Like many of you, some of our closest friends are women we first met at La Leche League meetings and we have nourished these relationships beyond baby and toddlerhood, through the teenage years, marriage and now grandchildren.

LLLNZ has been part of the parenting support scene for nearly fifty years and so it was timely to build on previous local alumnae reunions by holding an inaugural national reunion conference in association with the 2008 LLLNZ National Conference held in Cambridge. Lists of former leaders and members were compiled from LLLNZ archives and over seventy women reconnected, enjoyed inspiring speakers and participated in interesting discussions. They were enthusiastic about an alumnae group being established so, with the support of the LLLNZ Board, a committee was formed to bring this into reality.

The name ‘Alumnae Association' keeps LLLNZ in line with similar organisations of former LLL members in other parts of the world. Former LLLNZ Director, Anne Heritage says "Alumnae is in general use around the English-speaking LLL world and carries the connotation of a light that has gone before." She pointed out that: "LLL cannot be disassociated from learning: it may be informal learning that goes on through participation in La Leche League, but it is none the less valid for that.'

LLLNZ Alumnae Association is an independent organisation operating under the auspices of LLLNZ. We have defined the purpose of LLLNZ Alumnae as follows:

• To uphold and support the philosophy, values and spirit of La Leche League in the wider community.

• To provide networking and educational opportunities for former League members and long-term active members.

• To reconnect, reflect and refresh.

• To maintain close and regular communication and liaison with LLLNZ.

• To offer support to LLLNZ and undertake wherever possible, such projects as can be reasonably managed.

• To provide opportunities to recognise the accomplishment of former Leaders and members

How can these goals be achieved?

• By establishing a network of regional representatives to encourage and facilitate local activities.

• By assisting regional groups in the organising of reunions, either in conjunction with LLLNZ conferences or independently.

• By maintaining a national database of former members and long-serving members.

Database

Before the 2008 LLLNZ Conference a database of over 450 former Leaders and members was compiled from various paper records supplied by LLLNZ. From this we contacted those interested in reconnecting with women who have similar life and family values. In several areas of New Zealand groups of former LLL women had already been meeting regularly for many years.

Regional Representatives

After the conference, as the Alumnae Association was being established we sought out for former League members willing to initiate and facilitate social and educational activities in their regions. Some of those are now Regional Representatives (below) who will be keen to hear from you.

North Shore (Auckland)    Sally Thomas          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Manukau                           Margaret Nicolls    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Waikato / Hauraki             Sue Malcolm          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bay of Plenty                    Colleen Bassett     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Taranaki                            Cherie Boyd          This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Nelson / Marlborough       Denise Hall            This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Christchurch                     Sonya Hodder       This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dunedin                            Kristine Shield      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   
                                         Anne Devereux     This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kaleidoscope

The journal for former members, Kaleidoscope, is now published by the Alumnae Association and is designed to be a source of information, networking and inspiration to members. The subscription is included in membership of the Alumnae Association.

LLLNZ Alumnae Committee

Yvonne Foreman                       Coordinator; Kaleidoscope Co-editor

Rosie Bentley                            Kaleidoscope Co-editor

Robyn Watkins                          Treasurer

Ruth Simons                              Regional Liaison & Minutes Secretary

Miette Smith                             National Database

Alison Stanton                           LLLNZ Board Representative

To find out more about the LLLNZ Alumnae Association or to  contact any one of the LLLNZ Alumnae committee please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   otherwise telephone Yvonne at 07 855 2308 or Rosie at 07 824 1880.

We look forward to hearing from you.

June 2011

LLLNZ ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION

PO Box 23056, Hunters Cnr, 2155

Auckland, New Zealand

T: +64 7 855 2308

E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it