TCM - Digest Number 1273

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/26/06 3:10:18 AM,

Chinese Medicine writes:

 

 

>    Twyla Hoodah <twylahoodah

> Re: Actively participating in local, state OR national issues!!!

>

> I think this is exactly the point being made by the now banned catwoman.

> Probably represents the same percentage of the general population interested

in

> government or politics period. So, now where are the five people?

>

 

I am a bit confused, as so many folks seem to complain of misrepresentation

of the profession. How many of you are actually active in your state

organizations? or in the National organizations? And...do not tell me that

they

are ineffective - because if you PERSONALLY have not made it your business to

actively participate in their activities and to steer them in the directions you

believe are important......well then you yourself are to blame. There is no

magic fix out there, EVERYONE has to join these organizations and

strenghten the voice of the profession. If you think leadership is lacking in

your

state - then step up to the plate and offer some leadership. Complaining does

nothing.

just my two cents

robbee fian

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Let me thank Robbee for this important point! As executive director of one of

those much maligned national organizations, I can assure you that we are very

active in the struggle to address many of these issues, especially the

legislative ones. With the backing of AOMAlliance, I helped acupuncturists in

Kentucky organize their state organization within the last year. They are now

on the verge of getting the first practice legislation in place after years of

false starts. That is just one example, but there are many others.

 

Other national organizations, in the United States and in many other countries,

are dedicated to serving the functions that you think you might find in a union.

State and regional organizations are similarly dedicated to making a difference.

 

Why do you suppose they have not accomplished more? I believe there are two

reasons. First, the agendas for those organizations are set entirely by the few

who choose to participate in them. If you do not like what they are focusing

on, then you need to get in there and help them turn to the tasks you think are

more important. Second, support for initiatives is very, very minimal among

acupuncturists. I call for letter writing campaigns all the time. I ask

members and interested people to telephone lawmakers, federal and state, all the

time. While we get some response, there is clearly a direct relationship

between how many people respond and how successful our efforts are. If response

is weak, the chances for success are slim. If we ask folks for the money to

hire a lobbyist, or to enable leaders to travel to the seats of power, the

silence can be deafening.

 

My point is simple: no one will do for you what you will not do for yourselves.

Support your national and state organizations and they can be every bit as

successful and effective as any union. I would be delighted to discuss this

with anyone offline or on.

 

Michael

ED, AOMAlliance (director)

 

 

I am a bit confused, as so many folks seem to complain of misrepresentation

of the profession. How many of you are actually active in your state

organizations? or in the National organizations? And...do not tell me that

they

are ineffective - because if you PERSONALLY have not made it your business to

actively participate in their activities and to steer them in the directions you

believe are important......well then you yourself are to blame. There is no

magic fix out there, EVERYONE has to join these organizations and

strenghten the voice of the profession. If you think leadership is lacking in

your

state - then step up to the plate and offer some leadership. Complaining does

nothing.

just my two cents

robbee fian