Diane (and all),

I learned through painful experience ALWAYS to ask up front who was
sponsoring the program.  I've had to turn down some potentially lucrative
ones, and since, as you all know, LCs don't make megabucks, that's a bit
gulpy.  But, one does feel better for it in the end.  I think you have an
obligation, because you agreed to speak, to hold up your professional end of
the bargain.  But, you don't have to accept an honorarium from the formula
company. I can't remember from your post if that is the only place they are
getting money from -- is there a registration fee?  If there is, there should
be enough from that to cover your expenses & honorarium.  If not, then you
simply explain to the audience that you accepted the engagement before you
knew who the sponsors were; that you came to present anyway because you are a
professional, but because of your commitment to the WHO Code & bf, you will
not be accepting an honorarium.  That will speak volumes.  And, if lunch is
put on by M-J, you may want to brown bag it.

I recently spoke at the March of Dimes.  Huge conference, well over 600 in
attendance.  Most of it sponsored by M-J.  I made it clear that I would
accept no money from M-J, and wanted it known on the brochure that my
sponsorship would not be from M-J if they still wanted me to speak.  (On Baby
Friendly, at that).  Much to my delight, when I received the conference
brochure with my name on it, it said in big letters, "This speaker sponsored
by Medela".  The other speaker on bf, Angela Jacobi, also was sponsored by
Medela.  The big placard by the door of the room where I was to speak, gave
my name, title of the presentation, and "Sponsored by Medela" on it.  No
doubt left to anyone, though they may have wondered why.

Lisa, it is not your commitment to ILCA or to IBLCE that says you shouldn't
accept formula money; neither organization requires that from its members,
though ILCA requires it of it's board.  However, it is the individual LC's
commitment to the WHO Code that governs how we function in relationship to
this.

Hope that was clearer than mud.  Hugs to you, Diane!

Jan Barger -- in Wheaton where it is supposed to be 72 today!