WALC
Wisconsin Association of Lactation Consultants
Minutes for WALC meeting of Friday, September 21, 2007
Ruth Sweet, WALC secretary
Host: Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay
Thanks to Brown County Breastfeeding Coalition and Aurora for hosting.
Other educational events upcoming:
Nils Bergman will be in MN on Oct 13.
Nancy Mohrbacher will be at the LLL conference in Waukesha on Oct 27.
WIC conference will be in Appleton June 23-25, 08
Educational Content:
Reports from those who received money from WALC to attend the ILCA conference in San Diego in August. Anne Altshuler, Winnie Mading, Marcia Barritt, Jenny McAllister, and Becky Krumwiede gave reports. One page synopses are attached.
Business Meeting
Called to order by Becky Krumwiede
The previous minutes were accepted as written. Whenever you notice problems with the published minutes, please notify the secretary, Ruth Sweet, or one of the other officers.
Treasurer’s Report:
Kathy Russell reports that we have about $13,000 in our account. We requested that a summary of treasury activity be reported in the minutes yearly.Program Committee
: Next meeting: Madison, Meriter.Someone from the UW Cleft Palate Team will speak
notice (Especially you who usually cannot attend)
can you host a meeting? Maybe it would be easier to attend a meeting if it was near you. Maybe your facility can host or maybe a local library or bank could provide meeting space. We want to move around the state, but meetings tend to be hosted by those who regularly attend meetings. If you can’t come, let us know if we can do anything to make it possible. And volunteer, please. Contact Donna Bisbee she will help you through the process. donnaibclc@wi.rr.comAfter discussion, we decided to move the locations more than we have the last several years. Next year, the ILCA reports will not occur in Green Bay and the Clinic Day will move also.
Another notice directed at those who usually don’t attend meetings
A number of good topic suggestions came from the group at the meeting, but Donna would like to have more. Please send her your suggestions for meeting topics you’d like hear, and if you know of someone who would make a good speaker, please let her know. If you need any reminder of past topics, please look at our web site.
www.walc.netConference Committee:
Pat Gima reported on the three wonderful people who will speak at our Spring conference in Appleton next year on March 13 &14: James McKenna, Catherine Watson-Genna and Lisa Brock. New this year: CME’s will be available as well as CERP’s and CPEU’s.A poster for your facilities will be available fairly soon. The postcard tickler will go out shortly. The conference brochure will be available on the website by early December and mailed after the holidays.
Membership Committee:
Sandy Testin reported 170 members. Sandy is concerned that a few people are not receiving email reports. Some have bounced back, some may be lost in space. Please check and talk to your friends who should be receiving reports.Scholarship Committee:
We accept applications for people who need financial help to attend ILCA, paying for the certifying exam, and for education requirements for taking the exam. Applicants need to be WALC members and attend meetings. Requirements and applications are on our website.Association Updates:
Many WALC members are not members of our professional organization. When you join ILCA (International Lactation Consultant Association), you also become a member of USLCA (United States Lactation Consultant Association). One of the benefits the USLCA provides is affordable liability insurance. Becky will be using their resources to update our bylaws. ILCA is reorganizing so that they are truly international and USCLA will deal with the US issues which are not relevant for other countries. You can link to the USLCA’s website from ILCA’s website
www.ilca.org for more information.Political Updates:
As soon as the Legislature completes the budget that was due in July, normal business will resume and we might have Breastfeeding support bills in both houses. There will be notices on the WALC list serve. Sign up by contacting Ruth if you are not now part of the list serve. There is usually only a few days notice or less when a hearing is scheduled.New Business
New Officers for next year:
Becky is willing to continue as president, but we prefer two candidates. Ruth’s term as Secretary is up, so we are looking for volunteers to run for this office. The Secretary is responsible for taking minutes at Board meetings and WALC general meetings, and helping with decision-making as part of the WALC Board. Please contact Carol Cox if you are interested in running for either position. bcox@wi.rr.comMothers’ Milk Association of Wisconsin
(MMAW): is looking for volunteers and financial support. Help is needed to--organize a Silent Auction
write a short newsletter to keep in touch with donors and volunteers
lobby for legislation that would authorize the use of donor milk
help increase awareness of the importance of human milk to both lay people and to health care providers.
Contact Ruth Sweet for more information.
ruthsweet@tds.netILCA’s Sister Program:
ILCA is looking for groups to sponsor individuals that are interested in lactation but are unable to join ILCA due to inadequate finances. Paired groups are encouraged to communicate. Last year individuals from South Africa, Pakistan and Malawi were sponsored. Cost is $110 each. Pat Gima moved, seconded by Winnie Mading, that WALC sponsor two individuals for 2008. Motion carried.