that the staff at the Community Health Centre that need to be proud of. The fundraising campaigns all predate me so but those are significant accomplishments. What I would like to see, and I think the board will need to kind of get their head wrapped around, is whether we want to undertake another fundraising campaign to purchase something for the Community Health Centre. They are all significant accomplishments.”
One last thing that really stands out for Phyllis is the collaborative campaign that resulted in purchasing new radiographic and telehealth systems, to enable residents of our rural community to be able to access healthcare providers anywhere in the world. This occurred before it was more common practice, and to have this access opened a lot of doors for patients of the Centre. “We’ve achieved what a lot of other small health centres might have struggled to get in place, because the Foundation is very supportive of the building and what’s going on in the building. It is really special.”
Hearing their reflections exemplify the ways in which the Foundation has shifted and pivoted based on community need. You have capital campaigns for purchases of big equipment, services and a strong community development piece that weaves its way in and out of the storylines. It speaks to health in a holistic, multifaceted sense, as well as being inclusive and building or reducing walls of isolation and empowering others, making sure that the healthcare leaders have the best training that they can have available to them, and that the healthcare inequalities many folk in rural communities face (that Judge Bennett saw so blatantly) are being considered and subverted.
“[This is why] it’s a matter of making sure that we have an obligation to be fiscally prudent as we move forward. We're very supportive of community health care initiatives and we would entertain all types of requests. We need to be mindful that we also need to be fiscally prudent and protect the investment that has existed, and that the Foundation has managed over time. If we're not careful, that [investment] can be whittled down over time, and then it puts our ability to provide funding at risk. I’m proud of how the Foundation has managed the investments over time. Consider that Judge Bennett's initial bequest was $232,000 and is [now] more than $700,000. We manage those funds very carefully, within our investment policy, to ensure that they will be available well into the future. It takes a considerable amount of talent and skills in your board and in your judgements to make this a sustainable income stream for now and for decades to come.”
Bob extrapolates on areas he would like to see the Foundation play a key role in for future growth in the community:
“Community oriented projects such as the expansion of the [Albert County Community Health Centre] satellite office in Hillsborough, even though that is not a community led initiative, it is an initiative that will benefit the entire community. It includes the opening of a new [larger] satellite office. There are conversations currently underway with the Village of Fundy Albert to make that possible.”
Phyllis is looking forward to further supporting the “Nursing Home Without Walls” program, which is helping to support services that keep people living independently in their homes. It’s not a big capital campaign but fits in line with Phyllis’s focus of being “down on the ground with the people” and ensuring physical and recreational activities are supported to “really stick to what Judge Bennett put forward, because he's the backbone of this whole Foundation.”
How Can We Help?
There are a variety of ways that we, as a community, can support the BACH Foundation and ensure it’s continued success and service to the people of rural Albert County.
One, is to consider sitting on their board of directors and being a part of the decision making and guidance of the projects and programs. There are also volunteer opportunities from time to time, so reach out to the Foundation directly, or a Board Member, and ask how you can assist!
Another way to support the organization is through donations, which come in all shapes and sizes. Because the BACH Foundation is a registered charitable organization, it is able to provide income tax receipts.
When a loved one passes on, making the Bennett and Albert County Healthcare Foundation a charity of choice as a memorial donation or an estate contribution is an excellent way to leave a lasting memory of your loved one. “It’s important to recognize that there are individuals in our community who have bequeathed funds to the Foundation over the years and we're very appreciative and grateful” says Bob.
BACH has newly developed Appreciation Cards wherein you can donate in honour of a family, friend, or neighbour to say, “thank you”, “I appreciate you”, or at any time of the year instead of giving gifts. To donate to the Foundation in their honour is a great way extend appreciation for a friend or community member for something special that they've done for you or the community.
You can donate by using the donate button on their website or by filling out the donation card found in Connecting Albert County and returning it to the Health Centre or Foundation by mail.
There's also the opportunity of purchasing monthly Rafflebox 50/50 tickets. Tickets are only $2 and can be purchased by visiting www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/bachcf
Phyllis also reminds that even if you aren’t able to donate, it helps to just “get out there and let people know who we are and what we're raising the funds for!”
Community Recognition
As we wrap up our conversation, I wanted to give Bob and Phyllis an opportunity to speak their mind on anything we hadn't discussed. They both very quickly spoke to the contributions of community members who have served on their Board of Directors in years prior, which set them up for success now.
Bob early on mentions Warren Williams, who was on the board for 18 years and sat as Chairperson. Phyllis mentions the service of Harley Tingley who was Chairperson during the transition of the Hospital Foundation all the way to the Health Care Foundation in more current form. Both individuals are spoken of highly as folks who went over and above and provided guidance throughout times and seasons where difficult changes took place. Both Bob and Phyllis offer “public recognition and thanks” for everything that those two have done.
