I have just returned from Orlando and the quarterly meeting of the
Florida Lactation Consultant Association (FlCA-yet another acronym).
Our board met on Fri pm---this is a tough group and you would think
that after four years I would become accustomed to "no sleep" and
the
overstimulation that comes from working with this "oh so talented and

dedicated crew", but alas, I slept until 11 am in an effort to
recover
from the experience.  I'm still cooking on overkill today.

Anyway, the new M...rep came to our meeting.  She proposed the M co
would
like to bring in a speaker who has recently received approval to be a

Medicaid provider, in an effort to assist Fl in achieving this status
for
LC's who wish to be paid for these services.  The M...co would
sponsor
the speaker, and guarantee that FLCA did not loose $$.  The M...co
asked
that someone else, ie FLCA do all the arrangements and that the M...
co
be the only sponsor/exhibitor exclusively.

Our board met privately at lunch prior to closing the meeting.  Much

discussion ensues with varying opionions on the offer.  It seemed
our
greatest concern was time and man power.  Given the fact that we
have
a conference coming up in May - 96- and since I  am program chair, I
suggested we counter offer.

I asked that M consider bringing the speaker in for a 1/2 day
presenta-
tion at the May event, and that M co would get their name in lights
and
be listed as the sponsor for the speaker.

I felt this was a viable alternative since we have no written policy
in
our by-laws, and the proposal made a lot of members uncomfortable.
The
board suggests that the issue go on the agenda for the Jan mtg and
out
for a vote to the gen membership.  We (the board) think it would be
in our best interest to adopt ILCA's policy, but found ourselves like

fish out of water having never been faced with this kind of issue in

our brief experience as an association.

I would like to receive comments for my organization.

I would also like to say that since our speaker cancelled on us, we
did
an impromtu forum, and discussed the Lacnet and some good cases.  One

member came with a full 3 ring binder of Lacnet digest, boasting that

this only represented 3 weeks of notes.  We all laughed, as those of
us
who are participating know how addictive this new behavior becomes.
I
was thinking of starting a self-help group for those who cannot
alter
their behavior patterns.  Like AA for Lactnet!

I went to a late mass today, since I slept in so late, and my
favorite
priest delivered the liturgy.  He spoke of our "throw away" society.
I
thought about his words, as they related to my personal life and as
they
relate to the mothers I serve.  I applied it to breastfeeding.  If it

does not work, toss it aside and pick up the bottle of the f-word.
If
you stop to think about it, that is what the F-ula companies
encourage
our mothers to to.

Also I thought about all the good work that LC's do, and what a
difference we can make in a mother's experience with feeding her new-

born.  I offered my communion in prayer for all of you.  God Bless!