Membership Policy

Full Membership

Pay annual dues
Certification encouraged but not necessary; members must have attended a doula training and a minimum of three births
All members sign Mission Statement & Standards of Practice
Members of PDC must maintain good standing in the community in 2 categories:
Education: Members must represent the group in a professional, positive manner at all times.
Client support: Members must be able to provide care in any setting---private home, birth center, or hospital. Members shall interface with midwives, obstetricians, nurses and other health care personnel in a professional, non-adversarial manner. We strive to create and maintain win-win situations.
Participation in community outreach is essential to the success of our mission. Members are expected to participate in regular group meetings as well as a minimum of 2 community events per year.
Members maintain membership with only PDC to be able to give their full commitment to the group.

Provisional/ Introductory Membership

Candidate may or may not be doula already; may be exploring doula work
6 months' duration minimum and 12 months maximum
During this time provisional members are required to attend a doula training (if not done so) and at least three births
E-mail list participation, but no listing on website or facebook
No dues payment
Meetings: provisional members will attend regularly scheduled group meetings. As needs arise, prospective/provisional members may be invited to attend a meeting 15-30 minutes after the meeting commences.
Shadowing: current members shall be open to allowing prospective doulas to shadow them at a birth or postpartum visit, per client approval.

Anyone who is found to be in violation of PDC Membership Policies or Standards of Practice, including Confidentiality,
shall be issued a verbal warning. Per the group’s discretion, a doula may be asked to revoke her membership.