As I read Ellen's post I thought about my own and others who have posted
here as well as on other groups I am on and on facebook, and the many
discussions I have seen and been a part of over the years in regards to not
only LLLI but IBLCE and other organizations.  The discussions have gone from
being happy with to disillusioned by the Parent organization for many
reasons with the latter being more par for the course the last few years.

While I see Ellen's point about two sides to every story, and that perhaps
such a public forum may not be the best place to discuss the situation, I
will have to respectfully disagree with her because all those discussions I
have been a part of in the past have one very common theme:

The big wigs are NOT Listening to their members.  

I believe that if these organizations were actually listening to their
member's people would not feel a need to vent more publicly.  And the sad
fact is that people are NOT feeling heard.  With both IBLCE and LLLI my
concerns and complaints have been blown off and dismissed out of hand -
people and children were being put at risk in regards to a situation with
our LLL group, and a serious case of fraud occurred in regard to IBLCE.
These situations were quite important, were valid concerns and were actually
listed as situations to bring to light to the bigwigs.  But to be blown off
and dismissed?  My example is just one of hundreds if not thousands...We are
NOT being heard.

I believe that when people are not being heard when they speak they get mad.
When you follow proper channels and fill out the right forms, cross the t's
and dot the i's and then are dismissed or not even acknowledged, you get
angrier, and rightfully so.  So you speak louder and louder and if you are
still not heard - finally resort to screaming to be heard.  I suggest that
there are many of us who are 'screaming' here on Lactnet (I know I have!) in
order to be heard - not only by our organizations, but also by the people in
our communities what we know are on LN...   Many have asked about IBLCE -
'Are they on LN listening to this??'

Lastly - I believe this is a perfect place to 'scream' because if no one
knows what is going on - how can we make a difference?  LLLI and IBCLE and
others would probably be more than happy if people didn't speak about the
inner workings of their organizations (you know, their inability to listen)
or what was going on in the grand scheme of big business.  And if they were
listening - and paying attention and making sure that their member's felt
heard, addressed their concerns and were happy there would be no need for
anyone to 'scream'.  Sadly - there clearly is a need.  And the 'screaming'
interestingly enough is saying the same thing...it's not that there are 25
different complaints being hollered about - it's the same complaints from
multiple people - around the world.

As someone who not been heard for most of her life, I know what it is to
need to scream to be heard.  It isn't fun - it isn't right.  And it should
NOT be happening in our organizations - especially ones that talk about and
promote:  Listening.

Warmly,
Jaye

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM
Breastfeeding Network
Sacramento, CA
www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

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