Being an LLLI Board Member
Susan Deo,
Donna Cookson Martin, Trudy Hartt, Nan Jolly, and Heidi BK Sloss
Members of the LLLI Board Nominating Committee
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 38 No. 5, October-November 2002 p. 98, 120.
What is it like being on
the La Leche League International Board of Directors? What does our
organization "look for" in volunteer Board Members? The 2002-2003
LLLI Nominating Committee considered these questions and facilitated
a broad discussion among the full board.
Being a part of the LLLI
Board of Directors may be like nothing you have ever done before, as
an LLL Leader or otherwise. Board members share (with all Leaders) a
passion for La Leche League and our mission of helping mothers and babies.
We are a diverse group from various parts of the LLL world, many walks
of life, and varied family situations; we bring many different experiences
to the table. We have a commitment to building consensus through open
communication and respect. We learn to truly appreciate each other’s
skills, opinions, and life experiences, and consciously work to build
a community of trust in email discussions between meetings and in small
and large group discussions at meetings.
Currently, in accordance
with the LLLI Bylaws, the LLLI Board is composed of members from the
LLLI geographic Zones and members at large. A minimum of two-thirds
of the Board members must be Leaders. Each Zone has at least one seat
on the Board, with additional seats determined according to the Zone’s
percentage of the total population of active Leaders. Most Board members
are nominated by the Zones and elected by the Board; the Board can also
elect members at large, usually for their particular knowledge and skills
(for instance, accounting, or law).
Personal qualities that contribute
to a successful "mix" of board members include a willingness
to learn, a capacity to think "out-of-the-box," and a desire
to look at the "big" picture of what will be good for the
organization as a whole, all the time keeping in mind the mothers and
babies and the local Leaders and Groups.
Representatives from various
geographical regions of the LLL world or members from different economic
or cultural backgrounds add depth to the Board. As Zones begin the nomination
process it can be helpful for them to ask the Nominating Committee if
there are any special needs at the time. (Sometimes, the Board needs
special expertise, such as a lawyer, someone skilled in finances, or
a health professional.) If the Board has certain needs that are not
met by current members or candidates, the Nominating Committee can recruit
members at large for a Board seat. Also, Board committees and work groups
may invite such expertise from outside the Board to be part of their
committee or work group.
Serving on the LLLI Board
is some of the most rewarding work many of us have ever done! If you
have any questions, feel free to contact the LLLI Board of Directors
Nominating Committee (Susan Deo, Donna Cookson Martin, Trudy Hartt,
Nan Jolly and Heidi BK Sloss).
Thoughts on Being a Board
Member—From Those Currently Serving as Board Members
Donna Cookson Martin
There is so much to learn
that it can sometimes be hard to decide where to begin or if it will
be possible to learn it all. My Board mentor reminds me that none of
us can learn it all, nor is it necessary, for we are all here, ready,
willing, and delighted to help and support each other. Board work is
a tapestry of patience, prudence, flexibility, decisiveness, crisis
management, and sensitivity to time, place, and people; a tapestry woven
by many hands and many hearts. Sometimes consensus on a single word
can take an hour or perhaps months of careful searching, and sometimes
a decision with worldwide importance to the organization can be reached
in minutes.
As a Board member, I find
that there may be no right answer for all of us, but there can be many
right answers for many of us—and the answers may be as different
and diverse as those seeking them.
In Board work, as in so many
aspects of life, it is such a fine balance—the needs and styles
of the individual versus the needs and well-being of the collective.
As a lone blind person in the world of the sighted, I struggle with
this balance every day. We all do in our own circumstances in our own
way. And somehow LLL and the LLLI Board are no exception.
Sharon Vines
After being on the Board
five months I have learned so much. I have developed new skills—like
anything to do with finances—and improved areas such as effective
writing. I’ve learned so much about La Leche League beyond my Area
and Division—what Leaders around the world are doing, what projects
LLLI is connected with, and other breastfeeding groups we interact with
as an organization.
The vital importance of working
together in respectful ways is evident as we work through issues, discuss
various perspectives, share information, and listen intently to understand
the issue or another perspective. Decisions that reflect a great diversity
of experience and knowledge better serve LLL than decisions made with
only a little input.
Nan Jolly
I was surprised that once
I was on the LLLI Board, some looked at me differently, as if I were
suddenly different! I can assure everyone I did not change and suddenly
become wiser and more clever and powerful. I know that as a Board member
I do have a great deal of influence over what happens in LLLI, but what
ends up happening is a product of the group’s consensus, a working
with many perspectives to learn from each other and create a new collective
wisdom.
Board work is characterized
by a greater perspective: hearing many different opinions and ideas
and thoughts from people with varied backgrounds, personalities, and
experiences, on the Board during our discussions, from other enthusiastic
people on the Board Committees and work groups, and from anyone, in
or outside of LLL, who cares to write. We get a wider view of the LLL
world, and of where LLLI fits into the world.
Rachel O’Leary
Everybody feels overwhelmed
at first (and later too!). Each Board member brings particular talents
and experience—which are valuable to the Board and to LLL. As a
Board member, I feel privileged to be watching the renewal initiative
unfold and take root, and to be helping it along. I feel this experience
may be useful in other areas of my life.
Sharon Matuszek
Effective members of the
LLLI Board need dedication to the work and a commitment to the time
necessary for the Board work. I have found Board work interesting, mind
expanding, and fun. Working with women from many parts of the world
expands my understanding of LLLI and its work throughout the world.
At meetings and during informal discussions, the Board stays on task
and has fun at the same time and the high level of respect between members
is evident.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:07 UTC 2007.
