Member Meeting ????Ravae Sinclair and Denise Bolds discussed their observations from a recent meeting of DONA International, a nonprofit organization for doulas. They highlighted issues such as the lack of transparency, missing meeting minutes for three years, and inconsistencies in financial reporting. They noted that DONA's membership has declined from 7,000 to around 2,700 certified members in two years, and its revenue has dropped significantly. They also criticized the lack of translation services and the rushed certification process, which may compromise quality. They emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in doula organizations and announced plans to provide a resource for informed consumer decisions. ResourcesClick here to find an organization's 990 tax filings to verify the financial information shared.Here's a resource to provide more transparency and information about doula and birth worker training organizations. OutlineMeeting Introduction and PurposeRavae Sinclair and Denise Bolds introduce themselves and acknowledge the post-election energy.The meeting is focused on observations from a recent meeting of an organization they were previously leaders of.Ravae emphasizes the importance of transparency for nonprofit organizations, especially regarding financial and membership information.The goal is to provide feedback and create accountability within the organization, Dona International. Observations on Transparency and Meeting MinutesDenise Bolds discusses the annual member meeting, highlighting the lack of transparency in posting meeting minutes and budgets.The organization claims to be transparent, but Denise notes that meeting minutes and agendas have not been posted in several years.Denise mentions that she kept slides from the meeting to track information and questions the organization's financial health.Ravae and Denise express concern about the inconsistencies in the organization's claims of transparency. Certification and Membership NumbersDenise shares a screen to present certification and membership numbers, revealing a significant drop in certified doulas since 2017.The organization claims to have over 2000 birth doulas and just over 500 postpartum doulas certified.Ravae and Denise discuss the importance of these numbers and the discrepancy between the organization's claims and actual figures.They note that the organization's membership has been declining, especially in Canada, due to unmet needs and issues with the organization. Financial Health and RevenueRavae discusses the organization's financial health, noting that it was once a million-dollar company but is now losing ground.The organization's revenue has decreased significantly, with a drop of $300,000 to $400,000 in the past two years.Ravae explains that the organization's revenue comes primarily from membership dues and trainer fees, with a recent change requiring trainers to pay per head.Despite the changes, the organization's financial situation remains precarious, with lower revenue than in previous years. Lack of Translation and Language BarriersRavae and Denise highlight the organization's failure to provide translations in Spanish and other languages, despite having Spanish-speaking members and leaders.They mention that the organization has had Spanish-speaking presidents in the past but has not translated materials into Spanish.The lack of translation services has led to disenfranchised members and a lack of access to important information.Ravae and Denise emphasize the importance of translation for inclusivity and effective communication within the organization. Election Process and Leadership ConcernsRavae and Denise discuss the recent election process, noting the lack of transparency and engagement.There was no information provided about the candidates, and the election was conducted with only one candidate for president.Denise expresses concern about the new president, Erica, who lacks prior board experience and leadership skills.Ravae and Denise argue that the organization's leadership changes have been made without proper member involvement or transparency. Missing Meeting Minutes and Bylaw ChangesRavae shares that meeting minutes have been missing for three full years on Dona Connect, preventing members from knowing what decisions were made.They discuss the lack of transparency in the election process and the changes to the organization's bylaws without member awareness or input.Ravae mentions that the Director of Communications, Joyce Dagma, claimed that the agenda for meetings is confidential, further reducing transparency.The lack of meeting minutes and transparency in bylaws changes has left members in the dark about important decisions and policies. Integrity of Certification ProcessRavae and Denise discuss concerns about the integrity of the certification process, noting that it has been made easier and faster.They mention that some doulas are falsifying their certification documents to meet requirements, leading to a lack of accountability.The rush to make the certification process easier has compromised the quality and integrity of the certification.Ravae and Denise emphasize the importance of having qualified doulas to ensure the safety and well-being of clients. Call to Action for MembersRavae and Denise encourage members to be more engaged and hold the organization accountable for transparency and integrity.They stress the importance of asking questions and pushing back against the organization's decisions.Ravae and Denise highlight the need for transparency in financial reports, membership numbers, and certification processes.They emphasize that members should be responsible and hold the organization to a higher standard for the benefit of the profession. Conclusion and Future PlansRavae and Denise conclude the meeting by reiterating their commitment to transparency and accountability.They mention that they are working on a resource to provide more information and transparency for members and potential members.The resource will help consumers make informed decisions about doula training organizations.Ravae and Denise thank the audience for joining and express their willingness to help members navigate the organization.
