the ideal certification org.

[raeben]

i'm really curious about what people would want/value if they could construct their ideal certification org. or pick out of 10 strong options. i would love to hear your top 5 values as well as your bottom 2 or 3 values.

- would you value a hands-on training (like most doula trainings) or a self-study or online training (like many herbal study courses)?

- would you value an org that is just there for training and certification (like DONA) or one that is also a strongly branded/marketed business (like PBi)?

- would you be willing to pay a lot more to be a part of something with a big business model attached or do you just want to be competently trained and certified for a smaller, one time fee and then do your own marketing, admin, and business stuff at your own pace?

- would you feel more comfortable with a fairly strict scope of practice (only doing placenta's in clients home, only doing encapsulation in a certain method) or a more broad scope of practice (option to do it here or there, offering other forms of placenta medicine, offering prints or membrane art, facilitating other placenta traditions or placenta meal preparation, etc.)?

- does territorial rights (like PBi does) appeal to you or do you think it should be open and as un-territorial as doulas or midwives?

also, how much would you value:

- listing on a frequently searched site so potential clients can find you
- (optional or mandatory) marketing materials
- contract/client intake, placenta release and waiver, through dosage info, feedback forms and other forms like that.
- ability to order supplies at cost from training/cert org (and with or without the orgs branding)
- private forum for further learning, collaboration, communication.
- other?

[TO Doula]

I'm so happy to hear you're thinking about this! (Hey, not holding you to anything, just happy that you're initiating the conversation.)

I'd be happy with:

-print or on-line self study
-training, cert, and off you go, like DONA, except without the recert stuff (like CBI)
-I'd like support to get started, then mostly off on my own
-larger scope of practice, but with some good, solid guidelines on infection control, etc. I'd like to develop a more raw foods protocol that would still protect the placenta from spoilage, for instance. I would value having established protocols and standards so that when the inevitable health and safety challenges come up I've got something clear to point to. Dosage, of course, is an inexact science at the best of times, but people are going to ask so being able to offer a range of suggestions based on *something* would be helpful.
-absolutely no territorial stuff. That just feels wrong in a bunch of different ways. If there is a territorial component, I'd like to be free to waive my right to restrict others' practice. The more people out there spreading the good word, the better.
-definitely a web listing
-optional marketing materials: many of the doula orgs have "What is a doula"-type pamphlets that are branded and whatnot that members can buy if they want them, but if you've got your own company name and logo and image you can go ahead and use your own.
-sample contracts and release forms would be very helpful
-ability to order supplies at cost might be helpful, but would be quite a burden on the person running the program at the beginning. Perhaps offering links to "approved" suppliers (companies whose quality etc you trust) would be good enough. If branding were desired it could involve having members order their own jars, for instance, but buying stickers for those jars from you. Personally, if this takes off for me, I'm thinking of contacting a local glass artist to make jars for me.
-I don't feel a private forum is necessary, but it would be easy enough to set up these days as a members-only section of the organization's website. If there are enough non-doulas involved, then allplacentas might need to happen. ;-)

Either from "head office" or in forums I would welcome support for how to find out about local regulations, how to talk to health officials, hospitals or lawyers about all of this, etc. Operating under the radar is unlikely to cause a lot of hassles, but as more people start talking about this in louder voices the authorities may feel like they need to investigate the whole practice, and it would be fantastic to have the weight and combined knowledge of an organization behind us so that we're not each fighting the same local battles in a vacuum.

I recognize that running this would cost money, and that it would be necessary to make some sort of financial contribution or commitment.

[Hallielynn01]

I agree, great thread. Im with Rean on most of what she said.

Things I would like

Certifying Org to be more like DONA or CAPPA- in that we had standards that we agree to keep, but this can be on ethics of handling placenta, safety measures, etc. Also for name value, while obviously, being a DONA or CAPPA doula doesn't guarentee quality doula work, it does speak of the doula's desire to live up to a specific standard and level of education, and clients like credentials.

I would like a distance or online training, but in person could be cool too, so I felt confident with the services I was offering as being processed the best way possible. I want to offer both TCM and a raw method. I would like legal suggestions for my area, to I know what the laws are like or where to look so I can stay as legal as possible. This is a big concern of mine since Im not an LLC yet and part of the appeal of going with PBi.

I would like a community where when we join we are a team working together not in competition.

Other things I would like, are a professional not too "crunchy" image that can be taken along and usued for logos etc. Having preset info for creating personalised marketing tools. Happiest Baby on the Block offered my a CD with logos, paperwork, marketing tools and images, etc to use for my business once I was certified. That was helpful. a CD could offering those sort of files, marketing ideas, releases and contracts, and forms that could be used for various business ventures such as yoga teachers, doulas, CBEs midwives to hand out etc.

