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EDITORIAL

The Spirit of Giving

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“Ask not what your country can do for you—askwhat you can do for your country.”1

President John F. KennedyInaugural Address, January 20, 1961

When President John F. Kennedy inspired the nationith his famous call to public service,1 the Americanollege of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) had just turned 6ears of age. Although challenged and frustrated by theifficult economic, political, legislative, and organizationalonditions facing the college, many of its members wereeeply touched by the fervor and the excitement that theresident incited. They also recognized that their activearticipation on various local and national ACNM commit-ees was needed to help lay the groundwork necessary forhe development and expansion of nurse-midwifery. As wean see today, their involvement made a difference andltimately shaped the course of the profession.The strength and vitality of any profession lies in the

ctive volunteerism by individuals who work to advancehe mission of their profession and professional organiza-ion. Yet it is not unusual for earlier generations of leaderso lament that their successors are not as involved, dedi-ated, or committed to their organization’s goals as theyave been. This leads me to ask: Does this perception haveny truth to it when it comes to volunteer work for ACNM?

Those of us who graduated during early 1960s did notave the luxury of remaining at the periphery. New grad-ates were asked to join or were appointed to serve asommittee members or even to chair committees on theocal, state, or national level because there was such a smallumber of us in this newly established organization. Theseomen who paved the way for the rest of us possessed

oresight and vision, and they became models of selflessnd dedicated leadership. They showed us a larger picturend provided us with a clear mission and a road map so thatll ACNM members who followed would have the oppor-unity to share the dreams and visions they had launched.

Alas, there appears to be consensus among many of theold-timers” of the college that fewer members actuallyolunteer to join committees today than in the past. Pas-ivity, unresponsiveness, and a low level of enthusiasmppear to be rampant and are disconcerting to those of usho have worked so hard to secure our future. It isorrisome that, if this trend continues, the growth and

urvival of the profession could be adversely affected.Why is it then, that some of the current membership

ppear to be less interested or less willing to give their time, w

ournal of Midwifery & Women’s Health • www.jmwh.org2004 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives

ssued by Elsevier Inc.

alents, or energy to ACNM? Is it because the currenteneration of midwives is more focused on their individualurvival? Or are most people intrinsically willing to helput genuinely do not know how to get involved?There are some members who, at one time or another,

ave sincerely felt that they are not qualified or competento do the job expected of them. Others have felt that theyack the clarity and understanding of the nature, purpose,nd scope of the tasks of the committee that needs newembers. Some members simply have not had the experi-

nce of volunteering themselves in organizations or in theommunity in which they live. Some individuals evenuestion the value of volunteerism. Why, then, should wearticipate in community service or any volunteer work?he art of giving, therefore, is a complex matter.Serving to learn and learning to serve tells it all. Many of

oday’s high schools and colleges, including some mid-ifery education programs, have integrated public service

equirements into the mandatory course of study.2 This isased on the concept that public service is not onlymportant to the development and maturity of one’s ownharacter, but it is deemed to be beneficial—and perhapsssential—to the quality, growth, and well-being of ouration and society.There are many ways of inspiring members to accept the

esponsibilities of professional volunteerism and for facil-tating the development of the skills needed to effectivelyerve on behalf of our organization. Recruitment for newommittee members can easily be done through the use ofnternet communication. Orientation packets and relevantaterials, including the goals, objectives, scope of activi-

ies, and membership responsibilities, can be organized andosted on the Web site. The use of synchronous (real-time)hat rooms at designated times can be efficient and effec-ive both for recruiting new committee members as well asor completing some of the tasks of the committees at aeduced cost and without travel. Conference calls can alsoacilitate the work of the committee by eliminating thearriers of geography, space, and boundary. Today’s elec-ronic technology is evolving so rapidly that many recentidwifery graduates are the products of distance learningethodologies. Their familiarity with this mode of com-unication can be helpful when carrying out committeeork, conducting business, and implementing teaching/

earning activities.Perhaps the pervasive impression that many midwives

re not willing to do volunteer work for ACNM is some-

hat misleading. There are many more committees and

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ivisions in ACNM governance than a decade ago andany more volunteers serving as members on the commit-

ees and divisions. These representatives are experientiallyiverse and reflect strong representation from all parts ofhis country. Still we have the perennial problem of theame few doing the work of the many. Have some of usecome too comfortable in allowing others to shape theirection and map our destiny? If our professional organi-ation is to grow and flourish, the entire membership muste actively and intimately involved in every aspect of itsrowth and development.People in the helping professions are usually sensitive to

he needs of others and responsive to those needs with littlerompting or persuasion. Midwives and health care provid-rs, in particular, are caring and giving people. Learning toecome effective health professionals to help others withensitivity and compassion takes knowledge, skill, andractice. But how can we better use these helping skills tourther our professional organization? There are manyCNM members who recognize the value and the spirit ofiving but who are not able to contribute their time, energy,alent, or finances at a particular stage of their lives. Thosendividuals should realize that important personal androfessional milestones are interwoven throughout the can-as of time and that a hiatus at one time does not precludeeinvolvement in a variety of ways sometime in the future.he dividends to both the profession and ourselves areountless when we join our colleagues in promoting mid-ifery through support of the committees and divisions of

he college. While enhancing our own sense of accomplish-ent, we can advance the opportunities for the next

eneration of midwives.Life should be considered a beautiful painting in which

ifferent colors, shapes, patterns, and images blend togethero make a particular art piece both unique and meaningful.

hich images stand out, which colors are more vibrant, andhich shapes predominate at any given moment are the

hoices we make as we design and create our collectiveasterpiece. Which personal and professional contributions

ach of us chooses to make and how much volunteer worke elect to engage in are, of course, dependent on personal

hoice, creativity, and means.Each of us needs to seek out a variety of ways of

trengthening the fabric of our professional organization. W

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n important form of giving to our profession is throughngoing and generous contributions to the ACNM Foun-ation. You can honor someone who has made a positivempact on your career as a midwife or recognize someoneho has influenced your career path and enabled you toake a significant contribution as a professional. You can

lso give special recognition to those you have admiredho have made important advancements in maternal and

hild health, women’s health, and midwifery. The ACNMoundation is an important non-profit and tax exemptrganization that is distinct and separate from ACNM; yett supports and complements the work and mission ofCNM by providing resources to members in the areas of

ducation, research, and clinical practice. Funds generatedrom donors are given to students in the form of scholar-hips; grants are provided to practitioners, educators, andesearchers for initiatives that help to translate our deep-ooted beliefs and humanistic care into actions. Leadershipevelopment is another recent ACNM Foundation initiativehat will have direct and long-term impacts on the devel-pment of our human capital and a new generation ofutstanding midwifery leaders—a necessity for the viabilitynd vitality of our profession.

We need to seize opportunities that support the growth ofur organization. We need to invest more in ourselves asell as in our profession, by giving a part of ourselves, so

hat collectively our professional organization can reach itsreatest potential. We want to have the satisfaction ofersonal and professional accomplishments while servingnd giving, and this labor of love will not go unrewarded.n his inaugural speech in 1961, President Kennedy re-inded us that, “In your hands, my fellow citizens, more

han mine, will rest the final success or failure of ourourse.”1 As members of ACNM, let our spirit of giving behoughtful and generous as we continue to develop andourish as a profession.

Lily Hsia, CNM, MS, CPNP, FACNMAssociate Editor, JMWH

EFERENCES

1. Reeves R. President Kennedy: Profiles of power. New York:ouchstone, 1993.

2. Farley C. Service learning in midwifery education. J Midwifery

omens Health 2003;48:444–8.

Volume 49, No. 5, September/October 2004