From the Executive Director: Fiction or Fact? Myth or Truth?
Hedy Nuriel
Executive Director
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 41 No. 5, October-November 2005, p. 98.
Who can be a Leader? What can nonprofit organizations do? What is changing about LLL? Do you know the answers to
these questions? Sometimes we think we know answers -- we've "heard" things that lead us to a conclusion;
yet what we "hear" may be based more in myth than fact. I would like to examine some common assumptions
and offer some clarity.
About Leader Accreditation
Myth: If a mother has worked outside the home for pay and been separated from her children, she cannot be
a Leader Applicant.
Fact: Appendix 18 of the Policies and Standing Rules Notebook (PSR) states:
A mother
can sometimes combine commitments that take her away from her baby with an experience of mothering through
breastfeeding that is consistent with LLLI philosophy.
Each situation is unique. It is a Leader's responsibility to dialogue with an interested mother to determine if and
how her experience fits with an experience of mothering through breastfeeding. The Guidelines for Leaders numbers
six through 13 in Appendix 18 can help the Leader and mother look for examples of LLL philosophy in her experience.
Leader Applicants write to their Leader Accreditation Department (LAD) representatives about this topic, just as
they do about other aspects of LLL philosophy.
Myth: Any mother who human milk feeds cannot be considered for LLL leadership.
Fact: The Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership specify: "Mother values nursing at her breast as
the optimal way to nourish, nurture, and comfort her baby." They also note: "Special consideration may be
given to a woman whose personal breastfeeding experience is outside the realm of a normal course of
breastfeeding." This "special consideration" clause usually applies to situations where physical
challenges or abnormalities (e.g., adoption or cleft palate) prevent normal breastfeeding. Often in these cases the
mother is able to partially nurse at the breast. Her parenting would mimic mothering through breastfeeding. For
example, one Leader whose cleft palate baby was unable to nurse held her baby close to her every time she gave a
bottle of her milk, changing sides as if she were nursing.
Leaders who have questions about Leader accreditation can consult with a LAD representative.
About Nonprofit Organizations in the USA
Myth: Nonprofit organizations can't make a profit.
Fact: The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines clearly state that profits cannot be
distributed to nonprofit board members (as corporate profits are to shareholders), but they don't say that
nonprofit organizations can't have profits. In fact, nonprofit organizations need surpluses ("profits")
to even out cash flows, to provide reserves for emergencies, and to pay for equipment, research, staff development,
building renovations, and other necessary investments.
Myth: Nonprofit organizations can't charge for their services.
Fact: Actually, many nonprofit organizations exist mostly on fees charged. Some examples include nonprofit
preschools that charge tuition, community choirs that sell tickets to their concerts, and counseling agencies that
charge for services. LLLI made a decision that Leaders would be volunteers and not charge for their services.
Myth: Nonprofit organizations can't lobby.
Fact: Nonprofit organizations may not engage in any electoral activity -- i.e., they cannot support or
oppose candidates. However, they may support or oppose ballot measures or issues of importance to their members
(such as for public school bonds or against new immigration laws). In addition, nonprofit organizations may
encourage legislators to support or oppose various pieces of legislation -- as long as such lobbying activities are
an "insubstantial" part of their activities.
Under IRS rules in the USA, a 501(c)(3) organization is allowed to endorse and fully support legislation. We may
educate legislators on any issue, and a nonprofit organization's staff and volunteers are allowed to write to law
makers, city councils, etc.
About Change within LLL
Myth: There is some underlying force that is trying to change who we are as an organization.
Fact: The LLLI Board of Directors has repeatedly affirmed that it will not change LLL philosophy or
concepts. It has added a Vision Purpose to the existing purpose statement, but has not altered nor attempted to
alter the philosophy or concepts. The Bylaws require that at least two thirds of the Board must be Leaders; this
majority will ensure that LLL maintains its original focus, values, and approach.
Myth: The reason mothers who work outside the home can now be accredited is because of the Renewal
Initiative.
Fact: The Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership were reviewed by a committee beginning in 1994; new
prerequisites and accreditation guidelines were developed and released in 1998. An article in LEAVEN (Vol. 34, No.
4), "History of the Committee to Evaluate Leader Accreditation Criteria" stated, "These new
prerequisites and guidelines contained more flexibility in the area of mother-baby separation." On the other
hand, the Renewal Initiative's Drafting Team met for the first time in April 2001 to begin exploration of LLL
purpose and principles.
Myth: The Chaordic Commons is trying to change LLL.
Fact: Based on recommendations from an internationally diverse population of Leaders convened at a
Feasibility Meeting in 2000, the LLLI Board of Directors voted to work with the Chaordic Commons (at this time
named the Chaordic Alliance) to effect organizational restructuring, a topic that had been studied and discussed
for at least eight years prior. The Chaordic Commons' role has been to guide and support Leaders in making changes
Leaders expect to benefit LLL. The Board is interested in Leaders' ideas and opinions related to renewal and
encourages them to communicate thoughtfully and respectfully about them. It has no intention of changing (or
letting any group change) the organization in a way that would upset the majority of Leaders.
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:31:48 UTC 2007.
