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Chiropractic Leaders 
Convene in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, NM--With a spirit of cooperation, and respect for diversity, leaders from many national chiropractic organizations met in Albuquerque November 8 to continue their work toward fostering unity within the profession, raising public awareness and securing funds for research.

The National Chiropractic Leadership Forum (NCLF), convened by the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations (COCSA) and comprised of representatives of the profession’s political, academic, research and business communities met for the third time to declare their governing board’s endorsement of a code of conduct (The St. Louis Principles), a "Declaration of Chiropractic Professional Responsibilities," and participate in subgroup status reports.

Dr. Mario Spoto, the group’s chairman challenged each organization to share with the membership their endorsement and commitment to these unifying principles.

Each of the three internal work groups reported on their progress, and the philosophical divergent group agreed to move forward on several projects including:

• The USPS chiropractic postage stamp

• Establish a library program

• The Boy/Girl Scout merit badge

• Increase public awareness through aggressive national press release campaign

• Compile a list of mutually agreed chiropractic terms and definitions

• Raise $2.5 million annually to support chiropractic’s research infrastructure

The ACC Paradigm, which includes both the "Chiropractic Paradigm" and the "Chiropractic Scope of Practice," serves as the NCLF’s founding principle. Of significance note is that since the group’s May meeting, not only have the participating organizations formally recognized the ACC Paradigm, but so have the members of the World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) which represents national associations from 77 countries, including the ACA and ICA. According to Mr. David Chapman Smith, "The ACC Paradigm now assumes major significance because it has been duly and democratically adopted internationally as an appropriate guide to the development of chiropractic education and practice, and to the role of chiropractors within healthcare."

A major objective of the NCLF is to provide a format for open discussions within the chiropractic organizational community. As can be expected with such diverse groups, several issues were met with hard pressed discussions, and concerns were aired. While participants agreed that the quest for unity does not require sacrificing institutional autonomy, their respectful attitudes suggested a strong desire to overcome past differences and move forward as a group, for the benefit of the entire chiropractic profession.

Dr. Spoto further stated, "On behalf of the Congress for Chiropractic State Associations we would like to thank all those dedicated professionals and the organizations they represent for caring enough about the chiropractic patient to work together for a stronger chiropractic profession. Each representative has earned your support and heartfelt thanks."

The next Summit of the NCLF is scheduled for Chicago in April 2001. For more information about the NCLF, go to the COCSA website at www.cocsa.org and click on the NCLF website button.

Participating organizations and their representatives included:

American Chiropractic Association

• Dr. Daryl Wills

• Dr. James Edwards

Association of Chiropractic Colleges

• Dr. William Dallas

• Mr. David O’Bryon, CAE

Congress of Chiropractic State Associations

• Dr. Tom Klapp

• Dr. Kevin Donavan

The Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters

• Dr. George McClelland

• Dr. John Pammer

Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards

• Dr. Wayne Wolfson

• Ms. Donna Liewer

Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research

• Ms. DeAnna Beck

• Dr. Anthony Rosner

International Chiropractors Association

• Dr. D. D. Humber

• Dr. Roy Mitchell

National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

• Mr. Horace Elliot

• Dr. Peter Ferguson

World Chiropractic Alliance

• Dr. Patrick Gentempo

• Dr. Matthew McCoy

Other Participants

• Dr. Mario Spoto, NCLF Chairman

• Dr. Carl Cleveland, NCLF Unity Committee Chairman

• Mr. D.Henry Leavitt, ChiroCode Institute

• Mr. Don Petersen, Dynamic Chiropractic

• Mr. Kent Greenawalt, Foot Levelers

• Mr. Rick Flaherty, Leader/Leander Health Technologies

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