Goodbye, LLL of IL
Nancy Mohrbacher Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 9:30PM My crash-and-burn summer continues with the news tonight, delivered in person by my brand-new La Leche League Area Coordinator of Leaders (ACL), that despite my intention to continue as an Illinois LLL leader after almost 29 years, she is removing me from her roster. Why did she take this action against my wishes? 
Here’s the reason she gave: I made it known that I recently became an accredited breastfeeding counselor with the new mother-to-mother support group Breastfeeding USA and I wanted to represent both organizations.
You’d think that the loss of nearly half of Illinois’ leaders in the last 2 years would give her pause about eliminating leaders who are willing to serve. I guess not. She referenced La Leche League International’s announcement last spring that any LLL leaders who were affiliated with both LLL and Breastfeeding USA would have to choose one, because representing both would put its leader liability insurance at risk. Yet oddly, the liability insurance through Breastfeeding USA does not carry this same prohibition. It assumes the covered individual knows which organization she is representing.
Is LLLI looking into finding alternative liability insurance? Word has it that earlier this week those at La Leche League International were given the opportunity to switch to another policy that does not require its leaders to make this choice and they opted not to do so. It appears those in charge would rather kick out those who step over this line.
My ACL had some choice words for me. She told me that I clearly thought I was more important than other people. (Because I want to help breastfeeding mothers in more than one capacity?) As she was leaving, she told me that although I am no longer an LLL leader in IL, I have the option of affiliating with another Area if any would have me, a possibility she seemed to think remote.
I told her that I consider this policy short-sighted and destructive of the greater good. Until now, La Leche League International has always cultivated cooperative relationships with other breastfeeding organizations. This is the first time it has created a policy that was openly antagonistic.
To me, this is a serious problem. The slogan of the Chicago Area Breastfeeding Coalition, which I helped to found, is “Strength in Numbers: Creating One Breastfeeding Community” and it exists to unite IBCLCs, LLL leaders, BFUSA breastfeeding counselors, peer counselors, doulas, physicians, midwives, everyone who comes in contact with breastfeeding mothers. When we speak with one voice, we promote our cause more effectively. When we undermine each other, we also undermine breastfeeding.
I told my ACL that if my example will help to right this wrong and shine a light on this destructive policy, then I am willing to be the sacrifice. We need to stand together and support one another, not tear each other down.
La Leche League International, hear my words, you cannot afford to alienate more dedicated women! And if you continue to implement and defend policies that undermine breastfeeding, you are not long for this world.
Reader Comments (50)
A great loss for La Leche League.
This is very unfortunate. Please continue to help mothers, as I know you will!
Oh my, Nancy, I'm heartbroken on your behalf (though I'll acknowledge from your post it sounds like you're less heartbroken and more annoyed/mad, which I will also share!) Stinks. Huge loss. But then again, you're an awesome breastfeeding advocate, it sort of doesn't matter under which banner your knowledge unfurls, because we all benefit. Still frustrated and bummed at LLLI (still also affiliated there, though who knows what the future may bring for me...)
But you know I will continue to count on, depend upon, and look forward to your leadership in breastfeeding information and support. Can't wait to hear what you do next.
This is a shame, but are you also inferring LLLI has other policies in place that undermine breastfeeding?
Wow. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed and solved. Don't say it can't be. When something needs to be done it gets done. Do it, Lactation Professional Community!
B, I think that LLLI recent joining forces with the CMPB is undermining enough. I'd hate to see what else is happening. http://www.breastfeedingislove.com/2011/02/18/got-breastmilk/
Nancy, I am so sorry. I was forced to quit LLL Canada 2 years ago for basically the same reason. I'm still furious at why I see in the org & I am frustrated at the complacent attitude I continue to see from leaders who are not speaking against this. LLLI is on its way out & needs to close it's own door quicker so it quits interfering in leaders' ability to help women breastfeed.
This is yet another terrible loss for LLLI in the wake of years of poor management decisions that are less about helping mothers and babies and more about power and enforcing a particular Chaordic worldview on its leaders. Nancy, you are an inspiration not just to breastfeeding mothers but to all of us who walk with them in their journey.
There are many birth organizations out there who do not have ridiculous insurance "requirements" (we haven't actually seen the policy, just taken LLLI's word for it that it exists). I would be happy to recommend an alternate insurance company to LLLI should they desire to build bridges instead of blow them up.
