Proposed Goals FY11/12 Future Directions

MISSION:

To serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy.

Proposed Core Values:

• We are a diverse and nurturing community working with integrity, honesty and dignity.
• We are a nonprofit member-driven organization of ethical professionals.
• We embrace excellence in education, service, and leadership.
• We endorse professional standards and support fair regulation of massage therapy.
• We believe that massage benefits all.

Proposed Vision Statement:

As the most trusted professionals in massage therapy, American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) members are integral to health care and wellness

AMTA’s vision is a future where:

• AMTA members are devoted to professionalism and excellence in massage therapy practice.

• Quality research is the foundation for evidence-informed massage therapy education and practice.

• AMTA supports its members in expanding their knowledge through quality education.

• AMTA embodies the spirit of community in support of its members.

• AMTA promotes its members as the highest quality professionals in massage therapy.

• Massage therapy is easily accessible.

• Massage therapy is a vital component of health care and wellness.

Proposed FY11/12 Strategic Plan Goals

Proposed Member Experience Goals

Goal:  AMTA members receive and potential members discover the rewards of AMTA membership.

Objective:  To increase members’ and potential members’ awareness of the value of AMTA membership.

PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY

Goal:  Support high standards in massage therapy education.

Objective:  Expand massage therapy education that elevates our members’ professional competency.

ADVOCACY AND INFLUENCE

Goal:  The health care and wellness industry accepts the value of massage therapy

Objective:  Increase understanding of the benefits of massage therapy through education of the health care and wellness industry.

PROPOSED IMAGE AND AWARENESS

Goal:  Consumers prefer massage therapy from AMTA members.

Objective:  Increase consumer preference for massage therapy provided by an AMTA member.

PROPOSED INDUSTRY RELATIONSHIPS

Goal:  AMTA is a respected leader within the health care and wellness industry.

Objective:  Increase collaboration between AMTA, its members and the other health care and wellness industry leaders.

PROPOSED RESEARCH GOALS

Goal:  AMTA members are aware of the importance of scientific research to the massage therapy industry.

Objective:  Increase the opportunities to access massage therapy scientific research through AMTA vehicles.

PROPOSED GOVERNMENT RELATIONS GOALS

Goal:  AMTA works for effective licensing to ensure massage therapists’ right to practice and to protect the public.

Objective:  To establish portability of practice throughout the United States and its territories.

PROPOSED COMMUNITY GOALS

Goal: AMTA members experience a sense of community.

Objective:  Increase opportunities for members to feel connected to AMTA nationally and locally.

Note:  AMTA’s Future Directions was first developed in May 2003; submitted to the membership and other stakeholders in a call for comment in summer 2003; revised and approved by the AMTA Board in October 2003.  This edition of the strategic plan was developed with input from chapter leaders and the membership in June 2010.

Annamarie is a graduate of the School of Orthopedic Massage and BodyWork in Ann Arbor, and is nationally certified. She is the owner of ‘Soul 2 Sole’ private practice, and is a workshop instructor and educator on natural products and essential oils.

Additionally, Annamarie works at Beaumont Hospital, in their massage program. She brings a wealth of experience from both her corporate background and her clinical and teaching skills that we will all benefit from.

Annamarie will hold the position of Secretary until our April 2011 elections, when she can choose to run to fill the final year of that two-year term. Thank you and welcome, Annamarie DeSantis!

At our chapter meeting, some concerns were expressed that our chapter may not have followed all election procedures carefully. We want all members to know that our Chapter Board of Directors asked for a complete review of our election process by the National Office, National Bylaws chair and AMTA’s attorney. We are very pleased to report that everything was done according to policy. We would like to thank Terry Hirth-Caldwell, our Commissioner of Candidacy, and Todd Simmons, the Commissions Board Liason for their dedication and accurate adherence to AMTA bylaws and policy.

