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Volunteer Training
OUR TRAININGS are usually held once every 18 to 24 months. LOCATION Our next training will be held in the Sequoia Room (behind Cafeteria) at Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, CA. DATES & TIME
COST
PROCESS Once training is scheduled, our Training Coordinator will reach out to discuss requirements, training dates, and confirm your interest. When the Training Coordinator is ready for you to sign up, they will direct you to the registration page. If you have NOT filled out the membership interest form on our website, go to our membership page to take this first step in our training process. Please don't submit more than one time. Questions? Email our membership coordinator at membership@nursingmothers.org. Please note that we can accommodate babes-in-arms (i.e., nurslings who are not mobile) during our training sessions, but if you have toddlers or older children we ask that you please make arrangements for them to be cared for elsewhere while you attend the training. | Training InformationNMC members are volunteers who go through extensive training to become skilled counselors. See requirements in section below. Trainees (called Provisional Members) have a period of up to 6 months to fulfill their membership requirements under the guidance of an experienced NMC counselor who serves as their advisor (mentor). Trainees have often received assistance from NMC counselors and want to provide support to other new parents so they, too, can have a successful and positive breastfeeding experience. If you have any questions, please contact our membership chair via email at membership@nursingmothers.org. Types of Membership 1) Full Member: If you have nursed your baby for at least six months and complete the NMC training requirements within 6 months, you will become a Full Member and volunteer counselor. Full Members receive the NMC newsletter (with news about our organization as well as timely lactation-related articles), continuing education opportunities, invitations to community events (i.e. milk drives, NMC exhibits), NMC social events, and access to our Facebook Counselors group. Annual dues are $25 in August each year, after initial training. Professionals can become a NMC volunteer counselor (Full Member) if you meet the requirements but volunteer activities must be kept separate from professional paid activities. 2) Affiliate Member: If you are a professional (nurse, dietician, doula, etc.) who would like to receive NMC’s training to further your career goals, you can complete our training and become an Affiliate Member. You will receive our newsletter, continuing education opportunities, and invitations to events. Annual dues are $40 in August each year, after initial training. 3) Associate Member: If you are someone who wants to support NMC but not go through any training, you may become an Associate Member. You will receive NMC's newsletter and invitation to events. Annual dues are $40 in August each year. |
Membership Requirements - Full (Counseling) Members
The following requirements must be met for Full (volunteer counseling) membership:
- Have at least six months nursing experience with one child
- Attend all 8 sessions of training (20 hours) or make arrangements to make up. We understand that illness or emergencies may occur.
- Complete written exam (during training)
- Attend one NMC Board meeting (scheduled during training period as a separate Zoom meeting)
- Successfully counsel at least two (2) nursing parents under the guidance of an assigned NMC advisor and maintain close communication with their advisor.
- Attend and evaluate a NMC Zoom Breast/Chestfeeding Class (current schedule on our website)
- Accompany a full NMC counselor on a home visit; OR attend a lactation session with an IBCLC AND attend a breastfeeding support group session.
- Complete reading requirements.
- Pay annual chapter dues ($25 per year). If training starts between Oct - March, the dues for the current year are included in training fee; subsequent years (Aug. 1- July 31) dues would be payable on August 1st.
- Complete above requirements within 6 months.
- As a counselor for NMC, the requirements for completion of training will put you in direct contact with parents and newborns who are particularly vulnerable to infection. Due to the possibility of close contact, NMC requires a TB test, along with MMR and Varicella Immunity (titer) test (or evidence of vaccine), one time only, during the first 3 weeks of training. See our TB, MMR and Varicella Screening Policy which also includes a few vaccine recommendations.
The following requirements must be met in order to maintain your membership status on an annual basis:
- Work with 2-4 nursing parents annually
- Complete at least 2 hours of service to the organization (e.g., distribute brochures, assist at events, serve on the board)
- Attend one continuing education event every 2 years (NMC holds 1–2 per year)
- Keep up to date on annual dues (currently $25 for full members)
- Keep NMC volunteering separate from any professional paid work (for example, a doula or IBCLC cannot be paid by an NMC contact).
- Fill out the annual TB questionaire and membership update form.
For details on the Training Curriculum, click here: Training Curriculum Details
For Frequently Asked Questions, click here: Frequently Asked Questions