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22
March 2003
AFOM
Meeting - 6:00p, Pot luck dinner at Nancy's home in Cullman
- info - Nancy@AlabamaMidwives.com
26
September 2002
This
is another tickler for the Cullman Group of Alabama Friends
of Midwives Rally to be held rain or shine on October 19th
at Sportsman's Lake Park in Cullman, Alabama under shed #
14 from 10 AM til 2 PM (or until all speakers and Q &
A's are finished.) There is no admission charge. We are planning
a Silent Auction of donated items from supporters like yourself
(and hopefully something from you) and local merchants from
10 AM til 11 AM or so, and then we will be serving hotdogs,
hamburgers, drinks, etc. for donations until 12 PM. At that
time we will begin introducing speakers which will include:
Rob Bowman, a member of the State Health Committee and representative
from the Bob Riley Campaign; Jeremy Oden, State Representative;
Neal Morrison, State Representative; Margaret
Charles Smith, Alabama Grand Midwife and co-author of
"Listen to Me Good;" to name a few. We will have
cotton candy, nachos, bake sale goods (feel free to donate
your own baked goods,) awesome new t-shirts (short and long
sleeve, colors and white, 2 new designs), eye-catching buttons
(that will include sayings like "Birth is Normal,"
"If You Don't Know Your Choices, You Have None,")
auto window decals, and much more. Aside from that, the park
offers a great playground, a walking trail, a wildflower garden,
and you can feed the fish and ducks. For a small fee, they
offer mini-golf, carousel rides, train rides around the lake,
and paddle boats.
Keep in mind that this is going to be our
biggest, most informative gathering yet. Make sure you don't
miss it! There is still a great need to raise money for legal
expenses, spreading public awareness and education. Get involved
and help make a difference in Alabama. Donate something to
sell or contact a local merchant and ask for a donation. Volunteer
to help out with the sales and serving. Invite others to attend--even
if you don't think they'll come, let them know that a large
statewide group is actively supporting midwifery in Alabama.
Remember these efforts in your prayers.
For more information, contact myself by
emailing Kathy@AlabamaMidwives.com
or call 256-747-1999; or contact Charity (Chatty) Freeman
by emailing candcfree@direcway.com
or call 256-734-9142. Your participation on any level will
be greatly appreciated and you will be ultimately gratified
by the acceptance of midwifery in your area.
Warmly,
Kathy
Blackwood
25
September 2002
It
has just been confirmed that Alabama's oldest (96 yrs) grand
midwife, Mrs. Margaret Charles
Smith of Eutaw, AL will be coming to our October 19th
Rally at Cullman's Sportsman's Lake. YEA!
Nancy called her on a dare from me a while
back and invited her to our get-together and lo and behold
she accepted. Thank goodness we called her early as a group
in Boston asked if she could speak to them on the same day.
She told them she already had an engagement.
Nancy also contacted Books-A-Million in
Cullman (North Shopping Center) about having a book signing
on the 18th from 3:00p until 5:00p so come early and bring
some extra money as there may not be another chance to get
an autographed copy of her book, "Listen to Me Good".
We'll go to Eutaw to pick her up on that
Friday morning but need someone to drive her back home on
the evening of the 19th. Eutaw is a little over 2 hours drive
from Cullman.
There will be a silent auction to raise
money at the rally so bring those items you think would stimulate
some interest. Let's go Birmingham, Mobile and Huntsville.
Dig in your closets and see what you can find.
More later. Stay tuned.
Steve
and Nancy
11
September
2002
Saturday,
here in Cullman is our annual fair parade which we (AFOM)
will have a float in and EVERYONE that wants to come and ride
along is more than welcome to join us wear your AFOM, Midwife
or Breastfeeding shirts most of ours are white and we will
have a patriotic and historic theme. the parade starts at
2:00p but will have to start getting ready and lining up at
11:00a so most of you will have to be on the float no later
than 1:30p. Those of you with small children (probably 8 &
under) should keep them close as to not fall off the float
there will be hay bales to sit on and act as barriers but
that's not a big rail. If the kids don't have a Homebirth
or Midwife shirt a red,
white, blue
or all three would be appropriate. If you have small flags
that are small enough to wave will be a nice touch, especially
for the children in light of remembering current events. No
one will be offended by originality though. Hope this has
been of some help. For more information after the 12th feel
free to contact our local leaders Nancy,
Terri or Kathy,
as I will be out of town. I know - boo hiss.
Chatty
9
September 2002
The
Cullman AFOM group is organizing a float (or two) for the
Cullman County Fair Parade which will be next Saturday, Sept.
14th. We would love to have any and all supporters ride/walk
with us. If you would like more information contact our newly
elected President, Chatty
or me (I'm
the newly elected Treasurer (-:). Hope you get involved!
