By Phyllis Durlacher

Because of the success enjoyed as a result of the student recruitment program in the State of Iowa, we have asked the author to prepare the following report to the profession with the hope that similar activity can be generated in other states. Mrs. Durlacher will be pleased to send further details if you will drop her a note at 816 N. Columbus, West Liberty, Iowa.

What can you and your state do on the subject of student recruitment? It is the life’s blood of our Chiropractic colleges and our profession. Student recruitment is a project that all of us must work on and WE must work together.

I’d like to tell you about Iowa, and what is being done. About two years ago, the Iowa Chiropractic Society Auxiliary launched a project of putting into every Jr-Hi and High School in the state a new Chiropractic file folder kit for guidance counselors with the latest information published on our profession. Material from both the I.C.A. and A.C.A. was obtained. A layout of the folder was made and then printed. Each step was planned and followed through before another step was undertaken. And after almost two years of working and planning a new Chiropractic folder was born called “CHIROPRACTIC TODAY,” one that all can be very proud of..

What now, you say? Well I’ll tell you. Here’s how we get the file folders distributed. Our state is divided into 11 districts, and each district has its own officers and a district director (coordinator). A district has 8 counties in it with one of more schools in each county. The district coordinator assigns a specific number of schools in the county or counties in the locality to one of the auxiliary members and she is given the file folder kit to personally place in the hands of the school counselor. After making the call, the worker fills out two report sheets; the district coordinator receives both, keeping one for her file and sending the other to the State Chairman. Information on the report includes, name of school, address, person contacted, and then comments with name of the worker. This same procedure can be used by Alumni groups as well.

Success of the distribution of folders can only be determined by the accurate reports coming into the office of the State Chairman.

It is our duty to our colleges to see that current Chiropractic material is kept in schools for prospective students. Keeping the Chiropractic profession before the schools and these guidance people at all times, is of paramount importance.

Here in Iowa we have a follow-up program that will give the schools additional information and also a series of Chiropractic Books for their school library. One book will be given each year for the next two years or longer. This is sent to the schools after we receive the report sheets from the first call.

Where is Iowa at this point? Our districts have their coordinators and they have the necessary material to go into their schools.

So, you see we are just BEGINNING. WHY DON’T YOU.