Congratulations to the 2021 winner!
The 2021 Outstanding Chapter Award goes to Central Arizona Lactation Consultant Association (CALCA)
CALCA has been serving as a resource to lactation professionals in the Phoenix area and beyond for thirty years. The chapter’s new board installed in January 2020 had no idea they would be growing CALCA in the midst of a pandemic! CALCA’s board has mobilized to adapt the organization to meet the changes and challenges of these unusual circumstances.
When COVID-19 forced the closure of the meeting rooms at the local hospitals, CALCA quickly converted the monthly meeting to Zoom, a move that has tripled regular attendance. CALCA offers an education topic at each monthly meeting, awarding 1.5 CERPs to attendees. CERPs are free to paid members, a benefit that is increasing membership sign-up at nearly double the previous year’s numbers! CALCA has been active on our quarterly chapter conference calls, that are now via Zoom and have sent in their quarterly reports which are so helpful to USLCA to hear the voices of their chapters and members.
CALCA’s board has a vision to increase networking between IBCLCs and other affiliated professionals, reach out to other associations for collaboration, and build an informative, robust, and engaging website as a resource to families and providers in the area. CALCA also provides scholarships to students and recertifying IBCLCs towards IBLCE certification costs through the Judy Okney Scholarship Fund. CALCA’s board is hopeful to expand membership benefits and educational offerings in the future!
It is our great pleasure to award CALCA the USLCA Chapter Award for all their incredible hard work and dedication!