Teaming up!

[Guest guest]

I'm writing to you all because our profession needs your help. There will

be two open Board seats at the next AAAOM convention in May and the

organization needs committed individuals to fill these leadership positions.

 

 

 

 

Our national professional organization is grossly underd. If my

figuring is right, less than one fifth of our profession has membership in

the AAAOM! How can we advance the benefits of our medicine as part of the

health care system in this country without majority participation in our

professional organization? The truth is we can't.

 

 

 

The AAAOM needs people with skills that can contribute to developing

appropriate strategic initiatives. These skills include: understanding of

governance, communication skills, understanding of the legislative process,

financial acumen, and an understanding of non-profit organizational

management. Any one person does not need all of these skills. Together each

individual becomes a collaborative part of the team which can achieve the

goals set before it. This cannot be done without your participation and

support.

 

 

 

As I am preparing again this week for another NCCAOM Board meeting, I am

reminded of how much work has been done to forward our profession by the

volunteers from within our midst. It was with great foresight that

twenty-five years ago folks like you and me founded the four distinct

organizations that together have put us " on the map " in the United States

healthcare system. These organizations are the Accreditation Commission of

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture

and Oriental Medicine, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture

and Oriental Medicine, and our professional organization, the American

Association for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

 

 

 

All these organizations need our help to succeed in advancing our

professional contribution to health care (really wellness care) in our

country. Please look into your own heart and see what skills you can bring

to the table in forwarding the advancement of our medicine for the benefit

of the American people. If you don't, we may remain an underachieving

" alternative " . Like the dentists in the 1800's, most of our patients come

to us when they are hurting, or as a last resort. But we all know that

regular preventive care will keep our patients healthy for a lifetime - if

they understand how to use us that way.

 

 

 

Don't allow the promise of AOM to become a " promising effort that never

succeeded. " Join and participate in the AAAOM and help define our future

through your action.

 

 

 

Please consider what you can do.

 

1. If you are not a member, join immediately.

2. If you are a member, and you know other acupuncturists who are not,

speak with them and ask them to join.

3. Think of people who have the talent and team skill needed to

consider running for a seat on the Board.

4. Spend some time thinking about how you could play a role in the

AAAOM: as a committee member, by participate in your state acupuncture

society, etc.

5. Budget now to attend the upcoming AAAOM conference in Sacramento

where as a voting member you can participate in the defining conversations

of our profession.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Bryn Clark, L.Ac., Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)