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California Nurse-Midwives Association
JUNE 2019 | Newsletter
MOMENTS FROM ACNM 2019
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
A VIEW FROM CAPITOL HILL
SHOUT OUT TO CNMA MEMBERS ANA DELGADO AND ASMARA GEBRE!
SAVE THE DATE! CNMA ANNUAL MEETING OCT 5, 2019 IN LOS ANGELES, CA
STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT POSTERS FOR CNMA ANNUAL MEETING
OPEN POSITIONS FOR CNMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 2019
CAREER OPPORTUNITY IN WATSONVILLE, CA
MOMENTS FROM ACNM 2019
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
I was so happy to see so many faces from CA at the ACNM conference!! We stormed the capitol and I do mean “stormed!” Please see the update on Advocacy Day from Paris. In the process, one of the CNMs had a connection with a reporter from the Voice of America. A few of us were shuttled off to the Voice of America building and were interviewed. We discussed various topics including the current state of midwifery in America and barriers midwives face under our current system; integrating doulas into care; and taking care of women with preeclampsia.
We also had an affiliate meeting in which we outlined all the important things CNMA is working on at this time. We sold much of our merchandise at the marketplace and did a lot of networking. There were wonderful educational opportunities and a large focus on topics related to equity, inclusion and diversity. Ana Dalgado made a motion which was approved to allow members to allocate a certain amount of their dues to support midwives of color. This was passed and will be taken up by the ACNM Board. CNMs from CA were very outspoken in this debate and we should all be proud of their passion and the strength of their collective voices.
I am also very proud that we were able to offer five 500.00 scholarships to allow SNMs to attend. CNMA also encouraged ACNM to sponsor two of our representatives from our newly formed Reproductive Justice/Anti-Racism Advisory Group; I am so happy they were able to attend.
Many of those attending asked me how they could get involved. If you are one of those individuals or want to become more engaged, please email me at kathleen.belzer@gmail.com. I can talk you through what interests you and the amount of commitment you can make so we can tailor an opportunity that meets your particular desires.
With gratitude,
Kathleen Belzer, CNMA President.
ACNM in Washington, D.C.: A View from the Hill
On May 20th, over 500 midwives and student midwives gathered together in Washington, DC to lobby for legislation that will improve health outcomes of women and families. Approximately 20 of those CNMs and SNMs were from CNMA! Our advocacy focused on the need to modernize Medicare policy around facility credentialing and privileging of midwives; legislation to amend Medicare’s Conditions of Participation to include midwives in the definition of medical staff; and increased funding within Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act in FY 2020 to grow the midwifery workforce. We also took the opportunity to ask for support on issues and legislation we’re working on in California, including racial disparities and implicit bias (SB 464) and our continued issues with physician supervision. It was a phenomenal day, highlighted by a HUGE turnout for our appointments with Kamala Harris’ and Diane Feinstein’s staff, as well as an unexpected interview with Voice of America.
If you were unable to join us in Washington, D.C., don’t worry—there’s still plenty you can do to advocate for women and families through in-district lobbying without leaving the comfort of your own city. Here’s how to get started: Go to https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative and type in your zip code; then call, email, or use the website to contact the scheduler or health aide for your representative to schedule an in-district meeting at your convenience. ACNM’s Hill Day page has everything you need in order to lobby like a professional: http://annualmeeting.midwife.org/hill-day/hill-day-resources/ From here you can print the issue briefs, a CNM State Practice Map, and ACNM and ACOG Joint Statement of Practice Relations to take with you to your meeting. Our talking points will help you feel confident and sound like the expert you are! http://www.midwife.org/acnm/files/cclibraryfiles/filename/000000007487/Talking%20Points%20for%202019%20ACNM%20Hill%20Day.pdf
Paris Maloof-Bury, CNM
P.S. Have you heard? South Carolina has passed legislation allowing CNMs to practice without physician supervision. This means that we in California are now one of only FOUR states in the Union that still require physician supervision. The tide is turning in our favor, my fellow midwives. We need all of our efforts now more than ever!
SHOUT OUT TO CNMA MEMBERS ANA DELGADO AND ASMARA GEBRE!
We are so proud of CNMA members Ana Delgao and Asmara Gebre who collaborated with Oregon affiliate member Lena Jordemoder to bring a powerful motion forward at the 2019 ACNM business meeting this year. These women made a proposal that will help increase equity for midwives of color within ACNM, something that we have not been able to achieve in our six decades of existence as a professional organization. We congratulate you and your efforts to ensure it's successful passage!
SAVE THE DATE! CNMA ANNUAL MEETING OCT 5, 2019 IN LOS ANGELES, CA
STUDENTS INVITED TO SUBMIT POSTERS FOR CNMA ANNUAL MEETING
The CNMA Annual Meeting will be held on October 5, 2019. This year we are excited to incorporate a poster presentation area for students to highlight their research, activism within midwifery, and/or share ways in which Reproductive Justice informs and directs their midwifery. This will be in an intimate setting supporting students to network and meet potential employers who are interested in their work.
