I’ve been a member of AMTA for a number of years, and recently felt called to join ABMP as well. Both of these fine organizations serve our profession in their individual ways. I am also nationally certified, which people are sometimes surprised to hear if they have read some of my postings about the NCBTMB. I am currently serving on North Carolina’s state board.
I regularly disagree with other board members, and I’m not shy about voicing my opinion. I have, in the past, written letters to the leadership of AMTA when I was upset with them about something. I haven’t been a member of ABMP long enough to give them a hard time about anything, but I would feel free to do so if I was upset with them for some reason. I also belong to a number of Internet networks and forums, most of which have a big community of massage therapists participating.
My last rant was about speaking up or losing out, and I want to expand on that, for a couple of reasons. One, I don’t get very many public comments on this blog. I am frequently amazed at the number of emails I receive, and even phone calls, from people who don’t want to publicly post a response. While I am thrilled and flattered to hear from my readers, it’s distressing that people won’t voice their opinion for the rest of the world to see. Some of them can’t because they are under a gag order from an entity I don’t have to name here; you can just take a wild guess.
Two, and I have been noticing this since I became a massage therapist, there is a core group who does indeed care about what goes on in our profession as far as our legislation, governance, and credentialing is concerned. I see those same dedicated people everywhere I go. They attend Board meetings and sign in for public comment time so they can offer their opinion. They attend our state and national conventions, and yes, some come for the classes and the fellowship in general, but others are there so they can have a voice on top of the other perks of attendance. They contact their legislators and association leaders, and send out e-mail blasts asking the rest of us to do the same. They run for office, they serve on committees, they participate in the Internet networks and forums, they share research and everyday concerns. They take the time to find out the facts. They step up to the plate.
I’ve watched while people cycled through every position in their professional association, and some continue to serve longer than they really want to because there is no one in the wings to take their place. Those same individuals serve on committee after committee and task force after task force because of the lack of volunteers coming forward, and these folks have been good enough not to leave an organization hanging for lack of fresh volunteers.
I’d like to recognize those people, but I feel I would be remiss to name one or two and not name them all. Some of them don’t want to see their name in my blog, lest people think they share my opinions! They know who they are, though most of them are too humble to say so. They are the ones who look beyond their personal space to the greater good of our profession. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
One more thing: On this Memorial Day, remember this is about those who served the rest of us for the greater good with the ultimate sacrifice, and not just an excuse for a weekend at the lake and a cookout.
Peace & Prosperity,
Laura Allen
May 26th, 2009 at 6:09 am
I am rather new to this industry, but have been known to be the boat shaker and mess maker because I always attempt to make a situation better for the masses that i work with. This has always put me at a disadvantage politically, but honestly I never cared much for the political mess of posturing. Rather I have always seen it as a call to action, as that is what I view what needs to be done, the best action given the information at hand. If it doesn’t work, well then one must DO something else, ad infinitum.
You can expect to hear more from me as I am proud of the industry that I am in. Changes can always be made. Any entity is challenged to grow, learn and evolve into the best that it can be, be it a person or organization. I agree, people must be not afraid to make their voices heard, as we cannot act if we do not know what the problem is. While in school I was impressed with a few of my teachers telling us that we are on the cusp of something great, the industry has made great strides over the past years to legitimize itself and seperate it from the prostitution moniker that it was infairly associated with it due to the actions of a few unethical therapists. The Board has taken steps to minimize this effect to great lengths, and I for one appreciate these steps.
Most therapists realize the extremly beneficial power of touch that we perform, admist a society that does not know how to deal with it. All of that changes when we work, more aptly have passion for our trade. When that client who comes to us in pain and at the end of the session looks to us and thanks us relieved and is able to sleep through a night.
Yes I am new and perhaps a little niave, but it is that learning process which allows us to make a better environment.
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