Description

The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners® (IBLCE®) is seeking to fill a volunteer leadership position on the IBLCE Board of Directors, for a three-year term from October 2026 to September 2029.

IBLCE seeks to fill one position for a Public or Consumer Member.  Pursuant to certification best practises, one or more public members are required to represent the public interest.

       A public or consumer member represents the public or non-employer consumer interest. 

       The role of the public member is to bring the unique public/consumer perspective to the decision-making of the certification programme to balance the certification programme’s role in protecting the public while advancing the interests of the certificants.

The IBLCE Board reflects diversity in geography, culture, language, lactation practice setting, discipline, and expertise relevant to the Board’s needs.

IBLCE is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the IBLCE community, as well as all seeking access to the IBLCE community.

While IBLCE encourages all qualified candidates who are interested to apply, IBLCE is particularly seeking candidates as follows:

Public or Consumer Member:

Pursuant to certification best practises, the Public or Consumer member:

       Is preferably a consumer or potential consumer of the certificants’ skills or services.

       Can represent the public’s, consumer’s, or user’s perspective and interest.

       Brings new ideas and goals to the certification board to ensure the public’s interest is valued.

       Contributes an unbiased perspective; encourages consumer-oriented positions; and brings additional public accountability and responsiveness.

And is Not:

       A current or previous member of the lactation profession;

       A supervisor, manager, direct co-worker, or an employee or direct report of individuals in the lactation profession;

       An employee of an individual certified by IBLCE or an employer of individuals in the lactation profession; 

       A person who currently receives or within the last five years has received income from the lactation profession.

IBLCE recognises that candidates will likely not meet all of these criteria and encourages those meeting some or all of these qualifications to apply.

Please review the Board Member Position Description below and consider if you or someone you know would be right for these positions. These are volunteer leadership positions.  Your thoughtful participation in this process is appreciated! If you or someone whom you know is ready to apply, please see the Next Steps section at the end of this email.

Board Member Position Description

IBLCE uses a competencies-based model for Board member selection. While all of these competencies are important, those which are marked with an asterisk are deemed particularly important.  A successful Board member is someone who: 

Maintains confidentiality*
Displays discretion, cultural competency/humility*
Demonstrates ability to compromise
Is currently active in the profession and/or currently working with breastfeeding families 
Is strategic and visionary
Demonstrates leadership skills
Displays active listening skills
       Has adequate time and flexibility to devote to volunteer role (available during business hours with adequate notice)*

       Has comfort with risk or ambiguity

       Experience with public speaking within multiple stakeholder groups (communications)

       Demonstrates and innovative and forward-looking approach

       Has business and financial acumen*

Has previous national or international Board service*
 

As English is the common language used, please consider communications skills in this language.

Requirements

Board Member Responsibilities

Participate:

   Place a high priority on participating in all regular activities and attending all meetings of the Board.

   Receive an orientation and participate in ongoing education about the organisation's mission, vision, purpose, goals, policies, programmes, and services. 

   Identify the strengths and needs of IBLCE.

   Use data to drive decision-making.

   Take part in thoughtful and respectful Board and committee discussions and decisions. 

   Serve willingly and enthusiastically in leadership positions and committee assignments.

   Recognise, respect, value, and support differences of personal style, opinion, culture, and perspective.

   Bring a sense of humour to the Board.

   Demonstrate leadership in a global, professional organisation.

   Donate annually, within one's means, to the affiliated 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Monetary Investment for Lactation Consultant Certification (MILCC).

Set Policy:

   Participate in the development and establishment of policies for IBLCE.

Plan:

   Participate in strategic planning.

   Initiate continued planning and evaluation activities to improve IBLCE.

   Be knowledgeable about the environment in which IBLCE functions.

   Follow trends in the credentialing and lactation fields to best serve both those engaged in professional lactation care and the public served worldwide.

Monitor Finances:

   Help ensure the long-term financial integrity of IBLCE.

Integrity:

   Maintain independence and objectivity.

   Serve with a sense of high ethical purpose and personal integrity.

   Serve the organisation as a whole rather than any individual interest group, constituency, or geographic area.

   Maintain confidentiality on all matters involving the Board until there is public disclosure or the information is a matter of public record.

   Disclose any possible conflicts of interest to IBLCE and act in accordance with IBLCE decisions with respect to any actual or potential conflicts of interest.

   Once decisions by the Board are made, speak with one voice and be supportive of decisions.

Time Commitment:

   Commit to a three-year term, October 2026 to September 2029.

   Attend one face-to-face and one virtual Board meeting with one year's notice of dates and may involve international travel. 

   Attend other occasional virtual Board meetings.

   Serve on at least one or two committees which each meet virtually at minimum several times per year. (Given the international character of IBLCE, flexibility to attend prescheduled meetings at various times is important).

Invest time between Board meetings to answer emails, participate in discussions using the online community, and fulfill committee obligations, which vary with your role on the Board.