A set up that is design to enhance an exsisting business as an additional service, ie for those of us that are doulas already.

[Hallielynn01]

"would you be willing to pay a lot more to be a part of something with a big business model attached or do you just want to be competently trained and certified for a smaller, one time fee and then do your own marketing, admin, and business stuff at your own pace?"

I like the idea of the big business model, Im just not sure if that will really work for my lifestyle right now. I think Im really looking for a place to certify, and that certification would be a one way of showing potential clients my level of training and commitment. Perhaps as business grew, and word got out in our area, then the bigger model would be better for me. Right now from what Ive been hearing hosptials in our area aren't letting women take them home, so I need to look into that further, that could hurt my business in the begining (of course this is the kinda stuff PBi wants to help change with thier big name)

[DoulaMegz]

- self study/online, but comprehensive and covering multiple methods and theories.

- I like the branded idea, so I could say I'm certified with XX org that most people know in the field and has a good rep.

- I would prefer to have my own marketing etc in my hands, and just pay for my certification, however, I would also like to be able to have materials to provide potential clients about the service, makes me look more credible when I can point to some larger org with research etc.

- I would prefer a more broad scope of practice but with clear safety/handling guidelines.

- Territorial rights are POOPY!

also, how much would you value:

- listing on a frequently searched site so potential clients can find you ~ I like this, but not necessary, not a high priority, but definitely a high appeal!
- (optional or mandatory) marketing materials - optional materials!
- contract/client intake, placenta release and waiver, through dosage info, feedback forms and other forms like that: This is something i would like, in addition, resources to find out the health/safety laws in my area that may apply to my work so that I can protect myself.
- ability to order supplies at cost from training/cert org (and with or without the orgs branding): I don't think AT COST is necessary though it would be nice, but if I could just shop in ONE place for what I need that would be great!
- private forum for further learning, collaboration, communication: not a must, but would be very nice!

[TO Doula]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaMegz Territorial rights are POOPY!

T-shirt! (And how can you tell the parents of young kids in a crowd. "Poopy"? Hee hee!

[DoulaMegz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rean T-shirt! (And how can you tell the parents of young kids in a crowd. "Poopy"? Hee hee!

[renogawj]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raeben i'm really curious about what people would want/value if they could construct their ideal certification org. or pick out of 10 strong options. i would love to hear your top 5 values as well as your bottom 2 or 3 values. - would you value a hands-on training (like most doula trainings) or a self-study or online training (like many herbal study courses)? - would you value an org that is just there for training and certification (like DONA) or one that is also a strongly branded/marketed business (like PBi)? - would you be willing to pay a lot more to be a part of something with a big business model attached or do you just want to be competently trained and certified for a smaller, one time fee and then do your own marketing, admin, and business stuff at your own pace? - would you feel more comfortable with a fairly strict scope of practice (only doing placenta's in clients home, only doing encapsulation in a certain method) or a more broad scope of practice (option to do it here or there, offering other forms of placenta medicine, offering prints or membrane art, facilitating other placenta traditions or placenta meal preparation, etc.)? - does territorial rights (like PBi does) appeal to you or do you think it should be open and as un-territorial as doulas or midwives? also, how much would you value: - listing on a frequently searched site so potential clients can find you - (optional or mandatory) marketing materials - contract/client intake, placenta release and waiver, through dosage info, feedback forms and other forms like that. - ability to order supplies at cost from training/cert org (and with or without the orgs branding) - private forum for further learning, collaboration, communication. - other?

Great topic and something I've been thinking about because of a conversation I just had with a certian certifying organization.

I would rather have an online training but if someone (hint hint) was close enough I would like hands on

I prefer getting the certification and staying away from the brands. There are too many restrictions and um, quota's with brands. I'm not a quota type person. I'm not a sell sell sell type person (unfortunatly, that's the business model that PBI is going towards)
More broad interpretation. I, personally, want someone to take my placent, do it and bring it back. I don't want them in my home (where it's messy).

One time fee

Territorial rights is too limiting IMO

[raeben]

**BUMP**


no, seriously, i desire your opinions so speak now or forever go unheard

[HamiltonBirthRevolution]

I wouldn't mind paying a nominal fee yearly to a certifying org that provides ongoing support in the form of biz support and educational support (handouts, forms, etc and a small newsletter or access to an exclusive active forum).

I would prefer getting certification from a l'aissez faire org and ideally from a self study program that included assignments, study components, video lectures and demos...

I'd like to have marketing material options that allowed for personal branding: templates for rack cards and brochures that were editable would be nice.

