|
WHY FOR PROFIT? PfAM is a grassroots membership organization comprised of patients, alternative care providers and other supporters. Many of our members advocate for consumer and legislative efforts that seek to broaden access to natural health care options. Our primary purpose is to educate patients and other interested individuals about the benefits of complementary medicine and the issues related to continued access to alternative medicine. This includes influencing legislation. To apply for non-profit status would obligate PfAM to change our primary purpose in order to comply with public policy.
Originally, we intended to obtain non-profit status – as soon as we could afford it on our shoe-string budget – until it came to our attention (In Caesar’s Grip by Peter Kershaw) that non-profit status includes a commitment to conform to public (i.e. government) policy. The Application for Recognition of Exemption under Section 502 (c)(3) becomes a binding legal document with stiff penalties for any organization convicted of violating that commitment. It’s a risk that PfAM can’t afford to take without compromising what we stand for. For instance, on page 4 (section 13) the questions asked is, “Does or will the organization attempt to influence legislation? If “Yes” explain, Also, give an estimate of the percentage of the organization’s time and funds that it devotes or plans to devote to this activity”. Also on page 2, (Part III, Section 1) a detailed account of these legislative activities. Our organization spend 50% or more of our time researching and tracking what is happening to our foods, food additives, health care trends and related legislative issues. The remainder of the time is divided between networking, public educations and the production and distribution of our newsletter.
The primary purpose of our newsletter, The Patients’s Voice, is an example of why we need to remain for profit. Recently we asked our members to evaluate the mix of articles in our newsletter and to rate the articles. Consistently the box was checked for “Current Issues,” – which include state and federal legislation related to dietary supplements, foods and food additives, and health insurance. More articles were also requested about national and international trends related to access to complementary health care and genetic engineering. Considering the input, we personally believe to do anything less would be a disservice to those we are dedicated to serve. With this in mind, the PfAM Executive Board has decided unanimously to remain a for-profit organization.
The role of PfAM differs significantly from the role of lobbyists in regards to legislation. The primary purpose of a lobbyist is to educate legislators, in connection with an identified organization or profession. A lobbyist is paid by that organization and typically does not work independently from it. In contrast, PfAM is dedicated primarily to the interests of patients who are served by complementary health care providers. Lobbyist can benefit from the kind of informed support an organization like PfAM can provided. Powerful special interest groups normally depend on the media to garner public support, but providers of complementary medicine and their patients are short on medial appeal. This is why an email/phone tree is essential. Why E-Mail/Phone Tree? An email/phone tree is an efficient, fast, effective method of contacting legislators quickly. Each contact is very important made by you -- the concerned individual. The principle works – the more voices heard the greater the likely hood of influencing your legislators and representative are. It takes just a couple minutes when you receive a legislative alert to go to our web link page and click on Thomas Legislative web site. For those who wish to contact others with an alert strengthens our voices even more. We will provide you with background information prior to the alert. Your legislators represent you, and they want to hear, in your own words, why this legislation is vital to you. To help retain access to complementary care provides and natural voices uniting our voices is more important than ever before. Please see our archived articles as to why and add your name to the membership form. What We Do: PfAM can hardly be considered a money-making organization, at least not until we break even. PfAM is a grass roots all volunteer organization that is operated solely on donations, sponsors, membership dues, advertisers and sale of marketing materials. Furthermore, we won’t knowingly take money from pharmaceutical companies and their subsidiaries. This is why your support of PfAM and its activities is so crucial. Membership: We need to strengthen our voice, and to do this we need your membership now. Join PfAM and ask others to do the same. Please complete and mail the form under the Membership Section.. Annual membership dues are $20 for individual and $30 for businesses.. Members receive legislative alerts and our quarterly newsletter, The Patients’ Voice.
In behalf of the PfAM we would like to thank you for your support!
To continued health,
Leanne Wylet, Founder, President, Consultant
|
Article Guidelines | Advertising Rates | GE Foods | GE Medicine | Legislative Alerts | Support PfAM | Pfam Sponsor | Build Web Page | Kettlebells | Links | Bob The Dog Productions | Online Catalog