Endowment Membership at South County Health: An Investment in Our Future – And Yours

South County Health’s Endowment Membership honors individuals who have made a meaningful and lasting commitment to advancing high-quality, community-based healthcare in Southern Rhode Island. Members of this society are not only generous supporters — they are valued partners who help shape the future of our health system.

As we realign and revitalize this important body in accordance with our bylaws, we want to be clear: the Endowment Membership is a forward-looking, mission-driven group of individuals who believe in the enduring importance of exceptional local healthcare. While past communications may have caused confusion or concern — especially around membership terms and recent changes — we are committed to transparency, stewardship, and growth.

What’s New and What to Know

Endowment Membership terms are four years, with no automatic renewal, as outlined in our bylaws. Many past members’ terms had expired — some without notification due to administrative gaps, especially during the pandemic. We sincerely apologize for this lapse.

In 2025, we began updating and right sizing the membership in alignment with governance standards. This included notifying past members whose terms had expired and inviting new candidates through a formal nomination process.

Being a member of the Endowment is not just an honor — it’s a responsibility. Members are expected to participate actively, represent South County Health positively, and support the organization both financially and through advocacy.

Interested in Membership?

If you were previously a member or are a donor interested in becoming part of this committed group, we welcome your engagement. Each year, the Governance and Development Committee reviews nominations and recommendations for new and returning members who demonstrate support for our mission and commitment to the following responsibilities:

If you would like to be considered for nomination in 2026, and adhere to the responsibilities of a member listed above, you can request consideration HERE. Nominations and recommendations will be provided tot the Board of Trustees through the Governance and Development Committee in early Spring for donors that meet the ongoing requirements for membership.

Your continued belief in our mission ensures that South County Health remains Rhode Island’s Most Trusted Health Partner for generations to come.

Endowment Membership Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Did the current South County Health (SCH) leadership, led by Chairman Joe Matthews, purge over 500 long-standing members of the Endowment and replacing them with 120 handpicked individuals?

Answer: No, unfortunately, over many years, particularly through the Pandemic, South County Health has not consistently managed its Endowment membership list with the level of diligence required. This year, as we work to secure the organization’s future through a potential strategic partnership, it became necessary to update our membership records and bring our membership into proper alignment with the organization’s bylaws, including terms of four years without automatic renewal.

Regrettably, many donors were not aware that their terms had expired or were set to expire at the 2025 Annual Meeting, leading to the mistaken belief that they remained active members. We recognize that South County Health should have communicated more clearly and proactively over the years regarding the responsibilities of membership, the nomination process, and term expirations. For this, we sincerely apologize.

Question: Were members whose terms had expired or about to expire removed because past board chairs and Save South County Hospital (SSCH) called for a “Special Members Meeting” where they planned to have these members elect new, independent trustees?

Answer: Notifications to members whose terms had expired or were about to expire were sent out on January 28, 2025, while communication of the event SSCH planned to hold was communicated on or around March 19, 2025.

Please note, SSCH withdrew their effort to hold a “South County Healthcare System Endowment Meeting” or “Special Members Meeting” on May 31 after South County Health unfortunately had to seek legal intervention and third-party (judge) validation to ensure clarity for the community that SSCH did not have the authority to call an official meeting, amend Endowment bylaws, or elect new board members – despite previous public claims to the contrary. 

Question: Why are there only 120 current members?

Answer: As notifications were sent to members whose terms had expired or were about to expire, we also reached out to over 347 individuals with invites as part of our nomination and recommendation process for 2025. In total, 120 of those donors accepted nominations and were approved by the Board of Trustees.

As we implemented the required process this year, it created the unfortunate impression that we were significantly reducing the number of members. That is not and has never been our intention. Over the next three years, our number of members will grow, but the process – one that includes staggered elections – will ensure that no more than approximately one-quarter of membership terms expire in a given year.

Understandably, not everyone who is invited will feel it is the right time to accept the invitation. It is our expectation that there will be ongoing growth of the membership in accordance with the bylaws, including the re-election of individuals who have previously served.

Question: Did SCH have over 800+ members at one point back in 2018?

Answer: Yes, in 2018, there were 873 members, with 2021 being the last year that new members were invited or renewed. In 2024, there were actually only 151 active members with their membership expiring this past year. As membership terms are four years, regrettably, many donors were not aware that their membership terms had expired. We recognize that South County Health should have communicated more clearly and proactively over the years regarding the responsibilities of membership, the nomination process, and term expirations. For this, we sincerely apologize.

Over the next three years, our number of members will grow, but the process – one that includes staggered elections – will ensure that no more than approximately one-quarter of membership terms expire in a given year.

Question: I was previously a member, but was notified that my term had expired. How can I be a member again?

Answer: Membership requires both invitation and acceptance of the roles and responsibilities outlined below, as determined by the Board’s Governance and Development Committee:

  • Support the SCH Board of Trustees and management through endorsement of Board-approved organizational objectives, commitment to the mission statement, lending of expertise when requested, and participating in board-sanctioned legislative or regulatory processes that positively influence the future of healthcare.
  • Support either through contribution, attendance, or both, SCH special events and other programs.
  • Contribute financially in a meaningful way to SCH annually.
  • Positive ambassador of South County Hospital Healthcare System, either in written, electronic, verbal, or any other manner, for Board-approved organizational direction and objectives.
  • Communicate positively and constructively with both SCH and the community about the System and healthcare.
  • Promote new programs and services of South County Hospital Healthcare System as well as specified preventative healthcare measures in the community (e.g., robotic surgery, service line programs, and the importance of immunization).

If you would like to be considered for nomination in 2026, and adhere to the responsibilities of a member listed above, you can request consideration HERE. Nominations and recommendations will be provided to the Board of Trustees through the Governance and Development Committee in early Spring for donors that meet the ongoing requirements for membership.