What do you do to be active in your community? What do or have you done for doula activism?

I belong to a community organization of local doulas that does a fair amount of community work. I'm also in the process of starting up a full-spectrum doula collective.

As far as advocacy goes, we're big on letter writing! We do a lot of letters to the editor about things like 3rd party reimbursement for doulas, hospital policies on doulas and birthing options, and breastfeeding outreach.

I've been part of birth networks and I'm in the process of getting back into that again...I suddenly have more free time on my hands I'm really big on networking with other birth professionals and keeping up a local resource list so I can refer to others at any time. I try to help bring other training opportunities to my area as well (which is much easier said than done for silly drama reasons).
I'm currently focusing on writing my cbe curriculum (geez that's some work) but once that is done I want to start offering free early pregnancy classes and free comfort measures classes every so often (like once a quarter) to help get some information out there and for marketing

Awesome! What type of community work do you do? Can you tell us more about the doula collective?

Who do you write letters to?

Thanks!

Honestly... I do very little.
Some of you, who are on my FB page may have read the 40 replys on my status update the other day. We have brutal stories. So I keep my mouth shut, so I do not rock any boats so that I can keep support the women who want my support. IF I get banned from the hospital then I am of no use to anyone. BUT I do give women a safe place to tell their story and encourage THEM to go public. The stories belong to them and not me.

I am organizing a birth circle in my community for women to meet other women and learn about birthing, midwives etc.

Can you elaborate? A friend and I am thinking of starting a local postpartum group sometime around the first of the year. Where do you meet? How do you get your info out to the community?

I am part of our local doula networking group. We've done things like have a table at a Baby Expo. We have monthly support meetings for doulas and monthly parent Meet & Greet nights where parents can meet the doulas.

I blog: http://naturalparentingsupport.blogspot.com

Since there aren't many independant childbirth educators in our area, I'm working towards certification as a BirthWorks childbirth educator.

I offer extremely reduced rates to low income moms who want a doula.

I'm new to the game, but the few doulas in this area have welcomed me with open arms! I've already been asked to be a backup for two births, and we want to get together into a closer knit community for support, backup, resources and more!
It's a really exciting time, and a very thrilling thing to be a part of!
Esp. when we're in a community where I'll be the 4th or 5th (maaaaaaybe) doula... and from what I know, two of them will be on baby break in the very near future!

not enough. I can barely keep my head above water these days managing my family life and my work. I hope that I was able to help facilitate the beginnings of a more politically active group, but I can't bottomline it.

Anyway. I hope to be in place of strength to do more soon I'm interested in getting back toward what I know how to do - help create community and helping to organize protests. lol.

ETA: I am totally inspired by y'all so keep it coming!!!