1. Purpose

This policy establishes the standards, qualifications, responsibilities, and benefits for nonprofit organizations seeking to operate as a Lamaze International Chapter or Affiliate. This policy summarizes the principal requirements and expectations for Chapters and Affiliates.

2. Definitions

Chapter or Affiliate: A separately incorporated membership or professional organization licensed to use the Lamaze name and marks in a defined geographic area.

Lamaze-Accredited Program: An educational program that has separately met Lamaze accreditation standards.

Approval as a Chapter or Affiliate does not mean the organization or its courses are Lamaze-accredited. If a Chapter or Affiliate wishes to offer a Lamaze Accredited program, it must apply separately through the Lamaze accreditation process.

3. Term of Affiliation

The affiliation term is three (3) years. Organizations may renew their affiliation with Lamaze International at the end of each three-year term upon confirmation that the organization continues to meet all requirements outlined in this policy and the License Agreement.
Lamaze International may review chapter or affiliate activity annually to ensure ongoing alignment with Lamaze standards and mission.

4. Qualifications

Membership Composition
At least fifty percent (50%) of voting members must hold the current LCCE credential. Membership may also include individuals actively pursuing Lamaze certification, students in Lamaze educator training programs, and allied perinatal professionals who support the mission of Lamaze International.

Documentation Requirements
Organizations must provide Lamaze International with:
• Governing documents including Constitution, Bylaws, and/or Articles of Incorporation
• Mission statement and organizational purpose
• A list of officers including names, contact information, and terms of office
• Identification of a designated representative if other than the President

Chapters must be incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in the United States in the jurisdiction of their choice and must be exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Affiliates must register as an equivalent nonprofit corporation in their own location /jurisdiction;

Annual Report
An annual report must be submitted to Lamaze International by December 31 of each year including:

A summary of Lamaze education, advocacy, and community activities conducted during the year

A current roster of members including names, credentials, and contact information
Names and roles of current officers or board members

Confirmation that the organization remains in good standing as a nonprofit entity in its jurisdiction

Copies or examples of publications or communications distributed to members or the public

Participation in Lamaze Leadership Activities
 

At least one representative of the Organization should participate annually in a Lamaze International leadership activity such as the Annual Membership Meeting or a virtual leadership meeting organized by Lamaze International.

5. Application and Approval Process

Applications for Chapter or Affiliate status must be submitted to Lamaze International with all required documentation.

Initial review of applications will be conducted by Lamaze staff to ensure completeness. Final approval is made by the Executive Director. Lamaze International may request additional information before approval.

Upon approval, Lamaze International will confirm the affiliation in writing. The Board of Directors will be notified of all approvals.

6. Geographic Scope

U.S. Chapters may be approved for a state, metropolitan area, or multi-state region depending on member density, program activity, and strategic fit. International Affiliates may be approved for a country or, in limited cases, a defined region. Lamaze International reserves the right to approve, deny, or modify proposed geographic boundaries.

7. Benefits

Formal affiliation with Lamaze International.

A limited license to use the Lamaze Marks within the approved geographic territory.

Identification as:
• "Chapter of Lamaze International" for U.S. Chapters
• "Affiliate of Lamaze International" for International Affiliates

Opportunity to apply for Lamaze International continuing education contact hours for qualifying programs. The fee for continuing education contact hour approval will be waived.

Listing on the Lamaze International website and opportunities to share information about local events or activities through Lamaze communications when appropriate.

8. Responsibilities

Organizations must:

Actively organize, promote, and further Lamaze activities including Lamaze publications, courses, and programs taught by Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators.

Encourage childbirth educator certification through Lamaze and promote Lamaze continuing education offerings.

Clearly indicate their separate corporate status from Lamaze International in all public communications and contracts and may not represent themselves as a legal agent of Lamaze International.

Maintain nondiscrimination policies consistent with the values of Lamaze International and may not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected status.

Affiliates should organize or host a Lamaze educational event, workshop, or professional gathering within their country at least once every two years.

9. Fees

Organizations shall pay a $300 application fee and annual renewal fees as follows:

$250 for chapters with 15+ members

$150 for chapters with fewer than 15 members

$200 for international affiliates

A late fee of $50 may be assessed if renewal fees are not received by the required deadline.

