<<The premise that we should provide our expertise for free has great
potential for perpetuating the undervaluing of our profession in the same
way that the rationale behind which so called "women's work" has been
undervalued by many so-called modern societies. >>
Susan, I'm glad you brought this up. It is certainly a topic with which I
struggle. I have been a volunteer for most of my life, as a long time LLLL
(19 years), a zoo docent, a school volunteer, other things.
I have definitely felt the lack of respect from others, because I am "just a
volunteer." Doctors, mothers, whomever, ask me for information, and then
turn somewhere else because, "well, she's just a volunteer, what does she
know?" Not only in lactation, but even in the zoo field - I suddenly gained
status when I started getting paid as a zookeeper, even though I had just as
much education/expertise when I was a docent!
Additionally, to use volunteers as a dumping ground is using, indeed. Does
anyone remember when the "dry up drug" was taken off the market? The party
line in our local hospitals was, "Call LLL, they'll tell you how to dry up
your milk." Good grief! I hated having to deal with new mothers who had no
intention of breastfeeding, were disgusted by it, and were bothered by that
nasty stuff coming out of their breasts - "How do I GET RID OF THIS!!"
Getting an influx of calls from mothers who rented pumps from a retail
store, well, that's irritating. I used to sell PIS, until Medela decided we
couldn't. Now someone else is getting a profit, and I'm still doing their
legwork? No thanks! And, no it wasn't much of a profit, and it was a LOT of
paperwork, but it was a "something." Why not have these mothers call Medela,
and have THEM teach them how to use the pump? Medela can hire LCs to give
correct information, after all, isn't that part of product service?
Lactation volunteers do indeed do this work because we love it. But, you
either thrive or get burned out. I suspect the onslaught of phone calls with
no "something" leads to burn out. The "something" doesn't have to be money,
but it should be someone who comes to a meeting, someone who is interested
in promoting your group, someone who at least calls back. Someone with a
hope of a future.
Looking at the typical LLLL, there are a number of 1-year volunteers. The
5-year volunteers, well, maybe not so many. 10-year? 20-year?? Do these
volunteers move on, or do they get burned out? When they thrive, they go on
for 10, 20 years, but burn out happens between 1-10 years.
I love being a LLL Leader, or I wouldn't do it. However, I also enjoy being
paid for the education I have attained, the expertise I have accrued, the
books I have to have to properly do what I do. Give me a local mother with
an issue we can work out, someone who has a connection to my community, any
day. I LOVE going to my local elementary schools, and spotting the former
breastfed babies who are now playing solos in talent contests, reading to
their classmates, running on the playground.
Best wishes,
Sam Doak
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