WCA Summit to tackle hot issues

Opens Board meeting to all members

Those attending the 2003 World Chiropractic Alliance International Summit will have a chance to listen to an incredible array of speakers and guests, including Drs. Terry Rondberg, Guy Riekeman, Leslie Bedell, Patrick Gentempo, Madeline Behrendt, Jay Holder, David Jackson, Christopher Kent, Jack Masche, Matthew McCoy, C. J. Mertz, Dennis Nikitow, Tony Palermo, and Eric Plasker, as well as Timothy Feuling, Barbara Loe Fisher, Greg Stanley, and Dave Majer.

No presentations have been scheduled simultaneously, so participants can listen to all the speakers. "I always have such a hard time making choices when two or more great speakers are scheduled for the same time," said Dr. Rondberg, WCA president. "At the WCA Summit, you don't have to make those choices -- you get them all!"

CEO's note

In the movie 'Lord of The Rings,' the prologue notes that 'Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.' We are in that situation in chiropractic right now. The World Chiropractic Alliance 2003 International Summit is about telling our story to the top legislators in our country. It's about you being there personally to get this job done because no one else is going to do it and no one else can tell it like you do. The World Chiropractic Alliance is keeping the vision alive. Will you be there to raise your voice or are you going to let the echo of chiropractic die out?  - Jack Masche, D.C., WCA Chief Operating Officer and Summit '03 coordinator

The Summit will also do something almost unheard of among chiropractic organizations. It will open the doors of its International Board of Governors meeting and let all WCA members attend and voice their opinions on some of the hottest issues of the day, including the increasing control of the profession by regulatory agencies such as the CCE and FCLB.

"These are important topics, and we not only welcome comments from our membership, we actively solicit them," Rondberg said. "Before the Board of Governors votes, we need to hear from the 'rank and file' of the organization, since they are the ones we serve."

The Board of Governors is made up of dozens of WCA members from throughout the world, with representatives from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Ireland, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan Republic of China, Thailand, and the United States.

Some of the issues the membership will decide are:

"We're calling upon all subluxation-based chiropractors to join us in taking back our profession," stated Rondberg. "We need to make it clear that we won't let others destroy what we've worked so hard to build. Chiropractic is not a branch of medicine and anyone who wants to turn it into that will have to get through us first."

Rondberg said he is hoping for a large turnout of WCA members and other subluxation-based doctors who share the group's dedication to protecting and promoting chiropractic principles, but admits that some may be reluctant to travel to the U.S. Capitol during a time of international crisis.

"I can understand their concerns," he said. "But they have to realize the profession faces uncertainty right now as well. Chiropractic is poised at the brink of a precipice. One good shove and we could tumble down into the medical abyss. There are a lot of people and groups shoving, and we need a lot of doctors who care about chiropractic to pull chiropractic to safety. We have to buck up and not let anything stop us!"

The current world situation has made it difficult for the WCA to get firm commitments from many legislators, but it has received assurances from several that they will attend the reception and other events if possible. In addition, the WCA is providing instructions to all registrants on how to make appointments with their own Representatives and Senators for private meetings.

At the 2002 Summit , numerous WCA members met with lawmakers and their staffs, helping to educate members of Congress about the unique and non-medical role of chiropractic. There is a particularly great need for D.C.s to make contact with their legislators because of the possibility of important chiropractic-related bills being introduced this year.

The Summit will be held at the Hotel Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue , which offers a special WCA rate of $209 for single or double. For reservations, call 800-228-9290; 202-393-2000 (be sure to mention the WCA Summit when making reservations).

Summit registration is $385, and includes one practicing D.C. and an unlimited number of non-D.C. guests (family, staff, etc.). For Continuing-Ed Credits, add $50 (may be paid separately at the door). To register, call the WCA at 800-347-1011 or register online at www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/summit03.