January 2004

New Jersey unites! 6 chiropractic associations are now one

Six chiropractic associations in New Jersey have put aside differences and joined together to become one association, the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors (ANJC). According to Gene Veno, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association, the unification vote occurred on January 11, 2004. Veno mediated the unification process. Veno mediated the unification process.

The six organizations that signed the unification document were the Central Jersey Chiropractic Society, Council of New Jersey Chiropractors, Monmouth Ocean Counties Chiropractic Society, New Jersey Chiropractic Society, Northern New Jersey Chiropractic Society and Southern New Jersey Chiropractic Society.

One association — Delegates from six New Jersey chiropractic associations show off their signed declaration of unity which formed the Association of New Jersey Chiropractors. “B.J. Palmer” “attended” the historic signing ceremony.

Economies of scale

Unifying the associations will result in a singleness of purpose and an economy of time, money and effort that will be exemplified in having one lobbyist, director, law firm, major publication and convention instead of having six of everything in New Jersey.

Representatives from the six organizations who worked to unite included Drs. Sharon Guida and Robert Wise (Central Jersey Chiropractic Society); Thomas Sidoti, Alfred Fenelle, Richard Klingert and Allan S. Vargas (Council of New Jersey Chiropractors); Martin Manzo, John Crawford, William J. Campagnolo and Michael Goione (Monmouth Ocean Counties Chiropractic Society); Michael Spadafino and Rick Alexander (New Jersey Chiropractic Society); William Cirino, Jr., Dick Santucci, Joseph Tuzzeo, William Cirino, Sr. and Diane Kramer (Northern New Jersey Chiropractic Society); and Blaise K. Glodowski and Brett A. Wartenberg (Southern New Jersey Chiropractic Society).

“The process took four months and 10 days,” Veno told Chiropractic Economics. He said that the process began with a conference call on October 1, 2003. Delegates from the seven organizations met on weekends to discuss every issue they could identify. They worked out differences through unity exercises, using e-mail to facilitate the process.

A vote was taken on each stage of the process, with the final vote taken on January 11.

Veno said, “It was not an easy thing to do, but they [the associations] realized the profession of chiropractic and its future was greater than their personal issues. I was proud of their approach to every issue. All topics were greatly debated and voted upon fairly. All major votes were unanimous!”

Grueling but enlightening

Commenting on the process, Dr. Bill Cirino, Jr. said, “The process was grueling, gut-wrenching, tense, enlightening, laser-focused, exciting, awe-inspiring and euphoric!. We started as six separate groups with different viewpoints and many barriers around us. We ended with not only the creation of a new unified organization but many barriers destroyed for the good of our profession.”

Veno was asked to facilitate because of his administrative skills at the Pennsylvania Association. He was approached in August by several association leaders. He acted as “mediator, coordinator, negotiator, listener and codifier of group issues.”

According to Cirino, “Gene listened and allowed dialogue when people needed to be heard and pushed the process forward when we got bogged down. He shared different viewpoints on issues that were more easily heard from a neutral source. He helped opposing sides compromise at key moments and helped all groups stay at the table. Gene was pivotal in making this happen.”

He added, “The unity coalition leaders were focused and committed to unity from the commencement of the process. Early on in the discussions, I related that the largest ‘association’ in New Jersey was the ‘No Chiropractic Association — NCA’. This group represented 80 percent of the licensed doctors in the state who were not a member of any organization! This became our focus, in essence, to market the new association to the potential members in New Jersey.”

Veno said the next steps in unification for New Jersey will be to get nonprofit status for the new organization, register its name, close out current checking accounts and create one general operating fund. A temporary board consisting of representatives who had worked on the unification process will serve for 18 months.

As the organization makes its transition from six to one, Veno will work with it in the role of a consultant, assisting it with journals, newsletters, by-laws, finances and hiring an executive director.

“The profession should be excited about the ANJC and it is now their turn to join the new association and make the commitment to become a member. When the potential member receives the application in the mail or meets an ANJC Board Member at a public gathering to learn more about the new Unified Association, we believe they will be enthusiastic to pick up an application and join the ANJC immediately!” said Veno.

Sources: Gene Veno, executive vice president of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association; Bill Cirino, Jr., Northern new Jersey Chiropractic Society

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