On June 2nd, 2012, with a 60% majority, the
members of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) voted in favor of re-linking membership between the CAND
and the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND), effective as of January 1st, 2013. Holding the position of the Naturopathic Students' Association (NSA) CAND Representative, I recognize the importance of creating awareness about
the re-linking of these two organizations. To achieve this, there are several important
questions I would like to address.
As a growing profession, there is strength in numbers. When we stand united, we are able to
provide a better representation of the profession to the public, government,
other health care professions, and insurance companies, to name a few. In this way, we are able to create a
more positive viewpoint of our profession to these groups. Division of the CAND and OAND sends a
negative message to those we are trying to influence.
From a human resources perspective, linking these two
associations will help to reduce duplication of benefits and workload. It will also help to ensure that both
associations will have the financial and human resources required in order to
effectively address the challenges that our profession faces on both a national
and provincial level.
How will re-linking
affect naturopathic doctors in Ontario? And naturopathic medical students?
Linking of the CAND and OAND essentially means that
naturopathic doctors in Ontario who want to be a member of the CAND or OAND
must be a member of both associations.
For some, this may initially present a financial challenge as it will
require payment of fees to both associations.
Throughout the re-linking process, the CAND and OAND have
put considerable thought into the effects that higher membership fees may
have. Overall, they see the
increased fees as an adjustment that naturopathic doctors in Ontario must make
in order to help restore the relationship between the two associations; the
focus is on working together on behalf of the profession.
The CAND and OAND view remaining de-linked as a risk for our
profession not reaching its full potential in the province of Ontario, and
thereby being less likely to become a prominent choice in healthcare. It is important for all members to
understand the beneficial effects of having linked membership, and that by the
CAND and OAND committing to working together, this will result in improvements
in the profession moving forward.
Membership fees go toward marketing and promotion, advocacy,
professional education and member support; ultimately, the goal is to ensure
the financial resources are available to assist Ontario in reaching its full
potential.
Additionally, with all naturopathic doctors in Ontario
supporting the CAND and OAND, the OAND has committed to reducing its fees
beginning in 2014.
Students of The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) will not be financially affected by re-linking
as they are already members of the CAND, and membership with the OAND is also
sponsored.
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For any further questions about the CAND and OAND re-linking, or the CAND in general, please contact me at nsa_candrep@ndnet.ccnm.edu
Sincere thanks to Shawn O’Reilly, Heather Fleck, and Lowell
Greib from the CAND for their contributions toward writing this article.