Please submit your poster presentation proposals by filling out this google form: https://forms.gle/H2Cb7rmQuegDX2k18
OPEN POSITIONS FOR CNMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 2019
Volunteering for the California Nurse-Midwives Association Board of Directors is an incredibly fulfilling experience. Working in the trenches alongside fellow midwives on legislative and policy issues that affect midwives throughout the state and represent our concerns to the National Office of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, presents an opportunity for professional development beyond the clinical, entrepreneurial, academic and administrative.
Terms for all positions last 2 years, with the exception of the President-Elect (one year as President-Elect, followed by two years as President) and the Student Rep (one year term). The time commitment for most positions is limited to monthly meetings/phone calls; but within the BOD, there are opportunities to serve on various committees or as liaison to state and national partner organizations which may require a greater time commitment.
CNMA Board of Directors officers and regional representatives are elected on a rotating schedule.
In OCTOBER 2019, the following positions will be open:
President-Elect (serve as President Elect from 10/2019 to 10/2020, then assume the role of President for 10/2020-10/2022):
Has a year to transition to the position of President. During that year (from Oct 1 to Oct 1) duties include:
Attend monthly BOD calls.
Attend 2 in-person meetings annually that alternate between Northern and Southern CA.
Health Policy Committee calls and meetings with Political Strategist and/or Legal Counsel prn.
This role then transitions to President:
See above.
Lead all BOD Calls.
Prepare the agenda, get approval for the agenda, approve the minutes along w/the secretary, make corrections, sign the minutes. Agenda should be out 10 days before the BOD calls.
Establish a quorum on the calls.
Lead the CNM Annual Meeting. Present the awards, introduce speakers if needed, recognize off going BOB members and welcome incoming BOD members.
Be the face of CNMA. Be prepared to give interviews, help draft legislation and correspondence prn, review HPC information.
Write a monthly column for the CNMA newsletter.
Attend the ACNM Annual Meeting and represent the state affiliate during the Regional Meeting.
Be in touch with the ACNM National Office whenever necessary.
Secretary:
Send out the agenda to all the BOD members 10 days before the BOD Meeting.
Take minutes during the BOD meeting.
Send minutes to the president and other BOD members for corrections.
Get signature on minutes once the corrections have been made.
Send out final minutes to BOD members.
Store minutes on Drop Box and keep Dropbox files organized.
Secretary is a BOD voting member.
Term 2 years, staggered with Treasurer.
NorCal Rep, SoCal Rep, Central Cal Rep (one each!):
Establish two-way communication with regional chapter chairs and members to update them on affiliate issues, as well as bring issues, comments, needs and requests from regional members to the BOD.
Take a leadership role in organizing in-district visits when it comes to grassroots advocacy/legislation.
Take initiative regarding events in their region and develop relationships with the members of the region.
Should attend their own chapter meetings.
Call into BOD meeting once a month x 1.25-1.5 hours.
Voting member.
2 year term.
Student Rep (10/2019-10/2020):
Be the contact person for SNM’s in the state-for both in state and out of state learners.
Be aware of scholarship program. Be able to direct SNM’s to application process.
Attend the ACNM Annual Meeting as the SNM Rep for the affiliate.
Give the SNM Annual Report at the meeting.
One of the biggest challenges is finding learning sites for distance learners. Not sure the SNM Rep can really solve this problem but it keeps coming up.
SNM Rep is not a voting member but is an active participant in the BOD meetings and will provide a monthly student report to the BOD.
Assist in social media communications involving student news.
Social Media Chair:
Maintain cnma.org website and postings
Public Relations project management, including CNMA videos for upcoming bills
Head of social media team that manages social media posts
Coordinates monthly newsletter assembly and distribution through cnma.org and listserve.
Maintains online merchandise store
Not a voting member
Term is 2 years
Secretary of Education (NEW!):
Facilitate the scheduling of CE Web Based presentation by :
Coordinating with perspective presenters, scheduling a date and getting content to ACNM for CE approval (4 speakers per year)
Getting information about CEs to website administrator for posting to website and advertising in newsletter
Making sure that attendees are tracked and information stored in case of audit
Fielding questions from participants i.e. making sure they are able to do post-test and get CE certificate
CAREER OPPORTUNITY IN WATSONVILLE, CA
Our relatively new midwifery practice at an established FQHC is hiring a full-time full-scope CNM. Our organization serves a proud, strong, predominantly Spanish-speaking farmworker community in Watsonville, California. We are looking for someone ready to dive in and help in the continued development of a collaborative practice with our OB and family practice colleagues. If you are interested in learning more about the position and our practice, please feel free to contact me directly with questions or for more information at slevitan@splg.org.
Questions? News? Want to get involved?
Email us at info@cnma.org
That's all for this month's issue. Catch you next time!
-CNMA MEDIA TEAM
Visit us at CNMA.ORG
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