With all due respect, Ellen.  This issue here is not about money per
se.  I personally ran a for-profit lactation private practice very
successfully for 10 years.  I am not against making money or a company
earning profits.  I just don't want profits made to the detriment of
breastfeeding, which is why the Code exists.

To me the central issue is the ILCA Board's choice to disregard the
advice of Code experts when determining its exhibit hall practices.  The
way it stands now, ILCA bars one company (Medela) from exhibiting for
Code violations but allows another (Lansinoh) to exhibit because the
Code violations are by its parent company.  This is especially
problematic because the national and international Code experts ILCA
consulted (NABA in the US and the International Code Documentation
Centre in Penang Malaysia) made it clear that in their expert opinion
both of these companies are Code violators.

The ILCA Board says it has the right to make its own decisions *in
consultation with* the Code experts while making it clear it doesn't
have to follow their guidance.  The problem with this is, as Marsha
pointed out, it that ILCA's current exhibit hall policy is essentially a
disincentive for a parent company to continue to meet its obligations
under the Code, which is one reason Evenflo reverted back to becoming a
Code violator.

At ILCA's 2008 conference, its then-President Becky Mannel told me that
ILCA decided to change its exhibit hall and advertising practices
because of Evenflo's actions.  She said they realized after Evenflo's
transformation that the Code was meant to be a change agent.
Unfortunately, in this case ILCA's decision to apply the Code according
to its own rules rather than those of the international experts also
helped precipitate change...only this time against the best interests of
breastfeeding.

Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA
Now-independent, commercial-free lactation consultant
Arlington Heights, IL
For my personal back story on this issue, see:
http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2011/7/7/my-new-industry-free-life.html

I really feel that I have to jump in here, because reading Karleen's
post made me think. Having run a non-profit organization all these years
(til this year when I closed the non-profit and just continue running
the clinic the same, but supposedly (not yet) as a possible profit
making venture!!(which we all know will probably not be!) I can really
appreciate the need for sponsorships, advertising and cooperation and
any bit of financial help an organization can get in order to fulfil its
mission. Also being an ex member of the Board of Directors of LLLI, we
also came across the same types of dilemmas. I personally think there is
a big difference between formula companies (I AM aware of the WHO
stance, but also believe that NOTHING is beyond revision and a lot of
dynamics have been occuring over the past 20-30 years)and bottle and
pump manufacturers. I also know that one by one nearly all of our
possibilities are burnt, and slowly but surely non-profits who are at
risk anyways, due to the hard economic times, are suffering even more
so. Lets also add to the mix, the fact that all of our missions, ILCA,
IBLCE, LLLI, and all of those great non-profits promoting parenting and
breastfeeding in particular all over the world are attractive ONLY TO
US> and not to the greater public. we are limited no matter how many
pump companies will become non-compliant or compliant again. we have
given up hundreds of thousands of hard earned dollars after working to
build commercial relationships over the years, and even though some of
you might be disgusted by the sound of "money", unfortunately that money
is not growing on trees ourside our windows. There are ways to make up
the difference...........believe it or not, if we would all Support our
own organizations and give support to those around us, believe me, that
in itself would make a huge difference. I find it very disheartening
when we all jump down ILCA's throat (fill in LLLI, or any one else)_or
accepting exhibition fees and advertising (which I believe is very very
different from accepting sponsorship and perks) yet how many of us ARE
paid up members of ILCA? or LLLI? or ok, you don't want to be a member?
then at least an annual donation. No one else is going to help us stay
in the game, and if we want to have conferences, or be present at fairs
and be seen, it all takes that dirty "money". I have heard all too often
- well, what do I get from paying my dues, what do I get from supporting
the organization? we are all in it together and that is what we do. like
a family. we all have to support each other. If every IBCLC would join
ILCA (or LLLLeader would pay up their dues) I am sure there might be
less pressure and financial strife. and OF COURSE I AM NOT AIMING THIS
AT ALL THOSE WHO DO SO MUCH AND DO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS.and of
course this is not aimed at Karleen, she just got me realizing that many
are not ILCA members. That goes without saying. we are all too quick to
criticize without coming up with a plan B. please no flames.

             ***********************************************

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