ASNY's Updated Mission
ASNY, the Acupuncture Society of New York, is a 100% volunteer organization that supports the profession in many ways. But ASNY is nothing without you, the active and involved member.
- To support the continued development of the profession of acupuncture in NY State.
- To work to establish a favorable legal and regulatory environment for the practice of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (traditional East Asian medicine) in New York State.
- To benefit the public by increasing access to acupuncture services in New York State
- To protect and benefit the public by encouraging adherence to high ethical and professional standards on the part of New York State Licensed or Certified Acupuncturists.
So what have we recently done with respect to our mission?
ASNY and its membership were instrumental in defeating the 300 hour Chiropractic Bill in an unprecedented manner this last legislative session. After discussions between ASNY leadership and the sponsor and a successful letter writing campaign, the sponsor agreed to pull it from legislative consideration. Although alive and viable in many states, the Chiropractic bill in New York is now permanently dead.
ASNY has significantly strengthened its support with the New York State Coalition (NYSAC). NYSAC is a co-operative alliance of acupuncture organizations, schools and practitioners united in the legislative and lobbying effort to pass the first comprehensive acupuncture amendment for the State of New York. Many leaders of NYSAC presently serve as advisors and Board members of ASNY. Upon successful passage of the bill, the mission of NYSAC will be achieved; however ASNY will continue to fulfill its long-standing political leadership and advocacy role in Albany on behalf of the profession.
ASNY is proud to have recently solidified its mutual support and cooperation with The American TCM Society (ATCMS). One of the many benefits of this cooperation is ASNY members can now take ATCMS seminars at their member discount rate. We encourage you to support ATCMS by attending their continuing education seminars.
ASNY has re-committed to its outreach program for all students--the future of our profession (and ASNY). By re-establishing direct communication and closer ties to school leaders and demonstrating its engaged representation and advocacy for practitioners, ASNY has engendered strong support for its student recruitment campaign. Closer alliances with alumni associations at New York schools have also been established through this committed outreach.
ASNY receives regular reports from its retained lobbyist in Albany, who monitors any and all legislative or regulatory threats/opportunities that arise in Albany. To this end, ASNY has continued to be engaged in discussions with the sponsors of a bill to add acupuncture coverage for licensed acupuncturists to the worker's compensation system in NY.
In the judicial system, ASNY continues to serve in its court recognized role as an advocate and voice for the entire NY acupuncture profession. Through its counsel Michael Taromina, Esq., ASNY has maintained a strong stance in a critical insurance reimbursement case now on appeal.
On the national level, ASNY will be participating in the annual national AAAOM meeting in Chicago in October. Our President, Steven Schram, Vice President, Michael Jabbour and counsel, Michael Taromina, Esq., among others, will be representing the views and interests of our members. As the longest-standing, politically-engaged organization in NY--a state with the second most acupuncturists in the entire country--ASNY will continue to serve a critical political role not just in NY, but also on the national legislative scene. We look forward to updating our members on these exciting new initiatives and how they will benefit our community.
Adding legitimacy and credibility to your free listing on Acufinder, a national acupuncturist search engine, we have arranged for Acufinder to display the ASNY logo under member names.
Due Diligence and Transparency
- ASNY record keeping over its history was reviewed by the current board and found to be lacking in critical documentation. We conducted a 9 month due diligence project that closely reviewed many aspects of ASNY, particularly its organizational structure, accounts and finance, legal structure, joint associations, and the activities of prior officers and boards. Here are the results:
- Our state organizational status and IRS 501(c)6 status has been verified to be in good standing.
- We have revised our purposes and by-laws to meet the needs of the profession in it's current state.
- Our business model was overhauled reducing many operational costs.
- All the significant paperwork from the past 10 years was sorted, organized, and stored in a central location.
- An operations manual is currently being prepared to guide future boards.
- As part of our ongoing effort to increase transparency, ASNY has posted
- Town hall meetings are being planned so that the community has greater face to face access to the organization.
Notice of ASNY's Annual Meeting
While the Board meets regularly, the membership comes together for a formal meeting but once a year. And we have scheduled it for December 7th at 3PM. The location will be at Touro College, 27-33 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010.
The agenda of the meeting follows standard guidelines (old business, new business, etc.), but for the most part, is an opportunity for you to vote for the leadership of ASNY as well as give you the means to meet face to face with those that represent you.
An update from each board member will be given with regards to projects that they have been working on.
ASNY Invites Your Participation
We are looking for Acupuncturists who would like to do more for their profession. You can do this simply by JOINING ASNY
Part of our renewed mission to serve the entire profession requires diversification of our board and as such, seek a board member from the ATCMS community as well as one student (non-licensed) board member. If you wish to have a leadership position in our profession, please let us know of your interest.
We sometimes get asked by members if ASNY can do a specific project. Sure we can, but only if you help make it happen. If you have something you want ASNY to do, and you want to get involved in making it happen, please email us.
Would you like to get involved in helping ASNY advance the profession of Acupuncture in NY? Could you write an article for the ASNY newsletter? Let us know!