The dural connection, October 2001, Volume 1, Number 6
Klingensmith RD, "Who Are We?"
Proper diligence requires an organization to periodically review itself and evaluate its performance against its mission statement. As we conclude our second year of operation, a close review of our mission statement and our accomplish-ments offers us a greater insight of just
WHO we are and WHAT Sacro Occipital Technique Organization (SOTO-USA) is.
The first sentence quite succinctly states the “what,” while the latter allows for a most broad and respectful platform to conduct the “how.”
First and foremost, we are a chiropractic organization.
It’s just that we are a chiropractic organization with a multi-disciplinary membership. Why? Because in addition to offering Sacro Occipital Technique training to members of the chiropractic profession, we also conduct an annual multi-disciplinary Clinical Symposium as the forum for the open exchange and sharing of information for members of our sister professions. Just as a clergy finds comfort in preaching to members of its own choir, it has been our profession’s practice to keep SOT safely “within the fold” of our fellow chiropractors. Difficult as it may be for some to accept, the time has come to get the message out far and wide. The Clinical Symposium is just that opportunity: to share and share alike.
This does NOT mean we plan to teach non-chiropractors SOT. Just like the choir, it’s possible for others to hear and enjoy the music (and maybe even critique it) without necessarily learning how to play it.
The annual multi-disciplinary Clinical Symposium is a chance for us to show the world what SOT is and what it can do. For perhaps the first time we are voluntarily allowing our sister professions to witness and (possibly) judge us in a spirit of cooperation. It is an essential part of our mission to expand the work of Dr.Dejarnette. It is our intention to respectfully further it, nurture it, and allow it to grow without diluting or distorting it. How can we do that if we keep the information hidden amongst ourselves?
Is this risky? Perhaps. Is it scary? Possibly! But without such an honest, open, forum of mutual ideas, our profession can never grow.
At the Second Annual Clinical Symposium we were overwhelmed with comments regarding the genuine, warm and respectful attitude we had created. This was quite a unique experience for some: to be around so many different and diverse ways of seeing and treating patients. Respect for each other is the cornerstone to building a willingness to learn and then work together.
To date, there have been nine regional Hands-On-Training (HOT) seminars conducted across the U.S. which have given doctors, new and experienced alike, the opportunity to learn the basics of SOT and SOT Cranial as well as share more advanced information.
Also consistent with the first part of our mission statement is that we have already completed the first of many works that will serve to preserve the SOT heritage. The recent publishing of “The SOT Compendium” by Eastland Press and “The SOT Collection” is representative of the wealth of literature published in peer and non-peer reviewed journals relating to the subjects of SOT and SOT Cranial.
The professional certification process has already begun. The initial round of reciprocity examinations will serve as the basis of the full certification examinations beginning at the second annual HOT Conference in Jacksonville, Florida in March 8-10th, 2002.
Given that our organization is barely two years old, there have already been many exciting developments. But we have a long way to go. There are a great many plans in development and plenty of room for those who wish to contribute..... so please join with SOTO-USA and be a part of the future of SOT, chiropractic and health care.