Lamaze International may review and adjust fees periodically with notice to Chapters and Affiliates.

10. Inactive Status

Lamaze International may designate a Chapter or Affiliate as inactive if the organization fails to submit required reports, does not conduct activities that support Lamaze education, or otherwise fails to maintain the qualifications described in this policy for two consecutive years.

Lamaze International reserves the right to suspend or terminate Chapter or Affiliate status if these conditions are not addressed.

11. Special Provisions for U.S. Chapters

Approved: July 23, 2018

Revised and approved: March 19, 2026

Purpose

This policy outlines the membership categories for members of Lamaze International.  Membership dues, which are set annually by the Board of Directors, must be current to maintain membership and be eligible for related benefits.

Membership Categories

As established by the  Lamaze International Bylaws, membership in Lamaze International is open to healthcare providers, childbirth educators, health professionals, and parents/consumer advocates whose practices and interests are in the area of maternal/child health and who support the mission of Lamaze International.  All members of Lamaze International are considered voting members.

The following membership categories have been established:

• LCCE Member
  LCCE membership is granted to any LCCE educator and is valid as long as the certification is in good standing. Members of this category receive a subscription to the print version of The Journal of Perinatal Education and all other available member benefits. 
• Healthcare Provider 
  Healthcare provider membership applies to physicians, midwives, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners working in the field of perinatal care or a related health field. Members of this category receive a subscription to the print version of The Journal of Perinatal Education and all other available member benefits.
• Professional Member
  Professional membership applies to physicians, midwives, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners working in the field of perinatal care or a related health field. Members of this category receive a subscription to the print version of The Journal of Perinatal Education and all other available member benefits. 
• Parent Advocate Member
  Parent Advocate membership applies to any birth advocate not working in the field of perinatal education or a related health field.   Members of this category receive electronic access to The Journal of Perinatal Education and all other available member benefits.   
• Student Member
  Student membership applies to candidates enrolled in a Lamaze-Accredited Childbirth Educator Program/Seminar.  Student membership is included with the enrollment in a Lamaze Childbirth Educator Seminar and is valid for the calendar year in which the seminar was attended.  If the seminar is held after September 1 then membership carries over to the next calendar year.  Members of this category receive electronic access to The Journal of Perinatal Education and all other member benefits. 
• Lamaze Educator Emeritus Membership
  Lamaze Educator Emeritus membership applies to former/retired LCCE educators who no longer practice or maintain credentials.  Members of this category receive electronic access to The Journal of Perinatal Education and all other available member benefits.  

Dues Structure

LCCE Membership is granted upon becoming Lamaze certified and is renewed with each recertification.

All other membership categories are valid for a full calendar year, and must be renewed as of December 31 each year. Members who renew at any time during the year will be assessed the full annual dues. 

New members who join for the first time after September 1 will receive four months of membership free and their membership will be effective through the following calendar year expiring on December 31.

International members will not be assessed a surcharge for additional administrative costs, such as international mailing and telephone costs. The international membership dues structure will be recalibrated annually based on the World Bank gross national income index.

Approved: April 1992
Revised: September 2000; August 2011; October 2017

Lamaze International (“Lamaze” “us,” “our,” or "we") has created this privacy policy in order to demonstrate our commitment to your privacy and protection of personal information that we collect and process. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms “you” and “your” refer to both you individually and any entity on whose behalf you are accessing our Website.

This privacy policy applies to information we collect (our “Collection Places”):

• On this Website (including its integrated third party platforms);
• On other platforms we use to facilitate our management of the services we provide to you (e.g. conference registration sites); and
• In email, text, other electronic messages or by telephone or other communications between you and us and (if you are a member) between you and other members through the Website.

If you have questions or concerns regarding this policy, we welcome you to contact us at: privacy@lamaze.org.

1. Acknowledgement of this Privacy Statement

Your use of any of our Collection Places signifies that you have read and understand all of the terms of this privacy policy.

2. Personal Information You Provide Voluntarily

We collect personal information at our Collection Places that include, but is not limited to,  name, telephone number, email address, employer, professional title, date of birth, home or business and mailing address, gender, details regarding your entity and business, your job title, username and password, company contacts for corporate members, photographs, and education. 

