April is Global Volunteer Month.  Lamaze International is a non-profit that has been built on the dedication and contribution of many volunteers from all around the world since its inception in 1960.   Even though our organization’s headquarters are located in Washington DC, USA, the organization is indeed international with members from many parts of the world.  Over the years, people from many nations have stepped up to give back to Lamaze International.  Did you know that Tanya Cawthorne, our current Board President is from Melbourne, Australia? 

In the United States, it is estimated that 30 percent of Americans or 77,949,981 people reported they volunteered for an organization or association in the previous year. This volunteering rate has remained largely stable over the past two decades. (Hanson, 2021)  Globally, research done by the United Nations Volunteers program indicates that there are over 1 billion volunteers all around the world and their combined efforts in time are the equivalent of 109 million full-time workers. (Lough, 2018)

Lamaze International simply could not function without the contributions of our amazing volunteers. No matter where you hail from, as a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and perinatal professional, you are a subject matter expert in all things maternal-infant health. But the added skills that you can offer to Lamaze include knowledge from your lived experiences both professionally and personally.  As someone who steps up to volunteer for Lamaze International, you provide expertise in running businesses, collaborating with health care systems, navigating (and providing) health care as a person of color, adult education,, government lobbying for changes in perinatal programs, planning and hosting conferences and large organizational events, offering online webinars, reviewing and writing on topics of interest to other perinatal professionals, mentoring new LCCEs and so much more.

There is a need for your contributions in both large and small ways.  There is a place for you at the Lamaze volunteer table. That may look like serving on the Board of Directors or chairing a council committee.  You may consider joining a short term committee with a specific responsibility to the organization.  Maybe you want to write an article for one of our blogs or translate Lamaze content into languages that make our information more accessible to a global audience.  You are welcome!

When you step up to volunteer for Lamaze International, with the gift of your time and knowledge it will be valued and appreciated.  The truth is that our organization simply could not function without the volunteers who serve Lamaze (and in turn people growing their families) in many ways.

If you have been a volunteer for Lamaze in the past, or are a person who is currently contributing to the organization, please accept our deepest gratitude.  If you are called to volunteer, please review some potential volunteer opportunities here and consider submitting your interest through this quick volunteer interest form.

References

Hanson, L. (2021). Key Findings from the 2019 Current Population Survey: Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement. AmeriCorps. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://americorps.gov/sites/default/files/document/2019%20CPS%20CEV%20findings%20report%20CLEAN_10Dec2021_508.pdf

Lough, B. J. (2018). The Thread that Binds: 2018 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report.

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