MAY 2003

Tough issues, important choices face ICA members in upcoming elections

The voting members of the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) will have a choice this May as two competing slates contend for the top leadership positions in the 77-year old professional society.

To those who have watched this contest unfold, there are a number of vitally important factors that make one set of choices clear.

D.D. Humber, D.C., current president is running for re‑election, putting his decades of active involvement and experience to work once again. On his ticket are Michael S. McLean, D.C., candidate for ICA Vice President and Tim Meng, D.C., seeking re‑election as Secretary‑Treasurer.

These three dedicated leaders have, through thick and thin, dedicated their time and best efforts to lead the ICA, launching great new programs, projecting ICA's powerful message of chiropractic principle worldwide, in the face of the toughest economic environment volunteer organizations have faced in decades. In the face of all the daunting challenges, these workhorses have done an outstanding job, and they deserve to be elected.

Dr. Humber is a worker. He has no other agenda, no competing or conflicting product or program to promote. His motive is service. He has had the courage to lead ICA into the Chiropractic Coalition, recognizing that to defend the foundations and ultimately the future of chiropractic, ICA needed to come together with like‑minded organizations, including the World Chiropractic Alliance and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and Organizations to do what is right.

At the same time, he has been a vigorous spokesman for ICA as an independent organization with great effectiveness, dignity and integrity. No one can wonder where the ICA stands on the cutting issues of the day when Dr. Humber speaks.

Dr. Michael McLean has dedicated his efforts in the ICA to leading their legislative program, and has achieved a status that is rare in the chiropractic profession. He is universally respected as an effective, tenacious advocate for chiropractic in the legislative realm, has built key alliances with leading legislators, has developed a unique body of legislative knowledge and experience, and has put those assets to work on behalf of chiropractic in a host of battlegrounds, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Chiropractic Advisory Committee.

Dr. Meng is ICA's incumbent Secretary‑Treasurer, and is a man who radiates integrity, efficiency and commitment. He has worked to build ICA's organizational and financial strength, responding with patience, responsibility and great insight to the uncertainties of the not‑for‑profit economy.

In the face of sudden shifts and challenges, Dr. Meng has managed to work with ICA's Board, who are the ultimate decision‑makers in all financial decisions, to bring ICA's multi‑million dollar budget into balance in the current year and in three of the four previous years. This is a magnificent achievement and one that has earned the trust of all ICA members.

In the coming months, experience and an understanding of the strengths as well as the needs and opportunities facing the ICA will be vital to the success of this historic and vitally important organization.

Dr. Humber and his team have dedicated themselves to the leadership task with great energy, conviction and effectiveness. They deserve to be elected. ICA deserves their selfless and principled style of leadership. This is also how the ICA can best serve the chiropractic profession worldwide.