Kathy
9
September 2002
Hello
Friends,
I would just like to take a moment to thank
everyone who helped make Saturday a nice success. We all appreciate
your thoughtfulness and contribution to the cause at hand.
Special thanks to Hanna and Audra for doing such an excellent
job of attending the small children during the meeting and
cleaning up the play area. Other extended special thank you's
to the following individuals: Dan Willingham - attorney/speaker,
Anne - AFOM leader from B'ham/speaker, Kathy - new Treasurer/speaker/meeting
organizer, Steve -webmaster/speaker/over all great guy &
supporter, Jeremy Oden - State Representative/speaker. Hopefully
I haven't left anyone out definitely not intentionally. We
covered many issues and gained a little more ground and momentum.
EDUCATION,
EDUCATION, EDUCATION! We know that's the key. I appreciate
personally everyone who turned out on that hot, Saturday afternoon
and endured the heat and participated. We hardly ever immediately
see the works of our labor but progress is sure and imminent.
I hope I can worthily fulfill my new position in an encouraging,
informational and tenacious way as to spark more interest
in our group and its efforts.
Thank
you again and I hope to see you all and more at the next
meeting (Bill Committee) Thursday, Sept. 12th at 1:00p.
Feel free to contact me anytime for anything or with ideas
for the group.
Take
care and be well!
Chatty
6
September 2002
Reminder
for the Cullman Group of AFOM (Alabama Friends of Midwives)
general and organizational meeting that will be tomorrow (Saturday),
September 7th from 3:00p until 5:00p in the Banquet Room upstairs
in the Steifelmeyer Building at 202 1st Avenue SE in Cullman.
All members of AFOM are invited, as well as anyone interested
in becoming a member. Hope to see you there.
Agenda
Nominating
and Voting for President (also Spokesperson for the group,)
Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer of our group. (You
may make your nominations or volunteer as a candidate for
any of these offices before the meeting through email to Kathy@AlabamaMidwives.com
or at the time of the meeting in person.)
- Discussing
current activities (Plans for Fair Parade, Fair Exhibit,
Rally, Fund Raisers, Upcoming Newsletter, etc.)
- Update
group on statewide activities (New group in Huntsville,
New Developments for our local midwife, New Bill Committee
Formed)
- Discussion
of our relation to the statewide organization (including
non-profit status, etc.)
- Establishing
Local Committees for the following purposes:
- Communications
Committee (for communications between local members
for meetings, etc., and to network with like-minded
supporters in counties across Alabama. Other ideas include:
writing articles, lobbying to home-school groups, etc.)
(Secretary to serve on this committee, possibly Head)
- Education
Committee (formulate supportive home-birth articles
for dissemination targeted to different groups (such
as parents evaluating birth choices, doctors or other
medical professionals, businesses wanting to control
healthcare costs, etc.), and gather reliable statistics.)
- Fundraising
Committee (Head to serve on statewide committee,
plan and organize fund raising events) (Treasurer to
serve on this committee, possibly Head)
- Legislative
Committee (comprised of local persons on the statewide
Bill Committee which also will be composed of all midwives
(current and prospective) who are willing to participate
and a few consumers from each local group (including
Lisa Clark from Huntsville, who will serve as Head.)
This committee will need members willing to go to Montgomery
on short notice to testify when the bill reaches Committee.)
Kathy
3
September 2002
Hello
Friends,
It’s that time again; support is being
rallied for the cause of ‘choice’. Your choice to
have a birth wherever you choose and with whom. This time
not so controversial. The Cullman group of AFOM is getting
together a parade float and an educational booth for the Armory
at the Cullman fair. We are enlisting your help and support
and any good ideas for either. There will be a meeting of
present members and hopefully new ones on Saturday, Sept.
7th at 3pm at the Steifelmeyer Bldg top floor. We will also
be having other meetings coming up soon they are tentatively
as follows: 9/12, 1 pm Steifelmeyer Bldg and Oct. the 12th.
The final where and what times will be sent in a later note
or email. The meeting on Saturday will consist of voting on
a President, vice-President, Secretary, coordinators and other
necessary positions. If you have a say on whom you wish in
these positions please let us know or be there to be heard.
We are hoping for a nice response. Coordination and education
is key and working together will make a difference. Also,
the parade float will be a 7 ½ x 16 ft. no side rails
and there will be room on the back of the truck to ride also.
If we have candy or anything to give out persons have to walk
to do that, floats are not allowed to throw anything from
the vehicles/floats. It would be nice if we could all wear
the same colors or our t-shirts (AFOM or Midwifery). Some
of you may receive a phone call along with this announcement
just to make sure you are informed as to the future plans
for our group. Thank you for your time and support. Take care
and be well.
Respectfully yours, Chatty
For
more information on the Cullman area chapter contact
the representative.
Page
updated -
6 June, 2007
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