Lactnetters,
Here are a couple posts from ILCA pres, Amy Spangler.  As you can see, she
has given me permission to post this to you all.

<Dear Laurie,
Please feel free to post my letter to you on Lactnet.  In view of the fact
that there has been
considerable discussion regarding the JHL, my letter may help to answer
questions raised by
others as well.  I agree that Lactnet is a wonderful forum for discussion,
however, I hope that,
like you, when members have concerns, they will contact the staff or the
directors for
clarification.  Thank you for your concern.
Sincerely,
Amy>

Now, here is the letter:

<Dear Ms. Wheeler,
I would like to respond to the concerns you have raised regarding the JHL.
 The current contract
with the publishing firm, Human Sciences Press (HSP) is scheduled to end
December 31, 1997.
In keeping with ILCA policy, a minimum of three bids must be secured before
any contract can
be extended, renewed or established.  The staff are in the process of
securing those bids.  An
attorney who specializes in association law, has reviewed the existing
contract and highlighted
those areas where improvements can be made; specifically, a reduced term
(current contract ran
7 years with a 3 year rider attached), a separate contract with the EiC
(currently the EiC is under
contract with HSP not ILCA) and redistribution of the advertising revenues.

The issue of compensation for the EiC has been investigated thoroughly.
 While many editors
are reimbursed, an equal number volunteer. Since the current EiC is not
employed by ILCA, we
have no knowledge of the details of her existing contract.  It has always
been the intent of the
board to maintain the continuity and the integrity of the Journal. The board
has agreed to a
reimbursement package which will include an assistant editor as well as an
editor-in-chief.  In
keeping with ILCA policy, all fee-for-service positions must be advertised to
the entire
membership in a fair and equitable manner which will serve to explain the
appearance of an
advertisement in the June edition of the ILCA Globe.  This advertisement will
appear in the
August edition of the ILCA Globe as well.  Dr. Auerbach was notified of this
policy prior to the
appearance of the advertisement and encouraged to apply for the position.
 The board have
agreed that all future contracts must include a managing editor, an assistant
editor and an editor-
in-chief. As a result, the responsibilities of the EiC will change
dramatically.

The board is very concerned about continuity and credibility and compromise
neither.   An
assistant editor would assure continuity, while a managing editor would
assure credibility.  The
EiC could then focus on stategic planning, peer review coordination and
supervision.

I hope this will answer your concerns.  Please feel free to contact me if I
can provide additional
information.  I do not subscribe to Lactnet.  In view of the fact that it is
a public forum, I question
the appropriateness of using it as a venue for the discussion of ILCA related
business.  In the
future, please feel free to contact the ILCA Office or any Director for
clarification.

Sincerely,

Amy Spangler
President>