The National Chiropractic Association
Christianity teaches us that “when two or more are gathered in My (Christ’s) name; there I am.” Those who believe this live with a feeling of peace and hope for the future. In Chiropractic, when two or more are gathered, there is frequently distrust, disagreement, dissension, and a host of non-productive attitudes that often prevail. The world’s largest drugless healthcare profession has certainly attracted some independent and strong minded individuals.
However, in today’s world, countries who are successful in obtaining professional recognition and favorable legislation are those where all Chiropractic Groups come together for the sake of the profession. United Kingdom had to find a way to bring all factions under one roof, one voice, before finally obtaining full privileges and protection under the law.
Here’s what chiropractors in other countries have done to establish a strong National Association:
- Agree to meet regularily and stick to it.
- Agree on a name and invesigate the options, legal and otherwise, to establish a formal organizational structure.
- Put together By-Laws and hold elections.
- Work together and delegate tasks to each DC.
- Submit application to join the World Federation of Chiropractors (WFC).
- Put some start up money together and establish annual dues.
- Stay in touch and refer patients to each other when possible.
- Put together a bulletin or newsletter as the number of DCs grows.
- Greet all new DCs and seek 100% membership and participation.
- Glorify what everyone has in common and respect the differences.
85% of the world’s chiropractors are in the USA, where there will always be, so it seems, two National Associations. Many of the individual States have two or three State Associations. This division is also becoming apparent throughout the world and will most likely continue as long as there continues to be an effort by many to attempt to reduce chiropractic into a “physical medicine” science. Most DCs in practice outside of the USA are concerned with the location and correction of vertebral subluxations. Let’s hope all groups can concede to this reality and respect each other inspite of different adjunctive interests. There is an expression that says: “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family.” It is not stretching the imagination too far to say that a profession in many ways is similar to a family. Now, is there harmony and understanding in all families? Not usually. Do people have to learn to simply accept their family members, regardless? Usually we tolerate those who offend us and set up clear boundaries as to just how much or little those offenders play in our lives. Your chiropractic family falls under the extended family role in your life equal to the degree of affinity and rapport shared between any two individuals. At least you don’t have to live with them; but you could line up under one banner of solidarity for the profession’s common cause.
What are the barriers to the development of a single National Association? Differences? Egos? Bigotry? Distrust? You might be surprised to even find racism hidden behind claims for “nationalism” behind the cries of: “let’s keep the foreigners out.” There are also insecure claims that “there just aren’t enough patients to support any more chiropractors.” This has been heard from countries with as little as three or four chiropractors. When one group alienates some of it’s individuals, human nature solves the problem by polarizing these individuals together and a second Association seeking respect and fair consideration takes form.
The success of any organization comes from proper leadership. Not everyone is a leader; in fact few people are comfortable with this role. The leader agrees to be the representative speaker for the profession; to take responsibility that a current agenda is established for the scheduled meetings; to moderate the meetings, and to encourage every member to express their opinion and to encourage every member to contribute their particular talents. In some sense it is almost a DUTY; in particular when you are the pioneer DCs for the country.
If there is sufficient interest, the Chiropractic Diplomatic Corps