Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition

2007-03-02 Thread Lisa Barrett
straight back at ya on the Tone Justine.  there are more than just you and 
yours working to enhance midwifery ( even if MC is a consumer organization 
not a midwifery one) .  I too put in hours of unpaid work ( not tax 
deductible) on top of my paid midwifery work and even though I only have 4 
children not 6 I'm sure you can appreciate we are all in a similar position 
when it comes to families.


I have been involved MC and have been involved through infosheets as I'm 
sure you well know.  However you seem to be under the impression that no 
questioning on this subject is allowed


I am also well aware of your tract record Justine and you are making this 
unnecessarily personal I wasn't for one minute questioning anyone's 
integrity.  I was under the impression that the quote was written by someone 
active in the MC of course I could be wrong I wouldn't embarrass them any 
further even if they were.


If we all work together we can effectively lobby for systemic change whilst
we support and empower women through individual advocacy.

I agree, all of us doing what we believe to be the right thing.

Lisa Barrett









- Original Message - 
From: Justine Caines [EMAIL PROTECTED]

To: OzMid List ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 10:44 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition



Dear All

Jo and Deb, thanks for your respones.

Lisa I am sorry you are unaware of what MC does.

Just so you know.  I have 15 years experience as an advocate and lobbyist
and post graduate qualifications in the field.

Advocacy and lobbying are co-dependent.

In fact when MC sets up a local branch or group and engages in lobbying we
must have local women who want us to advocate for them personally (or 
local

health authorities will most often respond by saying there is no demand.

In your message you said:

This is something I read on a public forum about the MC,
Lobbying is a pretty dispassionate job and advocacy work can get in the
way of effective lobbying

I would be surprised if this came from an active MCer, more likely someone
who did not know or appreciate what we do. I find lobbying very 
challenging

and advocacy essential to keep us relevant and representative.

MC needs a diverse range of people to support the many facets of its work.

\ Lisa for the record.  I had one baby when I joined MC 7 years ago.  I 
know

have 6!  I am acutely aware of the challenges of volunteer community work
whilst raising a family.  Unlike midwives, this is not my profession, I
cannot claim tax deductions for attending conferences etc.

I am seriously considering lobbying/ providing media advice for money!

It would be nice to receive a supportive even if enquiring e-mail Lisa.
Your tone is not welcoming to those who have given so much to the
enhancement of midwifery in Australia.

In solidarity

Justine Caines
National President
Maternity Coalition Inc
PO Box 625
SCONE NSW  2329
Ph: (02) 65453612
Fax: (02)65482902
Mob: 0408 210273
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.maternitycoalition.org.au



--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. 


--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.


RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition

2007-03-02 Thread Tania Smallwood

Can I just say that it would be terrible if this thread deteriorated yet
again into a personal slinging match.  Please can we all keep in our minds
and our hearts that we are all doing what we can, with the time we have, to
further the cause and help women...making comments on people's tone is not
in my honest opinion called for, or constructive.

A lovely friend of mine, one of the wisest women I know, has talked with me
about the email thing and the problems that we as women in particular,
encounter with it.  Her take on it, and I agree wholeheartedly is that we
must keep in mind that it was invented by blokes, and that it has no ability
to convey the subtlety of emotion that we often use to soften or round off
our comments.  Its purpose initially was probably for the sharing of meeting
minutes, and the like.  We don't talk like that, we don't communicate like
that, and when we attempt to use a medium that doesn't have the features we
need to put across the whole of the message, not just the words, then
something within that message can be lost.

Please, please, can we keep our own agendas out of this.  I have been a
member of birth support and information groups for nearly 10 years and for
the most part, it has been smooth sailing.  I still don't have a handle on
what the MC really does, even though I've been a member for sometime, and
our consumer groups have been members.  That doesn't mean I'm not
interested, or supportive.  It means I'm uninformed, and I thought for a
minute there, with this thread, that I might become a bit more informed.

This is a public list.  Christopher Cain and other presidents of the AMA
would be laughing their heads off if they were aware of the bitching and
internal back biting that goes on between us all.  As I've said before, with
us behaving like this, they have nothing to worry about.