Bob also makes special mention of the relationship between Connecting Albert County/the editors of the publication and the Foundation: “Whether it's been you, Melody, or Amanda, or Janet in the past for the support that you've provided the Foundation over the years. Even though we do contribute financially, a lot of our messaging can't get through without your support, so we're very appreciative of that.”
Final Thoughts
As I’ve sat and reflected on the conversation I’ve had with Bob and Phyllis, I take away a profound appreciation for the work of the Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation and it’s dedication to the foundational message of equality in healthcare from Judge Bennett combined with it’s ability to blend fiscal wisdom and responsibility, meet change with adaptability, and bring community together. The success of the organization, much like the success of our community, is rooted in the connections that we make. By supporting each other and organizations that support us, we build community, which is the ultimate act of healing and wellness.
To end with a quote from Phyllis which summarizes it well:
“For a small rural community, I think everybody should be proud of where we are.”
“On a couple of occasions when I speak with people about the Foundation, for some reason, they think we're affiliated with the Albert County Museum. That's likely because of the RB Bennett Centre, the Bennett and Bennett. There are two prominent New Brunswickers with that family name: R.B. Bennett, the former Prime Minister of Canada, and Judge Bennett, who was a judge and a prominent resident of the area. So, to me, I always try to make sure that they understand the distinction!”
Another passion project for Bob is helping people understand that there are a full range of services available at the Community Health Centre. He sees that needs to be a part of BACH’s messaging. “Having people understand what it is that the Foundation does, how we support the community health centre, and what is offered at the health centre” all goes hand-in-hand. “[This is} a job that we need to improve on. We need to improve that name recognition, right?”
Achievements Worth Writing Home About
Recognition is important for an organization, and as already discussed, not something that has been common knowledge for the BACH Foundation. In preparation for our interview, Bob tabulated a list of some of the things the Foundation has done or been a part of.
- Purchase of medical imaging equipment, a Holter heart monitor, and a recent purchase of a portable vitals monitoring machine for the Community Health Centre.
- Contributions to school breakfast programs.
- Purchased spin bikes for the Riverside Consolidated School.
- Contribute to and support the Connecting Albert County newsletter.
- The Harvey Hall Folk School.
- The Youth Impact Jeunesse Drug Intervention Program.
- A long-time supporter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, where we pay for the books that are provided to all preschool children in the Riverside Consolidated School and Hillsborough Elementary School catchments, age zero to five.
- Literacy Express Program.
- Fundy Curling Club Little Rocks Curling Program through equipment purchases.
- Friends of the Moncton Hospital Cardiac and Neonatal Units to the tune of $60,000 over five years. In 2024 the Foundation was recognized as a long time supporter of theirs. At that point in 2024 BACH had contributed more than $260,000.
Most recently, a new and improved website was developed to better get our message out, to make some of our programming and some of our information better available to the public. It was in dire need of refreshing!
Phyllis added some standout achievements from her perspective:
“We supported the Community Health Nurse that was at the Health Centre organize an ABCD workshop that was provided throughout the region and was a huge success. From there a lot took off, like foods of the Fundy Valley. There were different little projects that developed out of that because it was all about asset-based community development. We did a lot of things with the young people at both the schools, like the “Go Girl Festival” and “Kids Care Too”, where they could bring a loonie and feel they were donating to a Foundation and a good cause. And, of course, the golf tournaments, we've done that for years.”
Bob reflects that “Cumulatively, I think we've done a lot of work that the Foundation and the Board of Directors need to be proud of, and that the staff at the Community Health Centre that need to be proud of. The fundraising campaigns all predate me so but those are significant accomplishments. What I would like to see, and I think the board will need to kind of get their head wrapped around, is whether we want to undertake another fundraising campaign to purchase something for the Community Health Centre. They are all significant accomplishments.”
One last thing that really stands out for Phyllis is the collaborative campaign that resulted in purchasing new radiographic and telehealth systems, to enable residents of our rural community to be able to access healthcare providers anywhere in the world. This occurred before it was more common practice, and to have this access opened a lot of doors for patients of the Centre. “We’ve achieved what a lot of other small health centres might have struggled to get in place, because the Foundation is very supportive of the building and what’s going on in the building. It is really special.”
Hearing their reflections exemplify the ways in which the Foundation has shifted and pivoted based on community need. You have capital campaigns for purchases of big equipment, services and a strong community development piece that weaves its way in and out of the storylines. It speaks to health in a holistic, multifaceted sense, as well as being inclusive and building or reducing walls of isolation and empowering others, making sure that the healthcare leaders have the best training that they can have available to them, and that the healthcare inequalities many folk in rural communities face (that Judge Bennett saw so blatantly) are being considered and subverted.