Deb Zager

You can read some of exerpts from our application below. Keep our state in your good intentions, and maybe there will be an awards coming our way this fall. You may even be in attendance with us to cheer for all the award winners in person.

This year our chapter was met with the challenge of our president needing to leave office unexpectedly and all board members stepping up to new and immediate positions and responsibilities. All members pulled together and met this challenge head- on and graciously.   We refused to “Miss a Beat”!  Communication and cooperation were key in our success. We’ve accomplished so much and done so well, we’ve given our board a new name “The Wellness Team”!  Our accomplishments include:

User-Friendly Website

After years of struggling with website challenges, our chapter has  a user-friendly website. (amtamichigan.org) In December 2009, we obtained 3 quotes for the site, and after reviewing the proposals, the board voted to go with a local webmaster, AMTA member Earl Wenk. We felt that the chapters’ money should be invested locally, and our webmaster has tutored three of the board members to be able to update the site regularly.We now have up-to-the minute information on the site, can get emails from our readers, can link to National sites as well as archive our newsletters. Our newsletter editor and webmaster are working together to get online advertising to work with our newsletter advertising. We anticipate that two-way advertising will be a bonus for advertisers.

Chapter Cell  Phone

In February, 2010, the Board approved the purchase of a chapter cell phone. The phone will be transferred to successive Presidents and can be left with another board member designated to answer calls. The number (734-255-6561) will stay the same, establishing continuity in the transfer of duties. It will also prevent outdated stationery, pens, or other items with our state information printed on it.  This will save time and money.

Newsletter

Our newsletter editor, Don Baker, did an outstanding job this year saving paper, time and money by “going green” .   Our newsletters are now posted and archived on the website. Members can access past issues with the click of a mouse.  We now print a minimum number of newsletters to send to “by request” members, advertisers, and to take on school visits.Don researched publishing houses, and we now have one that works well with us and has the newsletters out in a timely fashion. Again, we went with a local provider to keep Michigan dollars in Michigan.

Board Retreat

The board participated in their second board retreat this spring. We completed our budget for the year, planned our two educational events and election, and put several community outreach opportunities on the calendar. We also conducted a delegate orientation with  new delegates, worked on a MERT budget and had a great time doing it all.

Chapter Fee

Shortly after our retreat and setting our new budget ,we received notice from National about voting on changes to our chapter fee.  In less than two weeks we passed a motion to waive our chapter fee for the coming year.  This was accomplished in such a short time due to the immediate response and diligence of board members as well as support from Ruth Cox and Laura Sabransky at the National office.
Member Programming: Community Service/Fundraising
Description: The board and AMTA/MI members participated in the Susan G Komen 3-day Walk last year, and this year we are staffing the first-ever Michigan Susan G Komen Ride for the Cure in Ann Arbor Michigan. We have more volunteer opportunities on our calendar this year than we ever have. Thanks to Julie Finn and Cindy Dort, our MERT activists, we have members offering chair massage at many local events involving police, EMS, fire, and even chaplains’ conventions. They have partnered with local massage schools to staff these events, for an outstanding presence in our community.  During NMTAW we had an excellent representation at ‘The Parade Company’ giving chair massages to the workers there. Our photographs even made it to the National Web site!

 OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO MEMBERS:

Description: We as a board have had to overcome a significant change in leadership in the past year. As First Vice President, I stepped into the Presidents role, and was supported by the next two Vice-Presidents as they agreed to move up and take on a greater role. Our Treasurer overcame significant challenges to maintaining chapter compliance with National requirements, and is an integral part of the current board. Our IPP has mentored all of us through these challenges, and just since Thanksgiving 2009, the board has presented the membership with a new website, a chapter phone line, a ‘green’ newsletter, and a multitude of volunteer opportunities and two educational events. We are working with a newly appointed massage board in our State Capitol, Lansing MI hoping to be able to come to consensus in setting licensure requirements.

So, there you have it, an exerpt from our application for a public ‘atta boy’! from National…What do you think? Anything to add???