The History of East Central District
At a meeting of the Michigan Association of Hospital Auxiliaries held at St. Luke's Hospital (Saginaw) June 3, 1953, a committee, headed by Mrs. Norris Coalwell, was formed to draw up a slate of officers, constitution, and bylaws for the establishment of the East Central District Council. This meeting was the early planning stage of the East Central District. It was felt that more people could attend meetings by district rather than having to travel so far for state meetings.
On September 30, 1953, at St. Luke's Hospital (Saginaw), Mrs. Charles Sprinkle, President of the State Association, installed the following slate of officers:
President
Mrs. Norris Coalwell, Midland
President Elect
Mrs. Russell Foley, Flint
1st Vice President
..Mrs. W.A. Schaefer, Port Huron
3rd Vice President
Mrs. William Rehmus, Bay City
Secretary
...Mrs. R.D. Freeman, Midland
Treasurer
..
Mrs. Robert George, Saginaw
Charter member hospitals were:
Hubbard Memorial
..Bad Axe
Marlette Community
..Marlette
McLaren General
..Flint
St. Luke's
.Saginaw
Yale Community..
...Yale
Port Huron General
Port Huron
Mercy
Bay City
Midland Hospital
Midland
A constitution and bylaws were adopted at that meeting, and the East Central District was formally established.
By 1991, the membership had grown to include the auxiliaries of 25 hospitals. Annual dues of $35 per auxiliary were assessed. Later the dues were raised to $50, where they currently remain. The number of auxiliaries has decreased to 23.
The East Central District conducts four general meetings each year. The East Central District Board of Directors consists of nine members. The officers are as follows:
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Vice President of Membership
Vice President of Legislation
Vice President of Bylaws
Vice President of Public Relations and Historian
Counselor