>Judy Knopf started the thread by writing:
>Since ILCA by name purports to be an international association, it >should recognize that the world is a much larger place than North >America, even though most of the members are from North America and >even though most of the members are IBCLCs.
This is one of my greatest frustrations, too, probably because the
Jelliffes, as my mentors, would ever so gently point out that 80% of the
world's children live in countries where healthcare may often be
provided by village workers (so-called barefoot doctors) if at all. Most
will never see an MD, let alone an IBCLC. In fact, in this great country
of the USofA, most women already don't see an IBCLC. Yet the LLLI has a
stellar track record, as already mentioned, proving that one needn't be
a) an RN, MD or other HCP, b) college-trained (and certainly not at the
Master's level as some would have it) or c)IBCLC to be of extremely good
benefit to moms and babies and the success and duration of
breastfeeding. It is good to have a profession, to organize information
and research, to provide for establishment of theory, train HCPs, etc,
but not at the expense of our peers and certainly not at the expense of
the very persons we aim to serve. There is plenty of room for all of us
to serve bf moms, at all our various levels of expertise. Frankly, it is
not a good use of my training in the "weird and wonderful, wild and
wacky" problems of bfing to consult on the 80% of "ususal and customary"
problems which the LLL handles so well. It is similar in analogy to the
midwife/obstetrician turf-war. Both turf-wars are so unnecessary (IMHO).
May I also say that, again IMHO, certification usually connotes a
"testimony to the truth of a fact" (New Concise Webster's, 1984), in
this case, that an IBCLC has proved "entry-level knowledge" in the
subject of human lactation. Seems to me, once "certified", always
"certified". Barring brain damage, this knowledge base probably doesn't
erode particularly in light of constant practice as an LC. A license on
the other hand, is "a legal permit to engage in a certain activity or
carry on a certain business; to authorize by legal permit" (also
Websters). As such, it must be renewed periodically, as with my RN
license. The idea in nursing is "to protect the public's safety" (or be
able to track me down if need be). Oddly enough, my RN license costs
only $80 to renew every 2 years, yet carries great liability. My state
(California) requires 30 CE hours (not units - a financially important
difference) with renewal, yet some states require none. Why does an
IBCLC cost so much, especially on renewal, and with so many CEs?
Additionally, I'll never have to retake the RN boards for as long as I
live, as long as I keep my license current. The point being, you can
only be an "entry-level beginner" once. Period. Although the CEs for
ILCA are accepted by the California Board of Nursing, the ILCA
requirement is so great, I would never have the extra money (or time) to
take CE classes outside the subject field of lactation. This severely
affects my ability to stay abreast (ahem) in the field of MCH nursing.
Seems to me, the IBCLC is a license-wannabe. I seem to recall in the
early days of ILCA a decision not to create a license, because it
connotes liability and "may lead to litigation." Don't you know that
lawyers don't care what certification you have or don't have if you
screw up and a baby is involved. In fact, one could argue (but please
don't), you might be better off *without* certification in such a case.
Regarding the voting issue, there are many professional organizations
where there are affiliate members in order to accomodate interested, but
non-credentialed, parties. Why should ILCA be so different (elitist)?
>Kathleen Auerbach (and others) wrote:
>Which brings me to another question: given the above attempted >activities of the Board and previous others (too numerous to mention >here), how many other current members are, like me, reevaluating >whether they wish to remain ILCA members
I constantly reevaluate my need to belong to (ie - ability to afford)
ILCA. I have become more cynical after reading the latest shenanigans by
the BOD, however am reassured by being in the company of Lactnetters.
We must work with one another, not against one another.  :|
With great hope for tomorrow, Katharine West, BSN, MPH, IBCLC(expired
and no money for recert, and with a decade more knowledge about bf than
when I originally certified)