[~Megan~]

We are having a meeting in my town to do just that. I've been wanting to do it for about 3 years now and it looks like it might finally be happening.

How did you get started and afford it all? I would really like to be a LLL leader but my understanding is that the yearly member costs quite a bit. Do they have programs for people who don't have the money for it?

 

[MidwifeErika]

I have not started a LLL group, but my co-leader started the group that I am currently involved with. She started the group as a breastfeeding support group while she worked on her accredidation through LLL and then it became a LLL group. I moved to town just a month or so after it was official. Anyhow, I know she has put in a lot of her own money to get things started, her fees to become accredited, books, postage, office supplies, etc. It can be expensive to get a group going and then from each paying member you get $8 for your group to keep (the rest has to go on to the LLL organization to cover all the other expenses), so it can take awhile to get some decent funds going. We are currently going to be exploring fundraising ideas to try to get things off to an even better start here. The first year of a group there are some fees that are waived and such too, you will be able to read up more on that while working on becoming a leader.

The cost of becoming a leader can be a bit expensive with the membership, books, etc. I was a Medela grant recipient though, so I am fortunate that my accredidation fees were covered. Ask around within your state or area to see if there are any grants available currently for those interested in becoming leaders, that would help with your costs greatly. Just throw yourself out there and let the right people know that you are interested but need help with the $$$$ part of it and maybe the funds will be available somewhere (I have also been able to attend a conference due to other grants being available and just letting people know that I would love to attend but had no money at the time to do so).

I hope I didn't sound like

: about starting a group. It can be tricky and there can be money involved, but it can also be increadibly rewarding and a wonderful way to help out your community. What a great way to meet other like-minded mamas also! I wish you lots of luck!!!

 

[sunshine*girl]

I have gotten an English speaking breastfeeding support group off the ground in Stockholm. I want us to become a LLL group but the headquarters has not responded to my emails at all.

: We are affiliated with the Swedish breastfeeding society but that is, of course, done in Swedish and doesn't have the visibility that the LLL has. There isn't any LLL groups in Sweden.

The LLL has another, cheaper option....you can set up a Breastfeeding Resource Centre, here's some information. The first year membership is 100 USD and then 70 USD for renewal.

 

[laurdsed]

Personally, a LLL group can be as expensive or inexpensive as one wishes it to be. Here, locally, there is quite a bit of fundraising that goes on and there are lots of resources for how to go about fundraising. For Leadership, I believe it's about $30/year to maintain accreditation, Leader magazine subscription and liability insurance. Depending on which Division one is in there's $20 more. However, the group can pay for these if there are funds. This is what the fundraising is for locally. There's also $31/year for each group to maintain LLL status and receive the New Beginnings magazine. Personally, I don't think these costs are excessive.

There is also fundraising to support the application process. Many LLL areas have scholarship funds for start up groups and Leadership fees. One just has to ask about them.

I'm trying to think of what else you asked, but don't remember and have to cut this note short (watching 3 kids besides my own right now!)

Feel free to PM me.

Laurel

 

[rozzie'sma]

Leadership fee is $40 and covers your malpractice insurance. Application fee and books are about 100. Yearly membership is now $40. To set up a new LLL you need to contact the Area coordinator of Leaders for your state she should be able to help you. i know there are resources to help start new groups and sometimes they have libraries they can lend out from other LLL in the state that may have disbanded. You can also make copies of the pamplets in your reader applicant set instead of buying a bunch of new ones. I just had a LLL fundraiser last night and we made $400. We went to a local indoor play area and rented it for 2 hours for $40, she cut us a 1/2 off deal. Then we charged $5 per family admission (this is a savings it is usually 5 per child) and we raffled off door prizes. We had a small bake sale of health snacks like homemade granola, pumpkin muffins, spinach and cheese calzones (big hit) and other stuff like that. We offered free beverage. Then we all went to local businesses and asked for donations for a silent auction. We got 2 free massages, various nice trinkets, 2 series of kindermusik, people were very generous. We handed out all their advertising information in packets we made at the door so I think that helped us get sponsors. Then we had an information table with some Womenly Art for sale and pamplets and our meeting info. Everyone had a blast, super cheap to do, and I am sure it would raise enough for chartering a group. Oh we ran an add in the paper and put up fliers in local shop windows as well