Jan,

I am sure that it is frustrating to try to get people to run for office (we
have a terrible time even on the state affiliate level.)  I do not mean to be
critical, but to put forth a different point of view.   I  think that, on the
whole, the ILCA membership feels little "ownership" of the organization.
 What I was trying to describe was a mechanism for the grassroots members to
make their voices known.

The following is an example of what I mean (I am making the entire thing up
for the sake of illustration...)  Let's say that ILCA decides to write a
strategic plan like the one OLCA wrote 2 years ago (goal setting for the next
5-10 years).  The Delegates (US, International, Pacific, etc.) would send out
a questionnaire to the affiliates they are responsible for.  The
questionnaire might list several areas that the BOD thinks are important and
ask for a ranking as well as input.  Then the ball is in the court of the
affiliate.  Either a comment is made, or not--the important thing is that the
affiliate members had an opportunity to participate.  The delegates would
then have a better idea of the issues that are of importance to their own
areas and would be able to better represent those people.  (In the case of
the US, the delegate might even make some sub-goals that would be appropriate
for the US affiliates to work toward through the regional reps.)  My
understanding of the current structure is that now the BOD would  go ahead
and make up the plan and announce it at the annual meeting which would be the
first time the members heard about it.

My experience as president of a large affiliate is that the members who do
care will speak up when offered the opportunity and that often the best ideas
come from the least likely sources.  Perhaps the US affiliate presidents need
to meet at ILCA to discuss US issues and brainstorm some communication links.

Again, my experience with the dietetic association is that there needs to be
 a mechanism for members to be alerted rapidly to act in grassroots types of
ways, especially since  health care and federal government are so volatile
right now. We have a hot line to call and regularly receive bulletins
alerting us to take action to contact our legislators.

Today, at the block grant hearing, we advocated for infant nutrition to be a
high priority and included in Ohio medicaid.  Most of us in the US especially
are not even aware of all the ways we can impact public policy.  ILCA needs
to help us do this. In May, we did receive a letter from Mary Grace to write
to our Senators.  We need more of that.

Perhaps I am dense, but, as affiliate president, I do not recall ever being
asked for the names and addresses of the affiliate officers.  In the dietetic
associations, forms are sent to the president to fill out annually.  We send
a copy of our newsletter to the US Delegate and our newsletter contains the
names of our officers on the masthead.  I guess I need to send you the names
and addresses of our current officers, huh?

Sorry to be so windy--the air is indeed thin up on the soapbox--I'll get down
so someone else can use it.

Martha Grodrian Brower RD LD IBCLC
Kettering, OH