Tania
x 

-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.5/707 - Release Date: 1/03/2007
2:43 PM
 


--
This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.


RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition

2007-03-02 Thread Megan Larry
Here here Tania.

I don't know what is going on in other states regarding birth support
groups, in whatever role or title, but maybe an explanation of what we have
in SA might be helpful, in return I would love to hear about everyone else. 

SA has a lovely history of birth groups. Those on the list who know more
than me about it, please add.

We have the Homebirth Network which has been going for many many years,
anyone in SA know how long? 

Many moons ago, we had MAMA (?), Mums and Midwives working together, I
believe they successfully lobbied for a birth centre at one of our large
teaching hospitals. This group is now part of our history.

Name escapes me, but we have a group for our Ind Midwives too. Help on that
one?

CARES, a caesarean support group, established over 8 years ago by Jo,
Caroline and Emma. Going strong and doing amazing work. 

Birth Matters, also established over 8 years ago. BM sees itself as a
generic support group, they provide the information so as choice is
available. 

Maternity Coalition, established a few years, more low key here. 

Our groups are well established and continue to function together as needed.
When we join forces so to speak, we go under the title of The Birth
Networks of SA or similar.

A number of the women in these groups wear many hats, and work very hard for
the cause. Always as a vounteer and nearly always with no previous
experience.
I too started off with 1 child, now with 4, as many of our families have
grown and along the way dealt with all the wonders life offers, sad and
happy.

SA has become less present in the lobby arena, lack of time and burn-out. We
seem to be focusing on support for now and getting out there to educate our
birthing Mums and Dads.

Next weekend Adelaide is hosting WOMAD, a world music festival, Birth
Matters with Homebirth Network have been fortunate to secure a stall. We
will have a wonderful oppurtunity to talk with thousands of people, delight
them with our beautiful births and handout good information.

We have been at Mothers and Baby expo a number of times, a tuff gig, to say
the least. Sharing the most intimate moment of your life, only to have women
loudly show there disgust at the video of a birth. Not the Grandmas or the
men, but women due to birth. It's a very tiring 3 days of your life.

Adelaides birth groups work independantly to and alongside each other. They
say it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes many forms to educate
our birthing community,
AND WE ALL MATTER!

SO, I look forward to reading about any birth groups out there, whatever you
are called and in what ever capaticty your contribution is.

A pat on the back to us all,

Cheers
Megan Resch




Of -Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tania Smallwood
Sent: Saturday, 3 March 2007 8:40 AM
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition


Can I just say that it would be terrible if this thread deteriorated yet
again into a personal slinging match.  Please can we all keep in our minds
and our hearts that we are all doing what we can, with the time we have, to
further the cause and help women...making comments on people's tone is not
in my honest opinion called for, or constructive.

A lovely friend of mine, one of the wisest women I know, has talked with me
about the email thing and the problems that we as women in particular,
encounter with it.  Her take on it, and I agree wholeheartedly is that we
must keep in mind that it was invented by blokes, and that it has no ability
to convey the subtlety of emotion that we often use to soften or round off
our comments.  Its purpose initially was probably for the sharing of meeting
minutes, and the like.  We don't talk like that, we don't communicate like
that, and when we attempt to use a medium that doesn't have the features we
need to put across the whole of the message, not just the words, then
something within that message can be lost.

Please, please, can we keep our own agendas out of this.  I have been a
member of birth support and information groups for nearly 10 years and for
the most part, it has been smooth sailing.  I still don't have a handle on
what the MC really does, even though I've been a member for sometime, and
our consumer groups have been members.  That doesn't mean I'm not
interested, or supportive.  It means I'm uninformed, and I thought for a
minute there, with this thread, that I might become a bit more informed.

This is a public list.  Christopher Cain and other presidents of the AMA
would be laughing their heads off if they were aware of the bitching and
internal back biting that goes on between us all.  As I've said before, with
us behaving like this, they have nothing to worry about.

