October 2003

Are D.C.s really apathetic?

by Dr. Terry Rondberg

I recently spoke to a group of doctors at the Palmer Lyceum, along with leaders from the ACA and ICA. It was a fascinating experience because the room was filled with people from around the world who were obviously interested in the work of chiropractic organizations. Yet, many of them didn't belong to any group. We were all asking the same question ‑‑ why?

Some say it's because of apathy. But frankly, I've seen very few apathetic doctors. Most of the doctors I know can be passionate, committed and involved in their practice AND their community. They're not apathetic people.

Obviously, the problem isn't with the doctors; it's with the organizations.

Maybe they've have been discouraged by organizations that completely ignore their suggestions or ideas, or turned off because of the in‑fighting among different groups. Some probably just don't like politics or are worried about over‑committing themselves.

There's a wonderful quote by historian Arnold Joseph Toynbee. He said, "Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, which takes the imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for carrying that ideal into practice."

What ideals take your imagination by storm?

Is it the one championed by the WCA ‑‑ that of creating a subluxation‑free world and protecting the unique character of chiropractic?

Is it the thought of having all pre‑natal care include chiropractic adjustments, or having all newborns adjusted before they leave the birthing center?

Perhaps you get excited thinking about getting the Boy Scouts to offer a merit badge for chiropractic, or having D.C.s commissioned as officers in the military like their medical counterparts.

Maybe you get fired up thinking about building a large, high‑volume practice where you can help hundreds of people each week live better, healthier lives through subluxation correction.

If any of these ideals resonate with you, you'll find yourself in good company in the WCA. Talk with WCA members and you'll feel the excitement and enthusiasm radiate from their very beings. They love chiropractic, and they have found an organization that shares their vision ‑‑ and their passion.

The second part of Toynbee's formula for overcoming apathy is a plan for carrying the ideal into practice. In the WCA, we've mapped out an aggressive campaign of political action, public education, and individual self‑realization that has taken us farther ‑‑ faster ‑‑ than anyone would have predicted. The plan starts with a mission ‑‑ to protect and promote the principles of chiropractic, and we do this in many ways.

***  We educate the public in the purpose of chiropractic and the true meaning of wellness.

***  We fight in court for the rights of D.C.s and their patients.

***  We battle an often hostile media, and work to get positive coverage.

***  We teach doctors the principles of success so they can prosper and bring subluxation correction to more people.

***  And we lobby for laws that safeguard everyone's right to choose subluxation‑based chiropractic and that make sure you are compensated for that care.

For instance, right now, we're building support for a bill that will make subluxation correction the exclusive domain of chiropractic under Medicare. We're also working on an appropriations bill in Congress that will include $1.4 million in grants for wellness‑based subluxation centered research. In the past, we were instrumental in making sure our veterans had access to chiropractors for subluxation correction in addition to treatment for neuro‑musculoskeletal problems. And our members have worked in their own states to keep chiropractic drug‑free.

We have a great lobbyist and strong Congressional supporters, but our real strength comes from the dedication of our members, who have earned a prominent place in the American health care community.

Dr. Veronica Gutierrez, a member of the WCA Board of Directors, was the only chiropractor to serve on the White House Presidential Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Dr. Leona Fischer, a member of our International Board of Governors, serves on the VA Advisory Committee and another, Dr. Kristina Collins, was picked for the National Advisory Council on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

As an NGO ‑‑ Non‑Governmental Organization ‑‑ affiliated with the United Nations Public Information Office, the WCA plays a role on the global health care stage as well. WCA Board member Dr. Chris Kent, who has traveled to Geneva to work with officials with the World Health Organization, now serves as Chairman of the NGO Health Committee.

Other WCA members and board members have leadership positions throughout the U.S., Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Australia, Israel, Switzerland and many other nations. Most of them aren't big names in the profession. They're hard working field doctors like you who have decided to make a contribution and, with the WCA behind them, have made an impact on the profession.

Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." The WCA is the "small group of thoughtful, committed citizens" who change the chiropractic world.

Since our members are the WCA's greatest assets, we work to make sure they stay strong and prosperous. This year, we started offering free teleclasses that provide practical tips on having a successful practice. Many of the finest chiropractic teachers and coaches are involved in this series of teleclasses, and you can get information and training that usually costs hundreds of dollars.

The WCA has managed to do all this ‑‑ and much more ‑‑ without ever compromising our principles or rejecting the ideals of B.J. Palmer.

Can you imagine what we could do with your help?

You might be wondering, though, where you fit in, what you can do to make a difference. After all, in many groups, you really can't do anything except pay dues.

In the WCA, what you can do depends strictly on you and how much you want to take on at this time.

You could, for example, become a member of the International Board of Governors and provide a steady stream of information and input. Or, you could become involved in one of our Councils. Right now, we have Councils that deal with the specific issues of women's health, addictionology, nutrition, chiropractic clinical science, family practice and mentoring. These Councils are a great way to focus on topics of particular interest to you, and work with like‑minded doctors in those areas.

You might even choose to start a new Council. That's what Dr. Guterriez and Dr. Madeline Behrendt did with the Council on Women's Health. They saw a need and jumped in to fill it, with the approval of the WCA Board and the resources of the entire organization behind them.

Dr. Michael Harpold did the same thing with the Nutrition Council. He wanted to increase awareness of the role nutrition plays in subluxation. So he came to the WCA Board and offered to form a Council to create a network of subluxation‑based doctors who share his interest and goals.

With the World Chiropractic Alliance, you don't slog through a dozen layers of bureaucracy to get things done. You come to us and, if the idea is congruent with WCA principles, we'll work together to make it happen ‑‑ not a year down the road, but NOW.

Many of you hesitate to join an action‑oriented group like the World Chiropractic Alliance because you're afraid we'll ask too much of you, that you'll become over‑extended. We understand that. If you have limited time, you can still help by doing small but important tasks, like sending letters to legislators on hot issues. Since we supply the letter and even the fax number, this usually takes less than two minutes, but it can have an incredibly huge impact! Or you can volunteer for a specific task involving an issue you're really interested in.

The bottom line is that the World Chiropractic Alliance is a member‑driven organization. It's your organization. You can do as little, or as much, as your passion drives you to do. Your involvement can go far beyond paying your membership dues.

Of course, paying dues is one of the most important things you can do to support the World Chiropractic Alliance ‑‑ or any organization. Becoming a member of the WCA costs only $99 a quarter for licensed D.C.s. That's just $33 a month ‑‑ less than you probably spend on coffee.

The money is used for everything from lobbying efforts to funding research projects. Most important, you get the pride that comes with knowing you're really helping your profession. There's no price tag you can possibly put on that.

So, your path is clear. Find the ideal that takes your imagination by storm, and make the commitment to join the organization that has the plan to put that ideal into practice.

I hope your quest brings you to the World Chiropractic Alliance.