For what it's worth (and I have not read all the posts on this, as I was in Minneapolis)...I ask that clients pay me according to my fee schedule, unless they are experiencing difficulties financially. Then I have a sliding scale. The sliding scale includes barter, baked goods, etc..but I do not work for nothing. I work for the pleasure of doing the work, but I also feel that it is important to be compensated for my professional work in some form, even if that means it's a small amount of money. This is fair to me, and fair to the client, and helps me set a good example for my three daughters, who watch me and take their cues from me. Honest work for honest pay is a good model in my book. Sliding scales fit into this picture. Volunteering services on a steady basis is not something that I can personally afford. I have not ever turned someone down for lack of ability to pay...as I said, it is an arrangement that is made between the client and myself. Kathleen Kathleen B. Bruce, BSN, IBCLC co-owner Lactnet, Indep. Consultant http://together.net/~kbruce/kbbspin.html LACTNET Archives http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/lactnet.html *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html