• Member Meeting???

  • Nov 13 2024
  • Length: 31 mins
  • Podcast

  • Summary

  • 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.

    Resources
    • Click 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 Purpose
    • Ravae 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 Minutes
    • Denise 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 Numbers
    • Denise 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 Revenue
    • Ravae 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 Barriers
    • Ravae and Denise highlight...
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