On 10/15/05, Jeanette Panchula wrote:

>I have known various moms who insisted they wanted to be Leaders - start
>the process - and NOT be approved as Leaders.  Just because you WANT to be
>a Leader - does not make you a Leader.

I wanted to jump in here regarding the role of LLL and who is and is not
accepted as an LLL Leader.  I served a three-year term as LLL Associate
Coordinator of Leader Accreditation, helping moms become leaders, so I
wanted to share my knowledge on this topic.  

Applicants are required to complete a considerable amount of work, including
soul-searching correspondence; extensive background reading on pregnancy,
childbirth, lactation, parenting, and special situations; exploring and
becoming comfortable with all the resources available to LLL Leaders;
helping mothers by providing information and support without providing
advice; and of course the mechanics of leadership itself.

Sometimes as an applicant goes through this education and self-reflection,
they decide that leadership isn't a good fit and discontinue the
application.  Other leader applicants underestimate the time or energy it
takes to fulfill even the basic responsibilities of leadership.  Or maybe
the family situation changes, such as having another baby, moving to a new
area, a return to full-time work, or maybe even a divorce.

However it is not the responsibility or right of the Leader Accreditation
Department to decide who does and does not become a leader.  Rather it is
their responsibility to work together with the applicant to determine
whether or not leadership is right for her at that time.  Sometimes an
applicant will put an application on hold just until "the dust clears," or
she may decide to discontinue the application if her situation permanently
changes and she doesn’t foresee any room on her plate for leadership
anywhere in the future.

Even in the event that an applicant does not agree with all of the concepts
of LLL philosophy, the Leader Accreditation Department does not hold up the
big hand and say, "NO LEADERSHIP FOR YOU!"  If, for example, a mom chooses
to use spanking as the base of her discipline repertoire, it may be
difficult for her to offer only suggestions that are considered loving
guidance, as outlined in LLL philosophy.  Such bumps in the road only lead
to further dialogue to determine whether the applicant would feel
comfortable representing LLL and comfortably “walk the walk” while wearing
her leader hat.

I hope this helps clarify the role of the LLL Leader Accreditation Department.

Debbie Gillespie
LLLL, Tempe, AZ

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