I believe that one of the problems that we will have of accepting consumers
as full members of ACMI is that it is in the Constitution of the ICM that it
be a professional bodie, no consumers. Jill Thompson brought that up at a
General Meeting dicussion we had about the Constitution. ( We haven't
forgotten it but didn't get a reply in.) Apparently the way NZ accepted
consumers was very controversial. I was not involved in any of that so it
is hearsay, but Jill would know. Regards. Mary Murphy
----- Original Message -----
From: Trish David <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Pier_Leone Malavisi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 1999 6:56 AM
Subject: Re: Consumer input
> Dear Pete, the way to make anything happen is to participate in all levels
> of governance. Did you respond to the call for a review of teh
> Constitution? We had but one response in Tassie! I doubt if many
midwives
> have even read it, becuase the only way to get "consumers" (whatever they
> are in relation to midwifery) on to the executive is to amend the
> constitution which says that all members must be mdiwives. I caution you
> to think about what it might mean to have women on the Exec. Questions
> might include:
> Who? What criteria do they meet in giving them the ability to perform all
> the functions required of the Executive?
> In what proportions? Would it be possible to have an executive comprised
> of no midwives? Given the work of the Executive, would even half
> non-midiwves mean a substantial increase in the nitty-gritty midwifery
work
> of the executive for those that are midwives?
> Given the purposes of the College are also about increasing the
> professional standing of midwifery, including opportunities for midwives,
> (as well as the stated aims of improving maternity services to women) why
> would non-midwives commit over long terms to paying fees, etc?
> Finally, Do we want another 'consumer' organisation, which such a move has
> the potential to create, when we don't form strategic alliances with the
> ones already well established? Woudl not the non-midiwfe members then be
> those we could already access through consumer forums, other groups, etc?
> Those with the passion and commitment and ability and time to commit as
> they already do? Or do we want mere tokenism, that is when we need the
> political muscle we mobilise our 'consumer' members, but when we don't we
> revert to our professional members as arbiters of the College work?
>
> Now, in asking these question, I by no means intend to repudiate the idea
> of non-midiwves as members of the college or of the exec. In fact, I am
in
> favour of opening the doors somewhat. But after some really radical
ideas,
> I have had time to consider the ramifications, and advise informed
> deliberation, consultation with members through focus groups, consutlation
> with other childbirth activist groups, and with the College lawyers. Such
> a major change to our constitution should really go to referendum as one
of
> maybe only two or three items to be decided upon.
>
> But, in saying all that, PLEASE come and speak your mind at the AGM. But
> don't become silent after that. The really big decisions are made in the
> ordinary everyday world. Go to state meetings, get active, and have your
> say through your state newsletter, the journal and amongst yourselves as
> well. Because the awareness you raise today is the seed of tomorrows
> liberation.
>
> Cheers, to all you revolutionaries, Trish
>
>
> At 12:18 PM 8/17/99 -0700, you wrote:
> >Hello to all ozmidders, I would like to propose getting consumers onto
ACMI
> >exec, I am interested in all views on this matter and if enough support
ways
> >of making it happen, especially in view of AGM coming up in Hobart in
> >September. Look forward to reading your comments.
> >
> >Regards Pete Malavisi, Midwife.
> >
> >
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