Some suggestions based on our experience herein Edmonton:
-- reply with a request that they clarify their policy on this issue -
"training to ensure staff are prepared to handle any situation" doesn't
really outline what their policy actually is. Ask if the policy is in
writing, and ask they plan to communicate it on an ongoing basis to staff
and to patrons once their initial retraining effort is complete.
-- consider asking them make the policy public (through welcoming signs)
-- consider that there will likely be other women who have also experienced
problems. You may wish to publicly congratulate the city on their
progressive policy and encourage other public facilities to adopt a similar
stance. The letter gives you an opening as the facilities manager has
expressed an interest in a positive outcome: " If we are to draw any sort
of positive from this unfortunate incident, it is that we can hopefully
prevent another such occurrence, not only in our pools, but all our
programs and facilities." Publicizing the fact that city pools welcome
breastfeeding mothers would be one positive thing that can come out of the
incident.
We held a news conference outside our City Hall (where there is a public
wading pool) to announce that city facilities had made changes in order to
welcome breastfeeding mothers. (There are links to the media advisory we
used to get reporters to cover the event, and the news release we sent out
afterward - follow the links at http://www.edmontonbreastfeeds.org)
We received a lot of positive coverage and women in our city became more
aware that they are welcome to breastfeed at our city's pools - I know this
because I have since met some of them!
-- Jodine Chase
On 8/28/03 1:47 PM, "Lyla Wolfenstein" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> here is the response email i received today from the pool where my friend
> was harrassed. thanks to everyone who gave input. What would you all
> suggest in terms of follow -up with this? And what are general feelings
> about a peaceful nurse-in - confrontational or positive exposure?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Lyla Wolfenstein, IBCLC
>
>>> Lyla:
>>>
>>> I thank you for alerting us to the situation that transpired on August
>>> 20, 2003, in which ______was asked by staff not to breastfeed her child
>>> at the Jim Parsley Center pool. On behalf of Vancouver / Clark Parks &
>>> Recreation, please extend my sincere apology to Miriam. Our aquatic and
>>> lifeguard staff receive extensive and thorough training to ensure they
>>> are prepared to handle any situation that should arise at the pool.
>>> However, it is evident from this incident that our training has fallen
>>> short in this area and will be immediately addressed. Please be assured
>>> that steps have and will be taken to ensure all staff is aware and
>>> knowledgeable of this subject. Additionally, training will not only apply
>>> to aquatics staff, but facility and program staff as well. If we are to
>>> draw any sort of positive from this unfortunate incident, it is that we
>>> can hopefully prevent another such occurrence, not only in our pools, but
>>> all our programs and facilities. I appreciate you offers of training and
>>> related literature, however, the City does have the resources and will
>>> provide the training internally.
>>>
>>> I sincerely hope that this unfortunate incident does not deter Miriam
>>> from enjoying Vancouver / Clark Parks & Recreation's many pools, parks
>>> and facilities. We would like to encourage Miriam to again, join us, by
>>> offering her some "Free Swim Passes." I can either forward these passes
>>> to you or, if you could provide contact information for Miriam, I can
>>> send them to her directly. Once again, my apologies. If you have any
>>> additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Andy Meade
>>> Andy Meade
>>> Recreation Supervisor
>>> Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation
>>> P.O. Box 1995
>>> Vancouver, WA 98668-1995
>>> (360) 696-8022
>>> Fax (360) 696-8157
>>> <www.vanclarkparks-rec.htm>www.vanclarkparks-rec.org
>>>
>>> cc: Dave Miletich - Recreation Manager
>>> James Fields - Aquatics Coordinator
>>
>> Lyla Wolfenstein
>> [log in to unmask]
>
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