Happy autumn to all our members!

That refreshing autumn wind blows strong and the beautiful kaleidoscope of colour draping over our great nation at this time of year happens to be my personal favourite. In just a few days’ time, many of our members will be meeting to learn and grow in skill and practice in Richmond BC. I am looking forward to seeing each and every one. I will be doing my best to chat with as many of you as possible, please don’t be shy – come introduce yourself and say “Hi”.

New educational opportunities await! The CLCA-ACCL website now hosts a selection of 10 CERPs certified webinars hosted on the GOLD Learning platform.

Log into your CLCA member account, click on the Members Portal and you’ll find all 10 topics available to select from. CLCA membership will allow you to choose 2 webinars that best suit your own learning needs.

Your membership also gives you access in that same Members Portal to the Clinical Lactation Journal. Be sure to Login and upgrade your knowledge base with the latest research in our field.

CLCA continues to strive ever onward in advocacy for the IBCLC in the Canadian landscape. Over the last number of years, our organization has seen wonderful growth in our membership, our pathways of advocacy, education and teamwork. Your continued support through membership and your endorsement to your colleagues means all the difference for this small yet mighty organization. I am in awe of all that a handful of passionate volunteers has been able to accomplish and cannot express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported, recommended and joined in with the good work being done. But we are not done yet!

I am pleased to share with you that we will be launching a new committee at CLCA. Through the planning of this latest conference, an area of need became clear. Our organization needs help from its members to in providing clarity, wisdom and support for the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

CLCA strongly stands by its mission, vision and values and upholding the WHO Code is an important part of what CLCA was founded on. In order to support this endeavour, the Board of Directors has moved to create the Ethics and WHO Code Compliance Committee. This committee will be charged with supporting the organization in upholding the WHO Code and offering insight and guidance in matters of the WHO Code as well as related ethical concerns that may arise for the organization. I ask you to consider whether you might donate a small portion of your valuable time to this endeavour during times of event planning and on rare occasion outside of these parameters. To those desiring to support this committee, please email our office with your offer of help.

In the spirit of healthy families & friends this season, and as Dr. Aviva Romm is known to say, to “Hugs over Handshakes”!

See you in a few days!

Bethany Heintz, CLCA President