The Ripple Effect of an LLLI Conference
Mary Hurt
LLLI Public Relations Associate
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 38 No. 5, October-November 2002 p. 114-15.
Are you a Leader who has
never had the opportunity to attend an LLLI Conference? While the LLLI
Conference is very well-attended in comparison to other nonprofit organizations’
conferences, many Leaders may never be able to attend an LLLI Conference.
If you are one of these Leaders, you might be surprised to learn that
the LLLI Conference can benefit you and the work you do even if you
are personally unable to attend.
An LLLI Conference has a
ripple effect. Being immersed in a breastfeeding-friendly world for
three entire days rekindles Leaders’ enthusiasm and dedication,
and their exuberance spreads out like ripples on a lake throughout the
whole organization. Attendees bring the Conference back to those who
are unable to attend. When I was an LLL Group Leader, one Evaluation
session and one Chapter meeting were always dedicated to reports from
Conference attendees. While sharing ideas and information were important,
passion for helping mothers breastfeed their babies was contagious and
possibly the most valuable gift from those who were able to attend the
Conference.
Conferences generate information
that lasts well beyond these special few days. Audiotapes of most sessions
have always been available. After the 2003 Conference, a CD with most
sessions will also be sold. If you are unable to attend a Conference
or if you attend the Conference and have to leave a session to tend
to your baby’s needs, the information will still be available.
Some Areas or Chapter Libraries buy a set of Conference Tapes to share
with those unable to attend.
While not all Leaders can
literally attend the Conference, Leaders with access to the Internet
can virtually attend. LLLI conducts a virtual Conference through its
Web site. While the Conference is in session, pictures of speakers and
synopses of their talks are posted on LLLI’s Web site. Many speakers,
in addition to speaking at the Conference, conduct email chats to include
those unable to attend Conference sessions.
LLLI Conferences benefit
LLLI even before the Conference is held. Speaker recommendations are
being considered, books are being evaluated, and research is being done
on current topics.
Sometimes Conference speakers
write articles for New Beginnings and Leaven offering their research,
ideas, and insights to those unable to attend. The LLLI team writes
articles about the speakers for New Beginnings, Leaven, and the LLLI
Web site to share speaker’s new ideas with everyone in LLL, not
only those who attend the Conference. Because speakers’ books are
sent to the LLLI Book Evaluation Committee, even if a potential speaker
is unable to present at a Conference, LLLI as a whole benefits from
new ideas and approaches. In addition, LLLI benefits from more books
being sold during a Conference year, and many Areas find speakers for
their local Conferences at the LLLI Conference.
Leaders who attend the LLLI Conference can pick up press releases in
English, Spanish, and French. This facilitates publicity for their Groups
and for the importance of breastfeeding. The LLLI Conference itself
provides a plethora of possibilities for getting the word out about
breastfeeding and La Leche League International.
The 2001 LLLI Conference
in Chicago was covered by two English language television stations,
one Spanish language television station, most major newspapers, and
several local radio stations. A breastfeeding-friendly radio talk show
hostess was our banquet speaker and her popular station ran promotional
material about the benefits of breastfeeding and La Leche League for
two weekends in a row. The day before the Conference, the LLLI Public
Relations Director was interviewed about breastfeeding and LLL. Because
of the Conference more people learn about LLL and breastfeeding.
La Leche League International speakers, who are world-renowned experts
and outstanding speakers, are almost always impressed by the professional
way the Conference is organized. They are amazed that families and babies
can be incorporated into the audience, and they often comment at the
advanced parenting skills of the parents attending. After meeting La
Leche League up close and personal at a Conference, these speakers carry
their favorable impression of us to other parenting and media groups
around the world.
The Physicians’ Seminar
is held in conjunction with the Conference. Often, speakers are shared
between the two events and the Conference has an influence on physicians
and other health care professionals who attend. They leave the Conference
and Seminar better able to help their patients breastfeed their babies.
It is estimated that each physician influences 4,000 to 6,000 mothers.
When you consider many of these physicians are in practice with other
physicians, the snowball effect of having health care professionals
knowledgeable about breastfeeding is enormous.
The Conference also provides
the setting for the International Mastery Symposium, where Leaders in
various administrative positions gather for information and networking.
Because the Conference is held in close conjunction with these meetings,
these Divisions, Areas, and Departments enjoy rooms for their meetings
at greatly reduced prices.
The World Assembly is also
held in conjunction with the Conference and provides Leaders a chance
to express and discuss concerns and ideas. Leaders who do not attend
can have their input heard through others they know will be attending.
Peer Counselor and Peer Counselor
Administration training are offered at Conferences so that more under-served
populations are given access to breastfeeding information and support.
Poster sessions are presented by researchers and others from around
the world; the exchange of information sparks ideas and networking possibilities
for the entire world of breastfeeding advocates.
LLLI Conferences attract
attendees from other breastfeeding organizations. This provides a forum
for LLL to interact with other players on the world breastfeeding stage.
There is strength through the diversity of the organizations whose common
goal is making the world more breastfeeding friendly. Every effort is
made to make the LLLI Conference truly international. Experts from around
the world learn about LLL first hand.
We hope you will be able
to attend the LLLI Conference in San Francisco, USA. The speakers will
be outstanding, the breastfeeding-friendly atmosphere will be palpable,
and even the weather is anticipated to be temperate and lovely. However,
if you are unable to attend, remember breastfeeding and La Leche League
reap benefits from every international Conference, and you can too!
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:09 UTC 2007.
