In November 2010, chiropractors from across the country gathered in Toronto for the third Canadian Chiropractic Convention. It has been widely reported that the weekend was exciting, dynamic, well-organized and informative.
In November 2010, chiropractors from across the country gathered in
Toronto for the third Canadian Chiropractic Convention. It has been
widely reported that the weekend was exciting, dynamic, well-organized
and informative.
But the question of whether the conference achieved
its fundamental aspirations has yet to be explored. Was the trident of
“unity, strength and inspiration,” that was brandished before and
throughout the event, indeed sharpened as a result of the gathering, or
does it remain a dull, perhaps illusive, icon? An answer to this
unfolds when one breaks the conference down into its components and
explores why each was presented the way it was, and how it was
received, by attendees of each.
Educational sessions were organized into tracks, allowing delegates to
explore a variety of subject areas. The speakers who brought various
perspectives to their presentations were all very tangibly linked in
their commitment to the profession, the need for unity and the
recognition of the strength that comes from celebration of a common
purpose. As a result of this cohesive framework and the knowledge and
energy levels of all speakers, seminar rooms were filled with delegates
focused on learning and dialogue. Many presenters found themselves
immersed in extensive question-and-answer periods that brought to light
the implications of his/her expertise in practice and a host of
directions for further investigation.
The opening night, titled “A Gathering of Friends,” was designed as an
evening of chiropractic celebration aimed at building a sense of pride
and accomplishment and opening up the hearts and minds of the delegates
to hear and truly embrace the important messages of unity and
tolerance. The crowd’s response was one of wonder as members also saw
their profession reflected in the theatrical performance that presented
fundamental chiropractic elements as integral to our society’s needs.
The closing finale, “Strengthening the Tribe,” focused on inspiring and
motivating the delegates in the idea of strength and common purpose and
demonstrating how this is relevant to chiropractic. The keynote speaker
explored principles of “tribal culture,” extending this notion to
chiropractic practice and the profession as a whole. He delivered a
powerful message of “leadership obligation,” and what this means not
only to the profession, but also to the big picture: the health and
well-being of Canadians. Following this was a thought-provoking
experience, driven by the internationally renown “Drum Café,” that
demonstrated these principles of tribal culture through a hands-on,
audience-wide effort at performing a number of percussion pieces that
required each member’s focus on a unified purpose and the greater good
that would come from it.
Each specially chosen, carefully planned element of the conference
fostered a realization among attendees that there is strength within
their profession and that this is, in fact, based on common purpose and
passion. From this comes the potential to develop as a group and to
broaden individual perspectives. DCs in Canada continue to find
opportunities to grow as individual practitioners and to unite with
their colleagues toward a “culture” represented by a solid message.
Congratulations to the conference committee and all organizers for
successfully providing a much-needed venue in which Canadian
chiropractors could renew their vision, review accomplishments and
realize their potential. The trident was indeed sharpened and can now
be held high as a standard leading chiropractic in our country to new
heights in the years to come.
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