"Life offers two great gifts: time and the ability to choose how we spend it. Planning is a process of choosing among those many options. If we do not choose to plan, then we choose to have others plan for us."
--Richard I. Winwood

The SDSCO, Inc. Board of Directors has been planning for the 2007 legislative session. It seems a long way off, but it really is just around the corner. We have much to accomplish before then. One of the first things that needs to be done is one where we need everyone’s participation. Governor Rounds needs to hear from each and every one of you. He does not support midwife-attended home birth. If our legislation in 2007 is to have a chance, Gov. Rounds needs to change his mind in our favor. He won’t change his mind unless he hears from you and certainly not without our prayers. We would appreciate knowing if you have written to Gov. Rounds and having a copy of your letter if you don’t mind sharing. This is just so we have an idea how many people have contacted the governor and what was said to him.

A very important event is coming up in April. Ida Darragh from the North American Registry of Midwives is coming to South Dakota to teach us how to get legislation passed. This Legislative Workshop is a unique opportunity for all of us to learn what we need to know to achieve our goals. The Board of Directors is pleading with each and every one of you to come to this workshop. It is vitally important. We are going to be providing snacks and a noon meal for a free will offering as we did at the birth conference in October. If you would be willing to bring some food to help with this, please call Debbie Pease at 605-563-2363 or qpease@hcinet.net.

Planning has also begun on the 2006 Healthy Birth Conference. We don’t have many details yet, but the Watertown group has agreed to coordinate the conference. They have narrowed down the location to either the Watertown or Brookings area.

Some of our organizing efforts have paid off. Our 501(c)4 tax-exempt status was approved by the IRS on December 23, 2005. A big thank you goes to Julie Pease for all her work toward this end. We must thank accountant Kent Boadwine for his services also. His expertise was very much needed to accomplish this goal.

My term as Chair and Judy Jones’ term as Board Member end at the Birth Conference this year. You may choose to re-elect us or choose to appoint others. Judy and I are willing to serve another two-year term if all of you feel we should continue in our positions. We also still have many empty positions. Please read the job descriptions located in this newsletter and make them a matter of prayer. We really need your help to accomplish our goals. Also remember that the Board of Directors is always willing to hear your ideas.

That is all I have for now. I hope to see you all in April at the Legislative Workshop.