This is my last newsletter update to all of you. As many of you already know, I have resigned as Chair of SDSCO, Inc. It was very difficult for me to do, because I loved doing this job. I have many more friends now than when I started. I am blessed because of all of you, and will miss working with you.

I had a wonderful group of women to work with. Debbie, Belinda, Judy, Jenny, Julie, Karina, and Lori were the ones I worked with the most. You all have been so willing to do what ever was asked of you and more. We wouldn’t have made it this far without your sacrifices. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. Many others did a great deal of work this year too. I can’t name everyone here in this letter, but you know who you are. We all owe you our thanks as well.

As you will read in the legislative update, great things were done this year to advance midwifery. This is not just because of the present Board, but because of all the work that past leaders have done as well. I really liked how a lady on the Birth Policy Yahoo! Group explained this. She said that she, as a leader of the group in her state, was “standing on the shoulders” of leaders past and that she and the group as a whole would be “farther down” if it were not for the sacrifices of these people. I believe this to be true for SDSCO as well.

Our sponsor, Roger Hunt was able to speak with such eloquence and passion about midwifery on the House floor. He was wonderful. If you haven’t thanked him yet, please take the time to send him a note. Paul Levijoki was also wonderful. He had never lobbied before, yet he was able to bring understanding of our cause to many people.

I’d like to speak to all of you regarding the future. Whoever takes my place as Chair will need all the support you can give. My resignation sparked a discussion on the Birth Policy group about this very subject. I’d like to share the ideas expressed there so you can use them to support SDSCO leadership in the work that they do.

1. Bring a meal.
2. Help care for children.
3. Help with house keeping.
4. Send a thank you card, let them know you are praying for them, or offer any words of encouragement you can think of.

Planning these things in advance of a busy time for the leadership would be extremely valuable in keeping families on track. Many of you may feel you can’t go to Pierre or feel you aren’t good at the daily tasks of running an organization or planning for legislation, but you can do one of the above. These ideas never occurred to me, and I would have a hard time accepting them. I’m sure other board members feel the same way. --Well, don’t take no for an answer! I hope that these suggestions are taken to heart. It is vital that the core group does not get “burned out”.

Everyone can do something. Any task no matter how small it may seem makes a huge difference. I will still be around doing what I can to help out toward the worthy goal of freedom for midwives in South Dakota.

In Christ’s Love,
Mary Nelson