MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

OSHFC MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

OSHFC membership consists of "alternative" health care providers such as herbalists, naturopaths, homeopaths, colon hydro therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors, as well as "conventional" providers, such as physicians, nurses, and social workers. Other providers of healthcare services such as health food stores, multi-level marketers of natural health products, complementary and alternative health (CAH) publishers and those devoted to CAH access are also encouraged to join us in our mission.  We also have many members with no formal background or training in the health disciplines who join because they use alternative approaches and believe in learning how to take care of their own health. These people are health care providers too, providers of their own health care and that of their families.

Consumer  

• those who utilize complementary and alternative health approaches, wish to learn more     about their benefits, and/or believe in and support the consumer's right to choose alternative health modes as part of their total health care regimen
• patrons of health food stores and clients of health care practitioners interested in information and supporting organizational efforts

Student

• full or part-time students at K-12 or college levels interested in participating in OSHFC  activities and serving on committees

Individual  

• patrons, clients, or any interested individual supporting the aims of the OSHFC and wishing to be actively involved in advocacy and promotional activities

Individuals can have OSHFC office-holding privileges.

Professional

• health care practitioners

All who consider themselves practitioners are encouraged to join at this level. This group includes hypnotherapists, naturopaths, colon hydrotherapists, herbalists, chiropractors, massage therapists, reflexologists, energy healers, spiritual healers, and homeopaths. Membership is also open to allopathic practitioners who support a consumer's right to choose alternative medicine, who incorporate it in their practice, refer clients to CAH practitioners and/or wish to learn more about the benefits of alternative medicine. This category is also appropriate for marketers, lecturers, authors, and publishers specializing in promoting CAH practitioners and therapies, professional sales persons specializing in natural health products, and other professionals dedicated to natural health and/or freedom of access to these services and products.

Corporate

• health related businesses such as health clinics, CAH education centers or schools, health food stores, and manufacturers or distributors of natural health care products