Your data-base would be quite extensive to list all the members world-wide and I think it would probably serve about the same purpose as a world-wide list of elders. HLC members are presented as «highly trained professional health care specialists and consultants» but are simply elders chosen among those who have a flexible work schedule (pioneers, retirees or self-employed « janitors »). These brothers are «nominated» by their c.o. and the d.o. approves the appointment. Usually they are already known to, and used, by higher brass (assembly responsibilities, special comittees, etc....good «servants» in other words) The newly appointed HLC member’s training includes reading all the society approved documentation and following around a more experienced member. Then he is ready to meet the doctors and tell them how to operate on J.W. patients.
HLC’s are established in most major cities. Local HLC meetings are held as needed to discuss Society policy and material, cases, new treatment and expenses. There is a presiding elder and secretary for each committee. The presiding elder coordinates efforts while the secretary looks after paperwork and accounts. Periodically the local committees are assembled to attend across-country seminars organized to review medical treatment available and watch video interviews of cooperative doctors. These seminars feature speakers who deal with crisis’s nationwide and are involved in preparing the literature for the HLC’s and the doctors, medical teams and hospitals that cooperate. While some of the speakers are experienced HLC members from large cities, most are introduced as being Bethelites living in Bethel or in apts. « looked after» by Bethel. I remember one speaker named Denis Charland (from the Toronto, Canada area perhaps) and I believe he mentioned he was involved in the writing dept.
Local elders have a Society list of HLC members. I can’t recall if it is state-wide or country-wide (sorry I can’t check for you). HLC members have a binder which includes a country-wide listing of comittees and members by major center (city). Many hospitals (patient services) have lists, provided by the HLC, of members in their area. Any hospital specializing in non-blood surgery could probably provide you with a number of contacts.
Getting to know who wrote what in the Society’s blood documentation would I think, be the equivalent of knowing who wrote which particular W.T article.