The personal information you are asked to provide (including whether its provision is mandatory or not) is needed so that we may facilitate your access, purchase, use and/or participation in our service offerings, such as (collectively “Services”):

• Membership;
• Conferences & Events;
• Educational programs;
• Online forums;
• Certification/accreditation activities;
• Volunteer opportunities;
• Products for sale;
• Career services;
• Surveys; and
• Any other services and products that are updates or extensions to our Services or relate to other member benefits.

If you choose not to provide us with your personal information, you may not be able to enjoy certain components of our Services.

Additionally, we will also collect personal information when:

• You request us to contact you via mail, e-mail, or telephone to provide information, updates, or promotions about our Services;
• We enter into agreements for affiliated partnerships (e.g., exhibitors, sponsors, advertisers).

 We will provide you with the choice and means for limiting the use and disclosure of your personal information before we use or disclose the information for a purpose that is materially different than the purpose described below.

At other times, we may collect information that cannot be used to identify you.  For example, we may aggregate non-personal information about you and other customers who visit our Websites. Aggregated information will not contain any information that can be linked directly back to you.

For those Website users located outside the United States including the European Economic Area, we advise you that your information may at times be accessible by individuals who are located worldwide or other geopolitical regions have not been determined to provide the same level of data protection as in your country, province, territory or geopolitical region. By providing us with your personal information, you are consenting to our use of it in accordance with this privacy policy, including the transfer of your information across international boundaries to jurisdictions anywhere in the world as permitted by local law.

2. Personal Information We Collect Automatically

In addition to the Collection Places, we may use any number of tools to collect information about you, your computer access points, and the web browser that you use to connect to our Website. For example, cookies are tiny text files that we place on your computer’s hard drive when you visit our Website. We may use cookies to personalize your interactions with our Websites. You do not have to accept our cookies and you may set your browser to restrict their use and you may delete them after they have been placed on your hard drive.  If you do not accept or delete our cookies, some areas of our Website may take more time to work, or may not function properly.  

Under the laws of various EU countries, cookies may be served, as long as individuals have provided their consent, having been given clear and comprehensive information, in particular about the purposes for which their personal data will be processed. In at least the above-referenced countries, effective consent may be provided by using browser settings, as long as you take positive action. Before using our Website, you are advised to check your current browser settings to ensure that the settings reflect your consent for us to place cookies on your devices.

We may also collect additional information from your web browser each time you visit f our Website. We may collect information about the pages that you visit and the time spent on each web page or area of the Website, the promotions or advertisements that you click on, and other actions that you take while using our Website. This information may include your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, the type of browser, the time that your browser was used to access our Website, and the referring website’s address. We may also use tools such Google Analytics.

We may also collect information that cannot be used to identify you.  For example, we may aggregate non-personal information about you and other individuals who visit our Website. Aggregated information will not contain any information that can be linked directly back to you.

Our Service Providers (defined below) may also use other standard web-based technologies to analyze your movements while accessing our Websites.  The technologies include web “beacons,” “pixel tags,” and “clear gifs.” These technologies help us ascertain the effectiveness of our product and service campaigns and marketing programs, allow us to customize the services offered on or through our Website, and help determine the best use for Website content, and product and service offerings. Some of this information, including the IP address, may be stored on our Internet service provider’s server logs, and may be available for extended periods of time.

3. Choice

We will offer you the opportunity to choose (opt out) whether your personal information is: (a) to be disclosed to a third party and that third party intends to use the personal information for a purpose that is materially different from the purpose for which the personal information was originally collected; or (b) We intend the personal information to be used for a purpose other than the purpose for which it was originally collected or subsequently authorized by you. 

4. Our Use of Your Personal Information

LAMAZE may use your personal information to:

• Provide information about our Services and affiliate partnerships;
• Fulfill your member benefits;
• Facilitate your attendance/participation at our conferences and events (both in person and virtual);
• Track your attendance at conferences and trade shows (including exhibitor spaces);
• Prepare invoices and process payments;
• Respond to any of your questions or requests or other communications you send to us;
• Carry out our obligations and enforce our rights arising from any contract entered between you and us;
• Fulfill any other purpose for which you provide information to us;
• Present our Website effectively to you; or
• Perform any other legitimate purpose reasonably consistent with your membership or affiliated partnership.

Additional uses of your non-personal and personal information will allow us to tailor our Services specific to your needs, to help organize and manage our relationship with you or your business, to conduct business, to provide you with support, and to perform functions that are described to you at the time of collection.

