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Article 1: Name
Colorado Alliance of Independent Midwives, (C-AIM).
Article
2: Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles
Section 2.1: Mission Statement
The Mission of the Colorado Alliance of Independent Midwives (C-AIM)
is to uphold home birth midwifery in Colorado as an autonomous profession
with education through apprenticeship training at its core.
Section 2.2: Vision
Every pregnant woman in Colorado has access to midwifery care within
her community and respects homebirth care as a quality health care
option.
Every pregnant woman in Colorado has access to midwifery care within
her community and respects homebirth care as a quality health care
option.
Section 2:3 Guiding Principles
The activities of the Colorado Alliance of Independent Midwives
are guided by the values of Education, Empowerment, Inclusion, Nurturance,
and Participation in our interactions with each other in the midwifery
community, the families we serve, and the larger community.
Article
3: Membership
Section 3:1: Membership
Any person who is interested in supporting the Mission and Vision
of C-AIM, who desires to follow the Guiding Principles of the Organization
is eligible for membership.
Section 3:2: Diversity Statement
The Colorado Alliance of Independent Midwives encourages a diversity
of age, economic status, education, national origin, political affiliation,
physical ability, race, religion, and sexual preference.
Section 3.3: Dues
The dues for membership shall be determined annually by the Council
or their delegate. The Council has the right to waive dues or accept
work for the Organization in lieu of dues.
Section 3.4: Information
Each new member shall receive a current copy of Bylaws and Standing
Rules.
Article
4: Meetings
Section 4.1: Business Meetings
At least one general business meeting will be held annually in
the spring around May 1. Location and proposed agenda will
be announced by mail to the membership at least 2 months in advance.
Section 4.2: Agenda
The proposed agenda for business meetings will be determined by
the Council. Members may submit items for inclusion on the agenda.
Time will be allotted to add to the agenda issues raised by members
attending the business meetings.
Section 4.3: Distribution of Minutes
A summary of the meeting including dissenting perspectives will
be mailed or emailed to members.
Article
5: Decision Process
It is the intent of C-AIM to reach decisions by consensus whenever
possible. Participation of all members will be solicited.
Section 5.1: Definitions
Approve- member supports this decision for the Organization, whether
or not it is what the member would personally choose.
Stand Aside- member does not fully support the decision, but chooses
not to block the decision.
Block- member feels that this decision is in conflict with the Mission,
Vision, and Guiding Principles, and would be detrimental to the
Organization's goals. Members blocking a decision are required to
be part of the resolution committee to develop alternative proposal(s).
Champion- member of the Organization who brings forth an issue for
decision by Council or membership. Champions presenting an issue
are responsible for preliminary and follow-up research, and reports
related to the issue.
Section 5.2: Notification
Members will be informed by mail or e-mail (as designated by the
member) at least 2 weeks and not more than 6 weeks before any business
meeting. Such notification will include the proposed agenda with
any issues on which a decision is anticipated.
Section 5.3: Participation in Consensus
Members interested in participating in the decision process regarding
an issue will have the greatest input by attending meetings. Those
members who are unable to attend due to a birth or other unpredictable
circumstance may submit comments to the issue champion within 2
weeks after the meeting. Attendance at meetings or submission of
written comments insures that a member's concerns will be included
in the discussion., and a decision will not be adopted without their
support.
Section 5.4: Pending Decisions
If consensus is reached among those present at a general business
meeting, the decision will be adopted at the following meeting if
all participating members concur, including all present as well
as those who sent written comments within 2 weeks after the meeting.
Section 5.5: Decisions Requiring Consensus
The following decisions require consensus of the membership: acquiring
debt, creation or dissolution of committees, chartering (defining
extent and limits of) committee activities, dismissal of Council
members.
The following DO NOT require consensus of the membership: election
of Council members, day to day administrative functions, carrying
out of committee activities, planning of individual events or conferences,
and issues agreed by consensus of the membership to be delegated.
