Using Chaordic Concepts to Pursue a La Leche League Vision
From: LEAVEN,
Vol. 37 No. 5, October-November 2001, p. 98
Anne Easterday LLLI Board of Directors
When participants at the
World Assembly and Leader Breakfast Round Tables looked around the room
during the 17th La Leche League International Conference, July 7-10,
many were struck by two things. The first was how amazingly different
we all were. The second was how much we all had in common! These two
events provided opportunities to explore those two things: our similarities
and our differences-and how they shape or should shape our work together
toward our mission of helping mothers and babies to breastfeed.
Besides the obvious differences
in cultures, countries, and backgrounds, several other differences among
Leaders were observed during the World Assembly. One that was particularly
fun to watch was our varied work styles. The World Assembly Planning
Team arranged to have art materials, flip charts, markers, paper, and
pens available for participants to use as they talked about different
issues related to the Chaordic Initiative. Small groups around the room
conducted their discussions on the same topics in very different ways-some
just sitting in a circle talking, some summarizing points or brainstorming
ideas on flip charts, and some very visual people designing three-dimensional
representations of their ideas using pipe cleaners, playdough, and stickers!
(Editors Note: See page 105 for one group's experience.) Despite the
different look of the discussion groups, several common themes were
noticed. As we discussed key words that relate to how La Leche League
supports mothers, the same words appeared again and again - words such
as trust, respect, and love. Then we were asked if that image differed
from the way that we work with each other as Leaders. Some Leaders expressed
the feeling that they were not trusted to know what was best for their
Groups and their communities.
"What is this chaordic thing?"
was a question that was heard. Some Leaders expressed frustration that
they had read everything LLL has published about it and still don't
understand. Others acknowledged that this is a difficult concept to
understand in a short period of time. There are Leaders who are content
with the response "we don't know" and are willing to discuss feelings,
while others are disgusted with the vague examples and want something
more definite! Definite answers are difficult to provide since no other
organization has the same purpose and principles as La Leche League.
We have a process for the renewal of LLL - even though we are still
constructing a description of the renewed organization.
Clearly, there were also
differences in Leaders' perception of a need for change. A question
that was heard many times was, "What's broken that we're trying to fix?"
Ginger Sall, Chairman of the Board, said, "[the adage] 'If it's not
broke, don't fix it' reinforces the status quo. Maybe that's okay. Or
maybe mothers, babies, and the future of the world need and deserve
more, if that's possible. If it's not broken, this could be a good time
to work on making it better." Some Leaders were able to share what was
'broken' for them in their part of LLL, increasing the understanding
of others present. For example, some Leaders expressed the feeling that
they were expected to be 'cookie cutter" Leaders - Leaders who looked,
sounded, and acted just like all the others. Others felt that jobs in
LLL were no longer mother-sized. Some Leaders felt that review processes
were too rigid and stifling. Some were frustrated that information does
not flow freely throughout the organization. Still others cited the
decrease in members and Leaders in most of the LLL world. Each of us
has sincerely been doing her best for La Leche League while caught up
in the enforcement of rules. These rules were made for good reasons
and we are grateful to those Leaders who made them and followed them,
giving so much of their time and talent to La Leche League. Perhaps
it is time to reevaluate some of our rules to see if they are still
helpful or if they are now hindering our work in some parts of La Leche
League. From the perspective of the Board of Directors, there have been
parts of our organization which have been "broken" for a very long time!
Historically, we as an organization have tried to solve those problems
by fixing those parts. One Leader likened this to putting a finger in
the hole of a leaking dike. It stops the leak, but doesn't really solve
the underlying problem of a dike that is not able to serve its purpose.
Eventually, after plugging numerous holes, one would run out of fingers,
or the dike would crack and collapse altogether.
Many in La Leche League have
been searching for at least the last 15 years for a new organizational
structure that would better support our work. It was with great hope
that we initiated the chaordic process as a way to look at our problems
in a different way. Through this process we are looking together at
how we work together toward our common purpose and how we could accomplish
our work more effectively. We are not seeking to impose a structure
onto La Leche League. We will likely grow into a new structure through
this exploration. Because it will come about as a result of many discussions
and deep thinking about what is most important to us, it will be a structure
unique to La Leche League.
Another difference noted
was the attitude toward the word "chaordic." Some were heard to say,
"If I hear the word 'chaordic' again, I will just scream!" Others stated
that when they heard people discussing these concepts without using
the word "chaordic," they felt something was being hidden. An important
reminder came from the World Assembly planning team, "We as an organization
are not pursuing chaordic concepts, but rather using chaordic concepts
to pursue an LLL vision." That vision differs in the details from one
person to another, but on the whole is the same - a La Leche League
where we are pursuing our mission of providing information and support
in a myriad of ways, many that we can't even imagine yet, to help mothers
and babies breastfeed all over the world. At the heart of this vision
are Leaders who are happy with their work and are receiving the information
and support they need to do their jobs.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:48 UTC 2007.
