Grow More Birth Centers Telethon
Thank you to everyone that supported the 2020 Grow More Birth Centers AABCF Telethon! We had performances from Chloe Chodorow, Debbie Hoopes or That Handpan Lady, Jodie Manross, and David Haynes. We also heard testimonials from Sarah Sanders, Nancy Niemczyk, Elon Geffrard, Barbara Norton, and more. In addition, we want to give huge thanks to our Emcee, Miss Shannan. Most excitingly, with your support, we raised $34,299! We received 57 donations, 3 recurring donations, and 2 large anonymous donations of $10,000 each. You can re-watch the Telethon at facebook.com/aabcfoundation/videos.
Scholarships
Congratulations to our Lisa Ross Scholarship Winners! The Lisa Ross Scholarship awards tuition to attend the AABC Birth Institute. This year, the AABC Foundation selected 10 individuals to receive a scholarship and attend the 2020 AABC Birth Institute Online.
Paige Knickrehm - Chubbuck, ID
Bridget Strub - Rochester, NY
Mary Ames Bratcher - Houston, TX
Andrea Barbour - Mount Joy, PA
Tamara Hobbs - Poway, CA
Kimberly Pope - Spanish Fort, AL
Michelle Ellis - Palm Bay, FL
Winnie Nagasha - McKinney, TX
Jennifer Jordan - Grass Valley, CA
Jennifer Rockwern - West Chester, OH
Our next scholarship opportunity is the Amy Polk Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship awards tuition and a $500 stipend, if applicable, to attend a How to Start a Birth Center Workshop, either online or in-person. Applications will be accepted beginning in January.
Board of Trustees
Dominic Morgese, CPA
This summer, the AABC Foundation Board of Trustees welcomed new member Dominic Morgese, CPA. As a resident of Florida, Dominic has become familiar with birth centers and counts AABCF President Ann Geisler among his colleagues. After attending the Gala to Grow Birth Centers in 2019, he was eager to become more involved!
Brianna Honea Bennett, MBA
We also would like to congratulate long-time board member Brianna Honea-Bennett, MBA on being elected to the position of Vice President! In addition, Brianna serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee.
Rebecca Simmons
Lastly, Rebecca Simmons’ term on the board has ended, and we want to thank Rebecca her for her service to the AABCF Board. Rebecca served on the Board for three years, holding the role of Secretary, and volunteering on the Development Committee. We sincerely thank Rebecca for her support and hard work that she contributed to the success of the Foundation. Best of luck to Rebecca in her future endeavors!
Grants
The AABC Foundation has started on a new cycle of Research Grants. Letters of Intent were accepted through November 4th, 2020. Eligible projects will then be invited to submit full applications to receive a one-year grant of up to $5,000. The AABC Foundation awards research grants annually to advance the AABC birth center model of care and increase the evidence base surrounding free-standing birth centers. Sarah Sanders, MPH, a 2018 Research Grant recipient states that “while it is a public health imperative to research normal pregnancy and birth, including equitable access to midwifery care, it can also be very challenging to get funding to research something that’s not always seen as ‘a problem’.” Read the next Foundation Communication to see what projects addressing these very problems were awarded funding.
Congratulations to A Family Affair Birth Center in Poway, CA for being awarded a Membership Support Grant! Founder Tamara Hobbs had been an Individual Member of AABC, but once she had opened her birth center, she knew it was time to become a birth center member and become a “more active part of the birth center community.” The AABC Foundation awards grants of up to 50% of birth center membership dues with the AABC.
Congratulations to CHOICES: Memphis Center for Reproductive Health (Memphis, TN), Natural Birth Place (San Bernardino, CA), and Babymoon Inn of Tucson (Tucson, AZ) for being awarded Accreditation Support Grants! When asked why they sought CABC Accreditation, each birth center described the desire to demonstrate a “commitment to excellence in maternal care,” “maintain high practice standards,” and help families “to evaluate the safety and quality of care.” AABCF awards grants of up to 50% of a birth center’s initial or 1-year accreditation fees.
Volunteers to Sprout Change
Volunteers are critical to the work of the AABC Foundation, so in this issue we’re shining the spotlight on board member and President Ann Geisler!
How did you become involved with the AABC Foundation?
As a business woman, I’ve always sought out national organizations to join who could support my values and my voice. As a long time AABC member, I was drawn to the Foundations mission and outreach. Since I’m not a midwife, but an advocate, I wanted to make a difference to this community. And I was anxious to include my peers in my fundraising efforts for the Foundation.
What has been your favorite experience with AABCF?
As a member of the Foundation, you will work along a group of very diverse volunteers, that you otherwise would never have an opportunity to meet.
What are some of the takeaways from your experience as part of the AABCF committees and Board?
We are all volunteers and I’m so impressed with how passionate and committed the members are. And since many members are midwives, this is especially humbling since they have a higher calling, yet still find time to participate.
Lastly, any words of encouragement for anyone considering volunteering with us?
Each one of us has strengths and connections. We can make a difference and accomplish so much as a team to further the birth center model as the gold standard. Women and their families deserve safe birth options and our Foundation can help make that happen.