January
2002
Leadership Forum agrees on projects
(click on photo to see enlargement)
With a spirit of cooperation, and respect for diversity, leaders from
many national chiropractic organizations met in Albuquerque November 8 to
continue their work toward fostering unity within the profession, raising
public awareness and securing funds for research.
The National Chiropractic Leadership Forum (NCLF), convened by the
Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) and comprised of
representatives of the profession's political, academic, research and
business communities met for the third time to declare their governing
board's endorsement of a code of conduct (The St. Louis Principles), a
"Declaration of Chiropractic Professional Responsibilities," and
participate in subgroup status reports.
Dr. Mario Spoto, the group's chairman challenged each organization to
share with the membership their endorsement and commitment to these
unifying principles.
Each of the three internal work groups reported on their progress, and
the philosophical divergent group agreed to move forward on several
projects including:
The ACC Paradigm, which includes both the "Chiropractic
Paradigm" and the "Chiropractic Scope of Practice," serves
as the NCLF's founding principle. Of significance note is that since the
group's May 2001 meeting, not only have the participating organizations
formally recognized the ACC Paradigm, but so have the members of the World
Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) which represents national associations
from 77 countries, including the ACA and ICA.
According to Mr. David Chapman Smith, "The ACC Paradigm now
assumes major significance because it has been duly and democratically
adopted internationally as an appropriate guide to the development of
chiropractic education and practice, and to the role of chiropractors
within healthcare."
A major objective of the NCLF is to provide a format for open
discussions within the chiropractic organizational community. As can be
expected with such diverse groups, several issues were met with hard
pressed discussions, and concerns were aired. While participants agreed
that the quest for unity does not require sacrificing institutional
autonomy, their respectful attitudes suggested a strong desire to overcome
past differences and move forward as a group, for the benefit of the
entire chiropractic profession.
Dr. Spoto further stated, "On behalf of the Congress for
Chiropractic State Associations we would like to thank all those dedicated
professionals and the organizations they represent for caring enough about
the chiropractic patient to work together for a stronger chiropractic
profession. Each representative has earned your support and heartfelt
thanks."
The next Summit of the NCLF is scheduled for Chicago in April 2001. For
more information about the NCLF, go to the COCSA website at www.cocsa.org
and click on the NCLF website button.
Participating organizations and their representatives included:
American Chiropractic Association: Dr. Daryl Wills and Dr. James
Edwards
Association of Chiropractic Colleges: Dr. William Dallas and Mr.
David O'Bryon, CAE
Congress of Chiropractic State Associations: Dr. Tom Klapp and Dr.
Kevin Donavan
The Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters: Dr.
George McClelland and Dr. John Pammer
Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards: Dr. Wayne Wolfson and
Ms. Donna Liewer
Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research: Ms. DeAnna Beck
and Dr. Anthony Rosner
International Chiropractors Association: Dr. D. D. Humber and Dr.
Roy Mitchell
National Board of Chiropractic Examiners: Mr. Horace Elliot and Dr.
Peter Ferguson
World Chiropractic Alliance:
Dr. Patrick Gentempo and Dr. Matthew
McCoy
Other Participants: Dr. Mario Spoto, NCLF Chairman; Dr. Carl Cleveland,
NCLF Unity Committee Chairman; Mr. D.Henry Leavitt, ChiroCode Institute;
Mr. Don Petersen, Dynamic Chiropractic; Mr. Kent Greenawalt, Foot
Levelers; Mr. Rick Flaherty, Leader/Leander Health Technologies.
