I was asked by Amy Spangler, President of ILCA, to post this answer
addressed to Kathleen Auerbach concerning the ILCA Ballot.

Dear Kathleen:

I would like to respond to your recent post on LACTNET.  If you will
review your copy of the January/February 1997 ILCA Globe, you will note
that US Delegate, Beth Stathes resigned as a result of a personal
crisis.  According to the Bylaws of the Association, all vacancies may
be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, with the
exception of the office of President-Elect and President.
Recommendations for candidates for the position of US Delegate were
solicited from the Regional Representatives as well as former US
Delegates.  Mary Grace Lanese, the most recent US Delegate, agreed to
serve in an interim capacity until a qualified candidate could be
appointed.  This was done in the interest of assuring ongoing
representation of all US members during a critical time period involving
the USDA Breastfeeding Promotion Program.  I am pleased to announce that
Hitesh Bakshi, RD, IBCLC will complete the unexpired term.

As a US member, I disagree with your assertion that US members have been
disenfranchised.  Reflecting the fact that 84% of the members are US
citizens, the 1997 Bylaws, approved by the members and awaiting several
minor revisions prior to implementation, call for the assignment of two
delegates to the US region rather than one.  In view of the recent
financial crisis, election of delegates in those regions currently
represented by the International delegate and a second US delegate will
be phased in as the financial recovery permits.

I find your comments concerning the preponderance of nurses on the
ballot irresponsible. Qualified candidates are not recruited on the
basis of professional affiliation.  They are recruited on the basis of
certification as an IBCLC, membership in the Association, and a
willingness to share their time and talent.  I do not categorize members
as nurses, non-nurses, dieticians or physicians, but as lactation
consultants and breastfeeding advocates.  ILCA's stated mission is the
promotion of lactation consultants worldwide.  If this mission is to be
accomplished, we must present ourselves as a cohesive unit.  Until we
view ourselves as lactation consultants rather than nurses or
non-nurses, how can we expect parents and professionals to change their
perception?

I am well aware of the countless hours put in by the Nominating
Committee in an effort to solicit qualified candidates, representative
of the entire membership.  A call for nominations appeared in the
September/October and November/December issues of the ILCA Globe.  In
addition, a volunteer form, Opportunity Knocks! ILCA Needs You!  was
distributed at the 1996 ILCA Conference and appeared in the ILCA Globe.
The goal of the Nominating Committee was to present two qualified
candidates for each position.  The fact that this goal was not met was
not for lack of effort.  Without the cooperation of the membership,
there is a limit to what the Board and the Nominating Committee can
accomplish.  Active participation in the Association is a privilege and
a responsibility.  I encourage you to identify where your talents might
appropriately be applied to the benefit of ILCA and lactation
consultants.

Sincerely,
Amy Spangler
President