Committees are encouraged to reach consensus within their membership,
and bring issues needing more clarification to the general membership.
Any decision not otherwise defined shall require consensus of the
membership.
Section 5.6: Revisiting Decisions
Consensus decisions may be reopened with approval of 50 percent
of those represented at a business meeting, either in attendance
or by written comments from those unable to attend.
Section 5.7: Emergency Decisions
Input from the membership regarding emergency decisions will be
solicited as the situation permits; actions can proceed with consensus
among Council members and Committee chairs. Such decisions will
be reported in the newsletter and at the next business meeting.
Article
6: Leadership Council
Leadership of the C-AIM is provided by a Council consisting of at
least 3, ideally 5, members.
The Council is responsible for maintaining and promoting the Organization's
Mission and Vision, applying the Guiding Principles to all decisions
and activities. The Council will facilitate decision making within
the C-AIM, coordinate the activities of the Organization, while
encouraging delegation of responsibility and authority for committee
activities. Council members are Midwives to the Organization, the
General Membership is the Mother- the Organization creates itself
with the support of the Council Members
Section 6.1: Terms
Terms are 2 years. Staggered rotation of terms will allow for a
gradual turn-over of the Council to avoid having all new members
at once.
Term Limitations- A limit of 2 sequential terms on the Council.
No limit if there are 2 year breaks between terms.
Section 6.2: Diversity Statement
Diversity of Membership on the Leadership Council is encouraged
- racial, ethnic, locality, educational route, level of experience
as a midwife.
Section 6.3: Council Meetings and Minutes
Leadership Council will meet at least quarterly. Meetings will be
open to all members. Time and location of upcoming Leadership Council
meetings will be announced at general membership meeting, in newsletter,
and on the website. Proposed agenda items will be posted. The notebook
of Leadership Council Meeting Minutes will be available at General
Meetings of C-AIM for review.
Section 6.4: Leadership Council Roles
Motherwort
Philosophy: Visionary encompassing the whole and the future. Keeps
sight of the big picture. Peacekeeper. Integrates all the parts
of the Organization: committees, council, membership whole.
Practical responsibilities: Newsletter; Budget, including checkbook
and bill paying; Liaison with committees; Follow up on consensus
meetings (checking in with those who have not been heard).
Oatstraw
Philosophy: Nurtures the people that carry the Vision- the membership,
ensuring joyful play and self-love and respect amongst us all.
Practical responsibilities: Opening and Closing of each meeting;
Caring and midwifing special needs (i.e.: being investigated, extra
challenging birth, etc) and celebrations (i.e.: getting registered,
getting CPM, etc); Welcoming mew midwives to Colorado and new members;
Collect inspirational helps for meetings and newsletters; Keeping
membership rolls.
Raspberry
Philosophy: Spreads the Vision of C-AIM, using courage and will
to promote homebirth midwifery.
Practical responsibilities: Public education; Public Relations (i.e.:
press releases); Community outreach and promotion; Fundraising;
Routing mail from PO Box.
Comfrey
Philosophy: Passing on the Vision of C-AIM in the form of promoting
Midwifery Knowledge and Wisdom within the membership and to the
next generations of midwives; Holding apprenticeship as the standard
for midwifery education, while respecting other forms and holding
them to the Apprenticeship standard.
Practical responsibilities: Promotes continuing education of local
educators to meet community and state standards as well as national
standards; Generating Midwifery care statistics using MANA statistics
form for local collation of statistics; Sharing opportunities for
practicing midwives to learn from each other; Clearinghouse of local
midwifery educational opportunities.
Nettles
Philosophy: Interfacing the Vision of C-AIM with other organizations.
Practical responsibilities: Legislation- being sure C-AIM's voice
and proposals are heard at relevant hearings and committees; National
coordination with MANA, other national organizations; Relations
with CMA and other Colorado natural health organizations; Sign legal
documents for the Council and C-AIM.
