I did a survey asking Assoc NJ Chiro (ANJC) if they were a member of either ACA or ICA, and if not why? The responses were rather ugly. No need to go into.
I realize the argument not to join any organization is either 1) WIIFM - What's in it for me, or 2) Too much bickering/disunity and just don't want to partake.
Others might perceive that if the state assoc is effective, then you don't need to support the national org since you don’t believe they could have any impact at a local level.
ANJC has over 60% membership (1600 members). Anticipate around 2200 by end of 2010. When chatting with nonmembers I often ask "what would it take for you to join?”
Along those same lines of thinking, I am trying to find out what it would take to join a national organization. Give me one other reason other than “I would join if ACA/ICA unified.”
Many state associations are active nationally supporting efforts of ACA/ICA in Wash, DC. In fact, we are heading up to Wash, DC with a contingency through the efforts of ACA’s NCLC during late Feb.
In addition, I just spoke with a top official at the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (www.COCSA.org); members are leaders of every state association. He had a good idea that might entice some to join their state/national organizations. I actually tried this 5 years ago and it worked nicely.
Here is the idea: What if after joining approx. 25-30 national vendors provided you a FREE gift pack of products/services valued at $4000 if you joined your state assoc. and $7500 if you joined your state and national organization; along with that you received a 60-day free trial to one or both organizations? Would that get you to pull the trigger?
ANJC provides a 2-month free trial where we also get the credit card info on the potential member so at the end of that trial period we begin billing the monthly fee. If the doctor wants to discontinue membership they would have to call the association and make that request. I’ve done this for years and attracted over 300 new members and lost only two.
Thoughts please…
Sig
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More power to you
ReplyDeleteRonen Mendi, Israel
Sig I have always thought that there should be a combined membership fee, either ACA or ICA and the state association. If you join both, you get a discount, say 20-30% off each. While the $$ is important, the memberships are important too.
ReplyDeleteThe vendor pacs are perfect also. I think combining the offers with the free trial and a discount could be an awesome enticement for many more to join. If you continued the vendor pacs and discounts i think all would re-up every year.
There is need of national orgs as state orgs can't do national issue agendas without spreading themselves too thin. We absolutely need both.
Certainly a unified working relationship with both national groups would be a great first step.
Bill Cirino Jr.
Sig,
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion I feel that an "incentive" package would create an interest and in many cases bring forward the act of joining. But I also feel there is a disconnect with the national organizations.
Yes you receive emails, publications, teleclasses etc. but unlike the state association there isn't as much face to face meeting opportunity to really convey the importance of the national agendas and what it means to the everyday practitioner in NJ, FL, etc..
In NJ we have statewide calls, regional meetings to update members where you get to hear a voice and it stirs emotion within the individual practitioner to take action and stand behind an initiative because I see what's in it for me. I think this should be more common on the national level.
How about national webinars/conference calls,meeting w/ state delegates regarding the importance of up coming legislative efforts/initiatives and the impact membership would have on these agendas.
Let the individual feel realize how important their membership is in seeing these national initiatives through to completion and more importantly the impact it will have on them. Let 'em feel it.
I couldn't agree more with Bill that unity between national organizations would make things easier.
My 2 cents for the day.
Mike Kirk
Ultimately it comes down to belief and money. The belief part is the more powerful one. DC's don't join because they don't buy that the leadership actuallly ever do anything that effects the bottom line of the individual practitioner.
ReplyDeleteThis also comes into play with an instant gratification mentality. Many chiros don't fully understand how long these progresses can take.
Personally, I get impatient too. I also don't always agree in what fights are being fought.
The ANJC seems to have been able to show me the specific benefits to me (c.e. , vendor gifts, webinar's, fun, etc. ) and the benefits to the entire profession ( Bedford, scope, etc.)
to me that is the epitome of what a proffesional org. Should be!
Sig, great job man! Thanks.
Mark Deitch, DC
Princeton, NJ
I think it's a great idea. The not wanting to join because of disunity is just an excuse without any real merit. Mostly it's cost and a sense that you don't need to join, they'll do the job anyway. An incentive package would be excellent. I like the idea of discounts to both, although we have seen both state and national orgs a litttle leery of potential loss of income from more discounts to preexisting members than income from new additions. The incentive program would get beyond that.
ReplyDeleteKevin Donovan
Yes that incentive program would get me to join as well as get the vendors more advertising. I want to be a part of helping all out but can't afford to be in all. It would really help from me having to pic sides, something that stops me from becoming an active member all together. Kinda like if you don't like much about either presidential canidate you choose just to not vote altogether as to offset your vote.
ReplyDeleteDr. Marcotte
Using incentives are worth a try.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, the bottom line for me (25 year ACA and SDCA member - all of my practice life) is that our doctors have to make up their mind if this is a job or a mission. This profession has (from the time I started at NWHSU) been a vital part of my family's life. We put our heart into taking care of patients over the years 24/7 and have been rewarded many times over. But how do you teach that to our younger doctors?
It truly has to come from within and we need inspiration and a vision for our profession to pull this profession together. And it will take leadership in states to bring this together.
Just my opinion. Keep up the good fight!
Scott Munsterman, DC
Brookings, SD
This is all great feedback. I will pass along to others who are very interestedin input.
ReplyDeleteSig
As a younger doc (out just one year), I'm not sure that age is the issue. I've been actively involved with the ACA since I started Chiropractic school. I continue to support the ACA as I will continue supporting the ANJC. I think the docs that aren't supporting these organizations aren't fully conscious. In 2005/2006 when I was a first year at NYCC, Senate bill 1955 was the big issue on the Hill and because of the time, money and effort put in by the ACA and its members we were able to stop S-1955. There have been so many instances where the hard work of the people in these organizations have proved worth your money and your time. I think a lot of docs get into practice and do their thing on a small scale and forget about whats going on at large that allows the doc to go about his/her life the way he/she does.
ReplyDeleteI have always felt that having two national organizations can be counter productive for our profession. I remember one time when I went to Washington some several years ago, joined by hundreds of other fellow chiropractors to push insurance parody, etc. I recall meeting and speaking with a AMA lobbyist who said to me, Dr. Irby, you cannot serve two masters as it will always keep you divided and this is one reason why chiropractors will not get much accomplish here in Washington. For years I thought that ICA/ACA was on the same page. Maybe that was me being naive and not paying attention to the politics and special interest that some of our colleagues might have. But it does raise a good point. Having one strong national organization is most helpful than having two and the subgroups that comes under them. We must realize that our philosophies and practice types are not always going to agree with the next chiropractor but I can tell you this, the majority of MD's do not agree with the AMA, but they support their national organization because the AMA ensures their way of life. You follow. I am now part of the ACA and I hope one day I can say I am part on one national chiropractic association that protects and ensures my way of life regardless of straight vs. mixer which in my opinion is what keeps us divided because some of us cannot embrace change. Chiropractic will always be done by hand, so what’s the problem?
ReplyDelete