WALC Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants

　

Minutes for WALC meeting of Friday, January 18, 2008

Ruth Sweet, WALC secretary

Host: Columbia-St. Mary’s Hospital, Milwaukee

Weather Announcements: If we need to make announcements about dangerous travel conditions causing changes in the meeting time or date, it will be posted on the web site by 6:30 am the day of the meeting.

Routine meeting schedule: We have changed how we organize our meeting days. The meeting will begin at 9:30 am with introductions and announcements. The educational presentation will begin at 10:00, typically go to 11:30, and be followed by the business meeting from 11:30-12 or 12:30 as needed. Lunch and case sharing will continue after the business meeting is adjourned. We hope this makes it easier to attend the business meeting. This also allows for earlier departure when weather is a problem.

Educational Content: Jenny Thomas, MD, IBCLC gave a presentation on the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) protocol for the Hypotonic Baby. Her PowerPoint for this presentation will be available on the WALC website. You can also see the protocol on the ABM website. Jenny’s web site is at http://www.drjen4kids.com

We know that our WALC website needs improvement and eventually it will be better. In its present set-up it’s very difficult to work with and our webmaster is working hard to deal with it. Website: walc.net Our thanks to Stacy Comer, our webmaster.

　

Business Meeting: Called to order by Becky Krumwiede at 11:40 pm

The previous minutes were accepted as written. Whenever you notice problems with the minutes, please notify the secretary, Ruth Sweet ruthsweet@tds.net or one of the other officers.

Treasurer’s Report: Kathie Russell reported a treasury balance of about $10,000; conference monies are moving in and out. People who received money to attend the ILCA conference last year were reminded that they must provide documentation of conference expenses equal to the amount of the award they received. Members who do not provide documentation will not be eligible for future grants.

Program Committee: Please check our web site for updated information about programs.

We need sites for future meetings! Please contact Donna Bisbee if you can offer a place for our meetings. Remember how much easier it will be for people in your location to attend a meeting when travel time is minimized. WALC officers are responsible for arranging speakers, food costs and other arrangements, all you need to provide are the rooms.

Membership Committee: There are currently 171 members. Renewals are due on March 1 and can be included with your conference registration, or use the membership form on the web site.

WALC has a yahoo listserv: Contact Ruth Sweet or you can ask for membership at Yahoo.

If you are not on this listserv you may miss out on important new information on the status of our breastfeeding-support political activities.

Conference Committee: If you need additional conference materials, go to our website. CME’s are available this year for the first time; be sure and let your MD and PA associates know about this. The hotel rooms are filling up quickly--be sure you have your room reservation.

Scholarships Committee: Currently no applicants. Information is on the website

Mothers Milk Association of Wisconsin: There will be a fund-raising raffle at the WALC conference. Please plan on buying some raffle tickets. The money will be used for operating expenses for MMAW.

MMAW is having an Annual Meeting in Verona on Feb 24. If you would like more information or an invite, please contact Ruth Sweet.

Legislation: go to http://www.legis.state.wi.us to find your representatives. The Breastfeeding Bill is being held up in committee.

United States Lactation Consultants Association (USCLA): Winnie has been involved with this group. Terminology changes: USLCA is an affiliate of ILCA, WALC is a chapter. We may have future help with our website and already have less expensive liability coverage. There are positions available, please volunteer. Licensure for LC’s is being discussed. LC staffing requirements are also being discussed

Elections: for WALC secretary and president are now being held. These are 2-year terms. Last call for additional candidates was offered. The ballots are enclosed.

Ruth was thanked for her past four years of service as Secretary, as well as appreciation for her many previous years of service.

Content and distribution of Minutes: Minutes will continue to be mailed to those who need this method but we encourage you to arrange for electronic delivery to save on our mailing costs and to reduce the impact on the environment. The education content of all meetings will be kept brief in the minutes but will be more completely available on the website. If you have no access to the internet and need a complete paper copy, please contact Sandy Testin. Special requests for a complete mailing will be honored. NOTE: Some of us have email services that treat bulk mailings as SPAM. These mailings are bounced back to Sandy and she then mails a paper copy. If this is happening to you, please make the appropriate change to your system so that your copy can be delivered via email.


New Business:

None

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 PM.