In general, we will use the personal information we collect from you only for the purposes described in this privacy policy or for purposes that we explain to you at the time we collect your personal information. However, we may also use your personal information for other purposes that are not incompatible with the purposes we have disclosed to you (such as archiving purposes in the public interest, research purposes, or statistical purposes) if and where this is permitted by applicable data protection laws.

5. Our Disclosure of Your Personal Information to Third Parties

We may share your personal information with the following categories of recipients:

• Third party service providers (“Service Providers”) who provide (without limitation) administrative/operational services; data processing; membership services; marketing & communication services; meeting management services; website hosting services; membership database services; credit card processing; conference registration; conference mobile applications; ; conference/event hotels and venues; or who otherwise process personal information for purposes that are described in this privacy policy or notified to you when we collect your personal information;

• Other LAMAZE members may receive certain items of your personal information as part of a membership directory or through collaboration portals. In addition, if you sign up to attend a member meeting or other Lamaze-sponsored event, all other Lamaze members who sign up for the event will be notified of your intended attendance at the event and may be given your full name, address, company name, and email address. We are not responsible for other members use or misuse of your personal information; and

• Affiliated partners, such as exhibitors, sponsors and advertisers, may receive membership lists or event attendance lists that include your full name, address, company name, and email address. We are similarly not responsible for the use or misuse of your personal information by our affiliated partners.

We may also disclose your personal information as is necessary to: (a) comply with a subpoena or court order; (b) cooperate with law enforcement or other government agencies; (c) establish or exercise our legal rights; (d) protect the property or safety of our company and employees, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and customers; (e) defend against legal claims; (f) help with internal and external investigations; or (g) as otherwise required by law or permitted by law. We may disclose your information in connection with the sale or merger of Lamaze or any transaction that involves the sale or assignment of some or all of our assets.

6. Data Storage and Security

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that our Service Providers have implemented physical, electronic, and procedural security measures to assist with safeguarding your personal information, and to help protect against unauthorized access and disclosure. Notwithstanding our efforts, the Internet has inherent security risks.  We cannot promise, and you should not expect, that your personal information, personal searches, and other communications will always remain secure. You should take care with regard to how you handle and disclose your personal information or any username or password that you are required to use to access all of our Collection Places.

We will not keep your personal information longer than necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.  We will securely destroy or erase personal information from our systems when it is no longer required to accomplish the purpose for which it was collected. We also will endeavor to ensure the deletion and destruction of personal information stored and maintained by third parties. We may, however, retain some personal information in order to comply with applicable laws, regulations, rules and court orders.

7. Children and Data Collection

Our Website content is not directed toward children who are under the age of 16.  We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.  If we or our Service Providers become aware that a child has provided us with personal information without parental consent, that information will be deleted from our databases.  If you have questions about personal information that may have been submitted by a child, please email us at privacy@lamaze.org.

8. How You May Access and Change the Information that Lamaze Collects

The first time that you provide us with registration information through our Website, you may be offered the opportunity to subscribe to and receive additional information about our products and services. Each commercial e-mail that we send to you will offer you the opportunity to opt-out of continuing to receive such messages.  We may take up to 10 business days to process your opt-out requests. In some instances, we may have already shared your information with one of our authorized third parties before you changed your information preferences, and you may briefly continue to receive e-mail even after you have opted out. FTC e-mail compliance guidance allows us to send you transactional and relationship e-mail without offering you the opportunity to opt-out of receiving those types of e-mail.

For those Website users located in the European Union, we are required by law to advise you that your personal information may, at times, be accessible by individuals who are located worldwide including in countries that the European Commission has not determined provide the same level of data protection as in your country. By providing us with your personal information, you are consenting to our use of it in accordance with our privacy policy, including the transfer of your personal information across international boundaries to jurisdictions anywhere in the world as permitted by local law, including, without limitation the United States.

In some cases, the United States may not be deemed to have data privacy laws that afford an equal level of protection for your personal information as those laws legislated at the direction of the European Union, however, please be assured that we will continue to adhere to the principles stated in this privacy policy and in applicable laws in connection with any personal information. We will endeavor to preserve the integrity, confidentiality, and security of personal information and afford such personal information an adequate level of protection.