Section 6.5: Choosing Council Members
Ideally at least 2 candidates will run for each position. When the
call for nominations is issued by the election committee, members
who desire a position on the Leadership Council may submit a self-nomination
by the designated deadline. It will include a brief biography and
a written statement of why thy wish to serve in that Leadership
Council role. Candidates will present their qualifications to the
membership and be willing to do so at the meeting before the elections
in whatever form they wish; for example: * as a written statement
sent to all members with the ballot; *posted on web page; *publicize
to the members times for hosting a tea or telephone-availability
so that members can interact with them personally.
Ballots, meeting notice, and proposed agenda will be mailed out
to all members 2 months before the election. Council members are
chosen by written confidential ballots cast by all members, with
a majority vote winning. In case of a tie, see Bylaws, Article 5.
Section 6.6: Qualification for Leadership Council
Be willing to represent the role, not their own personal agenda
or passion.
Be willing to consider their effect on midwifery for the next 7
generations, as well as short term results.
Be an active member of C-AIM.
Have already spent time serving as a volunteer for C-AIM.
Has read and is willing to abide by the C-AIM Standing Rules.
Commits to the practical and philosophical role of being a Leadership
Council Member.
Section 6.7: Accountability and Dismissal
At each general membership meeting there will be a time set aside
for routine feedback to the Council in general and each Council
member, in the form of 3 Strokes and 1 Wish Talking Stick Tradition.
(definition to be inserted here shortly). This feedback will be
considered by each individual and also at the next Council meeting.
When a concern is repeatedly presented or presented by a majority
of the members then a Problem Solving and Support session around
it must be held by the Council members or a specially appointed
committee. If relief of the problem is not found in this way, then
the Council member will be under suspension until the next General
Membership meeting, when the General Membership will discuss removal
of the person from office. A Council Member will be dismissed when
agreed by consensus of the General Meeting. A special election will
then go into effect for the open position, unless that position
was to come up for election within the next 3 months, or the membership
votes by voice not to fill that position again until the next scheduled
election.
Article
7: Committees
Committees and their general duties are chartered by consensus of
the General Membership. All committees will report to the Leadership
Council at regular intervals and to the General Membership at the
yearly meeting. Committee activities will be regularly reported
in the newsletter.
All C-AIM members in good standing are eligible, and encouraged
to serve on committees. Each committee shall choose a chairperson
responsible for keeping minutes, monitoring the budget, and communicate
activities to the Council and membership.
Suggested Committees:
Midwifery Education - standing
Research / Statistics - periodic?
Public Education - standing
Fundraising - standing
Legislation - standing ??
Organizational Interface - standing
Elections/ Consensus - as needed
Newsletter - standing
Finance / Budget -standing
Continuing Education
Nurturance - may have confidential needs
Website
Article
8: Amending Bylaws or Standing Rules
Standing Rules shall be reviewed at the annual meeting.
Proposed changes to the Bylaws or Standing Rules must be published
in the newsletter or a separate mailing to all members at least
one month before the business meeting at which such changes will
be discussed.
Comments from members unable to attend the discussion of proposed
Bylaw or Standing Rule changes can be submitted by mail or e-mail.
These comments will be read at the business meeting.
Discussion and tentative consensus decisions related to proposed
Bylaw or Standing Rule changes will be included in the minutes of
the meeting.
Proposed Bylaw or Standing Rule changes will be adopted at the following
meeting if consensus is reached, including support or stand aside
from those submitting written comments (see Standing Rules Article
5: Decision Process).
Final changes to the Bylaws or Standing Rules will be published
in the newsletter.
Article
9: Budget / Funds
Article
10: Miscellaneous
Fiscal Year
Offices
Legally Defined Roles (refer to Article 6.4.1):
Council members shall designate which person or persons are responsible
for fulfilling legally defined roles of President, Treasurer, or
Secretary.
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