Executive Director’s Report

John Jannese

This issue of COCA News marks the anniversary of my fourth year as Executive Director of the College. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to say that it has been my pleasure to continue to serve the COCA Executive and its members over the last year.

A year ago, I wrote of COCA’s achievements and detailed the professional issues the College dealt with during the year. In a similar vein, I thought readers might also like to know what happened throughout 2005/06.

COCA comments upon professional issues
As a stakeholder organisation in the professions of chiropractic and osteopathy, the College is often asked for its opinion or input pertaining to professional issues impacting upon the professions.

During the year COCA made submissions to:

• Victorian Chiropractic Registration Board
  Contracts of Care and Guidelines – further comments
  Code of Conduct for Registrants
• Victorian Government
  Health Professions Registration Bill 2005
• Queensland Chiropractic Registration Board
  Establishment of a chiropractic education base in Queensland
• Queensland Government
  Public Health Bill 2005 - further comments

Generally, throughout the year COCA made contact with every state chiropractic and osteopathic registration board, regarding issues of interest to the professions.

New COCA member services & endorsed products

• Therapod – V-TEQ foam and adjustable back support seating systems
• Explore Planet Earth (EPE) – spinal articulation series of backpacks
• Aussie Pillows

Members are no doubt aware that any monies received from these endorsement and marketing activities are indirectly returned to you, as COCA is a not-for-profit organisation.

Other COCA achievements and initiatives launched during 2005/06

• COCA Membership Directory 2006 listed all COCA members. Prominence in the directory was given to Certified Practicing Members (CPM).
  
  
• Chiropractic & Osteopathy COCA’s open access internet journal turned one year in April 2006. Throughout the year the journal provided a forum for chiropractors, osteopaths, researchers and clinicians to publish scientific and clinically relevant articles and informative reviews, thus adding to and advancing the body of research and scientific knowledge for the professions.
  
  
• Professional Indemnity & Public Liability insurance premiums slashed. Aon broking services together with QBE insurances put together the most innovative and wide ranging insurance cover for professions in the marketplace.
  
  
• Certified Practicing Member (CPM) membership uptake was a runaway success. CPM is COCA’s highest level of membership, and it was my pleasure to sign CPM certificates for so many COCA members during the year.

Finally, COCA will continue to bring you the most informative and useful continuing education seminars series throughout next year and in the years to come.