We have had very good luck being as inclusive as possible with our
Breastfeeding Coalition, which has met for more than five years, and
cooperated on a variety of projects.
We invited representatives of La Leche League, the local hospital,
WIC/Vermont Department of Health, home health agencies, pediatricians and
their office staff who were interested, lay midwives, naturopathic
practitioners, etc etc etc -- anyone we could think of in the local birthing
community.
Even if people done't show up for meetings, we send them copies of minutes
and ask for input on things.

The more people included, and who feel at least a bit vested, the more
you'll accomplish.  When we speak of people who hardly ever come to
meetings, we assume they are very busy (which they are!) but are still a
part of the coalition.  We honor any bit of time they can give us.

Over the years this has led to a variety of people working on lots of small
projects and some pretty big projects.  We rewrote hospital policy,
encouraged a new rental station at a local pharmacy, brought in a nationally
known speaker for an all-county breastfeeding training, had our own booklet
published, helped with a revamping of the designs and vision for the
hospital Birthing Center.......and more!

Definitely worth every unpaid minute I put into it -- the coalition
convinced "the powers that be" that breastfeeding was important and
marketable -- so now I get paid to go to all those meetings as part of my
(new and made up by us!) lc position.                      Dawn Kersula in
blustery Southern Vermont

PS  "Farewell to the Wet Nurse"  was a thought-provoking, well worth the
trip exhibit.  (Clark Institute of Art in Williamstown Massachusetts USA)
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