One governing doula organization

[Acacia]

Do you think there should be one governing organization over doulas? why or why not?

[Acacia]

I guess since I posted I will be one of the first to go.

I do think there needs to be one governing organization for doulas.Kinda like NARM for CPM's. Doula's could choose to be a member of it but it would have a specific code of ethic and scope of practice for all to follow. Having some sort of addition to the credentials that would allow caregivers to know what your standard of care is right from the start rather than learning about each individual organization, which they are quite unlikely to do.

I think this would help spread the word about doulas and also create a new found respect for the profession as well.

[syncreo]

I do! I think there should be multiple training organizations but ONE governing organization. I think it is important to have a common scope of practise, to use our numbers to further the work of doulas and to change maternity care or large scale, to increase our professionalism and to have more unity. This would also make it more likely that doulas would be covered under health insurance plans, thus making doulas more accessible to more women.

[AussieDoula]

One International Doula Org.

[Acacia]

Thanks Aussie!

Any new members want to jump in?

[syncreo]

Good to see I am consistent

[Tiffany]

How can we help this along? Christy approached me a while ago, about creating a venue for all the heads of doula organizations to discuss issues (like a private message forum).

I would absolutely create this and invite the orgs, but I wonder if this is something they are even interested in. How would this one governing body form? Would it be like a member of each training org sits on a committe or something and we create a name for this body, etc.

I'd like to help if I can, technically or otherwise. I really don't know how else this would start.

[DoulaMorgan]

See, while I think it's a great idea, I have a hard time believing that all the certifying orgs would be willing to jump on board. I mean, they do their OWN thing, answer to THEMSELVES and having to suddenly work within a specific governing body may not fly with them... I suppose if enough of their doulas demanded it maybe... but otherwise, I have a hard time seeing them agree to it, unless they HAD to... KWIM? Personally, as a doula I'd LOVE it...

[DL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany How can we help this along? Christy approached me a while ago, about creating a venue for all the heads of doula organizations to discuss issues (like a private message forum). I would absolutely create this and invite the orgs, but I wonder if this is something they are even interested in.

I think that an idea such as a venue for discussion amongst org heads would be the perfect place to start. Of course, they would have to be interested in order for it to be the slightest bit productive. I think that approaching them solely with a discussion type of idea of "how can we work together to further the doula cause in general?" would be a lot less aggressive feeling to them (sorry..can't think of the perfect term for my thoughts) than to say something like, "Hey, We'd love for you all to talk and see if we can get one governing body for all of you.", kwim? I think that their first thoughts would probably be defensive in nature as they'd probably want to protect the sovereignty of their individual organizations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany How would this one governing body form? Would it be like a member of each training org sits on a committe or something and we create a name for this body, etc.

I think that IF the discussion were to start, and IF they talked themselves (make them think it's their idea )into being interested in this sort of thing, then it would be up to those org. heads of just how to form it. I just think that this is a huge undertaking and would have to be taken in steps, not one big leap into one huge org.

How do I feel about it? I'm still mulling it over, but I think that I like the idea of one certifying org, but many training orgs (with their own flavors & loyalists, but meeting a unified SOP). It would be like CNMs who attend different colleges who are loyal to their institutes of learning (showing their team logos & cheering on their sports teams ), but yet they all came together to certify through ACNM. I agree that just like CNMs have to go through ACNM and CPMs go through the NARM, we would also have more clout if we were more unified, and the medical professionals would know what we are about and what exactly to expect from us. That could be a huge plus over what we have today, IMO.

[Kacy]

I'm a big unity fan, so I'd love to see a governing body for doulas. I like having the option of picking and choosing my training, but as far as an organization that clears up all the "scope of practice" issues we've been discussing recently, I think it would be great. It would really make things more clear-cut.

And imagine the potential conferences! Thousands of doulas from all organizations and backgrounds and ethnicities in one room together. Makes me woozy.

As far as actually getting one established, I have no idea. I think Lori pretty much summed up my thoughts on it. She does that a lot.

[Acacia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaMorgan See, while I think it's a great idea, I have a hard time believing that all the certifying orgs would be willing to jump on board. I mean, they do their OWN thing, answer to THEMSELVES and having to suddenly work within a specific governing body may not fly with them... I suppose if enough of their doulas demanded it maybe... but otherwise, I have a hard time seeing them agree to it, unless they HAD to... KWIM? Personally, as a doula I'd LOVE it...

I don't see why ALL organizations would have to be a part of it kwim? Of course it would be nice, but even if the majority of organizations came together I think it would be valuable. I just hate it when the doc's here are only familiar with one organization because they know the scope of practice that that organization holds. If a doula could walk in and have this..(Example) I am Julie Six CD(CBI) NARD ( north american registry of doulas) then that doc would know right off the bat that she is held to a high standard. I'm sure doulas would be far more well recognized if this were to happen rather than trying to explain their ceritfying organization's scope of practice.

[NewMoonDoula]

This issue is one of the reasons I have not yet gone for certification through one particular organization... I am worried that sooner or later a governing organization will emerge, (especially needed to get insurance to cover our services,) and not all organizations will be grandfathered into the requirements, making some certifications all but null and void.

I would like to see more unity among the doula community... I don't neccessarily feel the need for a governing body, but more of a streamlined, universal "final exam" created and agreed upon by participating organizations, and required for all doulas wishing to use the title "certified."

[betterbirths]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewMoonDoula I am worried that sooner or later a governing organization will emerge, (especially needed to get insurance to cover our services,) and not all organizations will be grandfathered into the requirements, making some certifications all but null and void. I would like to see more unity among the doula community... I don't neccessarily feel the need for a governing body, but more of a streamlined, universal "final exam" created and agreed upon by participating organizations, and required for all doulas wishing to use the title "certified."

I think it would lead to more rules and buracracy that would make our jobs harder. All of the power is given to a few people to make the rules and restrictions that would govern many.
I like the idea of a standardized knowledge test, but think one organization is not right. The standards of practice have already been set by the different organizations that do the certifications now.

[doula Michele]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiffany How can we help this along? Christy approached me a while ago, about creating a venue for all the heads of doula organizations to discuss issues (like a private message forum). I would absolutely create this and invite the orgs, but I wonder if this is something they are even interested in. How would this one governing body form? Would it be like a member of each training org sits on a committe or something and we create a name for this body, etc. I'd like to help if I can, technically or otherwise. I really don't know how else this would start.

I have been wondering the same thing.
I am the new president of the Canadian Doula Association..but totally unsure where we need to head.
I firmly agree we need to have some sort of consistancy in doula support.

[MothertheMother]

I think the way Lamaze does it could be a good example. You don't have to be a Lamaze educator to be a good one but a lot of people know the name and respect it. They have smaller mentor programs (like Passion for Birth ) that do the training and basically sign off on the educator to sit for the exam. So, you can pick what program you like best but in the end you are certified by Lamaze. You can call yourself a Lamaze trained educator and market yourself as such but can't say you are certified until you sit for the exam (and pass of course). I do like the idea of unity while keeping the autonomy for training styles etc. The idea of control falling into the wrong peoples hands is a bit scary but I trust my certifying organization to no align with a unifying body if it isn't fully in the best interest of the members. I guess one thing to keep in mind is if this ever does come to fruition it isn't like you couldn't still be a doula without being part of the organization, you just wouldn't be a XYZ Certified Doula. I don't like the idea of one body saying yes or no to being able to practice as a doula, though.