“[This is why] it’s a matter of making sure that we have an obligation to be fiscally prudent as we move forward. We're very supportive of community health care initiatives and we would entertain all types of requests. We need to be mindful that we also need to be fiscally prudent and protect the investment that has existed, and that the Foundation has managed over time. If we're not careful, that [investment] can be whittled down over time, and then it puts our ability to provide funding at risk. I’m proud of how the Foundation has managed the investments over time. Consider that Judge Bennett's initial bequest was $232,000 and is [now] more than $700,000. We manage those funds very carefully, within our investment policy, to ensure that they will be available well into the future. It takes a considerable amount of talent and skills in your board and in your judgements to make this a sustainable income stream for now and for decades to come.”
Bob extrapolates on areas he would like to see the Foundation play a key role in for future growth in the community:
“Community oriented projects such as the expansion of the [Albert County Community Health Centre] satellite office in Hillsborough, even though that is not a community led initiative, it is an initiative that will benefit the entire community. It includes the opening of a new [larger] satellite office. There are conversations currently underway with the Village of Fundy Albert to make that possible.”
Phyllis is looking forward to further supporting the “Nursing Home Without Walls” program, which is helping to support services that keep people living independently in their homes. It’s not a big capital campaign but fits in line with Phyllis’s focus of being “down on the ground with the people” and ensuring physical and recreational activities are supported to “really stick to what Judge Bennett put forward, because he's the backbone of this whole Foundation.”
How Can We Help?
There are a variety of ways that we, as a community, can support the BACH Foundation and ensure it’s continued success and service to the people of rural Albert County.
One, is to consider sitting on their board of directors and being a part of the decision making and guidance of the projects and programs. There are also volunteer opportunities from time to time, so reach out to the Foundation directly, or a Board Member, and ask how you can assist!
Another way to support the organization is through donations, which come in all shapes and sizes. Because the BACH Foundation is a registered charitable organization, it is able to provide income tax receipts.
When a loved one passes on, making the Bennett and Albert County Healthcare Foundation a charity of choice as a memorial donation or an estate contribution is an excellent way to leave a lasting memory of your loved one. “It’s important to recognize that there are individuals in our community who have bequeathed funds to the Foundation over the years and we're very appreciative and grateful” says Bob.
BACH has newly developed Appreciation Cards wherein you can donate in honour of a family, friend, or neighbour to say, “thank you”, “I appreciate you”, or at any time of the year instead of giving gifts. To donate to the Foundation in their honour is a great way extend appreciation for a friend or community member for something special that they've done for you or the community.
You can donate by using the donate button on their website or by filling out the donation card found in Connecting Albert County and returning it to the Health Centre or Foundation by mail.
There's also the opportunity of purchasing monthly Rafflebox 50/50 tickets. Tickets are only $2 and can be purchased by visiting www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/bachcf
Phyllis also reminds that even if you aren’t able to donate, it helps to just “get out there and let people know who we are and what we're raising the funds for!”
Community Recognition
As we wrap up our conversation, I wanted to give Bob and Phyllis an opportunity to speak their mind on anything we hadn't discussed. They both very quickly spoke to the contributions of community members who have served on their Board of Directors in years prior, which set them up for success now.
Bob early on mentions Warren Williams, who was on the board for 18 years and sat as Chairperson. Phyllis mentions the service of Harley Tingley who was Chairperson during the transition of the Hospital Foundation all the way to the Health Care Foundation in more current form. Both individuals are spoken of highly as folks who went over and above and provided guidance throughout times and seasons where difficult changes took place. Both Bob and Phyllis offer “public recognition and thanks” for everything that those two have done.
Bob also makes special mention of the relationship between Connecting Albert County/the editors of the publication and the Foundation: “Whether it's been you, Melody, or Amanda, or Janet in the past for the support that you've provided the Foundation over the years. Even though we do contribute financially, a lot of our messaging can't get through without your support, so we're very appreciative of that.”
Final Thoughts
As I’ve sat and reflected on the conversation I’ve had with Bob and Phyllis, I take away a profound appreciation for the work of the Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation and it’s dedication to the foundational message of equality in healthcare from Judge Bennett combined with it’s ability to blend fiscal wisdom and responsibility, meet change with adaptability, and bring community together. The success of the organization, much like the success of our community, is rooted in the connections that we make. By supporting each other and organizations that support us, we build community, which is the ultimate act of healing and wellness.
To end with a quote from Phyllis which summarizes it well:
“For a small rural community, I think everybody should be proud of where we are.”
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