Foundation For Your Future: Forming an AAAOM-SO College Chapter

By Jolene Habeck, AAAOM-SO President-Elect

The AAAOM-SO had a very successful organizational year and is looking forward to the upcoming year. In 2006-2007, the SO formed 8 AAAOM-SO college chapters (AAAOM-SOCC) and increased membership from 500 members to 803.

The College Chapter
The college chapter is the foundational key to the AAAOM-SO. By forming a chapter, students and their schools will become part of a national network of students and professionals who are at the forefront of moving AOM into the mainstream.

The Regional Director
The AAAOM-SO regional directors are officers of the Student Organization Council (SOC), who are dedicated to forming college chapters and reaching out nationally to all students. There are 6 regional directors, representing 6 regions of the country: Northwest Pacific, Southwest Pacific, Mountain, Central, Northeast Atlantic, and Southeast Atlantic.

Formation of a Chapter
The formation of a college chapter is adaptable to any size or type of AOM school. To start, each institution needs a student representative. This representative can be any student interested in being the contact person at this school. A student interested in this position simply needs to contact the appropriate regional director to be established as the student representative for their school. This student would correspond directly with the regional director on how to start a chapter, as well as dealing with information on national events and opportunities. To officially initiate a chapter, only two student members are needed. These interested students would sign the AAAOM-SO College Chapter Charter, a document which signifies the formation of the chapter, as well as establishing adherence to the national bylaws of the organization. Once the chapter is created through this process, it’s time to recruit local members, elect local officers, and begin local projects. It is also recommended that each chapter include a faculty or administrative advisor from their school. This helps to ensure the longevity of the chapter, since students spend a relatively short time in school. That school’s designated regional director supervises this entire process in case the students have questions or need additional assistance.

Chapters in Action
So you may be thinking, “Once the chapter is formed, what would we do?” Each local chapter with 5 members or more, according to the bylaws, is encouraged to participate in the following activities a minimum of once per school year: 1. Fundraising- to help offset costs for students attending the national conference and local chapter events. 2. Public Relations Events/Activities- promoting AOM through educating the public and building practice management skills. 3. Community Service Events- to be held together with public relations events that promote AOM.

One example of the above is the chapter of the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, MCAOM, in Bloomington, MN. This college chapter was one of the first official chapters formed in the AAAOM-SO and started its activities with small events such as bake sales. In September, the chapter held its first large fundraising event holding a concert on campus, inviting all students and the community. This chapter is now currently working with the state AOM association in legislative efforts by helping to promote its letter writing campaign in support the HR 1479 bill (PDF).

A second example comes from Emperor’s College in Southern California. Local chapter President Steve Stone caught wind of a Universal Health Care Plan being drafted by a Southern California State Senator that, if passed, would revoke the primary care provider status California licensed acupuncturists now enjoy, requiring them to practice only under supervision of an MD. The Emperor’s College Chapter, together with their student council and members of the faculty, hosted the Senator’s field deputy, Emily Gold, and members of the Southern California acupuncture community for an extended Q&A session regarding the bill. The event was such a success that they are planning another event of this nature in January.

Contact Information
Listed below are the 6 regional directors and their contact information. Please feel free to contact them with your interest in starting an AAAOM-SO college chapter where you study. Join the AAAOM-SO fast track to success by forming a chapter today!

Regional Director Coordinator
Margo Schaefer
mzmargo@yahoo.com
262-893-6819

NE Atlantic Regional Director
Jim Pastore
pastore@ix.netcom.com
303-955-4137

SE Atlantic Regional Director
Jackie O'Meara
jomeara1@comcast.net
914-316-9407

Central Regional Director
Hilary Patzer
hpatzer@nwhealth.edu
208-720-2570

Mountain Regional Directory
Nancy Robertson
NANCE_2017@yahoo.com
303-955-4137

NW Pacific Regional Director
Kimberley Benjamin
soundacupuncture@gmail.com
530-545-9546

SW Pacific Regional Director
Melissa Monroe
mmmonroe2000@yahoo.com

THE AAAOM & AAAOM-SO CONGRATULATE LOCAL CHAPTERS FORMED IN 2006-2007!

Samra University of Oriental Medicine
President: Michelle Cummins
Faculty Advisor: Terry Powers, DAOM, L.Ac.

Emperor’s College of Traditional Oriental Medicine
President: Steve Stone
Faculty Advisor: Christine Chang, MTOM, L.Ac.

Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
President: Hilary Patzer
Faculty Advisor: John Pirog, MSOM, L.Ac.

Midwest College of Oriental Medicine-Racine Campus
President: Margo Schaefer
Faculty Advisor: Kris LePoint

Midwest College of Oriental Medicine-Chicago Campus
President: Marlene Baczek and Michelle Goebel-Angel ( Co-President)
Faculty Advisor: Kris LePoint

Tai Sophia Institute
President: Niall Sheehan
Faculty Advisor: David Paton

Oregon College of Oriental Medicine
President: Christen Hansen
Faculty Advisor: Carol Taub

National College of Natural Medicine
President: Eric Grey
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Laurie Regan