Tania
x 

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.5/707 - Release Date: 1/03/2007
2:43 PM
 


--
This mailing list is sponsored 

Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition

2007-03-02 Thread [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Thanks for that Megan.
It was great to read what is going on in SA.
WOMAD sounds like lots of fun, what great exposure!
Wendy
( in Victoria)

- Original Message -
From: Megan  Larry [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2007 12:25 PM
Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition


 Here here Tania.

 I don't know what is going on in other states regarding birth support
 groups, in whatever role or title, but maybe an explanation of what we
have
 in SA might be helpful, in return I would love to hear about everyone
else.

 SA has a lovely history of birth groups. Those on the list who know more
 than me about it, please add.

 We have the Homebirth Network which has been going for many many years,
 anyone in SA know how long?

 Many moons ago, we had MAMA (?), Mums and Midwives working together, I
 believe they successfully lobbied for a birth centre at one of our large
 teaching hospitals. This group is now part of our history.

 Name escapes me, but we have a group for our Ind Midwives too. Help on
that
 one?

 CARES, a caesarean support group, established over 8 years ago by Jo,
 Caroline and Emma. Going strong and doing amazing work.

 Birth Matters, also established over 8 years ago. BM sees itself as a
 generic support group, they provide the information so as choice is
 available.

 Maternity Coalition, established a few years, more low key here.

 Our groups are well established and continue to function together as
needed.
 When we join forces so to speak, we go under the title of The Birth
 Networks of SA or similar.

 A number of the women in these groups wear many hats, and work very hard
for
 the cause. Always as a vounteer and nearly always with no previous
 experience.
 I too started off with 1 child, now with 4, as many of our families have
 grown and along the way dealt with all the wonders life offers, sad and
 happy.

 SA has become less present in the lobby arena, lack of time and burn-out.
We
 seem to be focusing on support for now and getting out there to educate
our
 birthing Mums and Dads.

 Next weekend Adelaide is hosting WOMAD, a world music festival, Birth
 Matters with Homebirth Network have been fortunate to secure a stall. We
 will have a wonderful oppurtunity to talk with thousands of people,
delight
 them with our beautiful births and handout good information.

 We have been at Mothers and Baby expo a number of times, a tuff gig, to
say
 the least. Sharing the most intimate moment of your life, only to have
women
 loudly show there disgust at the video of a birth. Not the Grandmas or the
 men, but women due to birth. It's a very tiring 3 days of your life.

 Adelaides birth groups work independantly to and alongside each other.
They
 say it takes a village to raise a child, well it takes many forms to
educate
 our birthing community,
 AND WE ALL MATTER!

 SO, I look forward to reading about any birth groups out there, whatever
you
 are called and in what ever capaticty your contribution is.

 A pat on the back to us all,

 Cheers
 Megan Resch




 Of -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Tania Smallwood
 Sent: Saturday, 3 March 2007 8:40 AM
 To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au
 Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition


 Can I just say that it would be terrible if this thread deteriorated yet
 again into a personal slinging match.  Please can we all keep in our minds
 and our hearts that we are all doing what we can, with the time we have,
to
 further the cause and help women...making comments on people's tone is not
 in my honest opinion called for, or constructive.

 A lovely friend of mine, one of the wisest women I know, has talked with
me
 about the email thing and the problems that we as women in particular,
 encounter with it.  Her take on it, and I agree wholeheartedly is that we
 must keep in mind that it was invented by blokes, and that it has no
ability
 to convey the subtlety of emotion that we often use to soften or round off
 our comments.  Its purpose initially was probably for the sharing of
meeting
 minutes, and the like.  We don't talk like that, we don't communicate like
 that, and when we attempt to use a medium that doesn't have the features
we
 need to put across the whole of the message, not just the words, then
 something within that message can be lost.

 Please, please, can we keep our own agendas out of this.  I have been a
 member of birth support and information groups for nearly 10 years and for
 the most part, it has been smooth sailing.  I still don't have a handle on
 what the MC really does, even though I've been a member for sometime, and
 our consumer groups have been members.  That doesn't mean I'm not
 interested, or supportive.  It means I'm uninformed, and I thought for a
 minute there, with this thread, that I might become a bit more informed.

 This is a public list.  Christopher Cain and other presidents of the AMA