PSR: Accreditation Appeals Procedures

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Accreditation Appeal Procedures

Introduction

LLLI seeks the accreditation of a diverse body of leadership. The aim of this appeals process is to ensure that any person who meets the LLLI Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership has the opportunity to become a Leader Applicant with La Leche League.

Introduction
An appeal regarding accreditation as a La Leche League (LLL) Leader can be made when:

  • An application to become an accredited LLL Leader has been declined or
  • A Leader Applicant’s application in process has been stopped.

Before a request or application to become an accredited LLL Leader is declined, the Leader to whom the request was made presents to the Leader Accreditation Department (LAD) representative for their Area or DCE the reasons for declining, referencing the specific prerequisite(s) or criteria that the potential Applicant has not met. The LAD representative for the Area consults with the LAD representatives in the Direct Connect Entity (DCE) where the potential Applicant would have been supported and/or the Director of the Leader Accreditation Department (DLAD).

If the application was declined by a LAD representative, the LAD representative presents the information described above to their LAD supervisor and to the supporting Leader for consultation as described above.

Any decision to decline to recommend a potential Applicant, to decline an application, or to stop an application in progress, reflects the La Leche League International (LLLI) Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership and LLLI Criteria for Leader Accreditation as stated in Applying for Leadership, LLL Policies and Standing Rules. The reason for declining is made in writing to the appropriate LAD representative, referencing the specific prerequisite or criterion that is not met. Only the DLAD can stop an application in progress.

These appeal procedures will be used only as a way to make decisions regarding interpretation of policy, including the LLLI Criteria for Leader Accreditation and LLL philosophy.

These appeal procedures will not be used to contest the existence or wording of any LLL policy. The process for recommending changes to the Applying for Leadership policy or any other LLL policy can be found in the Responsibility for Policy policy.
General Accreditation Appeals Procedure

  • A copy of this policy is part of the Leader’s Pre-Application Packet.
  • When a Leader or LAD representative informs a potential Applicant of the decision to decline an application or when the DLAD tells an Applicant of the decision to stop the application, they must also inform the person of the right to appeal and share this policy and the LLL Leader Accreditation Appeal form.
  • “Appellant” refers to the person appealing.
  • The appellant has 90 days after receiving this policy to complete and send the appeal form. If there are extenuating circumstances that cause a delay of longer than 90 days, the DLAD or Chair of the Accreditation Review Committee (ARC) will take these into consideration.
  • The appellant pays no fee to bring an appeal.
  • When the appeal is received, the DLAD or ARC Chair acknowledges receipt within one week. All communications used in an appeal must be documented, including email, telephone calls, video or audiotapes, online or in-person meetings. Copies of the appeal file will be kept by the DLAD for a period of five years.
  • LLLI is committed to prompt responses and a thorough review.

For an appellant whose application has been declined, the appeal has two possible stages of review: review by the DLAD and review by the ARC.

For an Applicant whose application has been stopped by the DLAD, there is one stage of review: review by the ARC.
Appeal Review by DLAD

  • The appellant sends the appeal form to the DLAD, stating the reasons for appeal review.
  • The DLAD creates an appeal review group of 4-5 LAD Council members which reflects the international nature of LLL.

The DLAD and this LAD Council appeal review group conduct a review, dialoguing with the appellant and consulting with the Leader(s) and LAD representatives who have been involved with this application.

  • With the appellant’s permission, The DLAD may consult, if necessary, with the LAD Council or LLLI Board of Directors concerning interpretation of the prerequisites or policy. All of the appellant’s personal identifying information will be withheld from that discussion.
  • With the appellant’s permission, the DLAD informs the relevant Area/DCE administrators of the fact of the appeal.
  • The DLAD reports the decision to the appellant and the LAD representatives and Leaders who have been involved with the application.
  • If the appeal is declined, the DLAD informs the appellant of the right to appeal again to the ARC and the procedure for doing so.
  • The DLAD includes general information about any appeals in their regular reporting to LLLI.

Appeal Review by the ARC

  • The appellant sends the appeal form to the ARC stating the reasons for appealing.
  • The DLAD shares the appellant’s appeal file with the ARC Chair.
  • The ARC conducts a review, dialoguing with the appellant and consulting with the Leader(s) and/or LAD representatives who have been involved with the application, and with the LAD Council and LLLI Board about policies and prerequisites, as necessary.
  • All decisions of the ARC are based upon the materials in the appellant’s file and with discussions with only the Leader(s) and the LAD representatives directly involved with the application.
  • The decision of the ARC is final.
  • The ARC reports its decision to the appellant and the Leader(s) working with the appellant, and separately to the LLLI Executive Director, the DLAD, and all LAD representatives involved in the application and the appeal.
  • The ARC produces a bi-annual committee report for the LLLI Board that gives general information and themes. It does not share personal identifying information from appellants.
  • A person who has had their application for leadership declined or their application stopped is not prevented from re-applying if something changes and they meet the LLLI Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership and LLLI Criteria for Leader Accreditation. See Applying for Leadership.

(Feb 98; rev Feb 99, Apr 16, Nov 21)