The recent firings of two experienced and dedicated CNMs from the ACNM National Office has generated an extreme lack of confidence among the undersigned members in the leadership, both paid and volunteer, of the National Office.

The professional staff who do the majority of work within the College have been previously considered valuable contributors to ACNM discussions, processes and decisions, including Board of Directors meetings. However, in recent years there has been a systematic dismantling of the trust, value and input that the senior midwifery staff traditionally have had within the organization.

It is time for the Board of Directors who are elected by the membership, and not the paid staff (including the CEO), to take a hard look at how these actions are being perceived by the membership, and to be clear about the plan for restoring trust and confidence in the membership moving forward. Hence, as members of the ACNM, we call for an external audit by an unrelated party of all aspects of the organization, with an emphasis on business practices, organizational culture, and financial management.