History of the CBC
May 2011:
June 2011:
July 2011:
August 2011:
October 2011:
Throughout 2012:
April 2012:
October 2012:
November 2012:
January 2013
April 2013:
May 2013:
October 2013:
March 2014
April 2014:
May 2014:
August 2014:
September 2014:
October 2014:
November 2014:
December 2014:
- Katie Immel, an Orrville-based doula and childbirth educator, spent a weekend traveling to and from Cleveland for an educator training seminar. Also attending this weekend training was Molly Wales, who was the Executive Director of The Birth Circle in Athens, Ohio. As Molly and Katie talked, the idea of creating a similar birth circle in the Orrville area took hold in Katie’s mind.
June 2011:
- Katie recruited a local group of friends, colleagues and former clients and students that she knew shared an interest in improving birth. Karla Carnahan eagerly agreed to help co-direct.
- Together, the group adopted the name Community Birth Circle. Karla and Katie relied heavily on The Birth Circle in Athens as plans began to form for moving forward. Using their mission statement and by-laws as a guide, Katie and Karla started keeping records, filing paperwork and making plans for the first official public meeting in August. Katie designed a logo and created fliers and PR materials, and everyone started helping spread the word.
July 2011:
- Karla traveled to Athens to meet the Athens Birth Circle Director Molly, ask a multitude of questions, observe the Athens Birth Circle meeting, introduce herself, and let them know that we were officially starting a group in northeast Ohio.
August 2011:
- The first official meeting of the Board of Directors took place. The Board established the mission statement, voted to approve the by-laws and discussed details and plans for the public meeting, as well as meetings that would follow.
- Karla filed Non-Profit Domestic Articles of Incorporation with the State of Ohio on behalf of the CBC.
- The first official public meeting took place at Orrville Public Library, on the topic of “Transition to Parenthood.” The first meeting brought 12 adults and 10 kids, which encouraged everyone that the CBC was off to a great start!
October 2011:
- The CBC held its first successful fund-raising event, a donations-based yard sale in conjunction with the Orrville community sales. This has become an annual event.
Throughout 2012:
- The CBC hosted public meetings monthly on a variety of birth-related topics, with Katie or Karla facilitating meetings.
- Karla began to attend the Wayne County Breastfeeding Coalition meetings on behalf of the CBC.
- The CBC participated in various fairs including the Aultman Health Fair and Red Cross Healthy Baby Fair, became a member of the Chamber of Commerce and hosted tables at the Bunny Trail and Home for the Holidays.
April 2012:
- Official application for 501c3 non-profit status was submitted to the IRS.
October 2012:
- Second annual garage sale took place.
- Katie, Karla and fellow board member Amanda Richardson met with Dr. Marchelle Suppan, CEO and President of Aultman Orrville Hospital, Administrator Judy Erb, and Janice Dennison, the AOH OB Nurse Manager and a fellow CBC board member. This meeting was encouraging and inspiring as the group explored ways that the CBC and AOH could work together to most effectively impact the area and improve birth for moms, babies and families.
- Katie was invited to speak to Orrville Rotary on behalf of the CBC to share the history, mission and values of the organization.
November 2012:
- The CBC coordinated a team that participated in the Rich Dalessandro 5K memorial.
January 2013
- The location of CBC public monthly meetings was moved from the Orrville Public Library to the Aultman Orrville Hospital Community Room.
April 2013:
- The CBC applied for and was awarded a grant from the George T. Dunlap Foundation which enabled the CBC to launch a highly successful and effective year-long doula scholarship program, as well as distribute copies of Your Best Birth to local expectant mothers. Karla coordinated this program.
May 2013:
- Katie and Karla stepped back from directing and the board put Cait Olsen, a board member, into the role of Executive Director.
October 2013:
- The CBC held its third annual garage sale with the rest of the Orrville community.
- Sharon Lynn volunteered to teach monthly childbirth classes on behalf of the CBC and the free childbirth education program was launched, with the first 2-session class held in November.
March 2014
- The CBC coordinated the Bounce into Spring fundraiser at Romp N’ Stomp in Medina.
April 2014:
- Board member Sarah Hilliard, a Certified Lactation Counselor, offered to host a monthly breastfeeding support group as well as offer in-home consultations for the CBC on a donations basis.
May 2014:
- The CBC lead a Birth Talk, hosted by Local Roots in Wooster.
August 2014:
- The CBC received its official letter of determination from the IRS declaring the CBC a 501c3 tax-exempt non-profit organization.
September 2014:
- The CBC applied and was again awarded a grant from the George T. Dunlap foundation which allowed the doula scholarship program to renew and continue. It also allowed Sharon to receive much-needed teaching aids and materials for classes, as well as obtain certification for childbirth education. Cait coordinated the grant.
October 2014:
- Fourth and most successful garage sale yet took place.
November 2014:
- Katie Immel became the Executive Director and Cait Olsen became the Assistant Director.
December 2014:
- The Executive Director position was renamed as Director of Operations, with the Assistant Director becoming the Assistant Director of Operations. The Board created a new position, Director of Development, and elected James Casto to fill that role.