Nancy, I've been sadly awaiting your announcement since I first read of your affiliation with Breastfeeding USA. I was pretty sure that LLL would not back down on this. As a LLL Canada Leader of 35 years, who is familiar with the huge role you have played in LLL, I am very sorry to have my suspicions confirmed. It makes me fear for the affiliates and LLLLeaders around the world, and the breastfeeding moms who need their help.
I am in shock! Does she really have that kind of authority to speak for me? I have looked to Nancy many times over the years and learned so much. This loss is irreplaceable. I am so sorry - that sorry is not even adequate. I am still trying to get my head around the recent "loss" of two Leaders in my area, and how do we go on without them, and now this - It is from bad to worse, when I already thought we were at worse.
Nancy, I am in shock. They are taking bad decisions after bad decisions. I know you will continue to be a wonderful resource wherever you serve mothers and babies, I am just so sad you are not part of LLL anymore :-(
....sigh...longing for the days when Marion Thompson would write a brilliant letter that would make everyone happy with everyone feeling understood and respected. I would not call this current approach of LLLI, "chaordic'....at least not from my study. Chaordic is when input is gathered from the bottom up, even the lowest representatives are respected and trusted and people do what makes sense at the time, rather than adhere to a rigid policy. LLL at its inception started out in a chaordic way. Some people in LLL have studied the idea of a chaordic organization, but we have never let go and let the chaotic part happen which might happen if we were to undergo a rebirth and come out a new organization perfect for this age.
I am trying to articulate a response to such a shocking turn of events, I'm left stunned by this news as I'm sure many LLL leaders from around the world will be. Surely the more mothers that are reached, the better. There does not need to be rivalry between organisations that are working towards the same primary goal. It's very easy to take the leader hat on and off where needed and if alternative insurance is offered then it needs to be taken, if indeed it really does restrict which I can't see how it possibly can. It's a huge lose to LLL and an incredibly bad decision.
So sorry to hear this. We should be working together rather than against each other. The last thing we need is in-fighting. This aspect of lll is why I chose to train with association of breastfeeding mothers instead (im in the uk). At the end of the day it doesn't matter where the info and support comes from as long as it is accurate and helpful for breastfeeding mamas.
Best wishes for the future
Nancy,
you are a beautiful person, and an example of truth and vitality to us all. Thank you for your wonderful work, the lives you touch is innumerable.
sorry for the bad grammar (above). it's early, and i'm shocked.
Nancy, I'm sorry to hear this. I can't say I'm surprised. LLLI has been careening itself toward the cliff for a dozen years now by spending its money and resources chasing after a new management strategy (one long abandoned by the person who invented it) rather than helping mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. This dismantling of the organization is sick and intentional. The countless mothers you have served are the victims.
This is notably hypocritical given that you have served as a breastfeeding educator in a number of different capacities--IBCLC, author for non-LLLI publishers, employee of large breastpump company, and I'm sure other community bf coalitions--for decades already. And just now, your involvement in BFUSA is an insurance problem? If your ACL had any guts/brains she'd have declined the role of "hired gun" and let BELOAB themselves "fire" you if they dared. I'm so sorry for you that things ended this way, but LLL's loss is definitely BFUSA's and the rest of the lactation community's gain. Just more proof, if we needed it, that the emperor has no clothes.
I am sorry about your predicament, Nancy. Please know that there are many Lucy Leaders out there that support and appreciate you. This is just one more very sad example of the destructive and dysfunctional path that LLLI (and it's enforcers) have been traveling for some time now. As a longtime LLL Leader in CT, who has had our own dedicated TEAM/Board told they were removed earlier this year, I see this as another huge loss for LLL. How many more Leaders need to be alienated or kicked out before this cycle ends? We in LLL need true arbitration and more effective communication and Leaders who refuse to use strongarm tactics and punitive measures to enforce policies that most of it's Leaders do NOT agree with. Can we please find a way to stop this awful, embarrassing implosion!
Nancy,
I am incredibly sorry for this action. I cannot begin to imagine what this has been like for you.
What I want you to know: You have reached out again and again to ALL of us who wish to assist breastfeeding mothers---regardless of the rules of others. You have encouraged me and given me strength as a childbirth educators, birth and postpartum doula and lactation professional. You, of all people, do not see yourself above all others. You are a unifier of peoples.
I live in Milwaukee and am part of the Chicago Area Breastfeeding Coalition. I have been welcomed---regardless of my geography.
Hugs to you today.
Anni