I like the idea of having a name to point to that would add value to my service in the way that I am very proud of being a DONA trained doula and people can see that DONA is a reputable org.

[IslandDoula]

I agree with what Rean wrote as well!

I also really like the idea of possible webinars and/or live videos - showing and discussing different techniques and their merits, etc.

Great discussion - Raeben, this really seems like one of your true passions and I, for one, would love to see you develop this into a training and certification program.

[happydoula]

- Would you value a hands-on training (like most doula trainings) or a self-study or online training (like many herbal study courses)?
Before I'd done it, I'd have preferred a hands-on training, but I would also have valued the self-study/online training as an option (for those who can't get to a training). Also, perhaps an "advanced" hands-on training would be valuable for those who already know how but are looking to learn more (about different techniques, etc.)

- Would you value an org that is just there for training and certification (like DONA) or one that is also a strongly branded/marketed business (like PBi)?
I'd prefer one that is just there for training and certification (like DONA). I also have no problem with recertification.

- Would you be willing to pay a lot more to be a part of something with a big business model attached or do you just want to be competently trained and certified for a smaller, one time fee and then do your own marketing, admin, and business stuff at your own pace?
The latter.

- Would you feel more comfortable with a fairly strict scope of practice (only doing placenta's in clients home, only doing encapsulation in a certain method) or a more broad scope of practice (option to do it here or there, offering other forms of placenta medicine, offering prints or membrane art, facilitating other placenta traditions or placenta meal preparation, etc.)?
I'd prefer a not-so-strict scope of practice, although I don't have a problem (and actually prefer) doing it in clients home.

- Does territorial rights (like PBi does) appeal to you or do you think it should be open and as un-territorial as doulas or midwives?
No territorial rights.

also, how much would you value:

- listing on a frequently searched site so potential clients can find you. Eh... might be nice but wouldn't make or break my decision to join.
- (optional or mandatory) marketing materials. Optional would be nice - a logo or whatever to use in our own would be the most useful. It's always nice to have a starting point, but I don't want to be restricted.
- contract/client intake, placenta release and waiver, through dosage info, feedback forms and other forms like that. Would be fabulous - great for starting out and giving people an idea of what others are doing with their paperwork.
- ability to order supplies at cost from training/cert org (and with or without the orgs branding). Would be fabulous, but wouldn't make or break. Like someone else said, a list of "approved vendors" (and maybe even a discount for going through the approved vendor) would be perfectly acceptable.
- private forum for further learning, collaboration, communication. Sure - that would be great! (Although this forum works fine!)

[DoulaMegz]

Now that we're revisiting this, I can't stress enough how much I would like having a one stop shop for the supplies. Hell, branded jars, bags, whatever, I'm cool with that too. but the scatter I have to do to get supplies is irritating.

I love love love the idea mentioned above about webinars!

[DoulaMegz]

I'm shocked by the number of lurkers lised on this thread! Speak up!

[Garden Doula]

Thank YOU for asking these questions!

Quote:

Originally Posted by raeben - would you value a hands-on training (like most doula trainings) or a self-study or online training (like many herbal study courses)?

Self-study/online is the only way I could really afford it. I would be great to have hands-on if it was part of something else, but I would not be able to travel to get this training, because I'd never make my money back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raeben - would you value an org that is just there for training and certification (like DONA) or one that is also a strongly branded/marketed business (like PBi)?

I'd prefer to do my own marketing and branding and have a strong org who offered credentials.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raeben - would you be willing to pay a lot more to be a part of something with a big business model attached or do you just want to be competently trained and certified for a smaller, one time fee and then do your own marketing, admin, and business stuff at your own pace?

I'm not into big business models, so I like the idea of a small, professional cert org that lets me do my own thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raeben - would you feel more comfortable with a fairly strict scope of practice (only doing placenta's in clients home, only doing encapsulation in a certain method) or a more broad scope of practice (option to do it here or there, offering other forms of placenta medicine, offering prints or membrane art, facilitating other placenta traditions or placenta meal preparation, etc.)?

I'm a ToLabor (ALACE) doula, so I'm into more broad SOPs and trusting the professional to know her own limits.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raeben - does territorial rights (like PBi does) appeal to you or do you think it should be open and as un-territorial as doulas or midwives?

I don't really know how it can realistically be anything but open. Can or should any one group control the market? That isn't very good for the consumers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by raeben also, how much would you value: - listing on a frequently searched site so potential clients can find you High Value - (optional or mandatory) marketing materials Low Value - contract/client intake, placenta release and waiver, through dosage info, feedback forms and other forms like that. High Value - ability to order supplies at cost from training/cert org (and with or without the orgs branding) Moderate Value - private forum for further learning, collaboration, communication. High Value - other?