By Betsy Robinson and Rachelle Mulford
It’s that time again. The National Chiropractic Legislative Conference (NCLC) is just around the corner. Each year, many chapters struggle to get students involved and plan for a successful event. Though this task seems somewhat overwhelming, it can be done with minimal stress if you start early and stay organized.
Making the Student ACA (SACA) known throughout your school is very important. Hosting luncheons, holding fundraisers and volunteering are all great ways to have a presence on campus as well as the community. Hosting a welcome luncheon for new students is an effective way to introduce yourself. At the luncheon, include a slide show of pictures from previous NCLC meetings. Pictures are an enticing way to show off all the fun we have while in Washington, D.C. People have a tendency to get involved when they see an actual outcome before them. Offering a social events calendar for the rest of the term is another nice addition. This gives students the ability to plan ahead and be prepared.
You cannot be a great leader or doctor without reaching out to organizations in your community. Giving back through volunteering can be an integral part of growing as a chapter. SACA leaders can demonstrate their professionalism by dedicating their time to those who are less fortunate. Organizations such as the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Program, Builder’s Without Borders, Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Cancer Society and many others welcome student involvement. By utilizing their qualities of character and leadership through volunteering, students can give back while forging relationships that can last a lifetime and shape who they are as people and doctors. Working as a team on school and community projects is a great way for students to prepare for NCLC.
In addition to studying well ahead, there are a number of things you can do to alleviate the stress of exams that might conflict with NCLC—the best methods are communication and proactive measures. Approaching your dean of academic affairs one trimester before NCLC and requesting that exams be scheduled around the three school days you will be gone is a solution that has generated great results. Doing this in advance shows that you are organized as well as respectful of your academic commitments. Creating a presentation that explains why NCLC is so important to your school and to chiropractic as a whole will also help. This demonstrates your commitment to fighting for your profession.
Staying organized, working as a team, and being proactive are the best ways to ensure a successful NCLC. With dedication and hard work, we will have more than 400 students on the Hill in February to fight for the chiropractic profession and, more importantly, the patients who deserve the care only a doctor of chiropractic can provide. Besides listening to and visiting with our nation’s and profession’s leaders, we will gather with our student colleagues to learn from one another, share in our common goal, have fun at SACA Idol and make a positive difference to our future!
Betsy Robinson is national chair of the Student ACA (SACA). Rachelle Mulford is SACA national vice legislative chair of. To learn more about SACA’s benefits and mission, visit www.acatoday.org/SACA.
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