Coalition Legislative Day and WCA Summit
Lighting a fire for chiropractic
William Butler Yeats wisely observed
that, “Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.” The same can
be said for two of this year’s most exciting and powerful events: The
Chiropractic Coalition Legislative Day and the World Chiropractic Alliance
International Summit.
The back-to-back events -- the
Legislative Day on April 14 and the Summit April 15-16 -- will educate
doctors on a wide variety of topics, from effective political lobbying to
the latest in chiropractic research findings, from practice management
techniques to keeping ‘on purpose.’
But the goal of the two Washington, DC,
gatherings isn’t to fill a bucket. It’s to light a fire of enthusiasm and
passion beneath subluxation-based doctors of chiropractic from around the
world.
“It’s all too easy to slide into our
everyday routines, and let practicing chiropractic become merely a chore,”
admitted Terry A. Rondberg, DC, president of the WCA. “That’s why so many
doctors burn out ... and why they need to come together with others who
share their commitment to and love of chiropractic. The Summit, and the
Coalition’s Legislative Day, are invigorating, motivating and exciting ways
to recharge your professional batteries and get back in touch with the
reasons you became a chiropractor.”
Chiropractic Coalition Legislative Day
The Chiropractic Coalition Legislative
Day is the only annual event that brings together members of all
organizations for a political action session. Held each year by the
Coalition -- which was formed in 2002 by the WCA, the International
Chiropractors Association and the Federation of Straight Chiropractors and
Organizations -- Legislative Day has attracted the attention of many
Congressional leaders and key government officials. In 2004, several members
of the Senate and House of Representatives attended and spoke to the
assembled doctors. This year, the Coalition expects an even greater turnout,
including:
¨
Sen. Edward Kennedy, ranking member of both the
Armed Services Committee and the Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Committee;
¨
Rep. Jeb Bradley of New Hampshire, who
serves on the Armed Services, Budget, Veterans’ Affairs and Small Business
Committees;
¨
Sen. George Allen of Virginia, an
influential member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, as
well as the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee;
¨
Rep. Bob Filner of California, who
introduced a bill to ensure direct access to chiropractors for veterans in
the VA system;
¨
Rep. Don Manzullo of Illinois,
considered one of the staunchest chiropractic supporters in Congress;
¨
and several other top government
leaders.
Throughout the day-long political action
session, doctors are encouraged to visit personally with their own
legislators, either singly or in state delegations. Complete instructions on
how to make appointments and speak with lawmakers -- along with printed
‘talking point’ briefing sheets -- are available on the Coalition website:
www.chiropracticcoalition.org.
The
session will be held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, diagonally
across the Capitol grounds from the Senate wing of the Capitol, from 9 am to
1 pm, with a lunch break from 1-2 pm. An optional tour of the Capitol will
be offered from 3-5 pm.. At 7 o’clock in the evening, a reception, hosted by
the WCA, will be held at the Marriott at Metro Center, 775 12th Street NW,
with easy access to Washington’s Metro rail system just outside hotel.
Registration for the Chiropractic
Coalition Legislative Day is free for all chiropractors, who may participate
regardless of organizational affiliation.
The WCA Summit
The WCA International Summit -- held at
the Marriott at Metro Center over the following two days, April 15-16 --
will build on the excitement generated by the Legislative Action Day. Nearly
two dozen top chiropractic speakers will give a wide variety of
presentations, interspersed with opportunities for social interaction with
like-minded doctors.
Each year, the Summit has “wowed”
participants, many of whom say they find a unique energy and sense of
camaraderie at the event.
“We don’t try to be everything to
everyone,” Dr. Rondberg explained. “We don’t want to end up having thousands
of doctors milling around with nothing in common, or dozens of vendors
selling stuff that has nothing to do with chiropractic. We attract doctors
who simply want to continue bringing the benefits of subluxation care to as
many people as possible. They want to learn how to be successful while not
compromising their principles or their standards. And most of all, they want
to know that they are not alone, that many other doctors share their
enthusiasm and purpose. That’s what they find at the WCA Summit.”
For some, the annual Summit is a reunion
with friends and colleagues they’ve known for years. For others --
particularly those who’ve only recently discovered their true chiropractic
purpose -- it’s a way to be introduced to the subluxation-based chiropractic
“family.” And for still others, it’s a chance to get to know and understand
what subluxation-based chiropractic is all about, rather than relying on
second-hand mis-information.
“Whatever reason they decide to come,
all doctors of chiropractic are welcome, even those who are not WCA
members,” Rondberg emphasized. “Our incredible line up of speakers and
presenters will not only fill their bucket of knowledge, but light the fire
of their passion.”
The WCA International Summit will be
held at the Marriott Metro Center. Registration is $399 for each doctor (a
spouse or CA may accompany the registered doctor at no extra charge;
additional non‑DC
guests are $125 each). Registration includes a buffet lunch each day and the
Friday banquet dinner. Chiropractic students may attend for $99.
Doctors and students may register for
the Summit and reserve their hotel rooms by calling the WCA at 800‑347-1011.
More information is available at the World Chiropractic Alliance website:
www.worldchiropracticalliance.org/summit05.
