As I read postings to LACTNET, it seems there is some confusion about the 
roles of IBLCE and ILCA.  IBLCE is our registering body and ILCA is our 
professional association.

IBLCE has a mandate to protect the public and ensure IBCLCs have been 
properly accredited.

ILCA, as our professional body, has a mandate to see to our concerns as 
professional lactation specialists.

I cannot be an IBCLC without IBLCE, but I can be an IBCLC without ILCA.

I have the same two types of organizational bodies as a registered nurse. 
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) certifies me as an RN and the 
Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) is my professional 
association.

CNO is the equivalent of IBLCE.  I could not be an RN without them.  The 
mandate of CNO is to protect the public, to describe my scope of practice, 
and to set the professional standards.  CNO's mandate is provided by the 
government.  If a member of the public complains (heaven forbid) about my 
work, then CNO is who I must face.

RNAO, like ILCA, is my professional body.  Membership is optional.  RNAO is 
there to promote and protect (I use these terms loosely) nurses and their 
concerns.  RNAO arranges educational initiatives, lobbies on the behalf of 
nurses and nursing, and provides counsel for many issues.

It would be very unusual for RNAO to presume to guide CNO.

When I read emails that seem equate ILCA with IBLCE, I wonder if the 
differences between their purposes are clear to the writer.  In the end, 
both are working to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, but they 
serve different purposes to this end.

Joy Noel-Weiss MScN RN IBCLC 

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET email list is powered by LISTSERV (R).
There is only one LISTSERV. To learn more, visit:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html