I apologize for the mess of a last post ( new computer).  Let's hope this one is better!Even though I usually lurk, Betsy has inspired me to post.  In the last week or so I have spoken with 4 other LCs with 15 plus years experience and ALL of us are upset and disillusioned with the actions of the IBLCE board.  These LCs never post either.  I have a feeling there are hundreds of LCs who do not appreciate the fact that when they are practicing responsibly as they have been, they are now outside of the scope of practice and legally at risk.I have to wonder who is this Board and when did we give them the power to define and regulate our profession?  Three issues have come up that make me wonder if we might need another organization that more accurately represents the working lactation consultant.  These three issues demonstrate how out of touch the Board is.  Can we somehow reclaim ownership and representation of our field?  Would we really loose so much if we abandoned the designation "IBCLC" in favor of another title?  I don't think the title "IBCLC" is worth so much in my are (north of NY City).Here are the three issues:The new Scope of Practice- enough said!!!The Lower Credential- what's the motivation for this and who profit?  The IBCLC credential seems mighty tenuous to me- how about we work on that?Last but not least- the exam.  We started an initiative concerning recertification at the ILCA conference last summer.  The petitions were sent and NO RESPONSE.  I guess they were busy with other urgent matters ( see SOP above).  The cover letter read:"Attached are 18 pages of petitions signed by 261 lactation consultants at the 2006 ILCA conference.  The petition states:         We the under signed petition the IBLCE to permit IBCLCs who have passed the entry level exam 2 times to recertify every five years thereafter by CERPs or exam, as they choose.  We (Beth Shulman, Chonyi Glassman, and Beverly Solow, the originators of the petition) were surprised by how much support there is for a change of the IBLCE policy  on recertification.  The signatures were extremely easy to collect.  The response was overwhelmingly positive, with very few people declining to sign.  Many people on this signature list volunteered that they did not intend to take the exam a third time.  They also stated that after so many years of practice, not having IBCLC after their name will not affect their reputation in the community or their earning power.  This would mean that many of our most experienced lactation consultants will no longer call themselves IBCLC, nor will they pay the recertification fee.  PPLC and LACTNET participants expressed an interest in continuing a discussion of this issue on-line after the conclusion of the ILCA conference.We know that this is a complex issue.  There is certainly a need to require credentialed lactation consultants to remain current.  There are IBLBCs who abuse the current recertification process (by CERP or exam), who do not keep their knowledge up-to-date.  The IBLCE tried to address these issues several years ago, with inconclusive results.  The recommendation to eliminate the exam requirement (for consultants who have passed the exam twice) may not be the best way to address these complexities.  At the very least, the positive response to the petition argues that the IBLCE should open up this question for renewed discussion.Beverly Solow, who wrote to IBLCE expressing her own personal concerns about this subject back in February, never received a response.  This issue is too serious to ignore when so many lactation consultants are concerned about a meaningful recertification process.  We look forward to your response."The letter was signed by Beverly Solow, Beth Shulman, and Chonyi Glassman.  There has been no response as of 11/2/06.I for one would love more transparency concerning the make-up, responibilities and the decision-making process of the board.Respectfully-  Chonyi Glassman

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