Margery Wilson's idea is wonderful.  Have practicums running before, during,
or after conferences.  Get some of the experienced lcs to develop some
hands-on or small group kinds of presentations and get the clinicals going.

I want to comment upon the mentor concept.  I have mentored 4-5 people
rather formally.  None for pay.  Please don't think my next comments crass.
I don't really know how to say it except to say it.  Since I've done this
mentoring, there is now an expectation that I will continue to do it, that I
have some obligation to say yes when asked, and that I will continue to be
available to do this at no charge because as one woman said to me "Its good
for the profession for you to assist me." It is a lot of work to do this,
and causes many disruptions of my practice.  I don't want to do it all the
time -- esp. when there are relatively few benefits for me. This individual
plans to open a private practice and will essentially be in competition with
me for clients and other business.  When I discussed payment for becomming
her instructor, there was some ill feeling about it.  As much as I want to
teach and share, there are some practical considerations which make
mentoring without some professional guidelines rather risky.  I think a set
of written guidelines about how such relationships should be organized,
priced and administered would be another valuable service our BOD could
facilitate.  Or whatever. Has anyone else got any feelings about these issues?

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html