Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition
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
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
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
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
RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition
Hey Lisa, I'm a bit baffled by that quote. My dictionary states that advocacy means - 'support for people who are thought likely to be disregarded or to have difficulty in gaining attention, so that their opinion is listened to' And that lobbying means - 'a group of campaigners and representatives of particular interests who try to influence political policy on a particular issue' Essentially isn't it one in the same - advocacy being on a more personal level and lobbying being on a political level. I can't really see how you can have one without the other. You need the personal to get to the political. There would be no point in lobbying the Govt or politicians if there is no one that you are advocating for. In my limited understanding and it is limited, because I don't work for or on behalf of MC, but don't Unions and other orgs or bodies that deal with such issues do both. Whilst advocating on behalf of a group of people for a particular issue, they try to influence political policy on that particular issue. Ok, I'll stop getting off track - back to Uni work! Jo -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lisa Barrett Sent: Friday, 2 March 2007 12:56 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition The way I understand the maternity coalition are formally recognised as a lobbying goup. 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 Well, I know that MC did a lot of individual consumer advocacy in the early days but, realistically, MC cannot be an advocacy group and a lobby group simultaneously. Again, it's a simple issue of (wo)man power. Consider the fact that all active members are volunteers and almost all are mothers with babies and young children themselves and you'll understand that the face2face advocacy work is very time consuming and extremely stressful for an untrained individual to take on. You don't want unskilled people doing advocacy work!! Maybe it should be clearer what exactly the maternity coalition do so woman understand how it's helping them and in what capacity and we can really get it out there. Lisa Barrett From: Justine Caines [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 9:37 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Re: web sites for antenatal information Dear Carol I have just squizzed your website and notice Maternity Coalition missing. It would be useful to link MC to help women to understand that they can challenge obstetric domination (should they want to). Also helps to get it out there that there is a national maternity consumer advocacy organisation. Kind regards 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 - Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] to turn on/off the digest mode. Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] to turn on/off vacation mode. Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you need assistance or have a quesion. To unsubscribe, click on the following web page. http://cgi.mail-list.com/u?ln=ozmidwifery[EMAIL PROTECTED] -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.5/706 - Release Date: 28/02/2007 4:09 PM -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.5/706 - Release Date: 28/02/2007 4:09 PM -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition
Like a said Jo, It's something I read and I wondered what it meant in terms of women. I suppose the difference between the two definitions to me is that one is directly involved with the women on a individual basis to get their opinion noted and their needs addressed. and the other is involved with changing political policy but doesn't involve individuals and their difficulties but is trying over all to change for the common good. I was just asking. Can a woman come to the MC one an individual basis and get help from to address her individual difficulties with the system. Which is what consumer advocacy implies to me. Or is it you take each case and put them together to lobby public opinion and government for change which is totally different. Or is it both. I field calls from many people with problems in the system looking for help. I do give strategies and advice but some woman aren't able to get what they want alone it would be nice to know that I could refer them on to a group that could get involved. Often they don't actually want an independent midwife but just general help. Although I do the best I can I'm one person. I didn't think the maternity coalition did that sort of thing. If they do I'll start suggesting women get in touch. Lisa Barrett -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit http://www.acegraphics.com.au to subscribe or unsubscribe.
RE: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition
Lisa, a woman on BB had a terrible time with a nasty Ob, I put her in touch with MC. She joined as a member (so she could be represented) and her case was dealt with by the MC. I am not sure whats happened since but he's had complaints against him before. -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lisa Barrett Sent: Friday, March 02, 2007 8:13 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition Like a said Jo, It's something I read and I wondered what it meant in terms of women. I suppose the difference between the two definitions to me is that one is directly involved with the women on a individual basis to get their opinion noted and their needs addressed. and the other is involved with changing political policy but doesn't involve individuals and their difficulties but is trying over all to change for the common good. I was just asking. Can a woman come to the MC one an individual basis and get help from to address her individual difficulties with the system. Which is what consumer advocacy implies to me. Or is it you take each case and put them together to lobby public opinion and government for change which is totally different. Or is it both. I field calls from many people with problems in the system looking for help. I do give strategies and advice but some woman aren't able to get what they want alone it would be nice to know that I could refer them on to a group that could get involved. Often they don't actually want an independent midwife but just general help. Although I do the best I can I'm one person. I didn't think the maternity coalition did that sort of thing. If they do I'll start suggesting women get in touch. Lisa Barrett -- 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
What do I do as an MC member (actually WA State President, but that's by-the-by)? Well, for starters, I do the following (and more besides): I help out individual women with questions about maternity care in WA. Perhaps they want to know where they can get a waterbirth (answer: virtually nowhere in WA public hospitals), so I can tell them what the situation is. I can point them in the right directions to independent midwives, support groups etc. I sit on a number of committees: the Community Midwifery Programme Steering Committee, the Exec Committee of the WA Branch of ACM, and a Working Party for implementing a BMid at a local university. I recently was part of a workshop canvassing comment on the new draft consultation document on maternity services (Future Directions) and submitted a written submission on the same document. I also met with Dept of Health personnel on the same subject. I keep an eye on local and national newspapers and write comments where I believe maternity services (and midwifery-led care in particular) need a balanced comment. Yes - I do lobby (sometimes), and I do advocate (sometimes), and a whole load of things beside. I may march on parliament if needs be, and we do meet regularly with MP's. What I do, do is to try and represent the women and men who come to me, and call for midwifery-led care as the normal/default model for maternity services. Maternity Coalition also provides prenatal information sessions Choices for Childbirth, although not in WA. MC is much more than a lobbying organization (or an advocacy service). We represent consumers and are an umbrella organization for local groups. For those of you who know the National Childbirth Trust in the UK, there are many similarities between MC and the NCT in their fledgling years MC are always looking for people to support their work - why not join? Oh - by the way - I'm the national membership secretary so all you need to do is contact me :-) Debbie Slater Perth, Wa -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Lisa Barrett Sent: Friday, 2 March 2007 6:13 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Re: Maternity coalition Like a said Jo, It's something I read and I wondered what it meant in terms of women. I suppose the difference between the two definitions to me is that one is directly involved with the women on a individual basis to get their opinion noted and their needs addressed. and the other is involved with changing political policy but doesn't involve individuals and their difficulties but is trying over all to change for the common good. I was just asking. Can a woman come to the MC one an individual basis and get help from to address her individual difficulties with the system. Which is what consumer advocacy implies to me. Or is it you take each case and put them together to lobby public opinion and government for change which is totally different. Or is it both. I field calls from many people with problems in the system looking for help. I do give strategies and advice but some woman aren't able to get what they want alone it would be nice to know that I could refer them on to a group that could get involved. Often they don't actually want an independent midwife but just general help. Although I do the best I can I'm one person. I didn't think the maternity coalition did that sort of thing. If they do I'll start suggesting women get in touch. Lisa Barrett -- 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.
