FL/CI Leader Status Policy
A La Leche League (LLL) Leader is a volunteer who pursues the LLL mission through Leader responsibilities. FL/CI Leaders can fulfill Leader responsibilities in a variety of ways. Each Leader will choose their Leader Status and inform the Area when a change is needed. All Leaders regardless of status must continue paying dues or they will be retired.
Leader Status Options
Active Group Leader
No Group Affiliation (NGA) Leader
Leave of Absence (LOA) Leader (for up to one year)
Inactive Leader
Retired Leader
Basic LLL Leader responsibilities
In the Leader’s Handbook, fifth revised edition—March 2022, page 12, it states that a La Leche League Leader’s responsibilities are:
Helping through one-to-one, online, telephone, or in-person breastfeeding support.
Planning and leading monthly Series Meetings.
Supervising the management of the LLL Group.
Keeping up-to-date on breastfeeding information.
Helping others find out about LLL leadership and prepare to become Leaders.
Additional Opportunities for Leader Involvement
There are many opportunities for Leader involvement beyond Group work.
● Some Leaders find alternative ways to contribute to LLL by filling an administrative position for FL/CI, LLL Alliance or joining an LLLI committee.
● Get involved by planning or assisting with Leader events such as District Workshops, Leader Enrichment Workshops, Area Conferences or speaking at those events.
● Provide online support on the LLLI Breastfeeding Parent Support Facebook group.
● Co-lead one of the Area wide virtual meetings.
Active Group Leader
Active Group Leaders lead with a Group and are fulfilling the five basic responsibilities as they can throughout the year.
No Group Affiliation (NGA)
NGA Leaders have chosen not to lead meetings or manage a Group. NGA Leaders can fulfill Leader responsibilities by:
● Fulfilling one or more of the other three (non Group related) basic Leader responsibilities such as continuing to offer helping contacts. (NGA Leaders are still required to submit semi-annual stats to the Area, unless they are no longer offering breastfeeding help.)
● occasionally fill in for a local Leader to lead a meeting
● holding positions at the Area, LLL Alliance, or LLLI level (see above Additional Opportunities for Leader Involvement)
Additional Opportunities for Leader Involvement
There are many opportunities for Leader involvement in addition to or as an alternative to the five basic responsibilities.
● Some Leaders find alternative ways to contribute to LLL by filling an administrative position for FL/CI, LLL Alliance or joining an LLLI committee.
● Get involved by planning or assisting with Leader events such as District Workshops, Leader Enrichment Workshops, Area Conferences or speaking at those events.
● Provide online support on the LLLI Breastfeeding Parent Support Facebook group.
● Co-lead one of the Area wide virtual meetings.
Leave of Absence (LOA)
A Leave of Absence is an appropriate status for a Leader who will be unable to perform basic Leader responsibilities for a period of two to twelve months. This status must be discussed with co-Leaders and the ACL. NOTE: LOA Leaders are still expected to pay Leader dues.
If the Leader taking a Leave of Absence is the Group Admin, a new Leader must be identified for this role. When a lone Leader takes a Leave of Absence, the Group may be disbanded or placed on hold and all Group materials and money should be sent to the Area.
Inactive Leader
an inactive Leader no longer fulfills any of the Leader responsibilities at all and does not contribute to LLL at any level.
Inactive Leaders must still pay dues.
The Leader Department will not assign DAs to Inactive Leaders.
Group responsibilities and status options
Every Group will have a Group Admin Leader, however, all Active Leaders in a Group, regardless of Leader experience or Group Admin status, have an equal responsibility for Group management. Group Leaders determine who the Group Admin will be.
Group Admin Role
The Group Admin is responsible for ensuring the Group runs smoothly by making sure that:
stats are reported
the GFR is submitted
Website Group listing is up to date
they are communicating and responding to DA and other Area Council members
The treasury is managed properly (This Leader does not have to be the Group Treasurer but oversees the job)
Group Leaders are expected to:
● communicate regularly with co-Leaders
● contribute to the management of the Group, including but not limited to:
○ Marketing and promotion of Group and meetings
○ Admin and manage Facebook group and page
● provide support in any of the following ways in person or virtually:
○ by leading or co-leading meetings
○ Helping by phone, text, email, or online
If a Group Leader is not fulfilling these requirements, then the co-Leaders have the option of petitioning to the ACL to have the Leader removed from the Group.
Group Status Options
● Active Group - holds meetings, maintains a helping system
● Helping System Only Group - no meetings, offers one-to-one help
● Inactive/On Hold Group - no meetings, no helping system, no listing on the Area website
Group Transfers and Closures
● When a Group closes, the money and resources should be transferred to the Area.
● If a Group has at least one Leader with a primary connection to FL/CI, that Group automatically remains with FL/CI. If this is no longer the case, then with permission from the ACL, the Group may be transferred to another Area.
● Things to consider when transferring a Group from FL/CI to another Area:
○ Administrative Services support
○ Website listing
○ Leader Support
When your LLL Leader journey comes to an end:
Retired Leader
A retired Leader is no longer covered under LLLI Leader liability insurance and may not represent LLL and must go through the reactivation process with the ACL before resuming basic Leader responsibilities. (See page 115 of the Leader’s Handbook.) FL/CI may retire Leaders for non-payment of Leader dues. Retired Leaders may still attend La Leche League conferences and other LLL activities open to the public. If attending LLL meetings, use caution when identifying yourself as a retired Leader.
Friends of LLL (formerly the LLL Alumnae Association)
Leaders who have served for five or more years and are in good standing will be gifted a one-year membership to Friends of LLL when they retire. The mission of the Friends of La Leche League is to support La Leche League as a resource and inspiration for future generations, encourage lifelong connections with the LLL community, and share the insights and wisdom that began with the breastfeeding relationship.
If you are interested in maintaining a connection to LLL, visit https://friendsoflll.org/
FL/CI Leader Department July 2023