9. Rooms/Forums/Message Boards/News Groups

Our Website may make digital forums available to its users. Please remember that any information disclosed in these areas becomes public information, and you should exercise caution when deciding to disclose information through these areas of the Website.

10. Enforcement

We use a self-assessment approach to assure compliance with this privacy policy and periodically verifies that the policy is accurate, comprehensive for the information intended to be covered, prominently displayed, completely implemented and accessible and in conformity with the EU privacy principles. We encourage interested persons to raise any concerns using the contact information provided and we will investigate and attempt to resolve any complaints or disputes regarding the use and disclosure of personal information in accordance with the principles.

If a complaint or dispute cannot be resolved through our internal process, we agree to dispute resolution using (an independent resourced mechanism) as a third party resolution provider.

11. General Information and Privacy Support Contact

We may update this privacy policy from time to time, and you should take the time to review it each time that you visit one of our Web sites. We are committed to protecting your personal privacy.  If you have questions or comments about our efforts to protect your personal privacy, or if you require additional information about our privacy commitment, please contact us at privacy@lamaze.org.

Purpose

This policy covers all records and documents, regardless of physical form or characteristics, both paper and electronic, which have been made or received by Lamaze International in connection with the administration of all organizational activity.

Membership Records

All member records are maintained on Lamaze International’s secure database (iMIS). Such records are accessible only to staff who are involved in membership processing. Records are password protected. In a physical format, membership records are maintained in cabinets in a secure office, or after two years are sent to a secure off-site storage facility.

Organizational Records

Records pertaining to the management of Lamaze International, including corporate and financial documents, organizational board and committee minutes, human resources files and other general records are maintained in a secure office space on the premises of the Administrative Office. After one year these records may be transferred to a secure storage unit until their retention date has expired. Permanent means records are kept on file for as long as the organization is in operation. Records will be periodically reviewed and records past their noted retention period will be destroyed.

Record Retention Schedule

A complete retention schedule is listed below.

Accounting	Retention Period
Accounts receivable reports	7 years
Accounts payable reports	7 years
Auditors’ reports/work papers	Permanent
Bank deposit slips	7 years
Bank statements, reconciliations	7 years
Budgets	7 years
Cancelled checks	7 years
Cash disbursements journal	Permanent
Cash receipts journal	Permanent
Depreciation records	Permanent
Employee expense reports	7 years
Volunteer expense reports	7 years
Independent contractor expense reports	7 years
Employee payroll records (W-2, W-4, annual earnings records, etc.)	7 years
Financial statements (annual)	7 years
Financial statements (interim/internal)	7 years
General journal or ledger	Permanent
Inventory lists	Permanent
Invoices	7 years
Payroll journal	7 years
Petty cash vouchers	7 years

   

Corporate Records	Retention Period
Annual Report (State of Illinois)	Permanent
Constitution	Permanent
Bylaws	Permanent
IRS Determination Letter	Permanent
Contracts, sales (UCC)	7 years
Contracts, generally	7 years
Contract, government	7 years
Minutes (board executive session)	Permanent
Minutes (board and committees with board authority)	Permanent
Minutes (committees without board authority)	Permanent
Qualifications to do business	Permanent

 

Insurance	Retention Period
Accident reports	7 years
Insurance claims	7 years
Insurance policies	Permanent

 

Membership and Registration	Retention Period
Membership applications and dues remittances	7 years
Membership qualifications documentation	3 months following approval
Registration applications and remittances	7 years

 

Miscellaneous Legal	Retention Period
Claims and litigation files	7 years
Copyright, patent and trademark registrations	Permanent

 

Personnel	Retention Period
Applications	1 year
Employee earnings/payroll records	7 years
Employee files	Permanent
Employee pension records, including service, eligibility, personal information, pensions paid	7 years
Employment contracts	7 years
Garnishments	7 years
Government reports	7 years
Pension, profit-sharing plans	Permanent
Time cards/sheets	7 years

 

Taxes	Retention Period
Income tax returns and cancelled checks (federal, state and local)	Permanent
Payroll tax returns	Permanent
Sales and use tax returns	Permanent

 

General	Retention Period
Supporting correspondence and notes re: patents, copyrights, licenses, agreements, bills of sale, permits, liabilities, etc.	Permanent

 

Drafted: March, 2008