A written account of a conversation is helpful should the mother call at a later date. A newly accredited Leader may believe she can rely on her memory to recall the details of each mother's situation. In reality, as the number of mothers who reach out to a Leader increases, it becomes less possible to recall the details of each mother's situation by relying on memory alone. If a mother has to repeat the details of her concern each time she calls, she may conclude that you believe her situation is unimportant. Conversely, calling her baby by name after a quick review of your notes establishes a rapport that may help the mother to be more open to the information you have to offer.
Funding agencies pay attention to numbers.
Local Leaders report contacts to their District Advisor or other Area personnel at regular intervals. If an opportunity arises to apply for grant money, including accurate, current statistics in the application can increase the chance that the proposal will be funded. Keeping a log can actually save time. Writing down information helps you remember what you have learned while helping a mother. The physical act of writing engages the portion of the brain that is used for synthesizing information.