Dear Polly Sue:

I suggest you start with a thank you letter to the organizers.  As you
don't give us lactnetters any info on your niche in the breastfeeding
world of your locale, I don't have other specifics.  I do know that WIC
(at least in Lexington, KY, my home) is always happy to have helpers and
colleagues in the various other breastfeeding-related venues in a
locality.  So, if you work in a hospital, are a LLL leader, are in the
local Chamber of Commerce, your assistance would probably be helpful.
If you knew any of the other folks at the luncheon
personally/professionally, you might call them up and ask them what they
think about starting a coalition.

Coalitions work when they have specific issues to addresss -- no one
wants to get together and just hash over old stuff all the time.  Are
there specific breastfeeding-related issues in your area?  Doctor
problems?  Ins. co. problems?  Lack of Support problems?  If you can
identify a couple, and others do too, that would help to kindle the
coalescence of a coalition.  Think about who potential leaders might be
(due to their status in an organization, possibly) and talk with them
about it.

Good Luck!
--Doraine Bailey, MA
Breastfeedign support services
Lexington-Fayette Co. (KY, USA) health dept.

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