| Home |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One organization to serve the needs of professional NCCAOM board-certified Acupuncturists in Pennsylvania
|
|
|
APA & ASOP Unite
Currently in Pennsylvania, our profession (the professional or NCCAOM board-certified acupuncturist) has
two organizations. One serves the political needs (APA = Association for Professional Acupuncture); the other
serves only the educational needs (ASOP = Acupuncture Society of Pennsylvania).
Both organizations have had merit and certainly have served our profession in the past. However, on a practical
level, this dual structure has reduced our effectiveness in both areas. In fact, having two separate
organizations has limited our financial and human resources. There are not enough professional acupuncturists in
PA to support two organizations.
We currently have 2 sets of membership dues and two boards
of directors.
To improve the situation, a group of members from APA and ASOP have met several times in recent months
to discuss possible solutions. After a lot of discussions, we propose having one organization that
serves both the political and educational needs of the profession. This group would be given the spot
as the only professional acupuncture association in PA.
This strategic alliance will be to support our professions need to be mor active in creating
educational opportunities throughout Pennsylvania and the East Coast.
Legally, this organization must be a 501c6 Trade Association. APA is a 501c6, while ASOP is not. It is not a simple or
inexpensive task to create a new 501c6 and the create another entity to be a Political Action Committee (PAC).
So, we propose that APA be the one vehicle to serve our community.
After the new leadership is elected, APA's structure will be changed, along with a revamping and clarification
of the by-laws. We propose a board of directors, composed of eight acupuncturists,
voted by a statewide mail-in vote from all professional acupuncturists. Membership in the organization is
not required for this initial election.
Uniting the profession, we must move swiftly.
Board members would need to accept the responsibility of two-year terms, attendance at 4-6 board meetings
per year (except for those west of Harrisburg, who will be required to attend only one board meeting
per year), and staying connected between meetings through e-mail and telephone.
After the board is elected, these eight members will vote for president, vice-president, secretary, and
treasurer. They will also nominate Committee chairs: Legislative; Interprofessional Communciation;
Education; Fundraising; Consumer Awareness; Bylaws, Policies, and Procedures; and Budget.
These committees will be the functioning arms of the organization, and will report back to the board.
We must try our best to move swiftly. A new governor's administration was just sworn in, and efforts to
gain rapport with them have already started.
We will send out a ballot from that response, to be used for a statewide election. You may nominate yourself or any other professional acupuncturist. If you have question, please contact Ben Griffith. Thanks for your interest and participationi n this poimportant process.
Sincerely,
Ben Griffith R.Ac.
Acting Chair of Transition Team
Email: 4Rivers@comcast.net
Phone: 610-627-0804
Fax: 610-627-0910
|
|
|
*The following site is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not to be used as or instead of medical advice. The site and it's owners will not be held responsible for any actions
taken from information within it.*
This page is part of - WWW.ACUPUNCTUREPA.ORG - the Association for Professional Acupuncture in Pennsylvania.
|
