Doulas in Business 2014 Conference

Providing Professional Care & Creating Sustainable Income

Network with sister doulas & visionaries ~ rejuvenate ~ share ~ have fun!

May 16-18, 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Who should come?

  • Doulas, aspiring doulas, and certified doulas in need of continuing education contact hours (earn up to 21.25 DONA-approved hours)
  • Midwives
  • Lactation consultants, breastfeeding counselors
  • Childbirth educators
  • Home Visitors who work with pregnant and newly postpartum women and their families
  • Doula program administrators, advocates, visionaries, and leaders
  • Grant writers and would-be grant writers

Conference Program

Friday, May 16, 8:30am-5pm

The Doula’s Role in Reducing Childbearing Risks

With Patty Brennan & Guest Instructors

7.25 DONA Continuing Education Hours approved

FREE Workshop for Residents of Michigan (Non-residents welcome for a fee) ~ Lunch (with vegetarian options) Included ~ Sponsored by March of Dimes

Are you interested in expanding your role to become an agent for social change? How can we better serve Doulas in Business 2014 Conference mothers and families who have increased risks and limited resources? How can we maintain balance when serving high-needs clients? In this workshop, we will address challenges faced by community doulas that are often not covered in your core doula training. We’ll focus on:

  • The doula’s role in preventing infant mortality
  • Communication techniques that support behavioral change (includes an introduction to Motivational Interviewing)
  • Boundary challenges and strategies for doulas
  • Supporting women in emotionally and physically abusive relationships
  • Increasing access to community resources

This program ties in with our Sunday program because it is an example of a grant objective successfully funded by March of Dimes to provide “enhanced risk-reduction education.”

Friday, May 16, 7-9:30pm

Doulas in Business 2014 ConferenceWine, Chocolate & Doula Sisters!

Join us for an informal Doulas’ Night Out. We’ll provide a variety of beverages and treats. Featuring a talk and book signing with author Cynthia Gabriel whose book, Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds, is quickly becoming a “must read” for all doulas. Cia will share her top four “Nitty Gritty Birth Techniques” focusing on what’s most important for a natural hospital birth. This event is free. No registration necessary. Join us!

Saturday, May 17, 8:30am-5pm

Business & Marketing Skills for Doulas (& Others!)

With Patty Brennan, BDT, PDT(DONA)

7.0 DONA Continuing Education Contact Hours approvedDoulas in Business 2014 Conference

From passion to profit … make a living doing what you love! Come and learn the skills necessary to be successfully self-employed in your birth-related (or other service-oriented) business. Topics include:

  • Establishing a business entity—what’s the best model for your business?
  • Money matters—setting and collecting fees, sliding scales, client contracts
  • Record keeping essentials
  • Small business guide to taxes
  • Managing risk and limiting liability for doulas and doula programs
  • Marketing strategies
  • Social media, blogging, building your “list” and e-newsletters
  • Networking to create a referral culture in your business (think “grass-roots outreach”)
  • Goal setting and time management: How do I fit it all in?

Sunday, May 18, 8:30am-5pm

Nonprofit Startup, Program Planning & Grant Writing Skills

With Patty Brennan

7.0 DONA Continuing Education Contact Hours pending

Morning Session, 8:30 am-noon

Nonprofit Startup & Community-Based Doula Programs

doula programs business conferenceDo you have a vision for a nonprofit doula program? Have you just begun to implement your vision? We can save you time and money by sharing hard lessons learned. Get your questions answered and share experiences.

  • What are the pros & cons of becoming a 501c3 nonprofit corporation?
  • How can you make a doula program sustainable?
  • As a founder/executive director, how do you pay yourself a salary?
  • What types of community partnerships will you need?
  • What components of organizational infrastructure are required?
  • What are some strategies for working successfully with volunteers?
  • And more!

Lunch Break, noon-1 pm

Afternoon Session, 1-5 pm

Grant Writing Skills

grant writing doula programsAvoid common mistakes that make the difference between, literally, thousands of dollars and zero dollars for your program. In this workshop, we will provide an overview of the grant writing process. Learn to read a Request for Proposals (RFP) critically and think strategically. Emphasis will be placed on securing funding for maternal-infant health initiatives. You will have an opportunity to write SMART “outcome objectives” for a sample proposal. Grant writing is a logical, step-by-step planning process, very similar to a business plan. Write a good grant and you have a mini business plan!

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Fees, Registration & Information

Sign me up for this entire Amazing Conference now!

All Three Days Michigan Residents ($225; $195 by 4/23)
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All Three Days Non-Michigan Residents ($295; $255 by 4/23)
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Saturday & Sunday Only ($225; $195 by 4/23)
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Saturday OR Sunday Only ($135; $110 by 4/23)
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Doula's Role in Reducing Childbearing Risks (Free to Michigan residents)
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Doula's Role in Reducing Childbearing Risks (Non-residents of Michigan $85)
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Refund Policy

Coming soon!

Meals

A selection of organic, yummy snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided. We will take a one-hour lunch break each day. You can bring a lunch with you (we have a microwave and refrigerator on the premises) or go out for lunch at any number of nearby restaurants. The Friday workshop includes a catered lunch (with vegetarian options).

Bring the family!

Coming soon!

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Our Speakers

Patty Brennan

Marsha Benz

Barbara Robertson

Cynthia Gabriel

More … Coming soon!

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